Plants

Tulips are among the most beloved and widely recognized flowering bulbs in the world, producing elegant, cup-shaped flowers in virtually every color of the spectrum across thousands of named varieties developed over centuries of intensive horticultural breeding. Native to the mountainous regions of Central Asia — particularly the Tian Shan and Pamir Alai ranges of … Read more

Nitrogen-fixing trees are woody plants capable of forming symbiotic relationships with soil bacteria — primarily Rhizobium, Bradyrhizobium, Mesorhizobium, and Frankia species — that colonize their roots and convert atmospheric nitrogen gas into ammonia, a biologically available form that plants can use directly for growth. This process, known as biological nitrogen fixation (BNF), bypasses the need … Read more

Agroforestry is the intentional integration of trees and shrubs into crop and livestock farming systems, creating diversified, productive, and ecologically resilient landscapes that deliver benefits beyond what either trees or crops can provide alone. It is one of the oldest land management approaches known to humanity, practiced in various forms across every inhabited continent for … Read more

Hibiscus is a large and diverse genus containing over 300 species of flowering plants belonging to the mallow family, Malvaceae, found across tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate regions worldwide. The genus includes annuals, perennials, shrubs, and small trees, ranging in height from 2 to 15 feet depending on the species and growing conditions. With an … Read more

Trees face one of their most punishing challenges when exposed to salt — whether from ocean spray, coastal winds, or road deicing chemicals. Salt draws moisture out of plant tissues, disrupts nutrient uptake, and can poison the soil over time. Despite this, a remarkable group of trees has evolved or adapted to not only survive … Read more

The palm tree is one of the most evocative silhouettes in the plant world. That distinctive profile — a tall, unbranched trunk topped with a crown of long, arching fronds — instantly conjures images of tropical beaches, warm climates, and exotic landscapes. It is a form so visually powerful that it has become one of … Read more

Few forms in the natural world carry the same sense of wonder as the star-shaped flower. With its petals radiating outward from a central point in perfect or near-perfect symmetry, the star flower form is one of the most ancient and widespread in the plant kingdom. It appears across hundreds of genera, on every continent … Read more

The sunflower is one of the most immediately recognizable flowers on Earth. Its broad, golden-yellow ray petals radiating outward from a rich, dark central disc create a flower form that is simultaneously bold, cheerful, and architecturally satisfying. Native to North America, where indigenous peoples cultivated it for food and oil for thousands of years, the … Read more

The daffodil is one of the most universally recognized flowers in the world. With its distinctive combination of a ring of outer petals — technically called the perianth — surrounding a central tubular or trumpet-shaped corona, the daffodil has a silhouette unlike almost any other flower. This two-part structure, simple yet elegant, has made it … Read more

Nature has a remarkable habit of mimicry, and nowhere is this more enchanting than in the world of flowers that have evolved to resemble butterflies. Whether through the spreading, wing-like arrangement of their petals, their delicate veining, their hovering posture above slender stems, or their vibrant, patterned coloring, these flowers create an almost magical impression … Read more