Simply ferntastic! West Virginia's many fern species
In my humble opinion, ferns are one of the most overlooked groups of plants in West Virginia forests and woodlands. Here in Greenbrier County,...
Spring ideal season to engage in West Virginia botanical events
SAINT ALBANS, W.Va. — One of the best things about living in West Virginia is the opportunity to experience its cycles of growth. Whether...
Some spring crocus are indigenous in Appalachian Mountains
FLAT TOP, W.Va. — There are few surer signs of the approach of spring in West Virginia than the emergence of crocus blossoms in...
Eastern Skunk Cabbage performs magic in spring
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...
Tropical plant store near new national park takes award
HINTON, W.Va. — You might not think a West Virginia town of fewer than 3,000 residents would be the ideal location for a booming...
Yes, (West) Virginia, there is a native geranium!
SUNSHINE FARM, W.Va. — When it became my turn to present my current story proposal at our regular editorial board meeting, my pitch was...
West Virginia native plant ideal groundcover in shade
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...
Sarvis Tree blossoms signal the arrival of mountain spring
Seasons can come and go in the temperate regions of the world with many false starts, but in the Appalachian Mountains, folks know spring...
Native Solomon's Seal ideal for wild and shade gardens
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...
Native W.Va. garden plant may go unnoticed in the wild
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...
Remarkable orchid's single leaf persists through winter in W.Va.
You may have to stretch your imagination a wee bit to embrace the common name of this very interesting West Virginia resident. That plant,...
Ramp harvesting ends in national parks in southern W.Va.
Due to an observed decline in their population, ramps may no longer be harvested on properties managed by the National Park Service in southern...
