Exploring Black Bugs with Vibrant Green Spots While many bugs come in solid shades of black, brown, or metallic colors, some exhibit eye-catching contrast with vibrant green spots. These black beetles and other insects with splotches of emerald, lime or forest green stand out in nature. Let’s take a closer look at some of the … Read more
Sunflowers are one of the most popular flowers grown in home gardens. Their bright, cheerful yellow petals and tall sturdy stems make them stand out in any landscape. However some weeds resemble sunflowers and can sneak into your garden unnoticed. Learning to identify these sunflower look-alikes will help you keep them from taking over your … Read more
Celosia is a popular ornamental flower grown for its vividly colored plumes. But if you want to collect celosia seeds to grow new plants, it helps to know what the seeds look like. Here is an overview of celosia seed characteristics and how to identify, harvest, and store them. An Overview of Celosia Seed Features … Read more
Hostas are popular shade-loving perennials that brighten up gardens with their attractive foliage. While hostas are typically propagated by division, some varieties do produce seeds that can be collected and grown. So what do hosta seeds look like? An Overview of Hosta Seed Characteristics Hosta seeds are quite small, elongated, and flat. They have a … Read more
Mizuna Beni Houshi is a unique and striking variety of mizuna, an Asian green in the Brassica family. With its vivid colors and delicious, peppery flavor, this heirloom vegetable makes a beautiful and tasty addition to salads, stir-fries, and other dishes. An Overview of Mizuna Mizuna, also known as spider mustard, Japanese mustard, or California … Read more
Wandering through the woods, you spot what appears to be a small, lumpy potato poking up from the leaf litter. Upon closer inspection, you realize it’s not a vegetable at all, but rather a fungus mimicking the appearance of a potato. While edible wild mushrooms can be foraged if identified correctly, fungi that resemble potatoes … Read more
Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a popular herb grown for its intoxicating effects on cats. But what do catnip seeds look like? Getting familiar with catnip seeds can allow you to grow this feline-favorite herb yourself. An Overview of Catnip Seed Characteristics Catnip seeds are very small, thin, and oval-shaped. They have a smooth, papery texture … Read more
The Celestial Beauty of Star-Shaped Flowers Flowers come in an astounding array of shapes and sizes, from the large and showy blooms of sunflowers to the delicate bells of fuchsia Yet few floral forms capture our imagination quite like the star-shaped flower These botanical wonders evoke a sense of celestial beauty, mimicking the shape and … Read more
Is a Cleaver a Bird? Unpacking the Curious Name of the Pileated Woodpecker The pileated woodpecker is a crow-sized forest bird recognized by its flaming red crest and distinctive undulating flight. But where does its intriguing name come from? Specifically, is a “cleaver” referring to the bird itself or something else? Let’s explore the possible … Read more
The humble strawberry bush resides in the background through much of the year, rarely turning heads despite its intriguing name. But for those who pause to appreciate its subtleties, a closer look reveals an understated beauty A Shrub That Blends In Strawberry bush (Euonymus americanus) is a deciduous shrub native to eastern North America. It … Read more