AMERICAN GARDENER

General Information Vinca minor is a species of flowering plant in the dogbane family, native to central and southern Europe, from Portugal and France north to the Netherlands and the Baltic States, east to the Caucasus, and also southwestern Asia in Turkey. Other common names for this plant include small periwinkle, common periwinkle, and sometimes in the United … Read more

Galium odoratum, also known as Asperula odorata, the sweet woodruff or sweetscented bedstraw, is a flowering perennial plant in the family Rubiaceae, native to much of Europe from Spain and Ireland to Russia, as well as Western Siberia, Turkey, Iran, the Caucasus, China and Japan. It is also sparingly naturalised in scattered locations in the … Read more

Pachysandra is a genus of five species of evergreen perennials or subshrubs, belonging to the boxwood family Buxaceae. The species are native to eastern Asia and southeast North America. It spreads via underground rhizomes, forming a dense mat that can suppress weeds. Pachysandra terminalis, commonly known as Japanese spurge or simply Pachysandra is a popular … Read more

The Boston Fern, scientifically known as Nephrolepis exaltata, is native to tropical and subtropical regions, including parts of Africa, Central and South America, Florida in the United States, and some parts of the Pacific. In its native environments, Boston Ferns are often found in damp, shaded areas like forest floors, near streams, or in other … Read more

Peonies are native to various regions spanning from Asia, particularly China, where they have been cultivated for over 2,000 years, to Europe and Western North America. The genus Paeonia is most diverse in Asia, especially in China, which is considered one of the primary centers of origin. Some species of peonies are native to Southern … Read more

The lipstick plant (Aeschynanthus radicans) is a popular tropical houseplant with tubular red flowers that emerge from a darker casing, resembling lipstick. In its native tropical habitat, this is an epiphytic species found growing from tree branches and cracks in rocks. As a houseplant, it can be grown in hanging baskets due to its cascading nature, or … Read more

The Aeschynanthus genus belongs to the Gesneriaceae family, which is known for including many popular indoor plants like the African violet. The species within this genus primarily originate from the tropical and subtropical regions of Southeast Asia, including countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines. In the wild, many Aeschynanthus species are epiphytic, meaning … Read more

Spiraea × vanhouttei, commonly known as Van Houtte’s Spirea, is a hybrid spirea that has become one of the most popular ornamental shrubs in landscapes due to its cascading branches, profuse flowering, and ease of care. Botanical Description Cultivation Origin: Uses in Landscaping: Ecological Benefits Cultural Notes Varieties or Similar Cultivars

Spiraea nipponica, commonly known as Nippon Spirea or Snowmound due to its profuse white blossoms that resemble mounds of snow, is a species of flowering plant in the family Rosaceae, native to the island of Shikoku, Japan. Growing to 1.2–2.5 m tall and broad, it is a deciduous shrub with clusters of small, bowl-shaped white … Read more

Spiraea betulifolia is a species of flowering plant in the family Rosaceae. It is native from Eastern Siberia to Korea and Northern and Central Japan. It is prized for its compact growth, attractive foliage, and delicate flowers. Botanical Description Cultivation Popular Cultivars Uses in Landscaping Ecological and Wildlife Benefits Cultural Notes