Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is a fragrant perennial grass commonly used in Southeast Asian cuisines. The plant’s citrus-like scent and flavor add a distinct accent to soups, teas, and stir-fries. Tall, graceful blades and clustered growth make it a striking...
Gladiolus is prized for its tall, striking flower spikes and vibrant hues. The plants are native to South Africa and the Mediterranean, where they flourish in warm temperatures and full sunshine. This makes them a natural for Southern California gardens. The name...
What kind of banana plant bears flowers but no fruit? A bird of paradise, of course. Yes, that exotic-looking plant in your neighbor’s yard is actually a banana expatriate from South Africa, a country known for bizarrely beautiful flora and large carnivorous...
It’s a lily wannabee. The calla lily isn’t a true lily — it belongs to the Zantedeschia genus and is native to Southern Africa. Lilies, on the other hand, are members of the Lilium genus and indigenous to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere....
The tulip hails from the cool mountain slopes of Kazakhstan. It was introduced to the Netherlands in the early 1600s and quickly became a wealth and social status symbol. Tulip mania followed — the speculative buying and selling of tulip bulbs. As demand grew, so did...