Shrub
Woody perennials with multiple stems arising at or near ground level, typically shorter than trees. They can serve as hedges, wildlife habitat, or ornamental foundations. Tag “shrub” aids landscapers in selecting mid-height structure plants.
Boxwood: A Plant That Took Over the Garden World
Boxwood, once overlooked, rose to prominence as a popular ornamental plant but now faces serious threat from a destructive fungal disease. This story traces its journey to garden fame and highlights the urgency of protecting it from boxwood blight.
shrub, ornamental, temperateIndigo: Layers of Paint, History, and Art
Vermeer’s *Girl with a Pearl Earring* once featured a rich indigo background, now faded with time—along with the memory of the dye’s colonial origins. This story uncovers the global history of indigo, linking its artistic and agricultural uses to the exploitation that fueled its trade, while also highlighting its enduring cultural significance.
shrub, dye, legume, tropicalThe Sensitive Plant: Meaning and Movement
Mimosa pudica, known for its touch-sensitive leaves, has captivated observers for centuries, sparking fascination with plant intelligence. This story traces how the plant’s responsiveness inspired both scientific curiosity and colonial exploitation, while highlighting the resilience of diverse cultural knowledge systems surrounding it.
shrub, ornamental, nitrogen-fixer, tropicalPelargonium: By Any Other Name Would Smell as Sweet?
Charles Dickens adored the scarlet “geranium,” but the plant he loved was actually a pelargonium—long mistaken for its namesake. This story untangles their identities and reveals the pelargonium’s distinct history and influence across science, industry, and culture.
shrub, herb, ornamental, temperate
