The Corvidae family, renowned for its intelligence and adaptability, includes crows, ravens, rooks, jackdaws, magpies, and jays. Within this family, the genus Corvus encompasses the “true crows” – a group of 43 recognized crow species found on every continent except South America and Antarctica.
Learn about the Cassin’s Finch, a unique songbird of western North American mountain forests. This adaptable finch has complex songs, nomadic habits, and thrives across diverse coniferous habitats. Gain insights into this little-known species’ ecology and importance.
With their large, bell-shaped flowers, Canterbury Bells are a pleasant addition to cottage gardens and natural plantations. Canterbury bells (Campanula medium) originate from southern Europe but have been present in many gardens since the 16th century.
Symphytum officinale, commonly known as comfrey, boneset, or knitbone, is a large, bulbous, thick, tufted perennial (up to 3′ tall and 2.5′ wide). The tubular, flower-like snowdrops, white to purple to pink, appear in pendulous clusters from mid-spring to early summer.
The Dame’s Rocket (Hesperis matronalis) is worth growing just for its delightful aroma. This herbaceous plant also offers striking sturdy flowers. It has loose terminal clusters of 4-petalled white, pink, or lavender flowers bloom in early summer and late spring.
Diascia sometimes referred to as Twinspur, is loved for its luscious spring blooms in a range of cute colors, including white, orange, coral, lavender, and pink. A small nestled plant that looks fabulous in front of flower beds and garden edges. During flowering, a racemose apical inflorescence is formed, consisting of salmon, purple, white, orange, pink, or other colored flowers.
With its natural beauty, the Maiden Pink (Dianthus deltoides) conquers heather and stone gardens. It belongs to the Caryophyllaceae (carnation) family and is widespread in Asia and Europe. Each radially symmetrical flower consists of 5 toothed petals approximately 1 centimeter long, magenta-red to pink in color.
Red Ribbons (Clarkia concinna) are a species of flowering plants in the Onagraceae (evening primrose) family. It is native to California, where it is found in the northern coastal ranges from Humboldt County to Santa Clara County and in the foothills of Sierra.
With over 400 species to select from, these cheerful spring plants are available in a rainbow of colors. As you can imagine, the flowers’ shapes, sizes, and colors vary. The common primrose (Primula vulgaris) is a species in the Primulaceae family native to northwestern Africa, southern and western Europe, and parts of southwestern Asia.
Japanese Primrose is called sakurasou in Japan because it resembles Sakura, the flowering cherry tree. The leaves of the Japanese Primrose possess a rosette arrangement. The hairy petiole measures 1.4-4.7 inches in length. It signifies first Love, youthful Love, and longing in Japan.
Narcissus poeticus is a flowering plant of the order Asparagales. This species is native to Central and Southern Europe. The Wild Narcissus plant is toxic. The most poisonous parts are the bulbs.
Also known as the sweet pea flower, Lathyrus odoratus is an annual flowering plant cultivated for its attractive and fragrant flowers. You can sometimes see them nicely arranged in bouquets or adding a nice splash of color to home gardens. Plant species have purple flowers, but many varieties now offer a variety of additional flower colors, including white, lavender, blue, red, pink, and bicolor.
The cheery Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum) is a perennial classic. It resembles the well-known roadside daisies but has larger, sturdier flowers. These daisies return like clockwork every spring or early summer and bloom until early fall.
Rhodanthe chlorocephala is a species of daisy native to Australia and belongs to the Asteraceae family. The Everlasting Daisies can be dried and will last for a long time. This is done by hanging the flowers upside down after the cutting. This is best done when the flowers first open.
For an eye-catching show in cooler weather, plant the Marguerite daisy (Argyranthemum frutescens). Sometimes confused with Shasta daisies, the daisy is quite shrubby and mounded. The deeply incised dark green foliage is aromatic when pressed. White, yellow, and pink varieties are available, some with blue-green foliage and/or double flowers.
Daisies exude innocence, joy, and freshness. They are among the most famous flowers in the world, where they embellish cultivated landscapes and wild fields. They are available in many colors, including blue, red, pink, and white. Daisies are perennials that grow to a height of about 6 inches.
Japanese Andromeda is a plant native to Japan that can grow up to 1.5 to 4 m. It is a slow-growing shrub or tree under Ericaceae. The flowers are showy, and flower buds are bead-like in white. Some cultivars include a pink and deep rose.
Convallaria majalis (Lily of the valley) is a fragrant perennial herbaceous plant. The only species of the genus Convallaria from the Asparagaceae (asparagus) family. Convallaria majalis is a perennial rhizome herb that typically forms a ground cover that extends indefinitely up to 8-12 inches high.
Hedysarum coronarium, commonly known as sulla clover, sulla, or French honeysuckle, is a perennial or biennial herbaceous plant that generally grows up to 3 feet tall is equal in width. The bright red, extremely fragrant, pea-like flowers bloom from the end of spring to the beginning of summer in dense axillary clusters on upright flower stalks.
Symphoricarpos, commonly called snowberry, ghost berry, or waxberry is a genus of around 15 species of deciduous shrubs in the Caprifoliaceae (honeysuckle) family. The flowers are small, pink to greenish-white, in most species in small clusters of 5 to 15 together, in some individually or in pairs.
Teasel (Dipsacus spp.) is a genus of plants from the Caprifoliaceae (honeysuckle) family. Members of this genus are typically known as teazle or teazle. The flowers are white, purple, lavender, or dark pink. Dipsacus species are endemic to North Africa, Asia, and Europe. The genus name Dipsacus is a Greek word meaning thirst.
Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) is sinuous and fragrant forest anesthesia. Flowering occurs from late spring to early summer, when conspicuous, tubular, fragrant, whitish-pink blooms develop in the leaf axils. As they age, the flowers turn creamy yellow.
Rosales is commonly called the rose order that contains dicotyledonous flowering plants. Explore their characteristics, families, distribution, and example species. Apart from a wide variety of roses, other products of Rosales include apples, cherries, peaches, plums, pears, raspberries, strawberries, and figs.
The beach rose is a deciduous Japanese shrub with a multi-stem. It is native to Japan and is widely used as an ornamental plant. The beautiful beach rose is pollinated by insects and birds. Rosa rugosa is a strong symbol of Love and adoration.
The Desert rose plant is an evergreen, deciduous shrub of the Gentianales order. Desert roses can grow from 3.3 to 9.8 ft. It is a trendy ornamental plant with plumeria-like flowers.
Loved by many, the rose (Rosa spp.) is a popular garden flower. Its features, including its precious fragrance and shape, make it easy to recognize. Roses have been grown for millennia and have a long history that goes back thousands of years.
Euryale ferox is a species of water lily found in Asia. The Prickly Water Lily is a perennial plant in the order of Nymhaeales. The seeds of the Prickly Water Lily are used in Chinese traditional medicine. A study showed that extracts from Euryale ferox manifest antioxidant activity.
Order Nymphaeales is composed of water lily flowers. It contains 3 families (Hydatellaceae, Cabombaceae, and Nymphaceae). The example flower species include Europian white water lily, Dotleaf water lily, Blue lotus, Amazon water lily, Fanwort, Green Cobomba, and more.
Delphinium is a famous ornamental plant that adds height and a pop of color to commercial and home gardens. Usually, its flowers come in gorgeous shades of blue and purple. Still, other cultivars showcase more yellow, red, white, or pink.
Delphinium bicolor is a perennial plant of the Buttercup (Ranunculaceae) family. The stems of the Little Larkspur have a height of 4-24 inches. The Little Larkspur plants can absorb toxic substances, like herbicides, pesticides, and pollutants.
As a classic cottage garden staple, the bleeding-heart plant (Lamprocapnos spectabilis) has been a favorite in many perennial gardens for a long. The Lamprocapnos genus includes around 8 flowering plants. The slanted, swollen, cordate rose-pink blooms with protruding white central petals start to bloom in spring before the emergence of the leaves.
Anyone with a sunny and dry spot on their property could consider planting the native Hawaiian plant known as Pua Kala (Argemone glauca). The genus has about 30 members and belongs to the plant family Papaveraceae (poppy family).
The Shirley poppy is the name of a group of annual ornamental varieties from the Papaver rhoeas (European wild poppy). There are more than 120 species of poppies in the genus Papaver of the Papaveraceae family. The Shirley Poppy was first produced in 1880 by Reverend William Wilks, pastor of the Shirley parish in England.
The Poppy is a flowering herbaceous plant of the Papaveroideae subfamily in the Papaveraceae family. Papaver somniferum is the source of narcotic opium, which contains potent medicinal alkaloids and has been used as an analgesic and medicinal and recreational anesthetic since ancient times.
Gladiolus (plural Gladioli) belongs to a genus of around 260 bulbous plants primarily native to South Africa but found in East Africa, Northwest Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Mediterranean. There is a wide variety of floral colors, including green, lavender, pink, red, orange, yellow, cream, and white.
Miniature Gladiolus (Gladiolus nanus) is sometimes referred to as dwarf Gladiolus. It is actually a smaller growing variety than the more popular varieties. Miniature Gladiolus produces fantastic two-tone spikes of pink flowers with a hint of white on its throat.
Gladiolus palustris is a perennial herb of the Iridaceae family and is native to Central and NW Europe. This species can grow to a height of 12-24 inches. The genus Gladiolus is a Latin word that means “a sword”. The specific name palustris is a Latin word that means “growing in marshes” the plant’s environment.
Trichosanthes is a perennial vine native to Japan. These thread-like flowers are aromatic and bloom from summer to early fall. The Trichosanthes cucumerina tangled with other plants or trees.
Thunbergie has been called “the most gorgeous vine in the world” by some. This blooming, twisted vine looks like morning glory from a distance, and the flowers are similar up close. Thunbergia grandiflora is a vine in the Acanthaceae family. There are 100 to 150 species of flowering plants in the Thunbergia genus.
Ipomoea belongs to a family of flowering plants known as Morning Glory, which are unruly vines, deeply rooted in Mexico’s flora. They have blue, purple, lavender, or pink flowers that fade at night and open every morning.
Japanese morning glory is a climber plant with 5 meters. It has been a widely cultivated ornamental garden plant. In addition, growing Ipomoea nil is part of the curriculum of Japanese elementary students.
Give your landscape a glorious late-season color with Helenium, a light-demanding perennial that offers long-lasting blooms from mid to late summer to fall every year. It features daisy-like flower clusters (2-inches in diameter) with distinctive pale yellow wedge-shaped rays and dome-shaped, dull yellow central discs.
Callistephus chinensis, commonly known as the China aster and annual aster, is a popular annual plant that produces conspicuous, 3 to 5 inches diameter flowers from early summer through fall. The colors of the cultivars include shades ranging from white to pink, yellow, purple, red, and blue.
Symphyotricum oblongifolium is a perennial plant of the Asteraceae family. The Aromatic Aster can grow to a height of 1-2 feet. Aromatic Asters are low-growing. Their stems are stiff, compact, and compact. When the plant’s stems are crushed, it gives off a balsam-like fragrance.
Marigold (Tagetes erecta), known in Mexico as Cempasúchil, holds immense cultural significance. Its vibrant orange and yellow blooms are central to Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations, where the flowers are used to decorate altars and graves.
While many flowering shrubs (Camellia japonica) peak in Summer, the Camellia flower is endemic to Japan and it is unique because it mainly blooms in early spring and late winter. There are nearly 300 species of Camellia, the color of which includes white, pink, and red.
Peony is a Japanese easy-care flowering plant in the genus Paeonia of the Paeoniaceae family. The genus consists of approximately 32 species of wild peonies primarily native to Europe, Asia, and western North America. The flowers range in color from pink and purple to red, yellow, or white. The flowers bloom from late spring to early summer.
Paeonia officinalis is a perennial herb native to the mountainous regions of Southern Europe. The Common Peony plants belong to the order Saxifragales and the family Paeoniaceae. The genus Paeonia comes from the Greek name Paeon meaning a god’s physician.
Mums are available in various flower colors, including red, orange, pink, yellow, white, salmon, cream, burgundy, and bi-colors. Mums are the Chrysanthemum genus flowering plants in the Asteraceae family, native to northeastern Europe and eastern Asia. There are 40 known species and thousands of cultivars of chrysanthemums.
Discover the breathtaking beauty of the White Cockatoo (Cacatua Alba), their characteristics, diet and several interesting fun facts about them here.
Honesty is a large, hairy biennial plant native to western Asia and southeastern Europe. Honesty’s purple flower clusters make their spring debut and add color as soon as the spring bulbs fade. Honesty is a biennial herb in the Brassicaceae (mustard) family.
Known for its lush foliage and beautiful flowers, Hortensia is the epitome of the summer months. With the common name hydrangea, Hortensia is a genus of more than 75 species of flowering plants native to the Americas and Asia. The flower color ranges from blue to pink, through all shades of lavender, purple to violet, as well as white and green.
Holly (Ilex aquifolium) has established itself as a staple in holiday décor for several reasons. This evergreen tree is easy to incorporate into any aspect of your décor. Holly is dioecious, which means that female and male flowers are found on different trees. The flowers are white with 4 petals.
Carnations were originally peach and pale pink in color. Still, the flowers are now available in various hues, including shades of green, purple, white, red, and yellow. The carnation is revered for many reasons, three of which are its disheveled appearance, its clove smell, and its incredibly long flowering period.
Veronica, also known as Speedwell, is an easy-to-grow, carefree perennial with long spikes of tiny white, pink, blue, or purple petals. With around 500 species, Veronica is the largest genus in the Plantaginaceae family of flowering plants. The precise origin of this plant cannot be exactly determined.
Known as “Queen of the Shrubs”, lilac is one of the most challenging and most fragrant flowering shrubs in many gardens today. You may recognize them as a flower in your grandmother’s garden. Its stem flowers are usually available in white, blue, purple, and pink colors, adding height and softness to any garden.
Dive into the vibrant world of hibiscus! Explore 25+ stunning varieties, from rare native species to popular garden favorites. Learn about their unique characteristics, care tips, and fascinating facts. Perfect for gardeners and flower enthusiasts alike. Discover the beauty and diversity of these tropical treasures!
Commonly known as the African lily (or the lily of the Nile in Britain) and the flower of love, the Agapanthus is native to southern Africa. It grows mainly in shady areas where it’s protected from the heat of the African sun.
Hepatica is a genus of the Ranunculaceae family indigenous to regions in the Northern Hemisphere. This genus comprises around 7 species of herbaceous plants. This spring-flowering perennial is also known as liverwort or liverleaf. The ½-1-inch-wide flowers have numerous elongated blue, purple, lavender, pink, or white sepals (no petals) surrounding many central stamens with yellowish anther tips.
Colorful lobelias are an excellent choice for garden design around streams and ponds, anywhere the soil is constantly moist. The plant produces showy flower spikes in all shades of white, blue, red, and pink. The two upper lobes can be upright, while the three lower lobes can be extended.