Plants in family asparagaceae
Hosta 'Aureomarginata'
Hosta 'Aureomarginata' is a shade-loving plant known for its heart-shaped leaves with striking golden edges. In summer, it produces lilac, bell-shaped flowers that can reach up to 3 feet in height. The leaves themselves grow to about 8 to 10 inches long. This plant is low maintenance and thrives in partial to full shade with well-drained soil. It can be divided in spring or fall, making it a versatile addition to any garden.
Anemarrhena asphodeloides
Anemarrhena asphodeloides is a perennial native to northern China, thriving on sandy hillsides up to 5000 feet in elevation. It forms tight clumps of narrow, green, lily-like foliage and produces tall spikes of tiny lavender flowers in late summer. Known for its medicinal properties, it contains natural steroids like sapogenin and is used as an anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-depressant. This plant is well-suited for rock gardens and drought-tolerant landscapes.
Agave scabra ssp. zarcensis
Agave scabra ssp. zarcensis is a thick-leaved agave from Mexico, growing up to 4 feet tall and wide. It is hardy to 10°F and thrives in full sun with low water use, making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping.
Hosta 'Hope'
Hosta 'Hope' is a small hosta forming an 8-inch wide mound of tiny, round green leaves with a golden margin. It produces 11-inch tall scapes in summer and is perfect for rock gardens or special cases. This hosta should be planted away from larger hostas to avoid competition.
Hosta 'Brim Cup'
Hosta 'Brim Cup' is a small to medium-sized plant with dark green cupped leaves and a wide creamy margin. It produces lavender flowers atop 20-inch scapes, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. This hosta thrives in part sun to light shade, making it a charming addition to shaded gardens.
Ophiopogon umbraticola
Ophiopogon umbraticola, a fine-textured mondo grass from southern China, features curly tufts of narrow green blades. It blooms with tiny white flowers in late June, followed by cobalt blue fruit in October. This plant is hardy through Zone 5 winters and is ideal for adding texture to gardens.
Aloe 'Delta Dawn'
Aloe 'Delta Dawn' is a star-shaped succulent with rough-textured rosettes in a mix of orange, white, and green. It can blush reddish in full sun and is drought-tolerant once established. The plant produces red, orange, or yellow flowers that attract hummingbirds.
Agave 'Mr Ripple'
Agave 'Mr Ripple' is a striking plant from Mexico, possibly a natural hybrid of Agave salmiana. It forms a 5-foot tall by 8-foot wide clump of broad, blue-green leaves. This agave is drought-tolerant and attracts hummingbirds when in bloom, making it a standout in any garden.
Hosta 'Kittyhawk'
Hosta 'Kittyhawk' is a perennial plant with wide, arching golden foliage that forms a 3-foot-wide mound. In late summer, it produces tall scapes adorned with lavender flowers, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds.
Hosta 'Green Eyes'
Hosta 'Green Eyes' is a miniature clump-forming plant with narrow yellow leaves bordered by dark green. It grows up to 8 inches wide and produces 14-inch scapes of medium lavender flowers in midsummer. This plant is ideal for shaded gardens and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
Hosta 'Wild Imagination'
Hosta 'Wild Imagination' is a unique plant with long, narrow, severely twisted powder blue leaves. It forms a 22-inch tall by 4.5-foot wide clump and produces light lavender flowers on arching stalks in late summer. This hosta is perfect for adding interest to shade gardens.
Liriope muscari 'Peedee Ingot'
Liriope muscari 'Peedee Ingot' is an evergreen perennial with bright gold foliage that forms an 18-inch tall clump. It produces lilac-lavender flowers in late summer and requires minimal maintenance. This plant is happiest in shade but can tolerate sun, and it thrives in average soil with good drainage.
Yucca queretaroensis
Yucca queretaroensis is a striking plant native to the Sierra Madre Occidental in Mexico, featuring a tall trunk up to 12 feet high and very narrow leaves. It produces a 30-inch flower spike of white bells at maturity and is known for its cold tolerance, withstanding temperatures as low as 14 degrees F.
Hosta 'Janet'
Hosta 'Janet' is a medium-sized plant with light green leaves that turn bright gold as the season progresses. It forms a clump and produces very light lavender flowers, adding subtle beauty to shaded garden areas. This hosta is a reliable choice for attracting pollinators and enhancing garden diversity.
Hosta 'Drop Dead Gorgeous'
Hosta 'Drop Dead Gorgeous' is a massive hosta with deeply-veined green leaves and a wide yellow border that changes to cream and then white. It forms a 2.5-foot tall by 7-foot wide clump and produces near-white flowers in summer.
Ophiopogon japonicus 'Tuff Tuft Silver'
Ophiopogon japonicus 'Tuff Tuft Silver' is a clump-forming mondo grass discovered in Sichuan, China. It forms 8-inch tall by 15-inch wide evergreen clumps and produces short pendent spikes of silvery white flowers in early June. This plant is suitable for ground cover in shaded garden areas, providing year-round interest with its dense foliage and seasonal blooms.
Aspidistra pulchella
Aspidistra pulchella, commonly known as the cast iron plant, features broad, medium green leaves speckled with creamy yellow spots. This low-maintenance perennial is evergreen to the low 20s and thrives in shaded areas, making it an excellent houseplant. It produces unique flowers in midsummer that resemble miniature psychedelic Star of Davids. The plant is durable, tolerating both moist and dry soils with good drainage, and its leaves can last up to three years. Aspidistra pulchella is known for its bold texture and upright form, making it a striking addition to any indoor or shaded outdoor space. Regular moisture and increased humidity help prevent stress, ensuring the plant remains healthy and vibrant.
Muscari botryoides 'Album'
Muscari botryoides 'Album' is a compact muscari type known for its dense clusters of fragrant white bells. It blooms in mid-spring and grows well in a wide range of conditions, making it a versatile addition to any garden.
Hosta 'Blue Mammoth'
Hosta 'Blue Mammoth' is one of the largest hostas, forming a giant clump of heavily textured, puckered blue leaves. It reaches nearly 5 feet in width and produces light lavender flowers in late spring, making it a striking addition to shaded garden areas.
Ruscus aculeatus 'Sparkler'
Ruscus aculeatus 'Sparkler' is a self-fruiting butcher's broom with spiny-leafed evergreen foliage. It matures at 2 feet tall and wide, is drought-tolerant, and prefers shade but can tolerate hot afternoon sun. This plant produces bright red berries from fall through spring.
Liriope minor 'Torafu'
Liriope minor 'Torafu' is a dwarf mondo grass with very narrow leaves and horizontal banding. It forms a thick patch in 3-4 years and is ideal for groundcover in shaded areas. This plant is drought-tolerant and thrives in part sun to shade.
Hosta 'Warwick Delight'
Hosta 'Warwick Delight' is a charming dwarf hosta with a glossy cream center bordered by light and dark green edges. This hybrid, a cross between H. nakaiana and H. 'Breeder's Choice', reaches about 12 inches in width. It produces light purple flowers in early summer, adding a delicate touch to shaded garden areas. 'Warwick Delight' is ideal for groundcover, rain gardens, and areas with part sun to light shade, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds with its subtle beauty.
Agave havardiana 'Raulston Arboretum Form'
Agave havardiana 'Raulston Arboretum Form' is a striking succulent with a blue-grey rosette that can grow up to 3 feet tall and 5 feet wide. It features a towering 25-foot tall spike, possibly indicating a hybrid with Agave scabra. This plant is native to North America and is well-suited for xeriscaping, thriving in sunny, dry conditions.
Aspidistra leshanensis
Aspidistra leshanensis is a low-maintenance perennial plant native to the Sichuan province of China. It forms a tight clump of evergreen leaves that reach up to 28 inches tall, with unique yellow spots. The plant produces distinctive upturned purple flowers with white centers in September. It thrives in shaded areas and can tolerate both moist and dry soils, making it durable in less-than-ideal conditions. Its bold texture and upright form add interest to any garden setting.
Hosta 'Zager White Edge'
Hosta 'Zager White Edge' is a perennial known for its wide, long green leaves with a distinctive white edge. It forms a 3-foot wide clump and produces 30-inch scapes of medium lavender flowers in early summer. This plant attracts butterflies and hummingbirds and thrives in light shade, making it a popular choice for shaded garden areas.
Hosta 'Brave Amherst'
Hosta 'Brave Amherst' is a perennial with heavily corrugated blue leaves bordered by a wide creamy-gold margin. This plant forms a clump about 4 feet wide and 2 feet tall, with near-white flowers blooming on 28-inch scapes in late May. It is ideal for shaded gardens, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. The hosta is also suitable for rain gardens and can tolerate dry shade conditions. Its striking foliage makes it a popular choice for groundcover in cottage gardens.
Rohdea japonica 'Zansetsu'
Rohdea japonica 'Zansetsu' is an evergreen plant with upright, dark green leaves heavily blotched with creamy white streaks. It forms tight clumps adorned with bright red berries in winter, adding ornamental interest. This plant is well-suited for shaded areas and provides a striking visual contrast in the garden.
Hosta nigrescens f. elatior
Hosta nigrescens f. elatior is a large-growing hosta known for its NBA-sized bloom stalks that can reach up to 7 feet tall. It features light lavender to near-white flowers and giant pointed green leaves. This plant is a favorite among hosta enthusiasts for its impressive size and striking appearance.