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...
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...
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...
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,...
Single-leafed orchid grows wild in West Virginia woodlands
This here story is a tale about a very interesting native plant that just happens to be one of the many species of orchids...
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...
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...
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...
Create your own woodland paradise in the backyard
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....
Hearty beech fern ideal for the West Virginia garden
Before we commence chatting about my favorite fern of all time, let’s get the nomenclature out of the way (nomenclature: a fancy, two-bit word...
Native blue lobelia provides ideal color in early autumn
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,...
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...
