Plants
Piper methysticum
Piper methysticum, commonly known as kava, is an upright shrub native to Southeast Asia. It features glossy, heart-shaped leaves and produces long, creamy white flower spikes. The plant thrives in warm, humid conditions with indirect light and can grow up to 8 feet tall. Kava is known for its cultural significance and use in traditional ceremonies, but it requires careful handling due to its specific growing needs and potential health effects.
Kalanchoe bracteata
Kalanchoe bracteata, also known as 'Silver Teaspoons', is a compact succulent shrub native to Madagascar. It features small, spade-like leaves covered in fine white hairs, giving them a silvery appearance. This plant produces vibrant red-orange flowers and can grow up to 4 feet tall. It is well-suited for bright, sunny locations and is known for its profuse branching.
Melissa officinalis
Melissa officinalis, also known as lemon balm, is a versatile herb used for its beauty, fragrance, and culinary applications. It is known for its calming aromatherapeutic qualities and is often used as a herbal remedy for insomnia and upset stomachs. This plant is ideal for container gardening and attracts pollinators, making it a beneficial addition to both indoor and outdoor spaces.
Orontium aquaticum
Orontium aquaticum, native to Eastern North America's peat bogs, is a bright yellow-flowered bog plant with velvety dark bluish-green leaves. It prefers consistently wet, peaty soils in full sun and is part of a monotypic genus.
Dianthus plumarius 'Rainbow Loveliness'
Dianthus plumarius 'Rainbow Loveliness' forms a blue-green mound of leaves and produces masses of heavily fringed, edible blooms in colors ranging from white to pink, lilac, and rose. The flowers have a sweet, jasmine-like scent with mild clove-flavored petals, making them ideal for cottage gardens, cutting gardens, or perennial borders.
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Domotoi'
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Domotoi' is a striking plant of Japanese origin, known for its large, double flowers. The blooms vary in color from blue or mauve in acidic soil to pale pink in neutral soil, complemented by glossy foliage. This hydrangea is well-suited for gardens in USDA zone 6.
Sagittaria latifolia
Sagittaria latifolia, commonly known as duck potato, is a North American native plant found in swamps and damp lowlands. It features thick-textured, arrowhead-shaped leaves and forms rapidly spreading clumps up to 4 feet tall. The plant produces starchy tubers and white, three-petalled flowers in summer, attracting bees, wasps, butterflies, and beetles. It is a perennial that thrives in wet areas like ponds and swamps, forming dense colonies. The tubers are edible and were traditionally used by Native Americans.
Euphorbia stellata
Euphorbia stellata is a slow-growing succulent endemic to the Eastern Cape of South Africa. It features a star-shaped arrangement of stems around the caudex and greenish-yellow flowers in cymes. This plant prefers an airy potting medium with generous drain holes and tolerates heat and full sun to light shade. Euphorbia stellata requires regular watering during the active growing season and should be kept almost completely dry in winter. Its unique appearance and adaptability make it a popular choice for succulent enthusiasts. This plant is a great option for those looking to add a touch of exotic beauty to their collection.
Stanhopea wardii
Stanhopea wardii, known as 'the upside-down orchids', is a species native to Central and South America. It requires bright, indirect light, high humidity, and good air circulation to thrive. This orchid is celebrated for its remarkable and fragrant blooms, making it a unique addition to orchid collections.
Liriope muscari 'Samantha'
Liriope muscari 'Samantha' is an evergreen perennial native to East Asia, forming clumps 12-15 inches tall. It features dark green leaves and vibrant purple flower spikes from summer to early fall. This plant is ideal for ground cover, edging, or borders and is drought-tolerant once established.
Begonia polygonoides
Begonia polygonoides is a semi-succulent species from Africa with a creeping growth habit and lance-like leaves. It thrives in moderate, indirect light and humidity, making it suitable for indoor environments. This trailing species produces small flowers in clusters from leaf axils, adding a delicate touch to its lush foliage.
Nolina parviflora
Nolina parviflora, a species of bear grass from Mexico, resembles a ponytail palm with its long, narrow, weeping foliage. It grows up to 12 feet tall and produces a 4-foot spike of white flowers. This drought-tolerant plant is an architectural multi-trunked specimen, perfect for adding elegance to gardens.
Euphorbia tirucalli 'Fire Sticks'
Euphorbia tirucalli 'Fire Sticks', also known as Fire Sticks or Stick on Fire, is a succulent with fleshy stems that resemble sea coral. The plant's colors range from red, orange, yellow, to green, creating a vibrant display. It is easy to care for and thrives in bright light, making it a popular choice for succulent enthusiasts.
Lactuca sativa 'Buttercrunch'
Lactuca sativa 'Buttercrunch' is a vigorous grower with a creamy yellow interior and buttery flavor. Its small heads are perfect for single-serve salads and are attractive in flower-garden borders. This variety is an All-America Selections Winner, ideal for container gardening.
Helenium autumnale
Helenium autumnale, commonly known as sneezeweed, is a late summer flowering perennial native to North America. It features red and yellow daisylike flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and wasps. This plant grows in moist, open areas and is known for its insect-pollinated flowers that do not cause seasonal allergies. It is cultivated as a garden perennial and contains helenalin, which has anti-tumor activity.
Echinocactus platyacanthus
Echinocactus platyacanthus, or giant barrel cactus, is native to the Chihuahuan Desert in central Mexico. It is the largest of the barrel cacti, capable of reaching up to 8 feet tall and 5 feet wide, and can live for over a century. This cactus features grayish-blue stems with black spines and produces diurnal, tubular yellow flowers. It requires full sun and well-drained soil, and while it is frost tender, it can withstand short periods of cold down to 25°F. Its impressive size and longevity make it a standout in desert landscapes.
Prunus 'Bruce'
Prunus 'Bruce' is a cross between Chickasaw and Japanese plums, producing white flowers in late spring and dark red fruits. It grows 12-15 feet tall and 10-20 feet wide, requiring full sun and well-draining, slightly acidic soil. This drought-tolerant tree needs another plum tree for pollination.
Hoya butleriana
Hoya butleriana is a striking plant with elliptical green leaves that develop a red hue in full sun, complemented by a yellow lace of veins. It produces wine-colored flowers with a sweet fragrance, thriving in bright, indirect light. This plant has a trailing or twining growth habit and prefers its soil to dry slightly between waterings, with optimal humidity around 60% or more.
Dracaena angolensis 'Medusa'
Dracaena angolensis 'Medusa' is a drought-tolerant plant with striped, cylindrical leaves that require medium to low light. This easy-care plant is ideal for indoor settings, adding a touch of greenery with minimal maintenance. Its unique leaf structure makes it a fascinating addition to any plant collection.
Carex demissa
Carex demissa is a clump-forming sedge native to Iceland, Europe, and western Asia, and has been introduced to regions like eastern Canada and New Jersey. It is part of the Carex flava species complex and is well-suited for woodland gardens. This plant features narrow green foliage and thrives in light shade, making it a versatile choice for naturalistic garden settings.
Philodendron chinchamayense
Philodendron chinchamayense is a small plant from Peru with lance-like green leaves up to 4 inches long. It prefers moderate, indirect light and high humidity, making it suitable for indoor environments. This plant has a moderate to slow growth rate and can be finicky to root.
Aglaonema 'Green Papaya'
Aglaonema 'Green Papaya' is an easy-care indoor plant with dark green and white foliage accented by pink stems. It thrives in low-light conditions, making it ideal for indoor settings. This plant is also known for its air-purifying qualities.
Arisaema sikokianum
Arisaema sikokianum is a stunning herbaceous perennial from the aroid family, native to the Island of Shikoku, Japan. It features a smoky-purple base with a snow-white cup and a large hood with purple, green, and white stripes. This plant prefers moist, shaded areas and is known for its unique dark pitcher and pure white spadix. It is a springtime favorite for woodland gardens.
Pilea grandifolia
Pilea grandifolia is a tropical plant native to Jamaica, known for its oblong, apple green leaves with a quilted texture. It produces large clusters of tiny flowers and is easy and fast-growing. The plant prefers shade to partial shade and thrives in temperatures ranging from 45 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
Philodendron 'Black Billietiae'
Philodendron 'Black Billietiae' is a striking tropical plant known for its elongated heart-shaped green leaves and vibrant orange stems. Native to the rainforests of South America, it thrives in warm temperatures ranging from 65 to 80°F and high humidity levels between 60% and 80%. This plant prefers bright, indirect light and requires moist, well-drained soil. It is a rare and easy-care philodendron, making it a unique addition to any plant collection.
Mammillaria senilis
Mammillaria senilis is a round-shaped cactus native to Mexico, growing up to 8 inches tall. It blooms with large red flowers in mid-spring and requires well-drained soil and minimal watering.
Helianthus salicifolius
Helianthus salicifolius, native to the central United States, is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows up to 8 feet tall. It features long, narrow leaves and produces bright yellow flowers with red disc florets in late summer and early fall. This plant adds an airy vertical accent to gardens and is well-suited for sunny locations.
Thalictrum virgatum
Thalictrum virgatum, commonly known as Chinese meadow rue, forms compact clumps about 1 foot tall and wide. It features delicate grey-green leaves and tiny white flowers that bloom from March to June. This perennial is deer-resistant and thrives in part sun to woodland conditions, making it suitable for various garden settings. Its ability to grow in dry shade and its resistance to rabbits add to its appeal for gardeners seeking low-maintenance plants.
Rubus idaeus 'Fall Gold'
Rubus idaeus 'Fall Gold' is a raspberry plant that produces large, sweet, golden berries from mid to late season. It has an upright growth habit and an extended fruit production period, making it a favorite for home gardens. This plant requires full sun and well-draining soil, with regular watering during dry spells. It is self-pollinating and can be harvested from July to October.