Photo by Karen Dalziel

This playful shrub looks like it came straight from the pages of Dr. Seuss. Look at it. Bent and twisted in the most curious ways. Corylus avellana ‘contorta’, is also known as Contorted Filbert and Corkscrew Hazel makes a respectable shrub when clothed in its heart-shaped leaves. But it’s during the fall and deep into the winter that the walking stick comes alive. Long, yellow catkins dangle from the gnarled branches in late winter and early spring. I can’t think of another shrub that says “Touch Me” more than this one.

Photo by MDBolin

After several years of completely entertaining growth, the branches for this deciduous shrub can be used for flower arrangements or made into interesting fishing poles, and walking sticks. Although this Corylus reaches 10-15 feet tall and just as wide, it makes a wonderful container specimen. One of the latest kids on the block is a cultivar by the name of ‘Red Majestic’, and its emerging leaves show up in the summer as deep burgundy.
Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick enjoys a sunny location but tolerates light shade and curious kids.

Photo by Artisaniaflorae

Money Plant (Lunaria) is also called Honesty or Moonwort and earns its keep in the garden as both a wildlife-attracting plant and as a kid-pleaser. Honesty has different varieties but usually shows up as a biennial. In any case…the fascinating result is the same.

Photo by Kurt Steuber

Honesty’s soft-scented flowers attract butterflies and long-tongued bees. It does fine in sunny places, but really thrives in a semi-shady area of the yard where it grows 2-3 feet tall. When started from seed, Honesty shows up as a cluster of leaves in a rosette-type pattern. The next spring, however, the plant sends up flower stalks that eventually go to seed. So, if you’d like some pods this year, purchase previously started plants.

Photo by Daveeza

After Lunaria blooms its purple or white flowers in the summer, it produces some of the most magical seed pods. The pods are shaped like coins and shine like silver dollars or the moon. They’re popular in dried flower arrangements.

Harvesting the fascinating pods keeps them around so that kids can play and create with them. With a little guidance, kids can easily gather and dry them. When the seed pods begin to turn brown you cut the stems off of the plant. Most people remove the leaves (not the seed pods) along the entire stems. Then just hang them upside down in a dry, cool area for about four weeks. The pods at this point will seem unimpressive. It’s only when the brown outside of the pod is rubbed off that the magic appears underneath – in the form of a papery, silver moon.

Don’t forget to leave a few stalks on the plant so kids can enjoy the rustling sound of the aging seed pods when fall winds blow by.

Photo by allspice1

Because lawn chemicals have been linked to both acute as well as long-term health problems, Chip Osborn created this comprehensive video to help bring awareness to the issues. It’s hugely educational and a must see for parents, elected officials, as well as school administrators. Please take 10 minutes and see how what you’re putting on your lawn is affecting your kids, pets, and wildlife.

Check out: Playing It Safe

Photo by minds-eye

The Dragonfly

Also Known As: Mosquito Hawk or Darner

Wildlife Identification: Dragonfly nymphs (babies) have a thick, cigar-shaped body and large eyes. They live in the water while their growing until they’re ready to turn into adults. Dragonflies adults can be found in all kinds of colors and patterns – some of which are quite beautiful. Their stick-like bodies are long and slender with two pairs of narrow, netted wings.

Photo by tibchris

Because dragonflies accomplished fly, midge, and mosquito hunters, they’re considered beneficial insects in the garden. They often hunt and capture their prey in mid-air. They’re often seen hanging out with their close cousins; the damselflies.

One of the distinct differences between the two is that at rest, dragonflies hold their wings in an outstretched position when they’re resting. While damselflies fold their wings closed over themselves. You’ll notice them loitering around bodies of water such as streams, ponds, and swimming pools.

By the way – dragonflies don’t have stingers so they’re safe for close encounters! If you’d like more information about which dragonfly species hang around your area, contact your county cooperative extension office or native plant society.

Photo by digital cat

Because I always have kids hanging around (I’m like a Pez dispenser), I’m always on the look-out for plants that kids are drawn to. It’s just one of the many ways I can help influence the next generation of plant addicts.

If you’re looking for plants for the children in your yard, you have to think like a kid. Kids like plants they can touch, eat or have colors that make their eyes dance. They’re also intrigued by plants that are impossible-looking. Let me jump-start your imagination with some tried-and-true kid-loving plants:

~ Sunflowers (Helianthus spp.) – Sunflowers are not only easy to grow, they’re entertaining as well. Their sunny faces turn and follow the sun all day long (honest), but the best types of sunflowers to grow are the ones at each end of the spectrum; that is, the giants and the miniatures. The giant sunflowers like “Russian Mammoth” grow to a towering 12 feet tall and their leaves are as big as your head! They even make adults feel like they’re walking through the land of the giants. On the opposite end are the fluffy, short variety called “Teddy Bear.”

Photo by Carl E Lewis

~ Lamb’s Ears (Stachys byzantina) – Lamb’s ears not only look like they belong on a cuddly critter – they’re every bit as soft! Their silvery color adds nice variety to any perennial bed.

~ Root Crops – Veggies such as radishes are great for kids to grow because they mature so quickly and come in an assortment of colors.

~ Carrots – They take quite a bit longer until their ready to harvest, and not only come in terrific colors, but many surprising shapes as well. One of my favorite moments of all time was when my son pulled his first carrot out of the ground when he was four; the look on his face was priceless. Potatoes are not only easy to plant, but great fun for kids to maintain because they get to pile straw, hay and soil on the growing potato plants. In the end, they get to dig and hunt for their harvest.

~ Pumpkins – An all-time favorite among the plants for kids. There’s plenty to do with pumpkins. Try growing “Atlantic Giant” pumpkins for the world record size monsters, or “Baby Jack” for the wee folk with tiny hands. There are white pumpkins, too like “Boo”. While the pumpkins are young your child can scratch their name into the flesh. As the pumpkin matures, the skin heals a scar and kids can have their personal pumpkin.

Photo by Pink Sherbet

~ Berries – A huge hit with kids and I can’t blame them. Strawberries, blueberries and blackberries are a sweet treat to pop into your mouth straight from the garden. By the way, blueberries make wonderful edible shrubs in traditional landscaping.

If you want to charm kid’s senses, try planting cinnamon basil or scented geraniums. These specialty geraniums are bred to smell like apricots, lemons, rose, nutmeg, lime, mint, ginger, peppermint, and chocolate. Just rub the leaves gently and enjoy.

*When rubbing herb leaves make sure the child doesn’t have a reaction to the oils. Occasionally, certain plant species will cause a rash.