Plant Identification

Potatoes are a delicious and versatile vegetable to grow in your garden. But keeping potato plants properly identified can be tricky when weeds invade Several common weeds share similar characteristics with potato plants, making it easy to mix the two up. Being able to spot the differences between potatoes and weedy look-alikes will help ensure … Read more

With its upright spikes of colorful flowers on green, toothed foliage, veronica makes a distinctive statement in the garden. However, there are several other plants that bear a resemblance to veronica in terms of growth habit, leaf texture, or floral display. While they share some visual qualities, each plant has unique features that set it … Read more

Creepers are one of the most iconic hostile mobs in Minecraft. With their distinctive green skins and tendency to explode they are known and feared by every Minecraft player. But what would these explosive monsters look like if they existed in the real world? In this article I explore what a real-life creeper might look … Read more

With its petite leaves and pleasing aroma thyme is a beloved herb for many chefs and home gardeners. But with over 100 varieties it can be tricky to distinguish different types of thyme plants. This article will help you identify thyme through photos and provide tips for cultivating these versatile herbs yourself. Common Thyme The … Read more

Plants with hairy, fuzzy, or downy leaves can add unique texture and visual interest to gardens. The soft hairs, scientifically known as trichomes, come in many shapes and forms from fine velvet-like coatings to woolly tufts. Beyond aesthetics, they serve a variety of functions for plants such as insulation, moisture retention, and deterring pests. If … Read more

Trumpet vines are fast growing vines that produce beautiful trumpet-shaped flowers during the summer months. After the flowers fade the vines develop long, bean-like seed pods. Inside these pods are dozens of flat, round seeds with thin, papery edges. Knowing what trumpet vine seeds look like and when to harvest them allows you to collect … Read more

With their bright, daisy-like flowers in shades of pink, orange, white and red, cosmos add cheerful color to summer gardens. After the blooms fade, the cosmos plants develop seed pods bursting with hundreds of seeds. But what do cosmos seeds look like? Cosmos seeds have a very distinctive appearance. Learning to recognize them allows you … Read more

When we think of plants, the color green usually comes to mind. After all, most plants have green stems, leaves, and flowers. But the plant kingdom contains a surprisingly diverse array of species that break out of the green mold. Let’s explore some of the most striking and unusual non-green plants that add splashes of … Read more

Garlic is a popular bulbous crop that adds delicious flavor to many savory dishes But what does a garlic plant actually look like as it progresses from planting to harvest? Here is an overview of the key visual growth stages of a typical garlic plant Planting Stage Garlic is grown from individual cloves broken off … Read more