Plants
Tephrocactus aoracanthus
Tephrocactus aoracanthus, also known as Cereus ovatus, is a hazardous cactus species notable for its fierce spines. It thrives in the high plains of Argentina, adapting well to varying radiation and temperature conditions, withstanding frost down to 15°F. This cactus grows slowly, reaching heights of 1 to 3 feet and spreading up to 10 feet in diameter. It requires full sun to light shade and is best watered actively in spring and summer, remaining dry in winter. The plant's main growing period is in spring, and it features bright yellow flowers. It is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 9a to 11.
Philodendron 'Moonlight'
Philodendron 'Moonlight' is a hybrid variety known for its bright, almost fluorescent green foliage. It has a low clumping growth habit and thrives in warm, humid conditions with bright, indirect light. This plant is low maintenance and can grow up to 2-4 feet tall.
Lathyrus odoratus 'Beaujolais'
Lathyrus odoratus 'Beaujolais' is a Spencer-type sweet pea with deep, rich color and large flowers on sturdy, long stems. It blooms over a longer period and is ideal for bouquets and table-top arrangements, but is toxic if ingested.
Uvularia sessilifolia
Uvularia sessilifolia is a native plant to eastern and central North America, growing in woodlands with wet or dry soils. It features strap-like leaves and yellow, narrowly bell-shaped flowers in spring. This plant spreads asexually by long underground stolons and is suitable for shaded woodland areas, adding a touch of native beauty to garden landscapes.
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Blauer Zwerg'
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Blauer Zwerg' is a dwarf hydrangea known for its reliable blooming and compact growth. Its blue flowers can be enhanced with specific feeding, making it a unique addition to gardens. This plant was bred by August Steiniger in 1965 and is suitable for USDA zone 6. It features strong foliage and a compact habit, making it ideal for small spaces.
Viola 'Cool Summer Breeze'
Viola 'Cool Summer Breeze' is a charming perennial known for its ability to bloom in cooler weather, often extending its flowering period with afternoon shade. It is hardy in USDA zones 6 to 9 but is frequently grown as an annual. This plant is deer resistant and can reseed itself, making it a low-maintenance choice for gardeners. Its delicate flowers add a splash of color to gardens during the cooler months, and it thrives in well-drained soil with moderate moisture.
Sansevieria 'Superba'
Sansevieria 'Superba', commonly known as a snake plant, is a popular houseplant recognized for its tall, sword-shaped leaves with striking yellow edges. It is highly adaptable and thrives in low-light conditions, making it an excellent choice for indoor spaces. The plant's green and silver variegated leaves add a touch of elegance, and its easy-care nature makes it suitable for beginners.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Begonia 'Mo Reese'
Begonia 'Mo Reese' is a compact rhizomatous begonia with black oval leaves and a red reverse side. It features a lobed leaf margin with a spiral at the petiole attachment and tiny white hairs on the leaf margin. Light pink flowers bloom on stems above the foliage in winter and early spring.
Astroloba spiralis
Astroloba spiralis is a compact succulent from South Africa, featuring blue-green to grey leaves that sometimes form a spiral. It produces white wrinkled flowers in autumn and prefers well-drained soil with protection from full sun.
Begonia 'Little Beaver'
Begonia 'Little Beaver' is a rhizomatous begonia that is taller than most offered. It thrives in bright, indirect light and well-draining soil, making it a great choice for indoor or greenhouse cultivation.
Eriocaulon cinereum
Eriocaulon cinereum is a small and attractive pipewort plant that requires softer water and a rich substrate. It thrives under intense lighting and needs CO2 injection for optimal growth. This plant is an excellent addition to the foreground of aquariums, providing a unique texture and appearance. Rarely sold outside the hobbyist marketplace, Eriocaulon cinereum is a prized plant for aquarium enthusiasts. Its slow growth rate and specific care requirements make it a challenging but rewarding plant to cultivate.
Aloe arborescens
Aloe arborescens, or 'Krantz Aloe', is a slow-growing succulent native to Africa, reaching heights of 6.6 to 9.8 feet. It features sword-shaped leaves and blooms with yellow or scarlet flowers, thriving in partial shade and drought-tolerant conditions.
Eucomis humilis
Eucomis humilis, a species of pineapple lily, is native to the Drakensberg mountains of South Africa. It is known for its wide leaves with red-purple patterning at the base and white flowers on 18-inch tall scapes in August. This drought-tolerant plant thrives in damp habitats and can be grown outside in mild frost conditions. Eucomis humilis is a short summer-growing bulbous plant, making it a unique addition to rock gardens and water-fed grasslands.
Helanthium bolivianum
Helanthium bolivianum, also known as the Bolivian chain sword, is a versatile aquatic plant native to South America. It features long, narrow, slightly curled leaves that grow in a chain-like pattern, forming dense mats. This plant thrives in a range of aquarium conditions, preferring nutrient-rich substrate and moderate to high lighting. It can grow submersed or emersed, with the emersed form potentially producing white flowers. Helanthium bolivianum is a fast-growing species that spreads rapidly by producing runners, making it ideal for larger planted aquariums. Its bright green leaves and easy care requirements make it a popular choice for both beginner and experienced aquarists. This plant's ability to adapt to various lighting and water conditions, along with its attractive appearance, makes it a valuable addition to any aquatic setup.
Lagerstroemia 'Lavender Lace'
This plant has deep black foliage and pinkish-purple blooms that flower from early spring to winter. It grows 10 to 12 feet tall and 8 feet wide, preferring full sun to partial shade and well-amended soil. It is drought-tolerant and resistant to pests and diseases, suitable for USDA zones 6-9.
Epipremnum 'Skeleton Key'
Epipremnum 'Skeleton Key' is a fast-growing vine with uniquely shaped leaves. It climbs with support and thrives in low to moderate light conditions, making it a versatile choice for indoor or outdoor settings.
Agave jaliscana
Agave jaliscana is a succulent native to the high rainfall areas of Michoacan, Mexico, with glossy green, boat-shaped leaves up to 2 feet long. It produces a tall flower spike reaching 7 feet, thriving in pine-oak forests.