Plants of the Bible: Athel Tree (Tamarix aphylla aka T. articulata)
Karen Also known as Athel pine, this evergreen tree is native to arid and semi-arid subtropics and tropics in Africa, Middle East and parts of southern and western Asia where it…
Plant Profile: Sheepbit (Jasione montana)
Native to thin, dry, sandy soils of central Europe, North Africa, and western Asia, this biennial or annual is a member of the bellflower family, Campanulaceae, that also includes balloon…
Plant Profile: Sage-leaved Rockrose (Cistus salviifolius)
Also known as salvia cistus and Gallipoli rose, this bushy evergreen shrub is native to the Mediterranean region, including southern Europe, parts of Western Asia and North Africa. It is…
Plant Profile: Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii var. splendens aka Euphorbia splendens)
Native to Madagascar, this evergreen semi-succulent shrub is a member of the spurge family, Euphorbaceae, that also includes pointsettia, croton, and castor oil plant. The plants grow up to 6′…
Plant Profile: Holm Oak (Quercus ilex)
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…