Plants

Gardening in coastal regions presents a unique set of challenges, as salt spray carried inland by ocean winds, salt-laden soils, and the periodic intrusion of saltwater during storms can damage or kill many common garden plants. Salt-tolerant perennials have evolved specific physiological adaptations that allow them to survive and even thrive under these conditions, making … Read more

Liatris (Liatris spicata), commonly known as blazing star or gayfeather, is a native North American wildflower belonging to the Asteraceae family. It is found naturally across more than 30 states in the eastern and central United States, as well as parts of Canada, growing wild in prairies, open meadows, and woodland edges. The plant is … Read more

Shrubs with purple flowers bring a regal touch to any garden, adding depth and richness to the landscape with their varying shades from deep violet to soft lavender. These plants often bloom at different times of the year, providing a spectrum of seasonal interest. Their flowers can range from small clusters to large, showy panicles, … Read more

Peas are among the oldest cultivated plants in human history, with archaeological evidence of their consumption dating back over 10,000 years to the ancient civilizations of the Middle East and Mediterranean. From the humble garden plots of Neolithic farmers to the sophisticated agricultural systems of modern commercial growers, peas have sustained human populations across continents … Read more

The front yard is the first impression a home makes on the world — a living canvas that speaks to the personality, taste, and values of the people who tend it. In recent years, a quiet revolution has been transforming front yards across the United States, Australia, South Africa, and Mediterranean Europe, as homeowners replace … Read more

Succulents are often celebrated primarily for their architectural foliage — their geometric rosettes, sculptural stems, and extraordinary range of colors and textures. Yet some of the most breathtaking floral displays in the entire plant kingdom are produced by succulents, plants that combine the structural elegance of water-storing tissues with flowers of remarkable beauty, size, and … Read more

Spines, thorns, and spikes are among the most defining and recognizable features of the succulent world. For many people, the image of a cactus bristling with sharp, formidable spines is the first thing that comes to mind when succulents are mentioned. But the spiky succulent world extends far beyond cacti, encompassing agaves with needle-sharp terminal … Read more

Few color combinations in the plant world are as immediately appealing as the pairing of pink flowers with the sculptural, often silver-toned or blue-green foliage of succulents. Pink is a color of remarkable range and versatility — from the palest, most translucent blush to the deepest, most saturated magenta — and succulents exploit this entire … Read more

When most people picture a succulent, they imagine a compact, ground-hugging rosette or a neat, rounded cactus. While these forms are certainly common, the succulent world is far more architecturally diverse than this familiar image suggests. Among the most dramatic and structurally compelling of all succulents are those that develop long, elongated stems — reaching … Read more

Succulents bearing orange flowers represent some of the most visually electrifying plants in the horticultural world. Orange is a color that commands attention in any garden setting — warm, energetic, and luminous, it bridges the gap between the fiery intensity of red and the sunny cheerfulness of yellow. In succulents, orange flowers are particularly striking … Read more