Juan D. Rivera started learning everything he could about plants, farming, livestock, and ecosystems at a young age. Since then, he’s earned a Master’s degree in wildlife biology (Universidad Iberoamericana, Ciudad de México) and a PhD in forestry (North Carolina State University), both with an emphasis on conservation farming and renewable technology. He has worked in planning crops for companies and workshops, as an educational consultant and writer.
I’ll never forget the first time I saw a String of Dolphins. Tucked into a tiny pot at the back of a local plant shop, those quirky little dolphin-shaped leaves were leaping along the vines…
There’s just something captivating about the String of Hearts plant. I still remember spotting one at a local nursery, its delicate heart-shaped leaves cascading like green-white beads on a necklace, and I instantly knew it…
There’s something magical about watching a tiny seed sprout and grow into something green and fresh. Growing your own bean sprouts in a bag is not only easy but also incredibly satisfying. You can do…
The Fox Red Curly Sedge, otherwise known as the Carex Buchananii or Leatherleaf Sedge, Carex ‘Buchanni’, Curly Top Sedge, is a rather well known ornamental grass plant among gardening enthusiasts around the world. Best known…
Out in my backyard one chilly morning, I noticed my small flock of ducks squished into a fluffy pile, feathers fluffed up and beaks tucked into wings. It looked like a feathered quilt come to…
Plum trees are a delightful addition to any garden. Many gardeners, including myself, dream of having fresh, juicy plums right in their backyard. But here’s the thing: your plum tree won’t thrive just anywhere. If…
Are you searching for a stunning plant focal point for your office, living room, hallway, reception, or hotel? Meet Ficus Lyrata, the sensational tall-growing indoor star, also known as Fiddle Leaf Fig. It adds a…
The Fiesta Time Hollyhock, or Alcea Rosea ‘Fiesta Time’ and Hollyhock ‘Blacknight’ from the Spotlight Series, is a popular perennial plant among garden lovers everywhere. Best known for its high maintenance and fast growth, this…
There’s something incredibly rewarding about watching a plant thrive under your care—especially one as charming and fragrant as the Ruby Spice Summersweet. When I first came across Clethra alnifolia ‘Ruby Spice’, I was drawn in…