American Squashes

zucchini and yellow summer squash

Sorting out the squashes is a job for experts, which I am not. They are wonderfully confused.

“True squashes” are plants in the genus Cucurbita (Cucurbitaceae, cucumber family). About 15 species make up Cucurbita, all of them native to the Americas. 

Melons, such as cantalope genus Cucumis, watermelon, genus Citrullus (blog about watermelon) and others--all the melons--are from Asia, Africa or Europe. 

Chrysanthemums: Fall Greetings!

red chrysanthemums 

As summer fades into fall, a different set of plants dominate the landscape.  In my garden, the chrysanthemums that were an unassuming cluster of leaves all summer are now covered in blossoms.  My fruit trees are dropping apples and peaches. Burning bush (Euonymous) and maples start to turn color.  

Pollinators and Flower Visitors

All sorts of small animals can be found on flowers. All of them can safely be called flower visitors. Of the flower visitors, some are pollinators. What is the difference?

Plant Story--Oxalis, Wood Sorrel

Wood sorrels, Oxalis, with flowers like little yellow stars, are common plants in disturbed areas across much of North America. They are worth a second look. 

common wood sorrel, Oxalis stricta