Plants
Hydrangea paniculata 'Strawberry Sundae'
Hydrangea paniculata 'Strawberry Sundae' is a compact shrub reaching 3 feet in both height and width. It is part of the Fraise/Strawberry series, known for its stunning strawberry pink blooms. This plant is ideal for small gardens or as a container plant, providing a burst of color in the landscape. It thrives in USDA zone 4 and prefers a sunny to partially shaded location. Its compact form and vibrant flowers make it a charming addition to any garden.
Limnophila heterophylla
Limnophila heterophylla is a fast-growing aquatic plant native to Southeast Asia, ideal for aquariums. It features feathery, vibrant green leaves and thrives in nutrient-rich environments with moderate light. This plant helps reduce algae growth by absorbing excess nutrients and can be propagated through cuttings.
Rhipsalis pentaptera
Rhipsalis pentaptera is a trailing succulent native to Brazil, known for its green, thick stems and small white flowers. It is presumed extinct in the wild and is well-suited for hanging baskets. This plant thrives in bright, indirect light and requires minimal care, making it an excellent choice for indoor gardening.
Marcgravia rectiflora
Marcgravia rectiflora is a beginner-friendly vine native to Central and South America, popular in the vivarium hobby. It grows well in lower light and prefers moderate to high humidity. This fast-growing plant is tolerant of various conditions, making it an excellent choice for indoor environments.
Clinopodium brownei
Clinopodium brownei is an aquatic plant native to North and Central America, known for its dense, vibrant foliage and minty aroma. It grows quickly, forming a verdant carpet, and is easy to propagate and maintain. This plant thrives in medium to high lighting conditions and does not require CO2 or a nutrient substrate, making it a versatile choice for aquariums and water gardens.
Brassica oleracea ssp. gemmifera
Brassica oleracea ssp. gemmifera, commonly known as Brussels sprouts, is a historically underappreciated vegetable that becomes delicious when deep-fried, steamed, or roasted. It requires ample water, nutrients, and time to grow, with frost improving its flavor. The plants resemble small palm trees and benefit from row covers to protect against pests.
Myrmecophila tibicinis
Myrmecophila tibicinis, also known as the trumpet player's Schomburgkia, is an orchid native to seasonally dry deciduous forests. It features large pseudobulbs that house ants in the wild and produces striking magenta flowers. This plant is often confused with M. brysiana but is distinguished by its larger blooms.
Pyrus communis 'Moonglow'
This tree produces greenish-brown fruit that turns blush pink when ripe and has white flowers in mid to late spring. It requires 500 chill hours for fruit set and grows up to 8-10 feet tall and 5-10 feet wide. It is not self-fertile and requires another pear tree for cross-pollination.
Dianthus borbasii
Dianthus borbasii is a delicate perennial native to Eastern Europe and western Asia, known for its airy appearance and small, watermelon-colored flowers. It thrives in sandy soils or areas with light disturbance, where it faces less competition from grasses. The plant produces flowers on tall stems, reaching up to 18 inches. This dianthus is well-suited for sunny locations and can attract butterflies to the garden. Its preference for less competitive environments makes it an excellent choice for areas with poor soil or light disturbance.
Epipremnum pinnatum 'Cebu Blue'
Epipremnum pinnatum 'Cebu Blue' is a trailing vine native to Cebu Island in the Philippines, known for its silvery blue leaves that appear shiny under the right light. This plant thrives in high indirect sunlight and prefers to dry out between waterings. It can grow up to 5 or 6 feet long, making it suitable for hanging baskets or as a climbing plant. The vine's unique foliage and easy care requirements make it a popular choice for indoor gardening, adding a touch of tropical elegance to any space.
Echinodorus 'Fancy Twist'
Echinodorus 'Fancy Twist' is an aquatic plant with leaves that range from bright green to blood red, suitable for larger tanks. It can be grown emersed or submerged and requires nutrient-dense soil, making it an easy and undemanding choice for aquarium enthusiasts.
Trillium tschonoskii
Trillium tschonoskii is a rare Asian trillium found in the Himalayas, notable for its resemblance to T. camschatcense but with narrower petals. It features white flowers on short stalks above three-lobed foliage, blooming in very late spring. This plant thrives in shaded environments, making it a suitable choice for woodland gardens.
Medinilla myriantha
Medinilla myriantha is an evergreen shrub known for its colorful blooms and low maintenance requirements. It thrives in direct light and high humidity, making it a suitable choice for indoor environments. Seasonal fertilization is recommended to maintain its vibrant appearance.
Xerophyllum tenax
Xerophyllum tenax, a North American perennial herb, is recognized for its wiry evergreen foliage and tall flowering spikes that can reach up to 5 feet. It produces slightly fragrant white flowers in clusters at the tip of the spike. This plant is native to subalpine meadows and coastal mountains, thriving with periodic burns. Its leaves are traditionally used in Native American basket weaving.
Cucurbita pepo 'Dirani'
Cucurbita pepo 'Dirani' is a compact, heat-loving squash variety known for its continuous fruit production. The plant's large leaves provide excellent ground coverage, and it can be harvested when the fruits are small or allowed to grow larger. This variety is ideal for gardeners looking for a reliable and space-efficient squash plant.
Trachystemon orientalis
Trachystemon orientalis, a relative of Pulmonaria, is a bold ground cover native to the Black Sea region. It features 8-inch long, sandpapery green leaves and blue flowers in late winter. This drought-tolerant plant is effective as a fungicide and has edible parts, making it both ornamental and practical for gardens.
Fittonia 'Pink'
Fittonia 'Pink' is a spreading evergreen perennial with delicately veined, deep-green leaves. It is known for its variety of vein colors and small white to off-white flowers, making it a popular tropical indoor plant.
Solanum lycopersicum 'Big Brandy'
Solanum lycopersicum 'Big Brandy' is a hybrid tomato that combines the best traits of 'Big Dwarf' and 'Brandywine' varieties. This plant produces dark pink, ribbed tomatoes that weigh between 12 to 15 ounces each. 'Big Brandy' is known for its high yield and blemish-free fruits, making it a favorite among tomato growers. This variety is well-suited for home gardens and can be grown in containers or in the ground. It requires full sun and well-drained soil to thrive. The fruits of 'Big Brandy' are prized for their rich flavor and are ideal for fresh eating, cooking, or preserving. This tomato variety is a great choice for those looking to grow large, flavorful tomatoes.
Opuntia macrocentra
Opuntia macrocentra, commonly known as the golden spined prickly pear, is a striking cactus with red-tinged pads and long spines. It blooms bright yellow flowers with a red throat in spring and summer, which last only a day. This ground-hugging shrub can grow up to 4 feet tall and spread up to 10 feet wide. The purple tinge on its pads is due to betalain pigment, most prominent around the areoles and edges. It produces edible, juicy fruits that mature from summer to autumn. This cactus is frost hardy, tolerating temperatures as low as 19°F, and thrives in full sun or partial shade. It requires regular watering in summer but should be kept dry in winter. Suitable for USDA zones 6-10, it can handle extremely high summer temperatures.
Anubias 'Giant Stardust'
Anubias 'Giant Stardust' is an aquatic plant with dark green leaves speckled with white, adding a unique touch to freshwater aquariums. It is easy to care for and can tolerate a wide range of water conditions, thriving in low to moderate light without the need for CO2 injection. This slow-growing plant can be attached to rocks or driftwood, and it propagates through division of the rhizome. Its hardy nature makes it a favorite among aquarium enthusiasts.
Lagerstroemia 'Muskogee'
Lagerstroemia 'Muskogee', a crape myrtle variety, is celebrated for its long-lasting light lavender pink blooms that can last up to 120 days. This deciduous tree reaches heights of 30 feet with a spread of up to 20 feet, showcasing glossy green leaves that turn bright red in the fall. Its shiny, light gray bark with cinnamon hues adds winter interest. Known for its rapid growth rate of 3-5 feet per year, it thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, showing resilience to drought and various soil types. This tree is also resistant to powdery mildew and deer, making it a robust choice for USDA zones 6-9.
Primulina 'Naine Argente'
Primulina 'Naine Argente' is an easy-to-grow houseplant with lavender blooms, related to African Violets. This plant is ideal for indoor environments, adding a touch of color and charm to any space.
Philodendron 'Congo Green'
Philodendron 'Congo Green' is a non-vining, self-heading plant native to South America. It features glossy, dark green leaves that are thick and closely spaced on a single stem. This philodendron spreads outward as it grows, making it an excellent choice for indoor spaces. It is known for its air-purifying qualities and ease of care, thriving in low light conditions.
Fontinalis antipyretica
This aquatic moss thrives in cool streams and shaded ponds, featuring delicate, feathery fronds. It is adaptable and undemanding, preferring cooler temperatures and moderate to low light. It can be attached to rocks, driftwood, or mesh to create underwater landscapes.
Sternbergia lutea
Sternbergia lutea is a bulbous flowering plant with bright yellow, goblet-shaped flowers that bloom in autumn. Native to regions from the Balearic Islands to Tajikistan, it is hardy in USDA zones 7-9. The plant requires well-drained, alkaline soil and a dry summer to thrive. Its glossy green leaves appear in autumn, and it has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Carpobrotus edulis
Carpobrotus edulis is a hardy, drought-tolerant plant that thrives in sunny areas with well-draining soil. It requires little watering and can tolerate periods of drought. The plant is known for its ability to reproduce in various ways and can freeze at temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Its resilience makes it a suitable choice for dry, sunny landscapes.
Genlisea repens
Genlisea repens, known as the Corkscrew Plant, is a perennial semi-aquatic plant with yellow flowers tinged with violet blue. It grows in nutrient-poor, peaty wetlands or sandy seeps in South America, preferring constantly moist soil.
Stephanotis floribunda
Stephanotis floribunda, native to Madagascar, is a twining evergreen climber known for its clusters of white, waxy, fragrant tubular flowers. It thrives in sunny, tropical conditions or indoors with high humidity and moderate temperatures. This plant is popular for bridal bouquets and requires minimal pruning during the growth season.
Juniperus chinensis 'Blue Point'
Juniperus chinensis 'Blue Point' is an evergreen tree with soft blue foliage and a naturally pyramidal growth habit. It can grow up to 12 feet tall and 8 feet wide, making it ideal for privacy screens or windbreaks. The tree is drought-tolerant once established and thrives in full sun. It is hardy in USDA zones 4-9 and can be pruned into topiary shapes.