Plants of the Bible: Mountain Tulip (Tulipa montana)
Karen Native to rocky and stony areas in the mountains of Iran and northern Iraq, mountain tulip is a bul-forming herbaceous perennial and a member of the lily family, Liliaceae, that…
Invasive Plants and Their Native Alternatives: Umbrella Tree (Schefflera actinophylla)
Also called octopus tree, Schefflera is an evergreen tree native to the rainforests in Australia, New Guinea, and Java where it grows up to 50’ tall. It was introduced into…
Plant Profile: Sheepbit (Jasione montana)
Native to thin, dry, sandy soils of central Europe, North Africa, and western Asia, this biennial or annual is a member of the bellflower family, Campanulaceae, that also includes balloon…
Plants for a plant Zoo: Chicken Gizzard (Iresine herbstii)
With stunning foliage, this short-lived tender perennial brightens up any garden or container with its burgundy red, hot pink, yellow or white leaves . A native of Central and northern…
Plant Profile:European Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)
Native to the Balkans, this deciduous tree is a member of the soapberry family, Sapindaceae, that also includes maple, lychee, and buckeye. It has a deep taproot and grows up…
Plants of the Bible: White Egyptian Lotus (Nymphae lotus)
Also known as tiger lotus, Egyptian white water lily, and white lotus, this aquatic fresh water perennial is a member of the water lily family, Nymphaceae, a small family of…
Plants of Colonial Williamsburg: Rue (Ruta graveolens)
Also called herb of grace, rue is an evergreen mounding subshrub and a member of the Rutaceae family that also includes oranges, limes, and skimmia. It is native to the…
Plant Profile: Spotted Emu Bush (Eremophila maculata)
Also known as spotted fushia-bush, this evergreen shrub is endemic to southern Australia, and a member of the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae, that also includes mullein, butterfly–bush, and Diascia. The plants…
Plants for a Plants for a Plant Zoo: Chameleon Plant ‘Chameleon’ aka Variegata, Tricolor, ‘Court Jester” (Houttuynia cordata)
Don’t bother with the species if you want a chameleon plant in your garden as it is dull by comparison to the variegated cultivar ‘Chameleon’ aka Variegata, Tricolor, or ‘Court…
Plant Profile: Staghorn Fern (Platycerium bifurcatum)
Native to rainforests of Java, New Guinea and southeastern Australia, this epiphytic fern is a member of the Polypodiaceae, a fern family that also includes resurrection fern. The plants grow…