

River Birch -- Overused
One of the most overused ornamental trees is river birch (Betula nigra). Do not presume that I mean it is unattractive. The bark can be...
Aug 1, 2020


Miscalculating
One of the most common gardening mistakes is miscalculating size and then mislocating based on this miscalculation. It seems almost no...
Jul 1, 2020


Failing to Get There, Again
I had a rant about Asiatic Bittersweet (aka Python Vine) ready to post and will post it closer to fall, but hours before my first of the...
Jun 1, 2020


Asian Bush Honeysuckle
Regrettably, most of the wood edge, understory and blocking roadside shrubbery you see in the Midwest is Asian Bush Honeysuckle (ABH)....
May 1, 2020


EARTH DAY - Golden Anniversity
What were you doing April 22, 1970? It was a perfect spring day in my south-central Illinois hometown. I was a high school senior, the...
Apr 1, 2020


Would That It Were That Simple
The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map was originally compiled at the Arnold Arboretum, first published in 1938 and most recently updated (for...
Mar 1, 2020


Farmer's Almanac Predictions
The Old Farmer's Almanac claims its "weather" predictions are 80 percent accurate--using a secret formula created back about 1800, and...
Feb 1, 2020


Hangin' On
Perhaps you have noticed the seasonally abnormal appearance of many Oriental maples (AKA Japanese maples). I am referring to the...
Jan 1, 2020


Season of Giving - Earth Pigs
Like many people, I enjoy giving; but like some, I find it uncomfortable receiving. The discomfort for me has always been tied to...
Dec 1, 2019


Misinformed & Bad Choice
(1) All woody species (vines, shrubs & trees) are indeterminate growers (i.e., they do not stop growing {getting bigger} unless dormant,...
Nov 1, 2019