The baneberry is a genus of flowering plants with around 25 recognized species. Native to Europe, Asia, and North America, this is a perennial plant that commonly grows in the wild. This perennial is a member of the buttercup family and has extremely poisonous fruit. Plant Facts Scientific name Actaea rubraActaea pachypodaActaea racemosa Common names … Read more

Azaleas are flowering deciduous or evergreen shrubs, with many hundreds of recognized species. Mistakenly referred to as rhododendrons, these plants actually belong to the genus of azaleas. The azalea is a very popular ornamental shrub, due to its long-lasting floral display early in the year. While it’s true that all azaleas are under rhododendron species, … Read more

Banana shrubs despite their name, are not related to banana trees. They are an evergreen shrub which is native to China.  This perennial, grown as an ornamental plant, has beautiful, scented, and large blooms in spring.  History The banana shrubs were first introduced in China in the late 1700s. They are not native plant, but … Read more

Aucuba is a genus of slow-growing, evergreen shrubs with three traditionally recognized species. Native to North America, this plant commonly grows in damp woods or marshland.  This perennial plant, also known as the Japanese laurel, is grown as an ornamental plant with attractive, often spotted, foliage and an abundance of berries depending upon the species. … Read more

Harlequin glorybower is a deciduous shrub that produces racemes of showy flowers in the Summer. Despite having beautiful and sweet-smelling flowers, the leaves, if crushed, emit a pungent odor not unlike that of peanut butter.  Hence, one of the harlequin glorybower’s common names is – unsurprisingly – peanut butter bush. Native to parts of Asia, … Read more

Griselinia is a small genus of evergreen shrubs that are used for hedging, but can also be grown as small trees. The most popular species is Griselinia littoralis. Most of the species are native to South America, but two, including G. littoralis, are native to New Zealand. Griselinia littorallis is an evergreen shrub often used … Read more

This evergreen, flowering shrub belongs to the Baccharis genus of shrubs. This genus is the largest in the daisy (Asteraceae) family, with more than 500 recognized species. Native to parts of the USA, this plant commonly grows in the wild, as a weed.  This perennial, also known as the coyote brush, chaparral broom, or bush … Read more

Agapetes (Himalayan Lantern) are exotic, hanging shrubs that will only succeed if grown  in a temperate region. There are around 100 species of Himalayan lanterns, most of which are epiphytes. An epiphyte is a plant that grows a large woody basal organ, from which the plant can absorb moisture and some nutrients.  Native to the … Read more