The ginger plant (Zingiber officinale) has been cultivated in Southeast Asia for over 3,000 years. It was one of the first spices exported to Europe through trade, prized for its flavor and medicinal uses. Candied ginger was a popular sweet in Europe from the 13th to...
In Greek mythology, Narcissus fell deeply in love with his reflection. Consumed by longing, he wasted away and died by the water’s edge. Such a sad story. Everyone knows a Narcissus or two. You’ll be glad to know that the Narcissus in your SoCal garden...
What do frogs and ranunculus have in common? Probably more than you realize. The name Ranunculus comes from the Latin “rana,” or frog, because many species grow in moist areas where frogs live. Can this showy flower flourish in Southern California’s...
Garlic (Allium sativum) was first cultivated over 5,000 years ago in regions of modern-day Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Ancient trade routes introduced it to the Mediterranean, Africa, and eventually the Americas. The ancient Egyptians believed it boosted...
Flowering vines can sense vibrations from nearby supports and grow toward them — a remarkable adaptation that makes them peerless problem-solvers in the garden. While trees and shrubs demand extensive root systems and thick trunks, vines invest their energy in...
