AMERICAN GARDENER

The papaya, papaw, or pawpaw is a tropical fruit native to Mexico and South America. The papaya plant is part of the Caricaceae family and is native to Central America and southern Mexico. Today it is cultivated throughout the tropical world and into the warmest parts of the subtropics. The papaya fruit is slightly sweet, with an agreeable … Read more

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana, Lawson cypress, is a species of conifer in the genus Chamaecyparis, family Cupressaceae. It is native to a small region along the Pacific Coast mountain ranges, from Coos Bay in southwestern Oregon to the Klamath River in northwestern California. It was introduced into Europe in 1854 and named after the Scottish nursery (Lawson & Son) where it was first … Read more

Magnolia denudata, commonly known as Yulan Magnolia or the lilytree, is a small tree that is native to eastern and southern China. It is a member of the Magnoliaceae family with fragrant flowers that bloom in early spring. The Yulan Magnolia has a rich history in Chinese culture. It has been cultivated in Chinese Buddhist … Read more

Pampas grass is an evergreen ornamental grass that grows wild in its native to southern South America, particularly the Pampas region, Brazil, Argentina and Chile. It’s characterized by tall, reed-like appearance and feathery plumes, which can be either white or pink. It was introduced to Europe and North America in the 19th century and has … Read more

Bigleaf magnolia leaves and flower Magnolia, (genus Magnolia), genus of about 225 species of trees and shrubs of the family Magnoliaceae native to North and South America, the Himalayas, and East Asia. They are valued for their large and fragrant white, yellow, pink, or purple flowers and frequently handsome leaves and unusual fruits. Some are important garden ornamentals; others are local timber sources. Magnolias are an ancient group of plants, having evolved around … Read more

Areca (dypsis lutescens) is one of the more common and popular palms at garden centers. Areca is a genus of 51 species of palms in the family Arecaceae, found in humid tropical forests from the islands of the Philippines, Malaysia and India, across Southeast Asia to Melanesia. The generic name Areca is derived from a … Read more

The Butterfly Bush, botanically referred to as Buddleja davidii, is a flowering plant that belongs to the family Scrophulariaceae. It is native to Sichuan and Hubei provinces in central China, and also Japan. It has been widely cultivated in other parts of the world, including North America, Europe, and Australia. The plant in many places … Read more

Hydrangeas (Hydrangea spp.) bloom in pink, blue or white throughout the summer, producing their large pompoms or cone-shaped flower panicles on large, rounded shrubs. They grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9. Hydrangea paniculata, or panicled hydrangea, is a species of flowering plant in the family Hydrangeaceae native to southern … Read more

Hydrangeas (Hydrangea spp.), with their immense ball-shaped flower clusters are usually good for making an old-fashioned elegance to a yard. Blooming from midsummer to fall, hydrangeas grow 3 to 6 feet tall. There are 23 species of hydrangea, although only five are grown in the United States, with bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) also called French … Read more

Red-leaf Photinia, also referred to as Photinia × fraseri, belongs to the Rosaceae family. It is a hybrid species, a cross between Photinia glabra and Photinia serratifolia. This shrub is native to Eastern Asia, particularly Japan, China and Taiwan. Often grown as an ornamental shrub or small tree, red tip photinia (Photinia fraseri) produces bright … Read more