The Northeast is renowned for its fall color – the reds and golds of maples, the yellows of clethra and spicebush, the ruby glow of blueberry and chokeberry bushes. And, since its introduction to the United States, from Asia in the 1860s, the gaudy red of burning bush (Euonymus alata), also known as winged euonymus, […] Continue reading "Burning Bush (Euonymus alata)"

Nothing draws people’s ire as quickly as suggesting that they not plant buddleia in a butterfly garden. It’s understandable that people plant buddleias (Buddleia davidii or B. alternifolia; sometimes spelled Buddleja). After all, most garden books and websites include them in their lists of butterfly garden plants. And it’s easy to see why people like […] Continue reading "Nipped In The Buddleia (Buddleia davidii)"

Last summer at the edge of my yard, I spotted a vine with an unusual purplish-black, starshaped flower. In the past, I might not have noticed it. But courtesy of the hours we Habitat Gardening in Central New York (NY) Chapter members spent in intimate contact with that plant, I immediately recognized the villain: black […] Continue reading "Black Swallowwort (Cynanchum nigrum)"

Looking for a big impact in your garden? Want to shade an undesirable view, or create a shady sitting area under a pergola? Cover a fence? How about a plant for a small garden where vertical gardening is necessary? Need a plant for erosion control? A fast-growing vine with beautiful red stems and bright blue […] Continue reading "Porcelainberry (Ampelopsis brevipedunculata)"