AMERICAN GARDENER

Banana plants, with their broad leaves, dense foliage, and moist environments, make ideal shelter for a variety of spiders. The most genuinely associated group is Cupiennius, a genus of 11 species native to Central and South America that hunt among banana leaves at night. These are large, hairy, brown spiders that are only mildly venomous … Read more

Geranium is a name that applies to two related but distinct plant groups that are frequently — and forgivably — confused with one another. The true Geraniums, belonging to the genus Geranium in the family Geraniaceae, are hardy perennials native to temperate regions worldwide, commonly called cranesbills for their distinctive, beak-shaped seed pods. The plants … Read more

Morning Glory belongs primarily to the genus Ipomoea within the family Convolvulaceae, a sprawling and diverse plant family also known as the bindweed family. With over 500 species distributed across tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions of the world, Ipomoea is one of the largest genera of flowering plants on earth. The most widely cultivated species … Read more

Asters are a vast and diverse genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae — the daisy family — whose name derives directly from the Greek word for “star,” a fitting tribute to the cheerful, star-shaped blooms that define the genus. Though the taxonomy of Asters has undergone significant reorganization in recent decades — with … Read more

Clematis is one of the most beloved and widely cultivated flowering vines in the world, earning it the well-deserved title of “Queen of Vines.” Belonging to the Ranunculaceae family, this diverse genus encompasses over 300 species and thousands of cultivars, ranging from delicate ground-hugging wildflowers to vigorous climbers that can scale a wall or pergola … Read more

Daffodil, scientifically known as Narcissus, is one of the most universally recognized, beloved, and culturally significant flowering plants on earth. Belonging to the family Amaryllidaceae, the genus encompasses over 50 wild species and an astonishing more than 32,000 registered cultivars, making it one of the most extensively hybridized plants in horticultural history. The name Narcissus … Read more

Stock flower, botanically known as Matthiola incana and closely related to Matthiola longipetala (night-scented stock), is one of the most beloved and historically significant flowering plants in the world of horticulture. Belonging to the family Brassicaceae — the same family as cabbage, mustard, and wallflowers — Stock is a genus of approximately 50 species of … Read more

Delphinium is one of the most commanding and visually striking genera in the entire flowering plant kingdom, belonging to the family Ranunculaceae. Comprising over 300 species of annuals, biennials, and perennials, the genus takes its name from the Greek word delphis, meaning dolphin — a reference to the shape of the unopened flower buds, which … Read more

Scabiosa, commonly known as the pincushion flower, is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Caprifoliaceae (formerly placed in Dipsacaceae). The genus comprises over 80 species of annuals, biennials, and perennials native to Europe, Asia, and Africa, though many cultivars have been widely embraced by gardeners across North America. The name “Scabiosa” is … Read more

Coreopsis is a genus within the Asteraceae family, commonly known as the aster, daisy, or sunflower family. The name “Coreopsis” is derived from the Greek words “koris” (bug) and “opsis” (appearance), referring to the shape of the seed which resembles a bug or tick, leading to the common name “Tickseed.” There are over 80 species … Read more