Joe Butler

Whether you pronounce it correctly as puh-KAHNS or erroneously as PEE-cans, there’s no denying the aesthetic, nut-producing power of pecans.We link to vendors to help you find relevant products

Also known as the scarlet or swamp maple, the red maple has a special place in my heart.It’s the first plant that I could ever identify,

As a born and raised Missourian, any plant with my home state in the name immediately earns my endearment.But even for folks raised outside of the Show Me State,

A glossy appearance is innately alluring to people, whether it’s found in a shimmering pool of water, a freshly-detailed car, or the lovely lips of that special someone… and with the glossy-leafed wax begonia, you and your landscape can take full advantage of its inherent attractiveness.We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy f

Some plants are so iconic that they’ve basically become flagship representatives for entire ecosystems.Fleshy, machete-hackable vines make you th

The idea of a “hybrid” has always struck me as super cool.From demigods in Greco-Roman mythology to the massive feline l

As heavenly bamboo shrubs and my middle school yearbook photos can attest, there’s a fine line between an organic, natural look… and just being a mess.A well-pruned Nandina domestica man

Personally, I’m a big fan of serration.Whether it’s a megalodon tooth, a trusty pocket knife, or th

Looking to upgrade your garden with a durable evergreen shrub that provides year-round interest and doesn’t require the backbreaking labor of higher-maintenance plants, such as roses or hedges?Look no further than heavenly bamboo.We link to

In the world of landscape design, it’s hard to go wrong with a heap of green shrubbery. And when that shrubbery is none other than a cherry laurel, it just feels oh so right.The glossy green broadleaf foliage is alluring, what with the

With the right gas mower, cutting the grass can feel less like a chore and more like a calming ritual.Not merely an item to check off

In the garden, it’s easy to observe the beautiful flora above the soil line, but have you ever been curious about what’s happening below it?With the right soil test kit, you’ll no longer have to

For a calla lily, a container is like an ATV, allowing the plant to boldly venture into new territory with style.In the container-free wild, a Zanted

Everybody and their mother seems to own a succulent or two. And why wouldn’t they?Succulents are easy to care for, extremely portable, and can ha

The splendor of a poinsettia is obvious to all who lay their eyes upon it.Even when it’s not in bloom with colorful

Sporting brightly-colored flowers that look like a tropical bird mid-flap, bird of paradise certainly lives up to its name.We link to vendors to help you find rele

Many people don’t tend to think of plants as living things in need of feeding. This feature tends to stand out more in animals, what with their gaping mouths and (sometimes) teeth.But plants need to be fed as well, even the

For a funky-looking annual that’s just unusual enough to be totally awesome, how about giving some bells of Ireland a ring?We link to vendors to help you find relevant products.

Life feels like a nonstop grind of weighing different options, doesn’t it?“Creamy or crunchy?” “Denim or khaki?” “Do I tell them how I

You gotta love a plant that makes you do a double-take. One that really makes you pull your shades down for a second, unobstructed eyeful. Take the buttonbush, for example.At first glance, your gaze may pass over a buttonbush’s ro

The Boston fern, aka the sword fern or the Boston swordfern, is the poster child of the fern world. When the average person imagines this type of plant, chances are they conjure up images of this popular species.We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our

Greatness shouldn’t be rushed, especially when it’s found in the form of a delicious apple.So it’s definitely a major bummer wh

I’ve always found arrangements of shrimp to be ultra alluring.And when I first laid eyes on the shrimp plant, I knew d

If you’re the proud owner of a maple tree, congrats on having such an amazing plant in your landscape! The brilliant foliage and fall color of various Acer species makes them true works of art!However, what sets a maple tree

I grew up in neighborhoods where the ground covers of choice were predominantly wintercreeper, ivy, and periwinkle.And over time, my eyes built up a visual immuni

Snake plants aren’t exactly known for their flowers, much like Spider-Man’s costumes aren’t really known for their armpit webbing.But when both are on display – the former a

Question: what do potstickers, spring rolls, and stir-fries all have in common?Answer: they all taste even better with the ad

Whether it’s gracing the brick walls of Ivy League campuses or an old backyard shed, the way that Boston ivy adheres to vertical surfaces is incredible.Combine this climbing abi

A bird of paradise plant (Strelitzia spp.), as a whole, is a lot like a gorgeous opera performance.The beautiful flowers, with their appearanc

“Good things come in small packages,” as the saying goes. It’s totally true! Golf scores, pro horse jockeys, the egos of politicians… they all benefit from being small.The same is true in the botanical world,

Winter is a time to chill – both literally and figuratively.Besides the decreasing temperatures, wintertim

Whether it’s a stack of pancakes or a bowl of piping hot oats for breakfast, I’m always ready and waiting with a Basque-style glass bottle of maple syrup.The ol’ pancreas may not appreciate my carbolicious me

Speaking as an American who hasn’t left the continent, I think Norway is really, really cool. Not just because of Vikings and fjords, but also for what the nation has contributed to botany as a whole.We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If

Good ol’ bok choy… where would we be without you?A leafy green superstar in Asian cuisine, b

Ever purchased a roll of flypaper and wished it came with a flower? No, just me?For a botanical bug trap that flaunts both orname

Water is essential. Without good ol’ Adam’s ale, the glorious poinsettia would look like nothing more than a rather sorry-looking clump of foliage, eventually succumbing to an untimely death.We link to vendors to help y