Plant Profile: Dwarf Palmetto Palm (Sabal minor)
Karen Dwarf palmetto, also known as swamp palmetto, is native to the deep southeastern and south-central United States and northeastern Mexico where it grows in a variety of habitats, including maritime…
Plant Profile: Sea Grape (Coccoloba uvifera)
Also known as baygrape, this evergreen shrub or tree is native to tropical coastal beaches of America including southern Florida where it grows in coastal strands and limestone thickets. It…
Plants for a Mary Garden: English Holly (Ilex aquifolia) Mary’s Sorrow
Karen Meyers The association between English holly and the Virgin Mary has its origins in pagan times. The ancient Romans used holly in their celebration of the Saturnalia, a festival honoring Saturn,…
Plant Profile: English Holly (Ilex aquifolia)
Also known as common holly, European holly, and Christmas holly this evergreen tree is native to western and southern Europe, northwest Africa, and southwest Asia where it grows in the…
Plant Profile: Australian Blackwood ( Acacia melanoxylon)
Also known as hickory, mudgerabah, and Tasmanian blackwood, this evergreen tree is native to southeastern Australia including Tasmania, and is a member of the legume family, Fabaceae, that also includes…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Carob (Ceratonia siliqua)
Carob tree, also called St. John’s-bread and locust bean, is an evergreen tree and member of the pea family (Fabaceae) that also includes beans, lupines, and mimosa . It is…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera)
Date palm is a tender evergreen tree that probably orginated in the Fertile Crescent and has been cultivated since 7,000 BC. It is a member of the palm family, Arecaceae,…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Stone Pine (Pinus pinea aka Apinus pinea)
Also known as umbrella pine and parasol pine, this coniferous evergreen tree is native to the Mediterranean region including southern Europe, Israel, Lebanon and Syria. It is a member of…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Olive (Olea europaea)
The olive was first cultivated from wild olive at the frontier between Turkey and Syria between 8,000 and 6,000 years ago. By 3000 BC it was cultivated by the Minoans…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Lemon (Citrus limon)
The lemon is a small evergreen tree in the rue family, Rutaceae, that also includes curry tree, kumquat, and Skimmia. Native to Northeast India and Northern Myanmar, lemons probably are…