Notice how this sweet, little insect has found a seemingly peaceful refuge on the soft, aromatic leaf of a BASIL plant! Perhaps she's an Italian or French ladybug LOL? Yes, this plant is well known by cooks and chefs as a favorite staple in Mediterranean recipes. And no, this post will not be about cooking, so you can put away your chopping tools! Before this herb even gets to the cutting board, it is grown by many as a popular garden plant for a lot of reasons. In my las

Those who have been reading my posts may notice that I'm adding a new card deck to my growing collection! This one is the Soulflower Plant Spirit Oracle deck created by herbalist and plant whisperer Lisa Estabrook. As an artist, she has designed this beautifully illustrated deck herself, and as an "oracle," she shares her personal messages from 44 plants. I recently heard her speak on a podcast, and decided to begin using her deck by choosing to feature this blooming annu

I don't know what took me so long to write a post about the WILLOW tree since it's one of my very favorites! (Not to be confused with my many other favorites... LOL). Willows are known to prefer habitats close to waterways, but despite the dry Arizona climate, there are two huge, thriving Willows who flank the entrance to the my neighboring community. They were strategically planted next to a wash that fills during heavy rain storms, and I make it a practice of sending a g