Genus Daphnes for the Gardens
Karen The genus Daphne is made up of over 70 evergreen or deciduous shrubs native to Asia, Europe and north Africa and is a member of the family Thymelaeaceae, a group…
Plant Profile: Glossy Abelia (Abelia x grandiflora aka Linnaea × grandiflora)
This broadleaf ever-green to deciduous shrub is a hybrid from A. chinensis and A. uniflora. It is a member of the honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae, that also includes weigela, pincushion flower…
Plant Profile: Willow Bottlebrush (Callistemon salignus aka Melaleuca salicina)
Endemic to eastern Australia, this broadleaf evergreen shrub is a member of the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, that also includes clove, allspice, and eucalyptus. Growing from a vigorous root system, plants…
Plant Profile: Chinese Abelia (Abelia chinensis aka Linnaea chinensis)
Native to the lower elevations in the mountains of southwest China, this semi-evergreen shrub is a member of the honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae, that also includes weigela, pincushion flower and teasel.…
Plant Profile: Yellow Anise Tree (Illicium parviflorum)
Also known as hardy anise shrub, Ocala anise, swamp star-anise, and small anise tree this broadleaf evergreen shrub or small tree is a member of the starvine family, Schisandraceae, consisting…
Book Review: The Nutmeg Trail
Karen Meyers When I picked up a copy of Eleanor Ford’s book, The Nutmeg Trail, I expected a history of nutmeg and perhaps other spices. But as soon as I opened the…
Genus Witch Hazels for the Garden (Hamamelis spp)
Witch hazels, Hamamelis spp., are deciduous shrubs or small trees native to eastern North America and eastern Asia. They are in the witch hazel family, Hamamelidaceae, that also includes lorpetalum,…
Plant Profile: Alpine Bottlebrush (Callistemon sieberi aka Melaleuca pityoides)sieberi,
Also known as marsh bottlebrush and river bottlebrush, this broadleaf evergreen shrub is native to Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, Australia, where is grows in and around sphagnum bogs…
Plant Profile: Henry Anise Tree (Illicium henryi)
Also known as Chinese anise tree, this broadleaf evergreen shrub is a member of the starvine family, Schisandraceae, consisting of 3 genera and 92 species. It is native to central…
Trees for the Wettest Zone of a Rain Garden
The following trees are suitable for the area of a rain garden that is the deepest and holds the most water for the most amount of time. They can tolerate…