One leaf at time
Meet the Bulbous buttercup! This cheerful yellow wildflower pops up in meadows, offering nectar to pollinators and food for some wildlife. Traditionally, it’s been used in small doses for skin irritations, though it’s best admired from afar. Its distinctive bulbous base stores energy, letting it thrive even in tough conditions. Remember, while pretty, this buttercup … Read more
Meet Gill-over-the-ground, a charming groundcover! This little plant boasts scalloped leaves and tiny purple flowers. Often called Creeping Charlie, it’s used in herbal remedies and even adds a minty-peppery kick to salads. A friend to pollinators, it carpets shady spots, preventing erosion. Its name comes from its fast-spreading nature, seeming to “gild” or cover the … Read more
Meet Milfoil, a surprisingly useful plant! Often found near water, it’s a tasty snack for ducks and insects, cleaning up polluted water along the way. Traditionally, people used it for healing, especially for cuts and bruises. This humble plant even changes its leaf shape underwater! Milfoil’s beauty and benefits make it a real winner. Milfoil … Read more
Meet the Joint-leaf rush! This common wetland plant helps prevent erosion and provides vital homes for wildlife. You’ll find it stabilizing shorelines and filtering water. Interestingly, its tough, cylindrical stems were once used for weaving mats and chair bottoms. A true eco-hero and useful plant all in one! Joint-leaf rush Description Common Name Joint-leaf rush … Read more
Lowland rice, a staple food for billions, thrives in flooded fields! This amazing plant is more than just dinner; it provides habitat for diverse creatures. What’s special? Its roots can breathe underwater! Growing rice paddies also help control water flow, reducing erosion. Next time you enjoy rice, remember this fascinating and vital plant. Lowland rice … Read more
The beech tree, a woodland beauty, offers more than just stunning autumn colors! Its smooth, gray bark and plentiful nuts provide food and shelter for wildlife, making it ecologically vital. We use beech wood for furniture and firewood. Interestingly, beech trees can also communicate through their roots, sharing resources and warnings with their neighbors! Beech … Read more
The charming Forget-me-not, with its sky-blue petals and sunny yellow center, is more than just a pretty face! Often gifted as a symbol of remembrance and love, this tiny wildflower attracts vital pollinators. Its delicate blooms provide early nectar for bees and other insects, while helping to stabilize soil in damp areas. Legend says it … Read more
Meet common fireweed, a vibrant plant known for its stunning pink blooms that paint landscapes after fires. More than just pretty, its leaves are used for teas and salves. As a colonizer of disturbed areas, it helps restore ecosystems and provides food for wildlife. Its ability to quickly establish itself makes it a crucial and … Read more
Meet the Common Juniper! This hardy evergreen shrub is a familiar sight across many landscapes. Its berries flavor gin and add zest to culinary dishes. Ecologically, it provides shelter and food for wildlife. Uniquely, junipers can be male or female, with only the females producing those recognizable, flavorful berries. This versatile plant is a gift … Read more
Red fescue, a grass you’ve likely seen in lawns and meadows, is a real workhorse! It’s commonly used in turf mixes for its fine texture and hardiness. Ecologically, it stabilizes soil and provides habitat for wildlife. Uniquely, it can tolerate shade and poor soils, making it a champion in tough spots where other grasses struggle. … Read more