Plants
Ipomoea alba
Ipomoea alba, also known as the moonflower, is a perennial liana native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. It is renowned for its large, fragrant white or pink flowers that open in the evening and last through the night. The plant can grow up to 98 feet tall with twining stems and is often cultivated for its ornamental beauty. However, all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested, and it is considered invasive in some areas.
Gaultheria procumbens
Gaultheria procumbens, or wintergreen, is a drought-tolerant evergreen groundcover native to northeastern North America. It features small glossy dark green leaves and produces white flowers followed by red berries. The leaves are used to make wintergreen oil.
Distylium 'Blue Cascade'
This evergreen shrub has cascading branches with dense mats of bluish-green oval leaves and dark red flowers in late winter to early spring. It is heat and drought-tolerant, hardy in USDA zones 6-9, and prefers full or partial sun and well-draining soil. It grows to a mature height of 3-4 feet and requires minimal care, with pruning only needed to remove dead or damaged branches.
Musa acuminata 'Dwarf Cavendish'
Musa acuminata 'Dwarf Cavendish' is a compact banana plant that produces a heavy crop of full-sized fruit. It grows between 5 to 9 feet tall and requires bright direct sunlight, rich soil, and plenty of water. This plant is non-toxic to pets and thrives in USDA zones 9-11, making it a great choice for warm climates.
Sabal etonia
Sabal etonia is a dwarf palm endemic to the dry, sandy soils of north-central Florida, featuring a subterranean trunk and costapalmate leaves. This fan palm is notable for its compact crown and creamy white flowers that extend beyond the leaves. It produces black, fleshy fruits and is one of the rarest sabal palms, with a limited distribution in Florida. The plant is adapted to harsh conditions and is an important component of sand pine scrub communities.
Ansellia africana
Ansellia africana is an orchid with long, cane-like pseudobulbs and fragrant flowers up to three inches wide. This plant is appreciated for its unique structure and aromatic blooms.
Capsicum chinense
Capsicum chinense is a powerfully hot chili pepper with a fruity or smoky flavor, similar to habanero. Known for its intense heat, it ranges from 100,000 to over 1,000,000 Scoville heat units. This pepper is used in various cuisines, including jerk dishes and salsas, and can be dehydrated and ground into chili flakes.
Moraea polystachya
Moraea polystachya is a summer-dormant perennial native to southern Africa, known for its light lavender-blue flowers that bloom from early September through heavy frosts. This plant thrives in well-drained soils and is adapted to dry conditions. Its grass-like leaves and iris-like flowers make it a unique addition to gardens, particularly in regions with similar climates to its native habitat.
Dorstenia contrajerva
Dorstenia contrajerva is a small evergreen perennial native to Northern South America and Central America, known for its use in folk medicine. It features variably shaped leaves up to 8 inches long and tiny flowers on a disc-shaped inflorescence. This plant prefers shady, moist environments and is cultivated as a houseplant in some regions.
Euonymus japonicus 'Irish Mint'
Euonymus japonicus 'Irish Mint' is a dense, upright shrub with light green new growth. It is hardy in USDA Zones 6-9 and grows 3-4 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide. This shrub is known for its exceptional disease and pest resistance and works well as a low-growing hedge or vertical accent.
Hydrangea quercifolia 'Snow Queen'
Hydrangea quercifolia 'Snow Queen' is an award-winning shrub with strong growth and upright panicle blooms. It features deep green leaves and fabulous fall color, attracting butterflies with its white and blush pink flowers.
Chloranthus serratus
Chloranthus serratus is a low-growing plant native to Japan and Korea, known for its bold-textured foliage and terminal white flowers resembling electrocuted pipe cleaners. It forms a 15-inch tall by 15-inch wide clump and thrives in woodland gardens. This plant's unique appearance and adaptability make it a standout in shaded areas.
Rhododendron 'Fashion'
This deciduous plant features salmon-colored flowers and new leaves that emerge copper before turning dark green by summer. It grows to about 4 feet wide and 5 feet tall and is hardy in USDA zones 5-9. The plant prefers partial shade and acidic soil with a pH of 4.5-6. It is ideal for use as foundation plants, hedges, or border plants.
Asparagus suaveolens
Asparagus suaveolens is a drought-tolerant shrub native to South Africa, thriving in full sun with arching stems and stiff, linear green needles. It matures to 3.5 feet tall by 5 feet wide and produces small red fruit in late summer. This plant is adaptable to various climates, being deciduous or evergreen depending on the environment.
Begonia 'Marmaduke'
Begonia 'Marmaduke' is a rhizomatous hybrid with vibrant chartreuse green leaves and burgundy mottling. It is a vigorous grower that can reach impressive sizes and produces white flowers in late winter. This plant prefers bright, indirect light and should be allowed to dry between waterings.
Rosa banksiae 'Lutea'
Rosa banksiae 'Lutea' is a vigorous climbing rose with thornless branches and medium to light green foliage. It produces miniature yellow double blooms in spring and early summer, with a slight fragrance. This rose can spread over 20 feet and is extremely easy to grow, thriving in full sun or partial shade.
Philodendron 'Birkin Pink'
Philodendron 'Birkin Pink' is a tropical houseplant known for its variegated foliage with pure white pinstripes and vibrant pink streaks. It is a smaller, non-vining Philodendron with upright growth, thriving in indirect light. This low-maintenance plant is a popular choice for adding a touch of color and elegance to indoor spaces.
Begonia 'Amelia's Kaleidoscope'
Begonia 'Amelia's Kaleidoscope' is a rhizomatous hybrid with leaves that emerge copper-orange and mature to lemon-lime green, featuring yellow starburst veins. It produces pink flowers in winter, adding a splash of color to indoor or outdoor settings.
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Blaumeise'
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Blaumeise' is known for its deep blue or pink outer flowers and shiny green leaves. Bred in Switzerland in 1979, it is a robust plant suitable for various garden settings.
Eleocharis montevidensis
Eleocharis montevidensis is a coastal plant native to the Americas, thriving in moist, sandy environments. This rhizomatous perennial forms tufts or mats of firm stems up to 20 inches tall, with dark purplish or reddish-brown leaves at the base. It is sometimes cultivated as an aquatic plant.
Dryopteris uniformis
Dryopteris uniformis is an Asian native fern that forms a medium-sized clump of erect dark evergreen fronds. It thrives in the mountainous woodlands of China, Japan, and Korea. This fern is well-suited for dry shade and can be a beautiful addition to shade gardens. Its evergreen nature provides year-round interest, and it is a great choice for xeriscaping. The plant's tidy growth habit makes it an excellent choice for woodland gardens or as a groundcover.
Nepenthes maxima
Nepenthes maxima is a highly variable carnivorous pitcher plant found in regions like New Guinea and Sulawesi. It exhibits great variability in pitcher shape and color, adapting to a wide range of conditions. This plant is known for its striking appearance and is a popular choice for carnivorous plant enthusiasts.
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Wedding Ring'
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Wedding Ring' is a plant with bicolored petals featuring a white margin and dark green foliage. It blooms on both new and old wood, making it a versatile choice for gardens.
Lemmaphyllum microphyllum 'Shi Shi'
Lemmaphyllum microphyllum 'Shi Shi' is a slow-growing fern native to China, characterized by glossy, heart-shaped fronds. It thrives in moderate, indirect light and high humidity, making it an excellent choice for terrariums and indoor gardens.
Kroenleinia grusonii
Kroenleinia grusonii is a drought-tolerant cactus that thrives in sunny areas with porous, well-draining soil. It requires little watering and can endure dry periods between waterings. Native to the Americas, this plant is adapted to dry, arid climates and is known for its unique shapes, making it suitable for both outdoor and indoor spaces.
Glaucium flavum
Glaucium flavum, also known as the yellow horned poppy, is a short-lived perennial with soft, toothed grey leaves forming an evergreen rosette. It produces 24-inch tall spikes of yellow poppy-like flowers in spring, and its silver-grey foliage remains attractive throughout winter. This plant prefers sunny spots with good drainage and is drought-tolerant. All parts are toxic, and it is considered a noxious weed in North America.
Calathea 'Maui Queen'
Calathea 'Maui Queen' is a tropical plant with long, waxy green leaves that curl up at night and unfurl in the morning. It thrives in high humidity and requires soil that is kept moist. This plant is pet-friendly and suitable for indoor environments.
Puya dyckioides
Puya dyckioides is a hardy bromeliad native to high elevations in Argentina, known for its olive-green spiny leaves and fleshy pink flower spikes with aquamarine tips. It tolerates temperatures down to 7 degrees Fahrenheit and is a striking addition to rock gardens and xeriscaping.
Onosma echioides
Onosma echioides, a member of the borage family, features evergreen rosettes and light yellow flowers on branched stalks. It blooms from April to June and sporadically through summer. This plant requires good soil drainage, especially in winter, and has traditional medicinal uses for inducing vomiting and treating heart palpitations.