Plants
Hoya cutis-porcelana
Hoya cutis-porcelana is a tropical plant endemic to the Philippines, known for its porcelain-like flower surface. It produces ivory, star-shaped flowers with red centers, arranged in umbels, and emits a sweet fragrance. This Hoya species is a captivating addition to any collection of tropical plants.
Ginkgo biloba 'Buddy'
Ginkgo biloba 'Buddy' is a dwarf male selection of the ancient ginkgo tree, known for its fan-shaped, soft green leaves and irregular growth form. This variety does not produce the unpleasant-smelling fruit typical of female ginkgo trees. It is highly resistant to diseases and insects and displays a striking golden-yellow color in the fall. Hardy in zones 4-8, it reaches a height and width of 3-5 feet, making it suitable for smaller gardens.
Begonia grandis 'Alba'
Begonia grandis 'Alba' is a plant with fleshy upright stalks and corrugated green leaves with red backsides. It features drooping terminal clusters of pale pink calyces and white flowers, spreading via leaf bulbils. This plant is known for its ornamental appeal and ability to attract butterflies.
Phlox paniculata 'Miss Karen'
Phlox paniculata 'Miss Karen' is a compact perennial producing rich pink flower heads with a dark eye. Standing at 22 inches tall, it is smaller than many other phlox cultivars, making it ideal for the front of a border. This plant attracts butterflies and thrives in sunny locations.
Clematis 'Moonfleet'
Clematis 'Moonfleet' is known for its huge 7-inch flat blue flowers that fade in color as they age. This vigorous grower blooms from June through August and requires pruning in February or March. It thrives with its roots shaded and flowers in the sun, making it a stunning addition to any garden.
Colocasia esculenta 'Hawaiian Punch'
Colocasia esculenta 'Hawaiian Punch' is a compact plant from the Royal Hawaiian series, reaching up to 3 feet tall. It features glossy green leaves with bright red stems, adding a bold splash of color to gardens.
Iris germanica 'Sorbonne'
Iris germanica 'Sorbonne' is a striking perennial with near-black, ruffled velvety petals and a pleasant fragrance. This iris thrives in full sun or partial sun and requires well-drained soil. Once established, it is drought-tolerant and resistant to deer, rabbits, and squirrels. To maintain its vigor, it should be divided every few years. The 'Sorbonne' iris adds a dramatic touch to gardens with its unique coloration and is a resilient choice for various landscapes.
Hosta 'Rascal'
Hosta 'Rascal' is a vase-shaped plant with chartreuse gold leaves bordered in green. It forms a 30-inch wide clump and produces pale lavender flowers on 3-foot scapes in early summer.
Hosta 'Bill Brinka'
Hosta 'Bill Brinka' is a lush plant with shiny green leaves that have a wide, bright golden edge. It forms a 5-foot wide patch over time and produces dark lavender flowers on 30-inch scapes in mid-summer.
Malus domestica 'Haralson'
Malus domestica 'Haralson' is a cold-hardy apple tree producing greenish-yellow apples with red-striped, creamy white flesh. Known for its crisp and juicy texture, it is ideal for cider, baking, or fresh eating. This variety is apple scab resistant and requires a pollinating partner.
Tulipa 'Golden Parade'
Tulipa 'Golden Parade' is a tulip with multicolored blooms featuring deep grape purple and icy white florets. It blooms in early spring and is deer resistant, preferring sun with some summer shade.
Lycoris rosea 'Tomato Soup'
Lycoris rosea 'Tomato Soup' features 20-inch tall cinnamon/green stalks with brilliant scarlet buds that develop lavender blue tips as they age. The foliage emerges in early October and persists all winter, making it a unique addition to gardens.
Conoclinium coelestinum
Conoclinium coelestinum, also known as blue mistflower, is a perennial with clusters of blue-violet blossoms that attract butterflies, including Monarchs. It grows 2-3 feet tall and wide, thriving in moist, fertile soil with full sun to part shade. This plant is a late-season bloomer, adding color to gardens in USDA zones 6 to 11.
Monarda 'Electric Neon Pink'
Monarda 'Electric Neon Pink' is a clumping species with fluorescent pink flowers and cherry spots. It blooms starting in May and features dark green, glossy, mildew-resistant foliage. This plant is known for its vibrant colors and ability to attract pollinators.
Cenchrus setaceus 'Rubrum'
Cenchrus setaceus 'Rubrum' is an ornamental grass with tall stems and foot-long burgundy plumes. Its rich purple foliage turns golden with age, forming a fountain-like shape. This drought and heat-resistant plant thrives in full sun to partial shade and is rarely damaged by deer. It is a perennial in zones 9-11 and an annual in cooler zones, adding dramatic color and texture to landscapes.
Lilium formosanum
Lilium formosanum, native to Taiwan, is a tall lily reaching up to 7 feet in lowland subtropics. It features large, fragrant, funnel-shaped white flowers with purple flushes on the back, blooming earlier than its lowland counterparts.
Phlomis italica 'Frisco'
Phlomis italica 'Frisco' is a sub-shrub that grows 2 feet tall and 5 feet wide, known for its 3-inch long, grey, hairy leaves and mauvy-pink flowers in late spring. The plant emits an aroma reminiscent of fresh turpentine and thrives in hot, sunny locations with good drainage. It is easy to grow in humid climates and becomes perennial in areas with single-digit Fahrenheit winters.
Hosta 'Samurai'
Hosta 'Samurai' is an improved version of the popular 'Frances Williams' hosta, featuring rounded blue leaves with a wide gold margin. This perennial is known for its striking foliage and ability to thrive in shaded garden areas. It is a favorite among gardeners for its ability to attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
Hosta 'Red Hot Flash'
Hosta 'Red Hot Flash' is a tetraploid form of H. 'Peedee Gold Flash', forming a 12-inch tall clump with medium-green leaves and a wide golden center. The golden center transitions to parchment, and the plant features red-tinted leaf petioles. In midsummer, it produces 2-foot tall spikes of dark lavender flowers, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies.
Armeria maritima 'Splendens'
Armeria maritima 'Splendens' is a compact, clump-forming plant with electric rose-pink blooms and fine-textured evergreen foliage. It is cold hardy, salt and drought tolerant, and suitable for urban conditions. Blooming in late spring to early summer, it attracts beneficial pollinators like butterflies and honey bees.
Hosta 'Mishima Fukurin'
Hosta 'Mishima Fukurin' is a Japanese hybrid resembling a dwarf Hosta 'Regal Splendor'. It features upright petioles with outfacing green leaves edged in yellow. This plant forms clumps about one foot tall and two feet wide, topped with dark purple flowers in midsummer.
Isotoma fluviatilis
Isotoma fluviatilis is a charming groundcover ideal for part sun to open woodland gardens. It forms a 1-inch tall mat of round green leaves and produces tiny light blue flowers in spring. This plant prefers slightly moist sites and remains evergreen to about 15 degrees F.
Verbascum 'Plum Smokey'
Verbascum 'Plum Smokey' is a compact, low-growing plant with dusky plum blooms on long flower spikes. It attracts pollinators and is both drought and deer resistant. This plant thrives in rocky, poor soil as long as it is well-drained and can tolerate both cold and heat. Deadheading is recommended to encourage reblooming.