Tag Archives: tea

We all love those finicky gardenias

Posted on February 10, 2015 by tedmanzer

Perhaps there is no better shrub to plant near a partially shaded deck or patio. Some people love the copious display of white flowers. Others adore the aroma. Still others appreciate the dark glossy foliage. Together with magnolias, crape myrtles … Continue reading →

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Winter beauty

Posted on February 24, 2013 by tedmanzer

Few landscape plants make more impact in winter than camellias. The sasanqua types bloom in late fall and early winter, while the common or japonica types bloom from mid-winter to early spring. I have several at school that are blooming … Continue reading →

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Calm your sore throat

Posted on December 14, 2011 by tedmanzer

Slippery elm, (Ulmus rubra), is a medium sized tree found over nearly all of the eastern United States. It favors moist soils and is quite tolerant of flooding. The best place to find slippery elm is on the edge of … Continue reading →

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Backyard Pink Lemonade

Posted on November 25, 2011 by tedmanzer

Sumacs are short lived weedy shrubs to small trees that take over open areas if given the chance.  Three species found in North Carolina are quite useful.  Three close cousins are downright despicable. Let’s start with the three cashew family … Continue reading →

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Nature’s Aspirin

Posted on November 23, 2011 by tedmanzer

Nature’s Aspirin I enjoy harvesting plants from the wild and we have numerous useful plants.  Black Willow (Salix nigra) is our most common willow species.  Willows are one of the most common trees used in making baskets, because the stems … Continue reading →

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Sweet Birch

Posted on November 23, 2011 by tedmanzer

Mountain Medicine Do we have any wintergreen lovers out there?  For years nearly all wintergreen flavoring was extracted from sweet birch trees (Betula lenta). Some people call them black birch, spice birch, cherry birch, or mahogany birch. Birch beer soda … Continue reading →

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