You can grow almost anything in Southern California, except maybe reindeer lichen. Bird of Paradise comes from South Africa. Bougainvillea hails from Brazil, and pampas grass is native to Argentina. They’re all familiar sights in LA-area landscapes. But while...
Lilacs are native to Eastern Europe and parts of Asia, where they were cultivated for their delicate flowers and sweet fragrance. Symbolically, they’re associated with love and renewal. These bushes can be grown in various environments, making them popular for...
Move over Canada; there’s a new maple tree in town! Only this tree is far from new in any sense. The graceful Japanese maple (Acer palmatum), native to Japan, Korea, and China, has been cultivated for centuries in Asia. It was introduced to the USA following the...
The Ginkgo biloba tree is a marvel. This living fossil has existed for over 200 million years, surviving many extinction events and earning its place as one of the hardiest plant species. The dinosaur vanished 66 million years ago, but the mighty Ginkgo soldiers on —...
Is it a bush or a tree? Trick question! Mulberry plants grow naturally as trees but are often pruned into bushes. Mulberry trees can reach up to 30–50 feet tall, while pruned bushes are usually a discreet 6–12 feet. The plants are native to temperate and subtropical...
The serviceberry tree (genus Amelanchier) bears spectacular white flowers in early spring, followed by sweet, blueberry-like fruit in the summer. Its fall foliage turns brilliant shades of orange and red. Varieties of this North American plant range from small shrubs...
