Calocedrus — commonly called Incense Cedar–is a dense, symmetrical tree with a narrow, pyramidal corwn. It has rich green foliage in flat sprays and reddish-brown bark. It has scalelike leaves in whorls of four. Calocedrus is an adaptable tree that is widely grown in the Western United States. It tolerates a variety of soils and can withstand […] More
The genus Abies–commonly called firs–are tall, erect, symmetrical conifers with dense whorled branches and a rigid pyramidal or conical shapes. The needles are glossy, mid-to dark green often with long silver bands beneath. Abies firs are mostly tall trees 80 to 150 feet (25-45m) high are taller. They require plenty of space. They are often […] More
Sorbus–commonly called mountain ash–is often grown for its showy spring flowers and shower autumn fruit. Creamy white blossoms appear in broad, flat clusters scattered over the canopy. The flowers turn to hanging clusters of small, red or orange-red berry-like fruit that color in late summer and early fall. Sorbus are deciduous trees or shrubs. There […] More
Salix is a genus of deciduous trees commonly called willows. Willows come in diverse forms. There are large willows best suited for large gardens, smaller willows that can be used as specimens in small gardens, shrubby willows suited for shrub borders, and often grown for their catkins–called “pussy willows.” But, perhaps the best known are […] More
Quercus — commonly called Oak–are large long-lived trees that are impressive in the landscape. They are best as specimens in large gardens or parks. Many oaks are inherited; they were present before the land was developed. Oaks commonly have fissured bark. Their leaves can be entire, lobed, or toothed. A common feature is the production of acorns–single […] More
Pseudotsuga–commonly called Douglas fir–are cone-shaped members of the pine tree family. They can grow 70 to 200 feet tall and 80 feet wide; they are perhaps best known as cut Christmas trees. Pseudotsuga has soft, densely set, green or blue-green needles to 1.5 inches long that radiate in all directions from the branches. The needles […] More
Populus is a genus of trees commonly known as poplars, cottonwoods, and aspens. Members of the Populus genus are fast-growing, touch trees. They grow tall and need room; they are best suited for large properties and rural areas. Populus are cultivated for their rapid growth and use as imposing specimen trees. They have ovate, triangular-ovate, […] More
Pistacia — commonly called Pistache — is a deciduous tree grown for its upright rounded form, drought tolerance, and color. Pistacia is a spreading deciduous tree with leathery, glossy, dark green leaflets in summer. The leaflets turn yellow and then a brilliant red in autumn. In spring Pistacia bears aromatic green to red flowers. Pistacia is a genus […] 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
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 Crape 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