Last week, I mentioned how common names can be confusing. A good example is the asparagus fern. Despite its common name, these plants are not ferns. Asparagus ferns will flower and produce fruit ...

The first plant I taught each of my three kids to identify was poison ivy. Making sure they knew how to avoid a plant that can cause such discomfort was important to me as a parent. Although they ...

Sword fern (Polystichum munitum) instantly enhances shade gardens with its beautifully lush, evergreen fronds. Perfect for shaded backyards, north-facing courtyards, or patios, this North American ...

This spring, don’t forage for wild edible plants. Instead, welcome them into your garden. By Margaret Roach Jared Rosenbaum knows the primal thrill of foraging — a sense of interdependence with the ...

Have you ever eaten a fiddlehead fern before? They’re really a gourmet delight. Among the earliest edible items you can forage from a forest (or better still, from your backyard), fiddleheads have ...

Ferns are tough, and do well planted anytime during the growing season in Iowa. Ferns are everywhere, and are a great starting point for designing your yard. Here are some tips on what varieties do ...

Ferns are often valued for their beauty and ability to soften outdoor spaces, creating a little corner of peace wherever they are planted. Unlike other ornamental plants, many ferns thrive in filtered ...