Mountain Hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana): Growth Rate, Lifespan & Other Characteristics

Tsuga mertensiana, known as mountain hemlock, is a species of hemlock commonly found from southeastern Alaska southwards through the Cascade Range and the Sierra Nevada in California. Prefers high altitudes, often found at or above 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) in elevation, thriving in subalpine and alpine environments where other trees might struggle. Unlike many conifers … Read more

Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla): Growth Rate, Lifespan & Other Characteristics

Tsuga heterophylla, the western hemlock or western hemlock-spruce, is a species of hemlock native to the west coast of North America, with its northwestern limit on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, and its southeastern limit in northern Sonoma County, California. The Latin species name means ‘variable leaves’. Western hemlock is the state tree of Washington. Western Hemlock can … Read more

Red Iceton Croton: Identifying Characteristics & Cultivation

Croton is an extensive plant genus in the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae. The plants of this genus were described and introduced to Europeans by Georg Eberhard Rumphius. The common names for this genus are rushfoil and croton, but the latter also refers to Codiaeum variegatum. These plants are native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia … Read more

Oakleaf Croton: Identifying Characteristics & Cultivation

Croton is an extensive plant genus in the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae. The plants of this genus were described and introduced to Europeans by Georg Eberhard Rumphius. The common names for this genus are rushfoil and croton, but the latter also refers to Codiaeum variegatum. These plants are native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia … Read more

Zanzibar Croton: Identifying Characteristics & Cultivation

Croton is an extensive plant genus in the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae. The plants of this genus were described and introduced to Europeans by Georg Eberhard Rumphius. The common names for this genus are rushfoil and croton, but the latter also refers to Codiaeum variegatum. These plants are native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia … Read more

Mammy Croton: Identifying Characteristics & Cultivation

Mammy Croton, scientifically known as Codiaeum variegatum, is a vibrant tropical plant celebrated for its striking foliage. The Mammy Croton is particularly noted for its thick, glossy, and highly twisted leaves. These leaves are not flat but instead curl and twist, giving the plant a very distinctive, almost sculptural appearance. The foliage comes in a mix of … Read more

Petra Croton Plant: Identifying Characteristics & Cultivation

Petra Croton (Codiaeum variegatum ‘Petra’) is one of the most popular varieties of the Croton plant family. The Petra Croton has large, broad, lance-shaped leaves that can grow up to 12 inches long. The leaves are thick and glossy, with a vibrant mix of colors including green, yellow, red, orange, and sometimes even pink. The … Read more

Croton Plants: Identifying Characteristics & Cultivation

Croton is an extensive plant genus in the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae. The plants of this genus were described and introduced to Europeans by Georg Eberhard Rumphius. The common names for this genus are rushfoil and croton, but the latter also refers to Codiaeum variegatum. These plants are native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia … Read more