Plant Profile: Holm Oak (Quercus ilex)
Karen Also known has holly oak, this evergreen tree is native of the Mediterranean region and belongs to the beech family, Fagaceae, that also includes chestnut. The tree grows up 40-70′…
Plant Profile: Bridal Veil Broom (Retama monosperma aka Genista monosperma aka Spartium monosperma aka Lygos monosperma)
This deciduous flowering shrub is native to the Mediterranean region where it grows in coastal scrub often on sand dunes, and is a member of the pea family, Fabaceae, that…
Plant Profile: Blue Oat Grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens)
Blue oat grass is a clumping, cool season, evergreen ornamental grass, native to Eurasia where it grows in meadows and on dry hillsides. It is a member of the grass…
Genus Aloe for the Garden
Aloes are succulents in the Asphodelaceae family that also includes daylily (Hemerocallis), red hot poker (Kniphofia), and foxtail lily (Eremurus) The genus includes over 500 species in that are native…
Plant Profile: Burning Bush (Kochia scoparia tricophylla aka Brassia scoparia tricophylla)
Also known as summer cypress, this this half-hardy annual often grown as a shrub is native to central and southern Europe and Asia and was introduced into the US in…
Plant Profile: Western Sand Cherry (Prunus besseyi)
This deciduous suckering, spreading shrub is native to the Northern Great Plains from Manitoba to Wyoming and Colorado, east to Minnesota and Kansas where it grows on sandy hills, rocky…
Plant Profile: Thorny Eleagnus (Eleagnus pungens)’Variegata’
This vine-like sprawling evergreen shrub, also known as thorny olive, spiny oleaster, and silverthorn is native to China and Japan. It is a member of the oleaster family, Eleagnaceae, that…
Plant Profile: Four-Wing Saltbush (Atriplex canescens)
Also called shadscale, this evergreen shrub is native to western and midwestern US, from the Dakotas south to Texas and west to the coast. It is a member of the…
Drought Tolerant Plants: Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses are versitile and can soften the look of a garden as well as give a naturalistic feel. They are valued for their different textures and colors and the…
Plant Profile: White Rock Rose (Cistus x hybridus aka C. corbariensis)
White rock rose is a dense evergreen shrub native to southern Europe resulting from a natural cross between C. salviifolius and C. populifolius. It is a member of the Cistaceae,…