Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Apricot (Prunus armeniaca)
Karen This deciduous small tree is a member of the rose family, Rosaceae, that also includes cherry, almond, and lady’s mantle. It’s origin is uncertain but it was extensively cultivated in…
Plants of the Bible: White Sandalwood (Santalum album)
Also called Indian sandalwood, this semi-parsitic deciduous tree is native to southern India and Southeast Asia where it grows mostly in dry deciduous and scrub forests but can also be…
Plant Profile: Old World Plane Tree (Platanus orientalis)
Native to riparian sites of southeastern Europe to western Asia, this long-lived deciduous tree is also known as oriental plane and is a member of the small Platanaceae family that…
Plant Profile: Christ’s Thorn Jujube (Zizphus spina-christi)
Christ’s thorn jujube is a shrub or small tree native to Africa, the Levant, and southern and western Asia where it grows in a variety of habitats including deserts, semi-desert…
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…
Trees for Watersides
A weeping willow tree planted beside a pond inspired Monet’s picture and still holds the attention of the thousands of tourists who visit Monet’s garden at Giverny. Water features can…
Plants of the Bible: White Poplar (Populus alba)
This suckering deciduous tree is native to moist areas in Europe and central Asia and is a member of the willow family (Salicaceae) that also includes aspen and cottonwood. With…
Drought Tolerant Plants: Shrubs and Trees Grown for Foliage
Shrubs and trees are versatile and can be an important part of the garden. They can provide structure, define beds, serve as a backdrop or focal point, add color, create…
Plant Profile: Tiger Claw (Erythrina variegata)
Also called Indian coral tree, this deciduous tree is native to warm coastal areas of tropical and subtropical India and Malaysia. It is a member of the bean family, Fabaceae,…
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…