Weeds and Their Control: Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina domestica)
Karen Native to Japan, China, and India, this semi-evergreen to evergreen shrub was introduced into the US in 1804 as an ornamental for its attractive foliage and fruit but has escaped…
Plant Profile: Lily of the Valley Tree (Clethra arborea)
This evergreen shrub or small tree is native to the semitropical forest of Madeira and is a member of the small plant family Clethraceae that is distantly related to azaleas.…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Southernwood (Artemisia abrotanum)
Also known as Old Man, Lad’s Love and Maiden’s Ruin, this bushy evergreen sub-shrub is native to southern Europe, Africa, and parts of Asia, and is a member of the…
Plant Profile: Winter’s Bark (Drimys winteri aka Wintera aromatica)
Also known as canelo, this evergreen large shrub or small tree is native from Tierra del Fuego to Mexico, and is a member of the Winteraceae, a primitive plant family…
Plant Profile: Japanese Skimmia (Skimmia japonica)
Native to Japan, China, and Southeast Asia, this evergreen shrub is a member of the citrus family, Rutaceae, that also includes rue, curry tree, and boronia. The plant grows up…
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,…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Sweet Bay (Laurus nobilis)
Also known as bay laural, this aromatic evergreen shrub or small tree is native to the Mediterranean region and a member of the laurel family, Lauraceae, that also includes sassafras,…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Myrtle (Myrtus commmunis)
This upright evergreen shrub or small tree is native to southern Europe, North Africa, Western Asia, Macaronesia, and the Indian Subcontinent. It is a member of the Myrtaceae family that…
Plant Profile: Texas Mountain Laurel (Sophora secundiflora aka Dermatophyllum secundiflorum)
Also called mescal bean, this evergreen multi-trunked shrub or small tree is native to brushy slopes and open plains of Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico. It is a member of…
Plant Profile: Coyotillo (Karwinskia humboldtiana)
Native to the prairies, plains, meadows, pastures, and savannas of southern and western Texas as well as much of Mexico, this evergreen shrub or small tree is a member of…