Plant Profile: Sweet Box (Sarcococca confusa)
Karen 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…
Plant Profile: Common Lilac (Syringa vulgaris)
Few plants evoke nostalgia and fond memories more than the common lilac with its heavy trusses of very fragrant flowers. This deciduous shrub is native to southeastern Europe where it…
Plant Profile: Winter Honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima)
If you looked at the botanic name for winter honeysuckle you probably noticed a word you partially recognized, “fragrantissima”. If you take off the suffix –issima, the name tells you…