Gardening like most other hobbies has a language of its own. There are terms related to plant growth and development and garden practices. There is also the extensive use of Latin to name plants. There are common names for plants; these vary from place to place so Latin provides a common denominator that enables people to...
You’ve likely seen the familiar sight of a Black-capped Chickadee landing on the branch of a native oak tree, pulling out a fat caterpillar hidden beneath a leaf, and flying off to feed its waiting chicks. What might not be immediately obvious is that this small, everyday interaction reflects...
Life clings tenaciously to even the least hospitable parts of our Earth: the hottest thermal springs, the deepest oceans, the driest deserts, and the highest mountains. While the species associated with hot springs and deep oceans would be a challenge...
For most people, the word “flower” conjures up a mental image of a tulip, or a daisy, or a rhododendron, or a magnolia – something big, showy, and colourful. That’s my first mental picture, too – so I always have...
Christmas is a time for plants. There is the Christmas tree, of course. Mistletoe and holly also play prominent roles. However, in more recent history the poinsettia, Euphorbia pulcherrima, has become a symbol of Christmas and a staple for holiday...
A visit to a garden is a chance to see beautiful plants, and often, unfamiliar ones. For centuries, gardeners have scoured the world for beauty that evolved in far-off lands. Many of our most cherished garden plants, then, originated somewhere...