Plants
Begonia 'Flo Belle Moseley'
Begonia 'Flo Belle Moseley' is a cane begonia known for its striking dark leaves with serrated edges and a burgundy reverse. This plant is appreciated for its unique foliage, making it a popular choice for indoor and outdoor gardens.
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.
Begonia 'U489 Sport'
Begonia 'U489 Sport' is a variety with light-colored leaves and a taller growth habit compared to other begonias. It requires bright, indirect light and well-draining soil, making it suitable for indoor environments.
Crinum asiaticum
Crinum asiaticum is a bulb-forming perennial with large, showy, spider-like white flowers. Native to various tropical regions, it is known for its toxicity, with all parts being poisonous if ingested. This plant thrives in sunny, moist environments and is often used as a natural boundary plant.
Cryptomeria japonica 'Radicans'
Cryptomeria japonica 'Radicans' is an evergreen tree with soft, dense blue-green foliage and red-brown bark. It grows in a columnar to pyramidal shape, reaching heights of 30-50 feet and widths of 15-20 feet. This fast-growing tree can add 3-4 feet per year and thrives in full sun to partial shade. It is adaptable to various soil conditions and is resistant to pests, diseases, and deer. The tree is drought-tolerant and suitable for USDA zones 5-9. Its needles may turn bronze in cold temperatures, adding seasonal interest.
Fouquieria formosa
Fouquieria formosa is a small tree native to rocky alluvial slopes and valleys, known for its hummingbird-pollinated flowers. It features branches covered in spines and short inflorescences with large deep orange-red to yellow-orange flowers. This plant exhibits a high level of phenotypic variation and typically flowers from October through February.
Begonia 'Frosty'
Begonia 'Frosty' is a bushy, erect plant with succulent stems and everblooming single white flowers. It has bronze, shiny leaves and thrives in moist soil and humidity, tolerating full sun but not cold weather.
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.
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.
Cibotium barometz
Cibotium barometz, a tropical tree fern, is notable for its golden iridescent hairs and brown trunks that can reach up to 10 feet tall. Native to parts of China and the Malay Peninsula, it thrives in well-drained media and partial shade. This fern is often used in folk medicine and is a striking addition to tropical gardens.
Crassula congesta
Crassula congesta, a monocarpic succulent, is native to South Africa and known for its soft, silky leaves. It grows erect with a single stem, reaching up to 4 inches in height. The plant produces flowers in shades of rose, mauve, pale yellow, and green. It is slightly frost-hardy and thrives in filtered or partial sun, making it a slow-growing yet charming addition to succulent collections.
Leonotis leonurus
Leonotis leonurus, also known as lion's ear, is a South African native plant with vibrant orange, fuzzy flowers that bloom in late October. This evergreen shrub is part of the mint family and is known for its medicinal properties, including the presence of the psychoactive compound leonurine. It attracts nectar-loving birds and insects and is moderately drought-tolerant.
Hoya globulosa
Hoya globulosa is a trailing or climbing plant with long, pointed leaves and white, fuzzy flowers in spherical clusters. Native to the Himalayas, it prefers bright, indirect light and high humidity. This plant is ideal for hanging baskets and requires watering only when the soil is dry.
Yucca harrimaniae
Yucca harrimaniae is a small, acaulescent species forming clumps of rosettes with grey-green leaves. It produces upright spikes of large white, bell-shaped flowers and is found in sagebrush grasslands up to 7,000 feet elevation in Utah and Colorado. This plant is deer-resistant and requires good drainage, making it suitable for sandy or gravelly slopes.
Cardamine bulbosa
Cardamine bulbosa, commonly known as bulbous bittercress, is a US native perennial found in moist soils of bottomland forests. It forms a patch about 10 inches tall and produces dangling white flowers in early February. The leaves are edible with a peppery taste.
Hydrangea arborescens 'Hayes Starburst'
Hydrangea arborescens 'Hayes Starburst' features star-like florets that bloom from May until the first frost. It requires some sun for optimal performance and thrives in well-draining, sunny locations. The serrated leaves provide a striking contrast to the greenish-white blooms.
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.
Manettia cordifolia
Manettia cordifolia is a warm-climate vine known for its twining growth and tiny leaves. It blooms from mid-summer to fall with red-orange flowers that resemble miniature firecrackers, attracting hummingbirds. This vine grows at a moderate rate and is suitable for sunny locations, adding vibrant color and wildlife interest to gardens.
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.
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.
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.
Lepismium houlletianum
Lepismium houlletianum is an epiphytic cactus native to the subtropical and tropical moist forests of Argentina and Brazil. It is known for its cascading, pendulate growth and small bell-like flowers. This plant is threatened by habitat loss and thrives in its natural forest environment.
Philodendron 'Burl Marx Variegata'
Philodendron 'Burl Marx Variegata' is a foliage plant known for its striking yellow and white variegation. It grows moderately fast and prefers moderate, indirect light with high humidity, making it a popular choice for indoor plant enthusiasts.
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.
Microsorum musifolium 'Crocodile'
Microsorum musifolium 'Crocodile' is a tropical fern with leaves that resemble crocodile skin, native to Southeast Asia and parts of Australia. It thrives in humid environments and is a very slow grower, capable of reaching up to 5 feet in height. This plant is perfect for adding a touch of the exotic to indoor spaces.
Agave toumeyana
Agave toumeyana is a succulent native to central Arizona, forming dense clumps of rosettes with narrow, white-streaked foliage. Its flowering stalks can reach up to 10 feet, bearing greenish-white flowers. This plant is well-suited to rocky, limestone, and volcanic areas.
Abelmoschus esculentus
Abelmoschus esculentus, commonly known as okra, is a heat-loving plant developed at Clemson University with dark green, grooved pods. This plant is related to hollyhocks and is known for its full-bodied flavor, making it a popular choice for culinary use. Okra attracts pollinators, which can enhance garden biodiversity. It thrives in warm climates and requires well-drained soil and full sun to produce a high yield. The plant is relatively easy to grow and can be a rewarding addition to vegetable gardens. Its pods are typically harvested when they are young and tender, and they can be used in a variety of dishes, from soups to stir-fries.
Huernia thuretii
Huernia thuretii is a succulent with multiple plump stems covered in tubercles resembling teeth. It forms large, low-growing mounds and produces cup-shaped flowers with dark purple coronas. This plant is native to Namibia and South Africa and tolerates very hot weather in filtered light.