Barry Glick

RENICK, W.Va. — Ferns may be among the most overlooked plants in the West Virginia woodlands, though more than 50 species thrive in its mountains, according to native plant expert Barry Glick. “I can’t claim to be an expert in fern identification, and that’s not because they’re complicated, it’s just that I haven’t had the … Read more

RENICK, W.Va. — Some of the most precious of West Virginia wildflowers are spring ephemerals. Fleeting in nature, they are gone in a heartbeat. Though they may seem to have vanished by early summer, many leave a remembrance, a clue, if you will, for you to find them next spring—a dried-up leaf, a flower stalk, … Read more

SUNSHINE FARM, W.Va. — Winter and spring may be the best time of year to sing the praises of Symplocarpus foetidus, a.k.a. “Eastern Skunk Cabbage,” because this is when this unusual plant performs a magic trick. Before I tell you about the magic, let’s dispel an obvious negative. First of all, this plant does not … Read more

SUNSHINE FARM, W.Va. — When it became my turn to present my current story proposal at our regular editorial board meeting, my pitch was resoundingly well received. Half of the editorial board had no idea that there was a geranium native to the U.S., and the other half couldn’t praise this plant highly enough. Just … Read more

When botanist Thomas Meehan died in 1901, I’m sure he went to the big forest in the sky feeling proud that Nathaniel Lord Britton had named a genus of plants in his honor. I’d also bet that he didn’t know how wonderful his namesake plant was. In fact, most people don’t know how wonderful Meehania … Read more

If you’ve read any of my past diatribes, you know that I favor scientific botanical nomenclature above common names. That’s caused many readers to come to think of me as a snob or know-it-all. That’s not the case! But, I’m going to save the “plant name” discussion for a later date. I just wanted to … Read more

A picture speaks a thousand words, and that’s a good thing because I have a lot to say about this plant that could best be said in pictures. And I’d be happy to hear that this article stimulated you enough to go out hunting for Hydrophyllum virginianum in the wild this spring. First, let’s chat … Read more

You may have to stretch your imagination a bit to embrace the common name of this exciting West Virginia resident. That plant, Tipularia discolor, is a terrestrial orchid closely related to Aplectrum hyemale, aka “Adam & Eve,” aka “Putty Root.” Its common name is “Crane Fly Orchid,” as the blossoms resemble a Crane Fly lighting on … Read more

I guess I’d have to attribute my love of woodland gardening to Errol Flynn, the swashbuckling MGM heartthrob of the ’30s, ’40s, and ’50s. My mother had a serious crush on the daring star, and whenever one of his movies was on The Late Show, or The Late, Late Show, or The Late, Late, Late … Read more

These days it seems that just about every gardener I speak with is searching for pollinator plants. There’s a major focus on Lobelia cardinalis, and with good reason, although its cousin Lobelia siphlitica is being sadly overlooked, and not with good reason. Lobelia cardinalis, also known as the “Cardinal Flower,” surely does its job attracting … Read more