Yes, Kale is mighty healthy - and mighty easy to grow. I grew three plants last year and fed the neighborhood (each plant grew to 4’ tall and about 2.5’ round). When I finally cut them down for winter, one trunk was nearly 4” round.

Kale is far more nutritious than other leafy greens

Sweet pea or Lathyrus odoratus, also a flower of April, is native to the eastern Mediterranean. 

Henry Eckford (1823–1905), a nurseryman of Scottish descent, cross-bred and developed the sweet pea, turning it from a rather insignificant, if sweetly scented flower, into the floral sensation of the late Victorian era.

Sweet peas have been cultivated since the 17th century and a vast number of cultivars, such as Spencer Giant (usually mixed colours), are widely available.

April Flower of the Month: The Daisy and Sweet Pea

Daisy is the April herb specified by the English Herbal Calendar. To the English, the most common daisy is Bellis perennis (pictured) , whose genus name means pretty in Latin. The daisy obtained its scientific name in mythology. Vertiumnus, the guardian deity of orchards, undesirably pursued a young, tree nymph, granddaughter of Danaeus, powerful king of Argos. She appealed to the gods and they transformed her into a humble flower named Bellis, thereby escaping her fate.

There are many different plants people call daisies. Click on the image to visit the Daisy Paradise page.

The Beauty of Pollination

Brought to us by the folks of TED is this vivid look at the glory of nature, the beauty of pollination.  Click on the image to access the youtube video.

March Flower of the Month - The Daffodil

Daffodil, or Narcissus, is part of the Amaryllis family, with as many as 100 variants and wild species. Daffodil are some of the easiest plants to grow, from as far north as the Canadian border and as far south as the Gulf of Mexico (as long as there is frost).

For those who prefer something unexpected, consider one of the lesser known specimen, like the Akepa (named in tribute to an endangered species of Hawaiian bird), shown here. 

The story goes that the first Narcissus plant sprang from where the Greek youth Narcissus (who became so obsessed with his reflection in a pond that he fell into the water) drowned. 

Less known is that it is named after its narcotic properties (ναρκάω narkao, “I grow numb” in Greek).

The name Daffodil is derived from “Affodell”, a variant of another plant, Asphodel. The letter “d” likely comes from the Dutch article “de,” as in “De affodil.” 

To see more variety and learn more about growing, click on the photo to visit the American Daffodil Society.

Unexpected Inspiration

Some say ‘think outside of the box.’ I say: be unexpected - particularly when creating a space that reflects your personality. Designing an outdoor space is no different. How best to be unexpected is to hone in on something that inspires you. Something typically outdoors may do it, or let something you collect be your guide. And whether you like to DIY or work with a designer, use plants and outdoor furnishings to represent your personal style.

Folk art of just about kind jumpstarts me creatively. Each piece tells a personal story. Shown here is the “Pinetree” pattern from the show Infinite Variety: Three Centuries of Red and White Quilts” at The American Folk Art Museum of New York. Show dates are March 25-30, 2012. 

See more images and read more about the show by clicking on the Pinetree quilt photo.

Click on the images of the Eastern Cottonwood to learn more about the Populus deltoides.

Here’s Johnny - tree swinging that is!

Wednesday, February 29, 2012, 6-8p at The Ohio Theatre

Please join Mayor Coleman and many hundreds of Columbus’ closest friends as he celebrates the Columbus Bicentennial with his State of the City Address.

Groups including The Harmony Project join Mayor Coleman onstage in singing tribute.