Wild Cucumber

Wild Cucumber

In late summer, you may notice trees or shrubs covered with crowns of white flowers that are not part of the woody plant blooming. Look closely and you'll notice the leaves and individual flowers look just like that of cucumber--this is wild cucumber. Wild cucumber is...

read more

Cannas- A Touch of Tropical

Cannas can add a touch of tropical to any garden with wide, green or variegated leaves and bright flowers in multiple shades of red, pink, orange and yellow. Canna is the only genus in the family of Cannaceae which can be propagated from seed, but most often are grown...

read more
Bird of Paradise

Bird of Paradise

Master Gardener, Betty Grotophorst, has a green thumb when it comes to growing the “Bird of Paradise”.  The iconic, stereotypical flower of the tropics, isn’t really a tropical plant at all, however, it has a very exotic bloom that looks great! The Bird of Paradise...

read more
Orchid Care

Orchid Care

Orchid Care by MGV Ann Marie Ott With winter apparently continuing without end, you may be tempted to bring a bit of the tropics into your home by purchasing an orchid.  An easy to maintain variety is Phalaenopsis, also called the moth orchid because of the shape of...

read more
Tropical Hibiscus

Tropical Hibiscus

Since Mother Nature refuses to provide us with a peek at Spring, we’ll take a wishful look at growing tropical hibiscus.   Picture glossy green leaved shrubs, trimmed to five or six feet high, forming a privacy screen around a red brick patio.  Sprinkled among the...

read more

The Language of Flowers

As Valentine’s Day nears, you may be planning to select a floral arrangement or card to send to a loved one.  Consider the language of flowers when making your selections!  Floriography, the technical term for the meaning of flowers, was coined in the Victorian era...

read more

Forcing Paperwhite Narcissus Bulbs

Bring spring into your home to beat the winter blues! Bring a glimpse of spring to your home by forcing paperwhite narcissus bulbs! The beautiful white blooms set above spring green leaves have a distinctive fragrance so consider whether family members or visitors to...

read more