Plant Profile: Chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum)
Karen Also known as greasewood, this evergreen spreading or prostrate shrub is native to California and Baja California and is the most abundant species in the California chaparral. It is a…
Plant Profile: Birch Leaf Mountain Mahogany (Cerocarpus betuloides)
Native to California, Baja, Oregon, Arizona and northwestern New Mexico, this evergreen shrub or small tree can be found in the dry areas of foothills and mountains of California, often…
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…
Plant Profile: Lion’s Tail (Leonotis leonurus)
A semi-deciduous shrub, lion’s tail is native to damp grasslands of South Africa and southern Africa, and is a member of the mint family, Lamiaceae, that also includes basil, adjuga,…
Plant Profile: Common Cattail (Typha latifolia)
Native to marshes, swamps, and wetlands of North America, South America, Europe, Africa and Asia, this herbaceous aquatic perennial is known by many names including bulrush, cat-o’-nine-tail’s and cooper’s reed.…
Plant Profile: Downy Amsonia (Amsonia ciliata aka A. angustifolia)
A native of southeastern United States, this herbaceous perennial is a member of the dogbane family, Apocynaceae, that also includes perwinkle, oleander, and milkweed. The plant grows 1-3′ tall and…
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: Prickly Juniper (Juniperus oxycedrus aka J. deltoides)
Also known as cade, cade juniper, prickly cedar, and sharp cedar this coniferous evergreen is native to rocky sites in the Mediterranean region from Portugal and Morocco, to southern France…
Plant Profile: Sandarac Gum Tree (Tetraclinis articulata aka Callistris quadrivalis aka Thuja articulata)
Also called citrus wood by the ancient Romans, this evergreen shrub or small tree is native to the Atlas Mountains of North Africa and is a member of the cypress…
Plant Profile: Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)
This vigorous deciduous woody vine, also known as woodbine, is native to eastern and central North America south to Mexico where it grows in a variety of habitats including forests,…