Plants
Tradescantia tharpii
Tradescantia tharpii is a native plant of the central United States, thriving in hilly prairies and open woodlands. It forms small, deciduous rosettes that reach 8 inches in height and 1 foot in width. The plant produces violet to violet-blue flowers from late April to late May and goes dormant in late summer. It performs well in both moist woodland and dry sunny rock gardens.
Hedychium coccineum
Hedychium coccineum, commonly known as the hardy ginger lily, is a striking herbaceous perennial native to southern China and the Himalayas. It thrives in partial to full sun and is known for its vibrant flower spikes that can reach 18 inches tall, displaying a range of colors from red to orange to yellow. This plant blooms from late summer through early fall, adding a splash of color to garden edges and mountain grasslands. Its dark peachy orange flowers with a darker center are particularly eye-catching.
Polystichum acrostichoides
Polystichum acrostichoides, commonly known as the Christmas fern, is a perennial evergreen native to eastern North America. It thrives in moist, shady habitats and is known for its dark, sturdy fronds that remain green throughout winter. This fern is deer-resistant and forms attractive colonies, making it a popular choice for groundcover in shaded garden areas.
Tillandsia stricta
Native to South America, this flowering air plant has stiff, dense foliage and grows sporadically from a thin base.
Begonia 'Harmony's Dark Heart'
Begonia 'Harmony's Dark Heart' is a bushy plant known for its colorful flowers, making it a vibrant addition to indoor or outdoor gardens. Its compact growth habit and striking blooms make it a popular choice for those seeking to add a splash of color to their plant collections. The plant's ease of care and ability to thrive in various conditions make it a versatile choice for gardeners of all levels. Its unique appearance and colorful flowers make it a standout feature in any garden setting.
Pereskia aculeata 'Godseffiana Variegata'
Pereskia aculeata 'Godseffiana Variegata' is a primitive cactus with a vining growth habit, reaching up to 25 feet. It features golden leaves with a green center and produces white flowers. Native to the West Indies, this plant has edible fruit and thrives in sun to partial shade. It requires dry periods between waterings and belongs to the Cactaceae family.
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Vanilla Swirl'
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Vanilla Swirl' is a captivating plant with blooms that change color based on soil acidity. It features dark green foliage and richly colored aging blooms, adding dynamic beauty to gardens. This hydrangea thrives in well-drained soil and can adapt to various garden settings.
Peperomia cubensis
Peperomia cubensis is a succulent-like plant native to Central and South America. It prefers bright indirect light and higher humidity, making it a suitable choice for indoor environments. This plant's unique foliage adds a touch of greenery to any space.
Nothoscordum montevidense
Nothoscordum montevidense is a rock garden plant with narrow thread-like foliage and clusters of small yellow flowers in spring and late summer. It is not considered weedy and reportedly has a lemon fragrance, adding a pleasant aroma to garden spaces.
Calathea 'Red Rojo'
Calathea 'Red Rojo' is a unique plant known for its striking foliage that curls up at night and unfurls in the morning. This feature makes it an interesting addition to any indoor plant collection, providing dynamic visual interest throughout the day.
Coelogyne ovalis
Coelogyne ovalis is an elegant orchid species from East Asia, admired for its oval-shaped white and yellow flowers. The blooms are not only visually appealing but also emit a delightful fragrance, and they are known for their longevity.
Echeveria gibbiflora
Echeveria gibbiflora is a flowering succulent native to Mexico and Guatemala, known for its rosettes of 15 leaves and tall flowering stems reaching up to 3 feet. It blooms with red, tubular flowers from September to January, attracting nectar-seeking birds like the broad-billed hummingbird. This plant is drought-tolerant and thrives in sunny areas with well-draining soil, requiring minimal watering. It is also used in Mexican folk medicine as a contraceptive. The plant's dry fruits produce around 200 small seeds, and it can reproduce in various ways.
Cyrtomium macrophyllum
Cyrtomium macrophyllum, a variety of holly fern, is native to regions ranging from India to Southeastern China. This semi-evergreen plant forms a bold-textured clump about 2 feet tall and wide, with fewer pinnae than other holly ferns. It is well-suited for shaded areas and is known for its large trifurcate pinna at the tip and dark black stipe color.
Aeschynanthus radicans
The Aeschynanthus radicans, commonly known as the Lipstick Plant, is a vine-like epiphyte native to the humid tropics of Southeast Asia. It features leathery, dark green leaves and striking scarlet flowers with yellow throats, resembling tubes of lipstick. This plant thrives in high light and humidity, making it an excellent choice for indoor hanging baskets. It is sensitive to cool drafts and can be propagated from clippings, adding to its appeal as a houseplant.
Calycanthus 'Aphrodite'
Calycanthus 'Aphrodite' is a hybrid shrub that can double as a small tree, reaching up to 15 feet tall with a 25-foot-wide spread. It features arching stems with long green leaves and masses of 3-inch-wide black red flowers that bloom in early May. This plant is suitable for sun to light shade and adds a dramatic touch to garden landscapes.
Asarum sieboldii
Asarum sieboldii is a medicinal herb native to the forested mountain slopes of China and Korea. It features upright, fuzzy green leaves and small dark purple flowers in mid-spring. Traditionally used in Chinese medicine, this easy-to-grow plant thrives in woodland gardens and is resistant to deer and rabbits.
Scabiosa drakensbergensis
Scabiosa drakensbergensis, native to the Drakensberg mountains of South Africa, is a perennial plant that grows in rocky grasslands. It features a rosette of large, felty green leaves and tall stalks topped with small, white, pincushion-like flowers. This plant is known for attracting butterflies and is resistant to rabbits.
Prunus persica 'Scarlet Prince'
Prunus persica 'Scarlet Prince' is a freestone peach tree with deep red skin and pinkish-yellow flesh. It produces fruit within 1-2 years and is self-fertile, disease-resistant, and cold-tolerant. This tree grows 10-15 feet tall and requires moist, well-draining soil.
Tradescantia fluminensis 'Albovittata'
Tradescantia fluminensis 'Albovittata' is a hardy, drought-tolerant plant with large blue-green leaves featuring white stripes. It requires ample light and well-draining soil, making it ideal for hanging baskets. This plant can tolerate temperatures as low as 40°F and fills a pot quickly, adding lush greenery to indoor or outdoor spaces.
Ardisia gigantifolia
Ardisia gigantifolia is a slow-growing tropical plant with shiny, chocolate brown foliage accented by electric green veins. Native to Southeast Asia, it can grow quite large but can be managed through pruning. It thrives in moderate, indirect light and requires moderate to high humidity.
Prunus salicina 'Methley'
Prunus salicina 'Methley' is a self-pollinating plum tree with fragrant white flowers and sweet, reddish purple-fleshed fruit. It requires 250 chill hours and thrives in full sun with loamy, well-drained soil. This tree is disease-resistant, heat-tolerant, and grows up to 15-20 feet tall.
Begonia 'Sterling Moon'
Begonia 'Sterling Moon' is a part shade perennial with green leaves flecked with silver and mint-green. It produces salmon-pink flowers and thrives in USDA Zones 7-9. This plant requires part sun to shade and minimal fertilization, making it a low-maintenance choice for gardens.
Pastinaca sativa 'Javelin'
Pastinaca sativa 'Javelin' is a parsnip variety known for its excellent canker resistance and sweet flavor. It has a 110-day growing period, with flavor enhanced by cool temperatures. Harvesting after the first frost yields the best taste.
Primulina 'Nova'
Primulina 'Nova', also known as 'Asian Violets', is admired for its graceful green leaves and trumpet-shaped violet blooms. It requires bright, indirect light and benefits from allowing the soil to dry between waterings.
Yucca decipiens
Yucca decipiens, commonly known as 'palma china', is a striking evergreen native to the San Luis Potosi region of Mexico. This slow-growing plant can reach up to 30 feet tall, featuring a single trunk and stiff, olive-green leaves with thread-like filifers. It thrives at elevations of 8,000 feet and is well-suited for dry, rocky environments. As a member of the Asparagaceae family, it is both deer-resistant and attractive to hummingbirds. Its population remains stable, making it a resilient choice for gardens seeking a touch of the exotic.
Hydrangea serrata 'Kurenai'
Hydrangea serrata 'Kurenai' is a compact hydrangea variety known for its ever-changing flower colors from early summer to fall. The flowers start as white and gradually turn blood red, while the leaves develop a red tint in summer and turn red in fall. This plant is suitable for USDA hardiness zone 6 and is a new introduction for 2024. It adds vibrant color to gardens and is ideal for those looking to create a dynamic landscape.
Begonia 'U309'
Begonia 'U309' is a rhizomatous species with very large leaves, brought from Malaysia's Penang Botanic Garden. It tolerates heat well and prefers shade to partial shade, growing 15 to 18 inches tall.
Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light'
Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light' is an ornamental grass that offers year-round interest with its variegated foliage of deep green centers and whitish-silver edges. It blooms in late summer to early fall, with flowers transitioning from red to bronze to cream. This grass is resistant to pests, disease, and drought, and it tolerates salt, heat, and humidity. Growing 4 to 6 feet tall with a 2 to 4-foot spread, it is suitable for smaller gardens and can be cut to the ground in late winter.
Angelica dahurica
Angelica dahurica is a perennial herb known for its aromatic roots and leaves, native to Asia and Russia. It grows up to 6 feet tall with a purplish-green ribbed stem and produces greenish-white flowers. The plant thrives in moist grasslands and streamsides, forming a rosette of aromatic foliage. Its roots are traditionally used in Chinese medicine, while the seeds serve as a seasoning and flavoring for liqueurs. Angelica is a short-lived perennial that attracts insects and is resistant to deer and rabbits.