Plants
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Magical Crimson'
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Magical Crimson' is a compact shrub with striking crimson or blue blooms that can change to lime green as they age. This plant blooms on both old and new wood, making it a reliable choice for continuous flowering. It thrives in acidic soil and is suitable for USDA zone 6. Its ability to adapt to different soil pH levels allows for a variety of bloom colors, adding dynamic beauty to any garden.
Knautia macedonica
Knautia macedonica is a perennial native to Southeastern Europe, admired for its rich red 'pincushion' flowers. It grows up to 30 inches tall and blooms throughout the summer on slender, upright stems. This hardy plant can withstand temperatures as low as -4°F and prefers sunny positions in neutral or alkaline soil. Although it may be short-lived, it self-seeds readily, ensuring its presence in the garden. Its unique wine-red flowers and pinnately compound leaves make it a standout in any sunny perennial border.
Cylindropuntia fulgida
Cylindropuntia fulgida, the largest of the cholla, is a spiny, shrubby or treelike cactus with white and pink flowers in mid-summer. It thrives in full sun with minimal water and can be grown in gardens or pots.
Mammillaria formosa ssp. chionocephala
Mammillaria formosa ssp. chionocephala is a slow-growing cactus native to Mexico, characterized by its globular to cylindrical shape and star-like pink flowers. It thrives in bright sunlight and requires a well-drained soil mix. This cactus is cold-hardy and can tolerate frost, making it suitable for various climates.
Ficus 'Triangularis Green'
Ficus 'Triangularis Green' is a moderately easy houseplant with dark green foliage, growing tall like a tree. Its adaptability and attractive appearance make it a popular choice for indoor spaces.
Poinsettia 'Marble'
Poinsettia 'Marble' is a tropical plant celebrated for its vibrant red and green foliage, often used in festive Christmas displays. It can also feature pink, white, and variegated leaves, adding variety to its appearance. Native to Mexico and Central America, this plant thrives in low-light conditions, making it suitable for indoor environments. Its striking colors and adaptability make it a popular choice for holiday decor.
Cotyledon 'Bear Paw'
Cotyledon 'Bear Paw' is a succulent native to Madagascar, known for its velvety green leaves shaped like a bear's paw. This plant is a charming addition to succulent collections.
Begonia variegata
Begonia variegata is a unique rhizomatous plant native to Vietnam and Yunnan, China, known for its large leaves adorned with a striking chocolate brown iron cross pattern. The leaves have a blistered texture, adding to its unusual appearance. This slow-growing species belongs to the Begoniaceae family and is appreciated for its distinctive foliage.
Angraecum eburneum
Angraecum eburneum, commonly known as the 'comet orchid', is a striking plant native to Madagascar and surrounding regions. It can grow up to 6.5 feet tall and produces 10 to 15 fragrant white and green flowers per plant. The flowers, which are about 3 inches in size, emit a pleasant scent and begin blooming in early winter. This orchid is the national flower of Seychelles and thrives in warm, humid environments.
Begonia formosana
Begonia formosana is a small clump-forming plant with narrowly-lobed, pointed green leaves. It produces light pink flowers from early summer until fall and is attractive to hummingbirds, making it a delightful addition to shaded garden areas.
Danae racemosa
Danae racemosa, also known as Alexandrian laurel, is a slow-growing evergreen shrub native to Iran and the Middle East. It features green stems and waxy-green leaves, producing ornamental reddish-orange berries in the fall. This drought-tolerant plant thrives in shady areas and is recognized for its glossy foliage. It has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Alocasia 'Heterophylla Dragon's Breath'
Alocasia 'Heterophylla Dragon's Breath' is known for its arrowhead-shaped leaves with a silver hue and grooved texture. It thrives in high humidity and is a striking addition to any plant collection.
Phlox buckleyi
Phlox buckleyi is a perennial herb native to the shale woodlands of Virginia and West Virginia. It is known for its drought tolerance and striking mauvy lavender flowers that bloom in early May. This plant thrives in open woodlands on shale-derived hillsides and spreads through stolons. Its bright purple flowers feature lighter and darker purple centers, making it a visually appealing addition to gardens. Phlox buckleyi is a part of the United States native plant community and attracts butterflies, adding ecological value to its ornamental appeal.
Alocasia sinuata
Alocasia sinuata is a critically endangered plant endemic to the limestone forests of the Philippines. It has glossy, bullate leaves that darken to deep green. This dwarf hybrid thrives in high moisture environments, making it suitable for bogs and water gardens.
Ocimum basilicum 'Purple Petra'
Ocimum basilicum 'Purple Petra' is a basil variety with a mild, sweet taste, often used in culinary dishes like pesto and salads. Its leaves can create pink-tinted vinegar or oil, and it serves as a companion plant for tomatoes. This basil is also ornamental, adding visual interest to gardens.
Rhododendron 'Roblez'
This plant grows 2-3 feet tall and wide and is hardy in zones 6-10. Its flowers are frost-sensitive, and it performs best in partial shade with 4-6 hours of direct sun. The plant requires moist, well-draining soil and has a shallow root system. Prune after spring flowering for best results.
Crinum calamistratum
Crinum calamistratum is an aquatic plant native to Cameroon, known for its curly leaves and thick, onion-like bulb. It produces showy white flowers and is often used in freshwater aquascaping. This plant is tolerant of various water conditions, including brackish water, and requires medium to high light intensity.
Antennaria neglecta
Antennaria neglecta, commonly known as pussytoes, is a small, silvery perennial native to the northeastern and western United States. It features narrow leaves forming rosettes and tiny wands of silvery flowers that bloom in late spring. This plant is dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate plants, and some populations are entirely female. It serves as a slowly spreading ground cover, reaching up to 6 inches tall. Antennaria neglecta is well-suited for light shade and is appreciated for its resilience and ability to attract pollinators.
Begonia 'Harmony's Bat Shit Crazy'
Begonia 'Harmony's Bat Shit Crazy' is a unique hybrid with thick, deep green leaves adorned with silver spots. Its spreading growth habit makes it perfect for hanging baskets, and it blooms with clusters of pink flowers. This begonia prefers bright, indirect light and moderate humidity, growing up to 15 inches tall.
Tillandsia caput-medusae
Tillandsia caput-medusae is an air plant from the Bromeliaceae family, native to Central America and Mexico. It features thick, twisting leaves and blooms once in a lifetime with purple and white flowers. This plant requires bright indirect light and frequent misting during hot months.
Hoya sigillatis
Hoya sigillatis is a trailing epiphyte endemic to Borneo, featuring oval-shaped leaves with a glossy texture and silver veining. The leaves have a burgundy reverse, which is enhanced by bright light. It produces clusters of star-shaped flowers in white or pale pink, with a sweet fragrance, adding a touch of exotic beauty to indoor plant collections.
Begonia 'Dutch Splendor'
Begonia 'Dutch Splendor' is a Rex hybrid begonia with spiraled leaves that are purple with white dots. It prefers shaded to partially shaded environments and thrives in temperatures between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. This begonia grows to a height of 6 to 8 inches and requires the soil to dry out between waterings.
Echeveria elegans var. simulans
Echeveria elegans var. simulans is a drought-tolerant succulent known for its rosette form. It thrives in ample light, ideally in a south-facing location, and can reproduce in various ways. This plant is popular for its low maintenance and ability to add a touch of greenery to indoor and outdoor spaces.
Begonia 'Thurstonii'
Begonia 'Thurstonii' is an old shrub-like hybrid with deep green-bronze leaves and bright red backs. It grows quickly, producing large clusters of pink flowers, and can reach 2 to 3 feet tall if staked and pruned.
Lantana camara
Lantana camara is a low-maintenance plant with coarse, pungently scented, deep green leaves. Its blooms create a tie-dye effect, starting light and darkening with age. This plant attracts butterflies and is toxic if ingested.
Ficus repens
Ficus repens is a moderately easy houseplant that grows tall like a tree, featuring dark green foliage. It is a popular choice for indoor greenery, adding a touch of nature to home environments.
Syngonium podophyllum 'Milk Confetti'
Syngonium podophyllum 'Milk Confetti' is a vigorous houseplant with cream-colored leaves featuring pink variegation. It thrives in a variety of household conditions and prefers bright, indirect light. This plant's lobed leaves can be trained to grow on a totem or moss pole, adding a vertical element to indoor spaces.
Pycnanthemum muticum
Pycnanthemum muticum, native to the eastern United States, is a herbaceous perennial that thrives in well-watered woodlands and meadows. It grows 40-100 centimeters tall and features intensely fragrant flowers surrounded by large silvery bracts. Blooming from July to September, it attracts butterflies and other pollinators. This plant spreads by rhizomes and is valued for its high nectar resources and silver-colored bracts.
Spiranthes sinensis
Spiranthes sinensis is a species of orchid native to eastern and southeastern Asia, known for its pale blush-pink flowers that spiral around the stalk. This evergreen plant forms a ground-hugging rosette and blooms in spring, reaching up to 15 inches in height by mid-July. It prefers average to slightly moist soil and part-day sun, making it a charming addition to gardens that mimic its native habitat. The plant is an Asian counterpart to native spiranthes orchids and is composed of six distinct species, adding a touch of exotic beauty to any collection.