AMERICAN GARDENER

Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus) is a flowering climbing plant native to Sicily, southern Italy, and the Aegean Islands. It belongs to the legume family Fabaceae and was first formally described by botanist Francisco Cupani in 1695. The plant became widely cultivated in England during the 18th and 19th centuries, where breeders developed the rich variety … Read more

Ceropegia woodii, commonly known as String of Hearts, belongs to the Apocynaceae family, a diverse group that contains numerous succulent and vine-like species. This plant is particularly noted for its distinctive, heart-shaped leaves that dangle from thin, trailing stems, giving it an ethereal, decorative appeal. The history of Ceropegia woodii in cultivation isn’t extensively documented, … Read more

Freesia, scientifically known as Freesia spp., is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the Iridaceae family, closely related to irises, gladioli, and crocuses. Native to the eastern side of the southern tip of Africa — particularly South Africa and neighboring regions — freesias were first scientifically described in the 19th century and named in … Read more

Turnip, scientifically known as Brassica rapa subsp. rapa, is a cool-season root vegetable belonging to the Brassicaceae family, closely related to cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and radishes. Native to northern Europe and Central Asia, turnips have been cultivated for an extraordinary 4,000 years or more, making them one of the oldest domesticated vegetables in human history. … Read more

Leek, scientifically known as Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum, is a hardy, cool-season vegetable belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family, closely related to garlic, onions, shallots, and chives. Native to the Mediterranean region and Central Asia, leeks have been cultivated and consumed by humans for at least 4,000 years, with evidence of their use found in ancient … Read more

Lettuce, scientifically known as Lactuca sativa, is a cool-season leafy vegetable belonging to the Asteraceae family, the same large and diverse plant family that includes daisies, sunflowers, and chrysanthemums. Native to the Mediterranean region and the Middle East, lettuce has been cultivated for at least 5,000 years, with ancient Egyptian tomb paintings depicting lettuce cultivation … Read more

Zucchini, scientifically known as Cucurbita pepo, is a warm-season vegetable belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family, alongside cucumbers, pumpkins, melons, and squash. Native to Central America and Mexico, zucchini was cultivated by indigenous peoples for thousands of years before Spanish explorers carried it to Europe during the 16th century Columbian Exchange. It was Italian farmers in … Read more

Garlic, scientifically known as Allium sativum, is a bulbous flowering plant belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family, closely related to onions, leeks, shallots, and chives. Native to Central Asia and northeastern Iran, garlic has been cultivated and used by humans for over 5,000 years, making it one of the oldest and most historically significant cultivated plants … Read more

Beetroot, scientifically known as Beta vulgaris, is a root vegetable belonging to the Amaranthaceae family, closely related to Swiss chard and spinach. Native to the coastlines of the Mediterranean and Atlantic Europe, beetroot has been cultivated for thousands of years, with ancient Romans and Greeks consuming both its roots and leaves as food and medicine. … Read more

Swiss chard, scientifically known as Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla, is a leafy green vegetable belonging to the Amaranthaceae family, closely related to beets and spinach. Despite its name, Swiss chard did not originate in Switzerland — it is native to the Mediterranean region, particularly Sicily, and was simply named “Swiss” by 19th-century seed catalogues to … Read more