Bauhinia–commonly called orchid tree or Brazilian butterfly tree–are large shrubs and trees commonly grown for their orchid-like flowers. Bauhinia are tender plants grown in Hawaii, central and southern Florida, and mild-winter areas of California and Arizona. Bauhinia is not fussy about soil as long as the soil is well-drained. Bauhinia is a genus of about […] More
Tamarix — commonly called Tamarisk–are grown for their attractive, feathery foliage of small needle-like leaves and racemes of small pink or rose flowers. They are large shrubs and small trees that grow in windy locations, salt spray, and poor or sandy soil. They can be used as a windbreak, exposed hedge, and in seacoast gardens. Tamarix can be […] More
Symphoricarpos–commonly called snowberry or coralberry–are deciduous shrubs usually grown for their fleshy white to pink or dark blue or purple fruits that hang on the plant well into winter. Symphoricarpos’ fruit is preceded by bell or funnel-shaped, nectar-rich white to pink flowers. Symphoricarpos is very hardy. It is tolerant or poor soil and pollution. It […] More
Juniperus —commonly called junipers–is a large genus of evergreen coniferous plants, some are shrubs and some are trees. Many of them are often used landscape trees, shrubs, and ground covers. There is a form of juniper for almost every landscape use. Junipers have foliage that is needlelike or scalelike or both. Groundcovers range from 2 […] More
Hippophae–commonly called sea buckthorn-is an open, mounding shrub usually grown for its linear, silvery-gray-green leaves and spherical orange fruits. While the flowers are usually inconspicuous, the fruits are showy. Hippophae tolerates low temperatures, wind, poor soil, and salt spray. It is a good screening or informal hedge plant for difficult situations. Grow Hippophae in a […] More
Rhamnus–commonly called buckthorn–is a genus of evergreen and deciduous shrubs that are grown for their foliage. Rhamnus are dense spreading slightly rounded shrubs that are suited for shrub borders, background plantings, and informal hedges. Rhamnus produce tiny cup-shaped flowers in racemes or umbel-like clusters. The flowers are often fragrant and usually yellowish-white, greenish-white, or white. […] More
Rhodotypos–commonly called jetbead or black jet bead–is a deciduous shrub that grows rounded and arching. It bears large, papery, four-petaled flowers from spring to summer. In autumn the flowers give way to shiny black berries. The persistent black berries give Rhodotypos its common name jetbead. Rhodotypos is easy to grow and is well suited for […] More
Sambucus — commonly called elderberries or elder–are fast-growing, wild-looking plants that bear berries that attract birds. Sambucus is best grown in informal gardens or in wild gardens where they can naturalize. Sambucus can be used as a screen or windbreak. There are black-, blue-, and red-fruited elders. The berries are used to make elderberry wine and herbal […] More
Indigofera — commonly called Indigo bush–bears small sweet pea-shaped rosy pink flowers on spikes. Indigofera has somewhat fernlike, bright green leaves. Indigofera kirilowii is often grown in gardens. It blooms over a long period in summer and is not fussy about soil or water. Where winters are cold it is killed back to the ground but emerges […] More
Punica — commonly called Pomegranate–is grown for its showy red ruffled summer flowers and large, spherical, edible fruit. Punica can be grown in a cool greenhouse or against a sunny wall. It can be grown as a freestanding shrub or small tree or grouped in a shrub border or hedge. Punica’s narrow leaves open bronzy then turn […] More
Lindera — commonly called Spicebush–is usually grown for its bright yellow fall foliage. Spicebush bears attractive, but not showy, small, greenish-yellow flowers in clusters in spring. Lindera gets its common name–spicebush–from its strongly aromatic foliage. Lindera is a large shrub or small tree. It is too large for small gardens. It is a good choice for woodland […] More
Lagerstroemia — commonly called Cape Myrtle–is a genus of deciduous and evergreen shrubs and trees grown for their brightly colored flowers and often peeling bark. Many crape myrtles are extremely popular landscape plants in mild-winter and Mediterranean climate regions including California, the Gulf Coast, and the Deep South. Crape myrtles bear conical panicles of crinkled flowers; flower […] More
Stephen Albert