Plant Profile: Japanese Clethra (Clethra barbinervis)
Karen This deciduous shrub or small tree is native to the open mountain forests of southern China, Japan and Korea and is a member of the small plant family, Clethraceae, and…
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.…
Book Review: The Herb Gardening Handbook
Author Andrew Perry in his book The Herb Gardening Handbook, presents a beginner’s guide to growing and harvesting herbs. As founder of Urban Herbs, an online retailer of unusual and…
Plant Profile: Fragrant Abelia (Abelia mosanensis aka Zabelia tyaihyonii)
Also known as Korean abelia in honor of its place of origin, this deciduous shrub is a member of the honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae, that also includes weigela, pincushion flower and…
Plant Profile: Oven Wattle (Acacia pravissima)
Also known as wedge-leaved wattle and Tumut wattle, this evergreen shrub or small tree is native to southeastern Australia where it grows near streams or in moist sheltered sites, often…
Genus Genistas for the Garden
Genista is a genus of more than 144 species of shrubs and small trees in the pea family, Fabaceae, that also includes lupines, mimosa, and black locust. They are native…
Genus Daphnes for the Gardens
The genus Daphne is made up of over 70 evergreen or deciduous shrubs native to Asia, Europe and north Africa and is a member of the family Thymelaeaceae, a group…
Plant Profile: Willow Bottlebrush (Callistemon salignus aka Melaleuca salicina)
Endemic to eastern Australia, this broadleaf evergreen shrub is a member of the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, that also includes clove, allspice, and eucalyptus. Growing from a vigorous root system, plants…
Plant Profile: Chinese Abelia (Abelia chinensis aka Linnaea chinensis)
Native to the lower elevations in the mountains of southwest China, this semi-evergreen shrub is a member of the honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae, that also includes weigela, pincushion flower and teasel.…
Plant Profile: Weeping Bottlebrush (Callistemon viminalis aka Melaleuca viminalis)
Also known as prickly bottlebrush, this broadleaf evergreen shrub or small tree is native to Australia and is a member of the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, that also includes clove, allspice,…