The loquat tree (Eriobotrya japonica) is a beautiful ornamental evergreen tree that produces delicious golden-orange fruit. Unlike other stone fruits, loquats are harvested in the spring after the tree has put on a show with stunning, sweet-scented white flowers in the late winter. Native to China and Japan, where it is called biwa, this adaptable … Read more
Aeoniums, also known as tree houseleeks, are a type of perennial succulent recognized for their striking, waxy leaves presented in vibrant rosettes. These plants can add both elegance and variety to indoor and outdoor gardens. By understanding how to cultivate and maintain different varieties of aeoniums, you can enjoy their unique beauty whether grown in … Read more
Orchids, known for their vibrant colors and ease of cultivation, are popular flowering plants that add a tropical touch to our interiors. If you desire an abundance of these beautiful plants, you’ll be pleased to know that orchids can be propagated from a leaf, using a technique called leaf cuttings. Read on to discover how … Read more
Chokecherries (Prunus virginiana), also commonly known as wild cherries or bitter-berries, are shrubs or small ornamental trees known for their purple-black fruit used for jellies, jams, and wines. Chokecherry trees grow well in a wide span of light, soil, and temperature situations and conditions but will thrive if planted near rivers or other readily accessible water sources. The … Read more
Jane magnolia is a smaller hybrid of larger southern magnolias, and it is a hardier choice for cooler temperatures, still providing signature blooms. It grows well in full sun, but in areas that get hot summers, it will benefit from partial shade in the afternoon. Jane magnolia also tolerates most soils, as long as they are well-draining. … Read more
Blackberry plants are hardy perennials that produce juicy fruit each summer or fall. Though native to many regions around the world, they have been primarily cultivated in North America and Europe. Today’s blackberry varieties result from careful breeding, leading to differences in size, shape, yield, growth habit, and harvest season among cultivars. Despite these differences, … Read more
Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) is a great choice for native plant gardeners in the eastern U.S. looking for an unusual specimen that is easy to grow. It is a species that fascinates children and the young at heart, a plant easy to picture in a fairyland setting. The appeal of the plant lies in its unusual … Read more
Potatoes are relatively inexpensive to purchase, but freshly dug potatoes from your own home garden seem to have a flavor all their own. Potatoes are not grown from seed but from seed potatoes, which sprout underground and grow more tasty tubers. There are at least 100 varieties of seed potatoes grown by gardeners in the … Read more
The Satsuma orange (Citrus unshiu) is one of the sweetest and most cold-hardy citrus fruits. Originating in China, the name “Satsuma” comes from the province in Japan where the modern cultivars originated. These fruits were first brought to North America in the 18th century. The small to medium-sized trees are low-growing with a spreading and … Read more
The Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) is a perennial carnivorous plant, a member of the sundew family, well known for consuming small insects. People grow it in part because of its unique and eye-catching look, but mostly because of what it does. Notoriously difficult to care for, these fickle moisture-lovers can still thrive in your home … Read more