How to Grow and Care for Cushion Bush (Leucophyta brownii)

cushion bush

This short-lived perennial is a small, flowering shrub that is popular in gardens due to its toughness and low maintenance requirements. Leucophyta brownii is the only species in the Leucophyta genus. The shrub is endemic to Australia. Commonly known as a cushion bush due to its mounded, dome shape, it is often grown as a … Read more

How to Grow and Care for Dombeya

dombeya

Dombeya is a large genus of flowering shrubs with about 200 recognized species. Dombeya, also known as the tropical hydrangea or the pink ball tree, is native to India, East Africa, and Madagascar.  In addition to the named species, there are also several dombeya hybrids. The dombeya can be grown as a shrub or a … Read more

How to Grow and Care for Emu Bush

emu bush

Emu bush, or tar bush, is a member of the figwort family with recognized species. Native to all Australian states, the Eremophila glabra can either grow as low ground-cover or as an upright shrub.  Flowers can be of different colors, including red, yellow, and orange. Over 20 subspecies are commercially available.  There are many more … Read more

How to Grow and Care for Eugenia

eugenia

Eugenia is a very large genus of evergreen, flowering shrubs with over a thousand recognized species. Native to South America, the most commonly grown eugenia species, Eugenia uniflora is often used to create privacy screens and garden hedges. This perennial, a member of the myrtle family, is distributed widely in both the Tropics and sub-Tropics, … Read more

How to Grow and Care for Escallonia

escallonia

The Escallonia genus includes around 50 recognized species of both shrubs and trees. Native to both North and South America, most of the species, as well as their numerous cultivars and hybrids, are evergreen plants.  These perennials are often grown in gardens, for use as a screen or hedging shrub.  History Escallonia grows wild and … Read more

How to Grow and Care for False Forsythia

false forsythia

White forsythia, also known as false forsythia, is not as well-known as the ubiquitous yellow forsythia. Whilst yellow forsythia is a very common sight in gardens, false forsythia is much more unusual.  False forsythias, like yellow forsythias, are deciduous shrubs and both are members of the Olive family, but they are not in the same … Read more

How to Grow and Care for Firebush (Hamelia patens)

firebush

The firebush or Hamelia patens is a perennial shrub that is native to Florida and to other regions in both the Tropics and the Subtropics of America. As well as firebush, this plant is also commonly referred to as hummingbird bush, scarlet bush, and redhead.  This perennial plant can grow as a shrub or small … Read more

How to Grow and Care for Flowering Quince (Chaenomeles)

flowering quince

Flowering quince, (Chaenomeles) is a genus of shrubs with three recognized species. Native to Eastern Asia, this plant is a member of the rose family.  Chaenomeles speciosa is the species most commonly referred to as flowering quince. This thorny perennial is grown primarily as an ornamental plant due to its showy red/pink colored flowers.  Flowering … Read more

How to Grow and Care for Firethorn

firethorn

Known just as well as pyracantha, firethorn is a very tough and resilient shrub that will thrive with minimal care, once it is established. Firethorn is grown for its evergreen foliage and berries. Although it produces clusters of small white flowers in the Spring, these smell unpleasant. Firethorn is primarily cultivated for the masses of … Read more

How to Grow and Care for Golden Euonymus (Euonymus japonicus)

golden euonymus

Golden euonymus is an evergreen shrub that has variegated foliage and brightens up a hedge or border with its golden, yellow-edged leaves.  Native to parts of Asia, this plant is commonly known also as the Japanese spindle tree.  This variegated perennial is grown as an ornamental plant for its striking, evergreen foliage. It can develop … Read more