Some azaleas are old enough to collect Social Security. These “royal” shrubs can live 50 years or more. Several plants in historic Japanese temples are centuries old. Azaleas belong to the Rhododendron genus and are native to Asia, North America, and...
Humans and hollyhocks go way back. Archaeologists have discovered hollyhock pollen in Neanderthal burial sites in Iraq, suggesting it had spiritual or medicinal importance as early as 50,000 years ago. Sumerian clay tablets mention plants with large, showy blooms,...
Did you know that shade can extend the life of your driveway? It’s true — shade can lower surface temperatures by 20°F to 45°F compared to areas exposed to direct sunlight. Air temperatures can drop by 5°F to 15°F under the canopy of a mature tree. Shade shields...
People perspire. Plants transpire. Transpiration is a plant’s cooling process, where it releases water vapor from stomata in its leaves. This natural evaporative cooling moderates plant temperatures and urban heat island effects, especially in densely built...
Los Angeles is significantly hotter than its surrounding countryside. Concrete, asphalt, and buildings absorb and retain heat, raising nighttime temperatures by up to 22°F in some neighborhoods. Annual heat waves in LA have nearly tripled since the 1980s. They also...
