Plant Profile: Carob Tree (Ceratonia siliqua)
Karen Carob tree, also called St. John’s-bread and locust bean, is a member of the pea family (Fabaceae) and native to Southern Europe, Northern Africa, the Levant, Middle East and Macaronesia…
Plant Profiles: Kafir Plum (Harpephyllum caffrum)
Kafir plum is an evergreen tree native to Eastern parts of Southern Africa from the Cape through Mozambique and Zimbabwe where it is found on forest river banks. It is…
Botanical Latin: Hebe
Hebe (HEE bee) Greek hebe meaning youth; named for the Greek goddess of youth Hebe is the name of a genus in the plantain family (Plantaginaceae) and are closely related…
Plant Profile: Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani)
Cedar of Lebanon is an evergreen tree native to the eastern Mediterranean basin and a member of the Pine family, Pinaceae. It has a beautiful sculptural form with a thick…
Plant Profile: Korean Fir (Abies koreana)
A cool weather evergreen tree, this native of South Korea is ideal for a small garden. It grows in temperate forests with high rain and snow fall and high humidity…
How to Care for Bonsai: Myrtle (Myrtus communis)
This small evergreen tree is native to the Mediterranean and northern Africa. The ancient Greeks and Romans associated it with love and in Europe today myrtle is frequently included in…
Plant Profile: California Nutmeg (Torreya californica)
Indemic to forested areas of California, California nutmeg is not related to the spice nutmeg, Myristica fragrans. It is similar, however, to some of the plum yews and podocarps in…
Plant Profile: Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
Native to the coast of southeeastern United States, these tall broadleaf evergreen trees grow in moist wooded areas, along riverbanks as well as in parks and gardens, and along streets.…
Plant Profile: Tarayo Holly (Ilex latifolia)
A native of China and Japan where it is often seen planted around temples, Tarayo holly is also known as lusterleaf holly. It’s large coarse leathery leaves are glossy dark…
Plant Profile: Japanese Umbrella Pine (Sciadopitys verticillata)
This evergreen conifer native of Japan is the only member of its genus and family making it a fossil tree. With no close relatives, Japanese umbrella pine is very distinct…