Plants of Williamsburg: Common Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
Karen Also called English thyme, this well branched aromatic evergreen shrub is native to the western Mediterranean region to southern Italy. It is a member of the mint family, Lamiaceae, that…
Plant Profile: Tiger Flower (Tigrida pavonia)
This tender perennial bulb is native to semitropical to semialpine climates of Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Hondurus and is a member of the iris family, Iridaceae, that also includes…
Weeds and Their Control: Crown Vetch (Coronilla varia)
Also called purple vetch, this herbaceous perennial is a member of the pea family, Fabaceae, that also includes lupines, mimosa, and black locust. It is native to Europe, southwest Asia,…
Plant Profile: Paperwhite Narcissus (Narcissus tazzeta)
Also known as bunch-flowered narcissus, this herbaceous perennial is native to the Mediterranean from Portugal to Turkey but naturalized in many areas including the Middle East, Asia, Australia, South America…
Plants of the Bible: Garlic (Allium sativum)
Native to central Asia and northeastern Iran, garlic is a herbaceous perennial and a member of the amaryllis family, Amaryllidaceae, that also includes onion, leek, and shallot. Growing from a…
Plant Profile: Indian Costus (Saussurea costus aka S. lappa)
Also known as kuth, putchuk, and kosht (קשט), this herbaceous perennial is native to high elevations (8,200 to 9,800 ft) in South Asia especially India and Kashmir. It is a…
Plant Combination: Catmint (Nepeta racemosa) ‘Walker’s Low’ and Sisyrinchium striatum
Soft blue and yellow make this duo a dreamy combination in the early summer border. Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’ produces an abundance of small lavender-blue flowers carried in loose whorls atop…
Plant Profile: Holm Oak (Quercus ilex)
Also known has holly oak, this evergreen tree is native of the Mediterranean region and belongs to the beech family, Fagaceae, that also includes chestnut. The tree grows up 40-70′…
Plants in the Bible: Fuller’s Soap (Salsola kali)
Also known as common saltwort, prickly Russian thistle. windwitch, and tumbleweed, this native of Eurasia grows widely in arid and semiaride regions and is considered an invasive weed in many…
Plant Profile: Cassia (Cinnamomum cassia)
Also known as Chinese cinnamon, this evergreen tree is native to southern China and used there for 5000 years. It is a member of the laurel family, Lauracaea, that also…