Plant Profile: Fern Bush (Chamaebatiavia millefolium)
Karen Also known as desert sweet, this sweetly-aromatic semi-deciduous shrub is native to western US from Oregon to California, east to Idaho, Utah, and Arizona where it grows in scrub, woodland,…
Plants for a Mary Garden: English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia aka L. officinalis) ” Mary’s Drying Plant”
Karen Meyers Lavender has been valued for its scent, flavor and medicinal properties since ancient times. Called nard in the Bible, it is most frequently associated there with its desirable fragrance. Mary…
Plant Profile: Sweet Box (Sarcococca confusa)
The evergreen shrub is a member of the boxwood family, Buxaceae, and probably native to western China. It grows 3-5′ tall and wide, is densely branched and has glossy leathery,…
Plant Profile: European Privet (Ligustrum vulgare)
Also called common privet, this semi-evergreen or deciduous shrub is native to central and southern Europe, north Africa, and southwestern Asia. It is a member of the olive family, Oleaceae,…
Plants of the Bible: Myrtle (Myrtus communis)
This upright evergreen shrub grown in the Mediterranean area since ancient times is a member of the Myrtaceae family that also includes clove and eucalyptus. It grows up to 30′…
Plant Profile: Purple Leaf Sand Cherry ( Prunus x cistena)
Purple leaf sand cherry is a deciduous medium sized shrub or small tree and a member of the rose family, Rosaceae, that also includes almond, pyracantha, and ladies mantle. It…
Botanical Latin: Boronia
Boronia (bor O’ ni a) From the name of Francesco Borone from Milan Italy who was hired by English Botanist J. E. Smith as a servant to collect plants with…
Plant Profile: Rose Daphne (Daphne cneorum)
Native to the mountains of central and southern Europe, this evergreen shrub is known for the fragrance of its blooms. Clusters of small bright pink flowers are produced in April…
Plant Profile: Carolina Allspice (Calycanthus floridus)
The reddish-brown flowers of this deciduous bush are loaded with a spicy fragrance that will fill the air with their pleasant aroma when they open in late spring. A native…
Plant Profile: Koreanspice Viburnum (Viburnum carlesii)
For a shrub with fragrant flowers you can’t beat Koreanspice viburnum. The delightful spicy scent of this deciduous shrub can turn an ordinary area into a dreamy retreat so plant…