Plant Profile: Atriplex dimorphostegia
Karen This annual shrub is a member of the Amaranthaceae family that also includes spinach, beet, and celosia. It is native to western Asia from Arabia to Afghanistan and Tibet where…
Plants of the Bible: Thyine Wood (Tetraclinis articulata aka Callistris quadrivalis aka Thuja articulata)
Also called citrus wood by the ancient Romans, this evergreen shrub or small tree is native to the Atlas Mountains of North Africa and is a member of the cypress…
Plant Profile: Crocus cancellatus
This perennial corm is native to areas from southern Turkey to southwest Syria but is found on rocky hillsides and open woods from North Africa to Palestine and Armenia. It…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Hog Peanut (Amphicarpaea bracteata)
Hog peanut is an unusual vine because it has two kinds of flowers and two kinds of fruits. The upper flowers are produced in 2″ long clusters of 2-15 in…
Plant Profile: Syrian Oregano (Origanum syriacum aka O. maru aka Majorana syriaca)
Also known as bible hyssop, Syrian marjoram, and Lebanese oregano, this tender perennial herb is native to the Middle East and is a member of the deadnettle family, Lamiaceae, that…
Plants of the Bible: Flowering Ash (Fraxinus ornus)
Native to southern Europe and Asia Minor, this deciduous tree is also called manna ash and is a member of the olive family, Oleaceae, that also includes privet, forsythia, and…
Weeds and Their Control: Common Horsetail (Equisetum arvense)
Common horsetail is a herbaceous perennial plant that bears spores rather than seeds and is more closely related to ferns than to seed bearing or flowering plants. Is is native…
Plant Profile: Winter Crocus (Crocus hyemalis)
Native to rocky areas and undergrowth of Israel, Lebanon, Palestine, and Syria, this perennial corm is a member of the iris family, Iridaceae, that also includes gladiolus, crocosmia, and blue-eyed…
Plant for a Plant Zoo: Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum tectorum)
Hens and chick is an endearing plant that is very easy to grow and does well even with neglect; a perfect plant for a children’s garden! The plants grow 4-12″…
Plant Profile: Spotted Golden Thistle (Scolymus maculatus)
Also known as spotted oyster thistle, this annual herb is native to the Mediterranean region including southern Europe, southwest Asia, northern Africa, and the Canary Islands where it grows in…