Plants
Liriodendron tulipifera
Liriodendron tulipifera, commonly known as the tulip tree, is a member of the magnolia family and the tallest eastern hardwood. It is native to eastern North America and is the state tree of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana. The tree features tulip-shaped leaves and light greenish-yellow flowers with an orange band, blooming from April to June. It grows rapidly, reaching heights of 80 to 120 feet, and prefers deep, moist, well-drained soils. The tulip tree is a significant honey plant and provides habitat for various wildlife, including beavers and porcupines.
Gillenia stipulata
Gillenia stipulata is a native US plant with lacy cutleaf foliage and star-like white flowers. It emerges in early spring and is tolerant of drought conditions, thriving in light shade with acidic soil.
Clematis reticulata
Clematis reticulata, also known as netleaf leather flower, is a short vine native to the southeastern United States. It features wiry stems and single round leaves with netted veins. From late April to June, it produces small, down-turned flowers in various colors, including white, purple, yellow, and pink. This plant is well-suited to dry, sandy scrublands.
Cheiridopsis denticulata
Cheiridopsis denticulata is a winter-growing succulent known for its distinctive foliage and yellow flowers. The leaves are light blue and curve upward, blushing pink and purple with sun exposure. This plant blooms in late winter with cream to pale yellow flowers that are pollinated by bees. Cheiridopsis denticulata prefers bright sunny or light shade exposure and is hardy to 23°F. It is part of the Aizoaceae family and is native to South Africa. This plant is well-suited for rock gardens and container gardening, adding a touch of color and texture to the landscape. It is a low-maintenance plant that requires minimal care once established.
Euphorbia hamata
Euphorbia hamata is a spineless succulent shrub from Namibia, growing 18-36 inches high. It features recurved tubercles on its branches and blooms with chartreuse flowers in winter. This plant is frost-hardy and thrives in well-draining, sandy soil with full sun to partial shade.
Distylium 'Bayou Bliss'
Distylium 'Bayou Bliss' is a compact shrub with soft blue-green foliage, offering a fine texture and rounded habit. It serves as a great alternative to traditional boxwood or holly, thriving in USDA Zones 7-9. This plant requires well-draining soil and regular watering until established, making it a low-maintenance choice for landscapes.
Echeveria 'Green Wheel'
Echeveria 'Green Wheel' is a succulent with lush green hues, featuring shades of emerald, jade, and moss green. Its compact rosettes with elegantly tapered leaves originate from Mexico and parts of Central America. The plant thrives in bright, indirect light and well-draining soil, requiring only occasional watering due to its drought-tolerant nature.
Tillandsia magnusiana
Tillandsia magnusiana is an air plant with silver-green thin leaves, native to southern and western Mexico and parts of Central America. It produces violet flowers from mid-winter to mid-summer and does not require soil, thriving on sand, sea glass, or rocks. This plant prefers bright full sun but should be protected from strong afternoon sun when young.
Iris milesii
Iris milesii is a crested iris native to the Himalayas, known for its adaptability to hot, humid conditions. It blooms in mid-May with dark purple veined falls and light lavender standards. This rhizomatous perennial prefers moist, rich, acidic soil and partial shade, making it a unique addition to temperate gardens.
Peperomia marmorata
Peperomia marmorata is a compact, mounding plant native to Brazil, featuring heart-shaped leaves with a mix of silver, olive, and green colors. Its rosette growth habit makes it an attractive choice for small spaces or as a decorative houseplant.
Cypripedium acaule
Cypripedium acaule, also known as the Pink Lady's Slipper, is a native orchid of eastern North America. It features large, moccasin-shaped pink flowers with raspberry veins that can last up to a month. This plant grows in acidic, well-drained soil under pines and prefers shade or dappled sunlight. It is sensitive to mineral buildup, so rain or distilled water is recommended. The orchid is endangered in some states and requires specific conditions for cultivation.
Trachelospermum jasminoides
Trachelospermum jasminoides, also known as star jasmine, is an evergreen vine native to Asia, known for its fragrant white flowers that bloom in spring and early summer. It can grow up to 10 feet high and is versatile as a climbing vine, groundcover, or potted plant. This plant thrives in full sun to full shade and requires well-drained soil. It is hardy in USDA Zones 8-10 and is used in perfumes and incenses.
Columnea purpureovittata
Columnea purpureovittata is a tropical plant native to Peru, known for its incredible bullate texture and vibrant orange tubular flowers. It prefers intermediate moisture and light, and its elongated leaves feature deep green coloration with prominent purple veins.
Deparia conilii
Deparia conilii is a Japanese native fern that forms a dense groundcover with its 10-inch tall fronds. It is reminiscent of a smaller Athyrium japonicum and is ideal for shaded garden areas.
Aquilegia vulgaris
Aquilegia vulgaris, commonly known as columbine, is a flowering herbaceous perennial native to Europe. It is notable for its upward-facing blooms that come in a variety of colors, including bicolors of red, blue, and white. The plant can grow up to 4 feet tall and features double flowers with strongly hooked spurs. Columbine is popular in gardens for its early summer blooms and is often treated as a biennial due to its short-lived nature. While it is a beautiful addition to any garden, all parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested. It has historical significance in herbalism and is considered sacred to Venus. The plant is susceptible to aphids and sawfly larvae, and spent flower-heads should be removed to prevent unwanted seeding.
Physalis philadelphica 'Purple'
Physalis philadelphica 'Purple' is a purple tomatillo known for its sweeter taste compared to green varieties. It is rich in antioxidants and achieves the best flavor and color when the husk splits. This plant requires conditions similar to tomatoes and needs two or more plants for good pollination.
Bucephalandra 'Sanggau Green Jade'
Bucephalandra 'Sanggau Green Jade' is a slow-growing plant discovered in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, featuring small, pointy leaves in a mix of dark and light green. It has a light pink to red stem and is known for its ability to form a thick, compact carpet over time. This plant grows well on rocks and wood, requiring medium to high lighting conditions, and is suitable for beginners due to its low maintenance needs.
Aucuba japonica
Aucuba japonica is a slow-growing dwarf shrub with a compact, mushroom-shaped form. It reaches about 30 inches in height and 4 feet in width, featuring dark green leaves with small gold spots. This male selection blooms with small redwood-colored flowers in late February and is well-suited for shaded areas.
Tecoma 'Lydia'
Tecoma 'Lydia' is a deciduous plant known for its bright yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom from spring until the first frost. It attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, growing 5 to 6 feet tall and wide. This plant is heat tolerant and thrives in full sun.
Sinningia tubiflora
Sinningia tubiflora is a tuberous perennial native to Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. It features silver-green leaves and reddish stems, with cylindrical white flowers that are slightly scented. This plant is grown for ornamental purposes and attracts hummingbirds.
Lagerstroemia 'Black Diamond Pure White'
Known for its dark foliage that contrasts with white blooms, this plant is the first truly dark-leafed series of myrtles. It reaches 10 to 12 feet tall with an 8-foot spread and is drought-tolerant and mildew-resistant. The plant is low-maintenance and deer-resistant, thriving in USDA zones 6-9.
Brahea decumbens
Brahea decumbens is a slow-growing palm endemic to the Sierra Madre Orientale Mountains in northeastern Mexico. Its leaves turn silvery grey with age, and it develops creeping trunks, making it a unique addition to gardens in zones 8b/9a.
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Schnadendorf Pearl'
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Schnadendorf Pearl' is an outstanding performer known for its color changes in fall. It features lavender purple florets that form a wide, semi-circle head, transitioning to red and green hues. Bred by H. Schadendorff before 1930, this hydrangea adds historical charm to gardens.
Callianthe megapotamica 'Variegatum'
Callianthe megapotamica 'Variegatum' is a striking trailing plant known for its dark green leaves with yellow mottling and vibrant flowers resembling Chinese lanterns. It blooms in spring, early summer, and can continue through winter if protected from frost. This plant thrives in shaded to partially sunny areas and prefers temperatures between 40 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. It grows to a height of 8 to 10 inches and can trail up to 2 to 3 feet. Keeping the soil fairly moist is essential for its growth. It belongs to the Malvaceae family.
Anthurium pedatoradiatum
Anthurium pedatoradiatum, native to southern Mexico, is a terrestrial plant with deeply lobed, bright green leaves that resemble a predator's fingers. It grows from sea level up to 1,000 meters and features leaves that extend outward from upright petioles. This plant thrives in humid environments with bright, indirect light, making it a striking addition to tropical plant collections.
Tupistra nutans
Tupistra nutans is an Indian native plant resembling an aspidistra, with 3-foot long narrow dark green leaves. It produces mustard-yellow flowers with a purple center in late fall, which are used in Indian cuisine. This plant is adaptable to dry shade conditions.
Arundina graminifolia
Arundina graminifolia, also known as the bamboo orchid, is native to Southeast Asia. It is tall and slender with bamboo-like stems and produces large, showy flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white. This orchid thrives in warm climates and is a striking addition to any garden.