Plants
Salvia glutinosa
Salvia glutinosa is a herbaceous perennial native to Central and East Europe and West Asia. It features bright green, hairy leaves and pale yellow flowers speckled with maroon, blooming from June to September. The plant grows in forested areas, preferring shade or partial shade, and forms a clump about 3-4 feet wide and 3 feet tall. Its sticky glandular hairs and unique flower coloration make it a distinctive addition to gardens.
Ficus villosa
Ficus villosa, also known as the shaggy-leaf fig, is a slow-growing climbing vine native to Asia. It has reddish-green leaves that turn deep green with age and are covered in trichomes. This plant prefers bright, indirect light and moderate to high humidity.
Bacopa caroliniana
Bacopa caroliniana is a perennial creeping herb with succulent leaves that emit a lemon scent when crushed. It produces blue flowers and is popular in aquariums, thriving in marshy areas and slightly brackish conditions.
Hoya carnosa
Hoya carnosa, often called the Hindu rope plant, is admired for its twisted, compact leaves and clusters of fragrant, star-shaped flowers. This vining plant thrives in bright, indirect light and prefers moderate watering, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Its waxy, succulent-like leaves and sweetly scented flowers make it a popular choice for hanging baskets.
Begonia 'Angel Glow'
Begonia 'Angel Glow' is a medium-sized rhizomatous begonia with spiral leaves in shades of amber, copper, and bittersweet. The leaves have darker markings on the margins and vary in color with light and temperature. This compact plant produces clusters of pink flowers in winter and early spring.
Primulina 'Jv's The Dark One'
Primulina 'Jv's The Dark One' is a houseplant with lavender-blue blooms when mature. It thrives in bright, indirect light and well-draining soil. This plant requires the soil to dry out between waterings and benefits from monthly fertilization with a water-soluble fertilizer.
Cucurbita maxima
Cucurbita maxima is a large heirloom squash known for its fine-grained texture and delicious flavor, suitable for soups, roasts, pies, and canning. It features vigorous vines up to 10 feet long and produces squash 18-24 inches long. Originating in South America over 4,000 years ago, it requires hot weather for optimal growth.
Drosera filiformis 'Florida Red'
Drosera filiformis 'Florida Red', commonly known as the threadleaf sundew, is a vigorous carnivorous plant that turns red in full sun. This plant is known for its ability to catch insects, making it a natural pest control option for gardens. Drosera filiformis 'Florida Red' does not require dormancy, making it a low-maintenance choice for gardeners. Its unique appearance and ecological benefits make it a popular choice for bog gardens and other wetland settings. This plant's ability to thrive in various conditions and its striking coloration make it a standout choice for both novice and experienced gardeners.
Aucuba japonica 'Variegata'
Aucuba japonica 'Variegata' is an evergreen shrub with glossy green leaves splattered with yellow. It produces inconspicuous burgundy flowers in early spring, followed by red berries on both male and female plants. This heat-loving shrub thrives in zones 7-10 and is tolerant of poor soils, making it a versatile addition to gardens.
Stanhopea tricornis
Stanhopea tricornis, known as 'the upside-down orchids', is native to Central and South America. Its flowers hang downward, requiring bright, indirect light and high humidity. This orchid is endemic to western South America, particularly Colombia, and is appreciated for its unique floral display.
Mimosa pudica
Mimosa pudica, commonly known as the sensitive plant, is a fascinating perennial native to the Caribbean and South America. It is renowned for its rapid leaf-folding response to touch, a defense mechanism that exposes its spines. This plant features forest green, compound leaflets and globe-shaped lilac-pink blooms. It thrives in tropical climates as a perennial but is often grown as an annual or houseplant elsewhere. Mimosa pudica prefers nutrient-poor soils and is not shade-tolerant. It is also known for its ability to extract heavy metals from polluted soils, making it useful for phytoremediation. Despite its beauty, it can become invasive in some regions.
Nepenthes vogelii
Nepenthes vogelii is a tropical pitcher plant endemic to Borneo, known for its cylindrical lower pitchers and funnel-shaped upper pitchers with iridescent striping. It grows as an epiphyte in submontane forests and is part of the 'N. maxima complex'. This fast-growing carnivorous plant is suitable for outdoor cultivation in warm climates.
Begonia bowerae
Begonia bowerae is a small plant with chocolate to bronze-red leaves featuring bright green, paw-like markings. The leaf edges are adorned with white eyelash-like hairs, adding a unique texture. This plant is ideal for those seeking a distinctive foliage plant with ornamental qualities.
Ipomoea batatas 'Ace Of Spades'
Ipomoea batatas 'Ace Of Spades' is a fast-growing sweet potato species from Brazil, known for its purple heart-shaped leaves. It requires minimal ventilation and humidity, thriving in moist soil and sphagnum moss. This plant is easy to propagate from stem breaks and adds a tropical touch to gardens.
Hedera helix 'Gold Child'
Hedera helix 'Gold Child' is an evergreen climber with medium-sized, lustrous leaves that are gray-green with bright gold margins. This fast-growing and easy-to-grow plant is ideal for adding vertical interest to gardens or as a houseplant.
Begonia 'Elephant Ear'
Begonia 'Elephant Ear' is a rhizomatous hybrid known for its giant leaves with a gray-green center and a silver band. This plant produces pink flowers throughout most of the year and prefers bright, indirect light. It belongs to the Begoniaceae family and is a cross of unidentified species U489 and B. sizemorea. The large, decorative leaves make it a standout in any indoor or shaded garden setting.
Drosera hamiltonii
Drosera hamiltonii is a small, compact carnivorous plant native to coastal swamps in southwestern Australia. It features glandular leaves and pink flowers, preferring sunny spots with consistently moist, sandy-peaty soil. This plant is unique for its fused styles and requires high humidity.
Diospyros kaki 'Chocolate'
This plant produces acorn-shaped persimmons that taste like chocolate pudding and are non-astringent. It grows to a height of 10-12 feet, requires 6-8 hours of sunlight daily, and prefers well-draining soil, beginning to produce fruit in 2-3 years.
Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Green Gecko'
Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Green Gecko' is an aquatic plant endemic to Borneo, known for its light green leaves and easy care. It can grow submerged or emerged and prefers low to medium light. The plant thrives in nutrient-rich substrate and stable water conditions. Its slow growth rate and unique leaf coloration make it a popular choice for aquariums.
Aglaonema 'Stars'
Native to Asia, this plant has deep green leaves with yellow specks and tolerates almost any indoor condition. It has larger leaves with unique patterns.
Quercus shumardii
Quercus shumardii, or Shumard oak, is a large deciduous tree known for its stunning fall foliage and ability to withstand harsh weather conditions. It provides ample shade and improves air quality, making it a valuable addition to landscapes. This oak requires full sun and well-draining soil, with regular watering during its early years. It is drought-resistant once established and can survive in soils that experience flooding. Shumard oak is one of the largest species in the red oak group, with a mature height of 80-115 feet and a crown width of 40-60 feet.
Peperomia caperata 'Ripple'
Peperomia caperata 'Ripple' is a compact, easy-care plant known for its variety of leaf shapes and colors. It is well-suited for indoor environments, making it a popular choice for those seeking a low-maintenance houseplant.
Scadoxus puniceus
Scadoxus puniceus, native to South Africa, is known for its unique flower head resembling an orange shaving cream brush. It emerges in mid-April with speckled stems and glossy leaves. This plant is used medicinally and can be grown outdoors in Zone 7b or as a potted plant in colder areas.
Salvia roemeriana
Salvia roemeriana, native to the Edwards Plateau in Texas and parts of Arizona and Mexico, is a perennial shrub with bright scarlet flowers. It grows in limestone-rich soils and is associated with junipers, reaching up to 1 foot in height and width. This plant attracts hummingbirds and is known for its resilience to cold temperatures.
Vitis catawba
The Hanepoot grape is a seeded variety native to South Africa, known for its dark purple coloring, juicy flesh, and thick skin. It has a tart mulberry-like flavor with a hint of black pepper and is commonly used in wine production. This grape requires at least 6 hours of sunlight and well-draining soil, with pruning done in the winter months.
Polygonatum biflorum
Polygonatum biflorum, or native Solomon's seal, is a graceful woodland plant with arching stems and thumb-sized green leaves. It produces clusters of light greenish-white bell-shaped flowers in mid-spring, followed by small blue berries. This slow-spreading plant is native to eastern and central North America and thrives in shade to partial shade with medium to wet soil. Its rhizomes, which resemble the seal of King Solomon, are edible and have been used in herbal medicine. The plant is not invasive and adds a touch of elegance to woodland gardens.
Echeveria 'Atlantis'
Echeveria 'Atlantis' is a vibrant succulent native to Mexico, known for its blue to green leaves with pink edges and pink-orange flowers in spring. It is easy to care for, making it suitable for beginners, and requires bright light with protection from direct sunlight. The plant prefers granular soil and is not cold hardy, requiring protection in cold weather. Its rosette shape and powdery leaf coating add to its visual appeal.
Neoregelia ampullacea
Neoregelia ampullacea is a small-sized bromeliad endemic to Brazil, known for its light greenish-yellow leaves with pink dotting and banding. This epiphytic plant holds water in its leaves and forms clumps, thriving in bright light to enhance its coloration. Its tiger stripe patterning adds a unique touch to tropical plant collections.
Peperomia 'Marble'
Peperomia 'Marble' is a perennial epiphyte native to Central and South America, featuring thick, circular, deep jade leaves. It retains water well and is easy to care for, similar to most succulents.