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.
The first time I heard the term witchweed, I assumed it belonged in folklore. Turns out, it belongs in nightmares. If you’ve ever dealt with striga—also known as witchweed—you know it doesn’t just invade your…
The Dwarf Scotch Pine, otherwise known as the Pinus Sylvestris ‘Glauca Nana’ or Scotch Pine ‘Glauca’, Scots Pine ‘Glauca’, Archangel Redwood ‘Glauca’, Baltic Redwood ‘Glauca’, Scotch Fir ‘Glauca’, Scots Fir ‘Glauca’, Norway Fir ‘Glauca’, is…
The Columnar Blue Atlas Cedar, otherwise known as the Cedrus Atlantica ‘Glauca Fastigiata’ or Atlas Cedar ‘Glauca Pendula’, Blue Atlas Cedar ‘Glauca Pendula’, Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar, is a rather well known tree plant by…
The Seiryu Japanese Maple, otherwise known as the Acer Palmatum ‘Seiryu’ or Japanese Maple ‘Seiryu’, Acer palmatum var. dissectum ‘Seiryu’, Acer palmatum ‘Seiryû’, Laceleaf Japanese Maple ‘Seiryu’, Cutleaf Japanese Maple ‘Seiryu’, Threadleaf Japanese Maple ‘Seiryu’,…
Calathea Makoyana or Peacock Plant earns its glorious name from the elegance and beauty of its leaves. The dark-green feathery effect is replaced with a pinkish-reddish underside when new leaves are growing, imitating the splash…
The Vanderwolf’s Pyramid Limber Pine, otherwise known as the Pinus Flexilis ‘Vanderwolf’S Pyramid’ or Limber Pine, Limbertwig, Rocky Mountain Pine, is a somewhat well known tree plant native to the Rocky Mountains, and the Southwest…
The Calathea Warscewiczii is categorized among the most attractive plants to have indoors. Besides producing showy cone-shaped flowers, the leaves are multi-colored, having a velvet appearance. The calathea also has a fish-tail pattern and maroon…
The Dwarf Blue Rocky Mountain Fir, otherwise known as the Abies Lasiocarpa ‘Glauca Compacta’ or Alpine Fir ‘Green Globe’, Green Globe Alpine Fir, Rocky Mountain Fir ‘Green Globe’, Subalpine Fir ‘Green Globe’, is a rather…
The Dwarf Black Spruce, otherwise known as the Picea Mariana ‘Nana’ or Black Spruce ‘Nana’, Bog Spruce ‘Nana’, Swamp Spruce ‘Nana’, Dwarf Black Spruce, is a rather well known tree plant by gardening enthusiasts around…