A selection of extraordinary Christmas trees throughout the world—most are local traditions, many are breaking records, and one appears to break through a suburban roof.
An expensive spice with a long history of famous anointments and international trade, saffron is actually nothing more than the dried stigmas of a crocus flower.
December 12th is Poinsettia Day! In honor of the occasion, here is the story of how it became a holiday flower—a fascinating story of canny marketing and media placement.
With its red and white blossoms, the York and Lancaster rose (Rosa damascena versicolor) marked the end of the War of the Roses, and symbolized the union of feuding families, each with their own rose: the House of York, with its white rose, and the House of Lancaster, with its red rose.
A dramatic accent to modern-day gardens, Acanthus plants were also the inspiration for Corinthian columns, the art of William Morris, and mid-century motifs.
The teddy-bear cholla (Opuntia bigelovii) cactus has evolved barbed arms that will detach and cling to just about anything, in the hopes of traveling to a new place to root and begin a new colony.
Adored, feared, and fabled, the oleander is a deadly beauty. Drought-tolerant and easily propagated, it is commonly cultivated in gardens and public spaces in subtropical and tropical regions throughout the world and it is also considered to be one of history's deadliest plants.
The bluebonnet is a smart, strong flower, and, thanks to a state's embrace, a true Texan. And because they love them so, there are six bluebonnets recognized as state flowers.
