Northern & Central Midwest
October, 2005
Regional Report
Web Finds
Gardening and Health
Virginia Cooperative Extension has numerous articles on gardening and health, including allergies, arthritis, and tips on protecting your hands, feet, knees, and back. One of the articles even contains a chart on what physical effort is expended when doing all types of gardening and landscaping activities.
Favorite or New Plant
Elephant Ear
There are hundreds of types of elephant ears available but one of my favorites is Alocasia x amazonica. It makes a beautiful houseplant, growing about 2 feet high and 3 feet wide, and has shiny black-green leaves marked with crisp silvery white veins. It thrives in bright light in winter and medium light in summer, and needs to be kept evenly moist throughout the growing season.
