AMERICAN GARDENER

Nectarine, (Prunus persica), smooth-skinned peach that is grown throughout the warmer temperate regions of both the Northern and Southern hemispheres. A genetic variant of common peaches, the nectarine was most likely domesticated in China more than 4,000 years ago. The expression of a recessive allele is thought to be responsible for the smooth skin of nectarine fruits, which lack the fuzzy trichomes (plant … Read more

The Calamondin orange tree, also known as calamansi or by the botanically obsolete terms Citrus mitis and Citrus x madurensis, is a natural hybrid, probably originating in China, between the mandarin orange (Citrus reticulata) and a species of kumquat (Fortunella margarita). It is native to the Philippines, parts of Indonesia (Borneo, Sumatra, and Sulawesi), Malaysia, … Read more

What are Currants? Currants are small, edible berries that grow on shrubs in the genus Ribes. They are closely related to gooseberries, and some classifications even group them under the same genus. Currant bushes are upright or spreading, with lobed leaves and inconspicuous greenish flowers. The fruits can be red, black or white. Currant bushes … Read more

Gooseberries are a type of fruit that grows on bushes in the genus Ribes. There are two main species of gooseberries: European gooseberries (Ribes uva-crispa) and American gooseberries (Ribes hirtellum). They are native to Europe, Western Asia, and certain regions of Eastern North America. They are popular for their tart yet sweet flavor and are … Read more

Blueberries are native to North America, where they have been consumed by Native Americans for centuries. They were first cultivated commercially in the early 20th century. Today, they are grown in various regions around the world, including North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. Blueberries grow on low creeping shrubs or tall erect bushes, depending … Read more

Mexican Heather, also known as False Heather or Elfin Herb (Cuphea hyssopifolia), is a small evergreen shrub native to Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras. It is a member of the Lythraceae family and is commonly used as an ornamental plant, grown in orchards and gardens. This plant also grows on the banks of streams, associated with … Read more

Ocotillo cacti (Fouquieria splendens) is a flowering spiny shrub that is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It is commonly found in the Sonoran, Mojave, Chihuahuan and Colorado deserts. It prefers well-drained, rocky soils and open spaces like slopes, mesas, washes and desert grasslands. This plant is actually a deciduous shrub and not … Read more

The Empress Tree (Paulownia tomentosa), also known as the Princess Tree, Royal Paulownia, or Foxglove Tree, is a deciduous hardwood tree native to central and western China. The tree produces large, showy flowers before its leaves in the spring, which are light lilac-purple in color and resemble foxgloves. This tree grows rapidly with the potential … Read more

Cherry Blossom Trees, also known as Sakura Trees, are a type of ornamental cherry trees native to Japan, Korea, and China. The delicate pink or white flowers of these trees bloom each spring, for only about a week or two. These trees are a cultural icon in Japan, steeped in history, symbolism and aesthetic appreciation. … Read more

The Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria), also commonly known simply as Yaupon, is a species of holly that is native to southeastern North America, ranging from southern Virginia south to Florida and west to southeast Oklahoma and central Texas . The word “yaupon” itself comes from the Catawban language, where it literally translates to “ya” (tree) … Read more