Plants
Utricularia longifolia
Utricularia longifolia is a large perennial carnivorous plant native to Brazil, known for its beautiful deep purple blooms and slender green leaves. It thrives in wet, humid conditions and is popular among carnivorous plant enthusiasts.
Convallaria keiskei
Convallaria keiskei is a variegated selection of lily of the valley with 10-inch tall green leaves striped with cream. It produces lightly fragrant white flowers in early spring, making it a charming addition to shaded gardens.
Hibiscus coccineus
Hibiscus coccineus, or Texas star, is a striking herbaceous perennial native to the Southeastern United States. It grows 6-8 feet tall and features bright scarlet flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. This plant thrives in full sun with moist soil and is hardy in USDA zones 6-9.
Peperomia 'Raindrop'
Peperomia 'Raindrop' is a tropical plant native to South America, characterized by its thick, shiny leaves that store water. It thrives in bright, filtered light and high humidity, making it a low-maintenance choice for indoor environments. This plant is pet-friendly and adds a lush, green presence to any space.
Begonia acetosa
Begonia acetosa is a rhizomatous species native to Brazil, known for its bright green leaves with a dark red underside. It grows well in indirect light and moderate humidity, preferring moist soil. This begonia is used to create new hybrids and has been cultivated in the United States since 1946.
Peperomia meridana
Peperomia meridana, also known as 'Pixie' or 'Green Valley', is a compact plant from Central America with stiff, dark green leaves and deep ridges. It is popular for terrariums and small pots, preferring shade to partial shade and dry soil between waterings.
Eryngium pandanifolium
Eryngium pandanifolium is an evergreen plant with sharply toothed, grey-green foliage resembling an oversized century plant. Its flower stalks reach 5 feet tall, topped with grey-green balls. Native to South America, it has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Nymphaea 'Ploydaeng'
Nymphaea 'Ploydaeng' is part of a genus of aquatic plants known for their ornamental value and ability to provide shade, reducing algae growth. These plants are divided into tropical and hardy types, with hardy varieties tolerating cold better. They have received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Gardenia jasminoides 'Kleim's Hardy'
A dwarf-sized evergreen shrub, this plant has creamy white flowers with a heavenly scent and glossy dark green leaves year-round. It blooms in late spring to early summer and is hardy in USDA Zones 7-10.
Begonia 'Steve's Leaves Moonwalk'
Begonia 'Steve's Leaves Moonwalk' is a unique hybrid plant known for its striking leaves with small bullae and bright green veins. It thrives in high humidity environments, making it ideal for terrariums or greenhouses.
Rhododendron 'Southgate Radiance'
This plant features intense lavender-pink buds that open to snowy white and magenta blooms. It has dark green, elongated, oval-shaped leaves and a slow growth rate, reaching a mature height of 4-5 feet. The plant is hardy from USDA zones 6-9 and is more heat tolerant than traditional Rhododendrons. It performs best in part sun to shade and requires slightly acidic soil with good drainage.
Prunus persica 'Pink Cascade'
Prunus persica 'Pink Cascade' is a deciduous tree known for its bright pink double flowers that bloom in early spring. It features weeping branches and leaves that turn golden yellow or greenish in fall. This ornamental tree does not produce edible fruit and is hardy in USDA zones 5-9. It grows up to 12-15 feet tall and wide, preferring well-draining, slightly acidic soil and full sun.
Drosera darwinensis
Drosera darwinensis is a carnivorous plant native to the Northern Territory of Australia, known for its large circular traps that turn red under strong light. It prefers hot temperatures, high humidity, and a mix of peat and perlite, making it a unique addition to plant collections.
Mayaca fluviatilis
Mayaca fluviatilis is a perennial herbaceous submerged plant native to the Americas, known for its soft thin leaves arranged in spirals and white or pale green stems. It grows in wet soil or as a submerged plant, forming semi-floating mats and thriving in moderate to high lighting conditions.
Begonia 'Granada'
Begonia 'Granada' is a small, shrub-like hybrid with a bushy growth habit. It has oval-shaped leaves with a chocolate edge and silver blade, and light pink flowers, growing 12 to 15 inches tall.
Cucumis melo
Cucumis melo is a type of melon known for its sweet, almost wine-like flavor and light green flesh. This heirloom variety, introduced in 1948 by the University of Minnesota, is well-suited for short growing seasons and can be grown in containers. The plant is compact, reaching about 36 inches, and produces round fruits weighing between 3 to 8 pounds. It is resistant to Fusarium wilt and more drought-tolerant than other melons. The fruit is aromatic with a small seed cavity, making it a high-quality choice for various climates. Melons are rich in vitamins A and C and are often used in culinary applications, including as a flavoring for Japanese liqueur Midori. The plant thrives in warm, well-drained soil but is vulnerable to certain diseases like downy mildew and anthracnose.
Miscanthus sinensis
Miscanthus sinensis, commonly known as Zebra grass, is an ornamental grass with arching, striped green and white foliage. It forms a 4-foot wide mound and produces tan plumes in late summer, remaining attractive into early spring. This grass is native to eastern Asia and is popular for its graceful appearance and ability to thrive in a variety of garden settings.
Arisaema heterophyllum
Arisaema heterophyllum is a perennial herb native to East Asia, featuring a green and purple-tinged pitcher with a long tongue-like spadix. It grows in forests and wetlands, preferring humus-rich, well-draining soil, and is used in traditional Chinese medicine.
Alcea rosea
Alcea rosea, commonly known as hollyhock, is an ornamental plant with flowers in a range of colors, including a rich purplish burgundy. It can grow up to 8 feet tall and is fairly drought-tolerant, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies. The flowers are edible but bland.
Syngonium chiapense 'Frosted Heart'
Syngonium chiapense 'Frosted Heart' is a vigorous climber with variegated leaves that can grow up to two feet long. The leaves have a shield-like shape and do not become deeply lobed. This plant prefers shade to partial sun and thrives in temperatures between 45 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. It requires the soil to dry between waterings.
Dendrobium jenkinsii
Dendrobium jenkinsii is an orchid species native to Southeast Asia, including southern China and the eastern Himalayas. It features arching canes with narrow leaves and clusters of star-shaped, fragrant white and yellow flowers.
Polystichum polyblepharum
Polystichum polyblepharum is a striking evergreen fern known for its dark, lacily-cut fronds that form a deer-resistant clump about 2 feet wide. This plant, native to Japan and South Korea, thrives in rich, well-drained soil and can tolerate dry conditions but not waterlogged soils or full sun. Its unique name, meaning 'many eyelashes,' reflects the intricate texture of its fronds. It provides excellent textural contrast in woodland gardens and maintains its beauty throughout winter. Awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit, it is a reliable choice for shaded or dappled shade areas.
Hypericum olympicum
Hypericum olympicum is a small creeping plant native to the Balkans and Turkey, known for its bright yellow flowers and tiny leaves. It is suitable for rock gardens and valued for its large, showy blooms compared to other Hypericum species. This plant is hardy, tolerates a range of soil conditions, and is toxic to pets, making it important to consider placement in gardens.
Ferocactus flavovirens
Ferocactus flavovirens is a cactus native to Mexico, forming clusters up to 1 meter tall and more than 2 meters wide. It features light or gray-green shoots with needle-like spines and funnel-shaped yellow to yellowish-red flowers. This plant thrives in well-drained soil and full sun.
Ipomoea batatas 'Bright Eyes Black'
Ipomoea batatas 'Bright Eyes Black' is a fast-growing terrestrial plant from Brazil, recognized for its purple heart-shaped leaves. It thrives in moist soil and high humidity environments, making it suitable for terrariums or tropical-themed gardens. This plant is easy to propagate from stem breaks, allowing for quick expansion in suitable conditions. Ipomoea batatas 'Bright Eyes Black' adds a vibrant splash of color with its striking foliage, making it a popular choice for gardeners looking to enhance their plant collections with unique and colorful species.
Nandina domestica 'Murasaki'
Nandina domestica 'Murasaki' is a compact, low-maintenance shrub that grows to about 2 feet in height and width. It thrives in USDA zones 6-10, preferring partial sun to partial shade and consistently moist, well-drained soil. This versatile plant can adapt to various soil types and is known for its resilience and ease of care. 'Murasaki' is an evergreen shrub, providing year-round interest with its attractive foliage.
Juniperus chinensis 'Spartan'
An evergreen tree with a conical growth habit, this plant has dense dark green foliage and matures to 10-15 feet tall by 3-5 feet wide. It handles heat, cold, and drought and is hardy from USDA Zones 4-9. It performs well in average-quality soil with good drainage and requires full sun.
Tillandsia ionantha
Tillandsia ionantha, an air plant native to Central America and Mexico, is known for its striking spiky appearance and vibrant colors. This small plant, reaching 2-3 inches in height, features bright green leaves that turn red at the tips when blooming. It produces purple flowers and is easy to cultivate, making it a popular choice for indoor gardening. The plant thrives in bright, indirect light and requires minimal care, making it versatile for various environments.
Crinum macowanii
Crinum macowanii is a striking bulbous plant native to Africa, known for its large, fragrant white flowers with dark pink stripes. It grows naturally in moist grasslands and along rivers, reaching up to 2 feet in height. This plant is valued for its traditional medicinal uses, though it is threatened by overharvesting. Its foliage forms rosettes of blue-green leaves, and it is adaptable to both moist and drought conditions. Crinum macowanii is a beautiful addition to gardens, attracting butterflies and adding a touch of exotic elegance.
Sarracenia 'Red Sumatra'
This nearly all-red pitcher plant is a naturally occurring hybrid of S. flava and S. leucophylla, known for its prolific nectar glands that attract many insects. The red traps darken to deep red by mid-summer, and a second crop of maroon pitchers appears in the fall. It produces showy orange-red flowers that bloom from April to May and requires full sun for its red coloration. The plant grows well in bog gardens, greenhouses, and indoors if provided dormancy.