Plants
Selaginella rupincola
Selaginella rupincola, or desert spikemoss, is native to the high southwestern deserts and forms a 6-inch tall by 3-foot wide patch in full sun rock gardens. Its evergreen foliage turns brown during drought but rehydrates with rain, making it a resilient groundcover for sunny areas.
Monstera adansonii 'Small Form'
Monstera adansonii 'Small Form' is a popular houseplant known for its interesting foliage with fenestrations. It thrives in bright, indirect light and well-draining soil, making it a favorite among indoor plant enthusiasts. This plant adds a tropical touch to any space and is easy to care for, making it suitable for both novice and experienced gardeners.
Arum italicum
Arum italicum is a unique perennial plant known for its striking silvery leaves with green borders and its ability to produce heat through its inflorescence. Native to regions including the British Isles and the Mediterranean, it grows up to 18 inches tall and blooms in spring with white flowers that turn into red fruit. This plant is cultivated for ornamental purposes but can be invasive in some areas like the Pacific Northwest USA. It is important to note that all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested. Arum italicum has several subspecies and cultivars, with 'Marmoratum' being recognized for its garden merit. It is often used in shaded garden areas and can hybridize with other Arum species.
Ilex crenata 'Helleri'
Ilex crenata 'Helleri' is a dwarf evergreen shrub with a naturally rounded shape, ideal for privacy hedges, low borders, and mass plantings. It features dark green foliage, springtime white flowers, and small black berries in fall, attracting birds and wildlife. This low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plant grows 3-4 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide, thriving in USDA zones 6-9.
Begonia limprichtii
Begonia limprichtii is a terrarium species native to China, featuring ovate green leaves with red trichomes. It prefers bright, indirect light and moderate to high humidity, making it ideal for enclosed environments.
Tecoma 'Chicklet Orange'
Tecoma 'Chicklet Orange' is a compact shrub known for its deep orange, trumpet-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. This deciduous plant has bright green, fern-like foliage and grows well in containers or raised beds. It is somewhat deer-resistant and thrives in full sun to partial shade, preferring slightly alkaline soil. Heat-tolerant and drought-resistant once established, it reaches a height of 3-6 feet and a width of 3-4 feet.
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Gerda Steiniger'
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Gerda Steiniger' is known for its enormous blooms and deep colorful florets that change color throughout the summer. This plant features glossy deep green foliage and was bred by August Steiniger in 1946. It blooms from early summer through fall, providing a long season of interest. 'Gerda Steiniger' thrives in well-drained soil and is ideal for adding vibrant color to garden borders.
Hibiscus laevis
Hibiscus laevis is an upright mallow with large pale pink flowers featuring a red center. This plant attracts butterflies and is native to the United States.
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Souvenior De Presidente Doumer'
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Souvenior De Presidente Doumer' is a mid-season standout for shaded areas, known for its small petaled, rounded flowers in dark maroon reds, purples, and deep cobalt blue. Bred in France in 1932, it thrives with morning sun and midday shade.
Anthurium podophyllum
Anthurium podophyllum is a terrestrial plant native to the coastal areas of Veracruz and Oaxaca, Mexico. It thrives in tropical forest understories, particularly in seasonally dry areas. The plant is characterized by its palmate leaves with many subdivisions and is related to Anthurium pedoradiatum. It produces orange berries and is well-suited for those interested in unique foliage plants from tropical regions.
Tillandsia brachycaulos
Tillandsia brachycaulos is an air plant with thick, pointed leaves that turn red when exposed to sunlight. It changes color at the flowering stage, adding a dynamic element to indoor plant collections.
Rhipsalis pachyptera
Rhipsalis pachyptera, native to Brazil, is a spineless, freely branched epiphytic cactus that can grow up to 5 feet long. It features flat, green stems sometimes tinged with red and produces creamy-yellow or whitish flowers followed by white fruits.
Monstera acacoyaguensis
Monstera acacoyaguensis is a tree-climbing aroid native to Mexico and Belize. It features juvenile foliage that is small and lanceolate, maturing into larger leaves with fenestrations. This plant thrives in bright, indirect or filtered light and benefits from climbing support for optimal growth.
Asarum nipponicum
Asarum nipponicum is a Japanese species well-suited for cool climates, featuring rounded, dark green leaves with silver speckles. This evergreen plant forms clumps and is ideal for dry shade gardens. Its attractive foliage and low maintenance requirements make it a popular choice for gardeners looking to add texture and interest to shaded areas.
Asarum asperum
Asarum asperum, a species of wild ginger, is endemic to Japan and commonly found near Kyoto and Nara. This perennial features thick evergreen leaves with a central stripe of silver and produces ground-level maroon flowers in March. It forms tight clumps and prefers average to slightly moist soils, making it a suitable groundcover for shaded areas.
Sarracenia 'Barba Green'
Sarracenia 'Barba Green' is a compact, clumpy grower that thrives in sunny, boggy conditions. This naturally occurring hybrid features dark red fragrant flowers in early spring and is suitable for terraria, bog gardens, and indoor environments.
Liatris squarrosa
Liatris squarrosa, commonly known as the scaly blazingstar, is a native perennial to eastern and central North America. It thrives in dry or rocky areas and produces purple flowerheads in summer. This unique blazing star grows over 2 feet tall and prefers well-drained, alkaline soils.
Begonia 'Red Bull'
Begonia 'Red Bull' is a small-leaved Rex Begonia hybrid with bright metallic red leaves and a dark petiole attachment point. Its wavy leaf margin and compact growth habit make it a striking addition to any collection, with more vibrant colors in cooler weather.
Begonia 'Old Blue'
Begonia 'Old Blue' is a rhizomatous hybrid with large oval leaves that have a bluish iridescence and red undersides. It blooms blush pink flowers most of the year and grows 12 to 15 inches tall. This fast-growing plant thrives in bright, indirect light and moderate humidity.
Cephalotaxus 'Prostrata'
Cephalotaxus 'Prostrata' is a low-growing evergreen conifer with a gracefully mounding growth habit. It tolerates shade, heat, pollution, and drought, making it a versatile choice for ground cover, rock gardens, and woodland gardens.
Begonia 'Hannah Serr'
Begonia 'Hannah Serr' is an older cane hybrid with bronzy green leaves and large clusters of pink flowers. It is a fast grower and flowers frequently when mature, thriving in partial sun. This plant grows 2 to 3 feet tall and prefers to dry slightly between waterings, making it a vibrant addition to indoor or outdoor spaces.
Nymphaea 'Joey Tomocik'
Nymphaea 'Joey Tomocik' is a hybrid water lily celebrated for its vibrant yellow blooms that rise above emerald green leaves. Known for its long blooming season, this hardy water lily thrives in deeper water, promoting robust growth. It is a beautiful addition to ponds, providing a splash of color and attracting various aquatic life.
Hydrangea 'Fairytrail Bride'
Hydrangea 'Fairytrail Bride' is the first cascading hydrangea with a horizontal growing habit, suitable for USDA zones 7 to 9.
Hoya macrophylla 'Pot Of Gold'
Hoya macrophylla 'Pot Of Gold' is a tropical plant with ovate-shaped waxy green leaves featuring pink, yellow, and white centers. It prefers bright, indirect light and can produce blooms with sufficient lighting. Its trailing or twining growth habit makes it a versatile choice for hanging baskets or as a climbing plant, adding a touch of exotic beauty to indoor spaces.
Peperomia 'Ripple Red'
Peperomia 'Ripple Red' is a tropical indoor plant known for its striking deep burgundy, thick, circular leaves. This perennial epiphyte is native to Central and South America and is well-suited for low-light environments. It is easy to care for, pet-friendly, and acts as an air purifier. The plant's ability to retain water makes it a resilient choice for indoor settings. Typically available in mini to small pot sizes, it adds a touch of color and texture to any space.
Limonium sinuatum 'Cotton Candy Blend'
Limonium sinuatum 'Cotton Candy Blend' is known for its papery-textured flowers and stems that can reach 18 inches long. It grows well in coastal areas and does not require a cool period for flowering.
Pogostemon helferi 'White Albino'
Pogostemon helferi 'White Albino' is a compact aquatic plant with silvery-white leaves due to a lack of green pigment. It requires moderate to high lighting and benefits from a nutrient-rich environment with ample CO2. This plant thrives in a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5 and prefers temperatures between 68°F and 77°F. It is best planted in the foreground or middleground of aquariums and requires regular maintenance and trimming to maintain its shape.
Aloe humilis
Aloe humilis, also known as Spider Aloe, is a low-growing succulent native to South Africa's Cape Province. It forms dense clusters of small, spiny rosettes and blooms with bright orange tubular flowers in spring. This hardy plant can withstand temperatures as low as 10°F and prefers sandy, well-drained soil.