Plant Profile:European Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)
Karen 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…
Plants of the Bible: Mediterranean Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)
Native to the eastern Mediterranean region including parts of North Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, this evergreen coniferous tree is also known as Italian cypress, Tuscan cypress, Persian cypress,…
Drought Tolerant Plants: Flowering Shrubs and Trees
Shrubs and trees are versatile and can add a lot to the garden. They can provide structure, define beds, serve as a backdrop or focal point, add color, create privacy,…
Plant Profile: Deer Fern (Blechnum spicant aka Struthiopteris spicant )
This evergreen perennial fern is native to Europe, northern Asia, Japan and western North America from southern Alaska to the central California coast, mostly west of the Cascades. It belongs…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Bear’s Paw (Cotyledon tomentosa subsp. tomentosa)
With woolly stems and velvety chunky leaves, this South African evergreen succulent shrub adds texture to the garden and is sure to grab the attention of little ones. The margins…