Plants

Spiraea japonica, commonly known as Japanese Spirea, is one of the most widely cultivated species in the genus Spiraea. Its popularity stems from its low maintenance, colorful leaves throughout the growing season, and its profusion of flowers. Botanical Description Cultivation Popular Cultivars Uses in Landscaping Ecological and Wildlife Benefits

Spiraea douglasii, commonly known as Western Spirea, steeple bush or Hardhack, is a species of flowering shrub within the Rosaceae family. It is a deciduous, clump-forming shrub that will spread by suckers to form colonies over time. It is native from Alaska to northern California and Montana where it is often found growing in moist … Read more

Amelanchier, also known as shadbush, shadwood or shadblow, serviceberry or sarvisberry, juneberry, saskatoon, sugarplum, wild-plum or chuckley pear, is a genus of about 20 species of deciduous-leaved shrubs and small trees in the rose family. Amelanchier is native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, growing primarily in early successional habitats. It is most diverse taxonomically in North America, … Read more

The Jacaranda tree is a sub-tropical tree native to south-central South America that has been widely planted elsewhere because of its attractive and long-lasting violet-colored flowers. It is also known as the jacaranda, blue jacaranda, black poui, Nupur or fern tree. Jacaranda trees have bipinnate leaves, meaning they are fern-like with many small leaflets. This … Read more

Okra, known scientifically as Abelmoschus esculentus, is a vegetable that’s quite popular in various cuisines around the world, particularly in the Southern United States, Africa, the Middle East, India, and parts of Asia. Okra is believed to have originated in Ethiopia or the upper Nile region in Northeast Africa. From there, it spread throughout the … Read more

Mesquite is a common name for some plants in the genus Prosopis, which contains over 40 species of small leguminous trees. They are native to dry areas in the Americas. They have extremely long roots to seek water from very far under ground. As a legume, mesquites are one of the few sources of fixed nitrogen in … Read more

Tamarind is a leguminous tree bearing edible fruit that is indigenous to tropical Africa, particularly in regions like Madagascar and Sudan. The genus Tamarindus is monotypic, meaning that it contains only this species. It belongs to the family Fabaceae. This tree has been naturalized in many parts of Asia, Australia, the Americas, and the Caribbean. … Read more

Lettuce is an annual plant of the family Asteraceae. It is most often grown as a leaf vegetable, but sometimes for its stem and seeds. Lettuce is most often used for salads, although it is also seen in other kinds of food, such as soups, sandwiches and wraps; it can also be grilled and sometimes … Read more

The word “kumquat” comes from the Cantonese “kam kwat,” which translates to “golden orange.” Kumquats are native to Southeast Asia and have been growing wild since ancient times. The fruits were first documented in China in the 12th century, grown for culinary, medicinal, and cultural uses, and were symbolically believed to bring good luck and … Read more

The grapefruit (Citrus × paradisi) is a subtropical citrus tree known for its relatively large, sour to semi-sweet, somewhat bitter fruit. The interior flesh is segmented and varies in color from pale yellow to dark pink/red. Grapefruit is a citrus hybrid and is relatively new in the world of citrus fruits. It’s believed to have … Read more