Plants
Anacampseros rufescens
Anacampseros rufescens is a succulent native to South Africa, known for its delicate rosettes of fleshy leaves in soft pink, lavender, green, and hints of blue. It thrives in bright, indirect light and well-draining soil, offering excellent drought tolerance. This plant requires minimal maintenance, making it a popular choice for succulent enthusiasts.
Triolena pustulata
Triolena pustulata is an ornamental plant endemic to Ecuador, known for its distinctive foliage with pustules and bright green leaves with dark green mid-leaf. It requires high humidity and must be grown in a terrarium, making it a unique choice for plant collectors. Its striking appearance and specific growing conditions make it a fascinating addition to specialized plant collections.
Cucurbita maxima 'Big Max'
Cucurbita maxima 'Big Max' is a giant pumpkin variety favored by growers for its round, smooth, light-orange skin. Ideal for Halloween carving or holiday decorations, it can also be used for canning or making pumpkin pies. To achieve maximum size, it is recommended to grow one pumpkin per vine.
Camellia sasanqua 'Diana'
This plant features dazzling white blooms and deep green glossy leaves, blooming from fall through the new year. It has a uniform growth habit and is ideal for hedges or accents. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and shade to part sun.
Callisia navicularis
Callisia navicularis, also known as 'Chain Plant', is a boat-shaped trailing ground cover native to Mexico. It displays pink and magenta tones in bright, indirect light and is recognized for its variable appearance. This succulent has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Lupinus perennis
Lupinus perennis, native to eastern North America, is a perennial plant known for its tall spikes of blue-lavender flowers that bloom in mid to late May. It thrives in sandy soils, often found in dunes and savannas from Minnesota to Georgia. The plant features palmately compound leaves with 7-11 lobes and produces necklace-shaped pods. It serves as a food source for caterpillars of various Lepidoptera species. Due to habitat loss, it is considered rare or endangered in several states. Seeds require scarification for germination, with ideal temperatures between 75-85°F.
Masdevallia rolfeana
Masdevallia rolfeana is a small orchid native to South America, particularly Ecuador and Peru. It features vibrant, patterned flowers and requires cool to intermediate temperatures with high humidity for optimal growth.
Plectranthus purpuratus 'Purple'
Plectranthus purpuratus 'Purple' is a unique plant native to South Africa, known for its striking, textured foliage. It thrives in moist conditions and high light, making it suitable for vivariums. This plant is easy to propagate using sphagnum moss, adding to its appeal for plant enthusiasts.
Cryptocoryne nurii
Cryptocoryne nurii is a rare and highly sought-after aquarium plant known for its slow growth and ruffled texture leaves. The leaves range from olive green to bronze-red and thrive in low to medium lighting. This plant is endemic to Sri Lanka and is popular for aquascaping due to its adaptability and ability to absorb excess nutrients.
Peperomia quadrangularis
Peperomia quadrangularis is a small, trailing plant native to tropical America, often found on trees or rocks. It has quadrangular stems with tiny hairs and dark green leaves with golden veins, making it suitable for hanging baskets or terrariums.
Echinocereus pacificus
Echinocereus pacificus is a columnar cactus native to northern Mexico, known for its bright orange flowers. It thrives in full sun and requires minimal water, making it well-suited for arid environments. This cactus is characterized by its cylindrical growth habit and can withstand temperatures as low as 50°F.
Cardamine lyrata
Cardamine lyrata is a marsh plant native to eastern Asia, known for its clover-like pattern and rapid growth under the right conditions. It thrives in cool, slow-moving water with strong light and high CO2 levels. This plant is often used in aquariums and provides coverage for aquatic life.
Hydrangea quercifolia 'Alison'
Hydrangea quercifolia 'Alison' features large flowers, 10 to 12 inches in size, with a mix of lacy sterile florets and large white petals. It is popular with bees and is known for its striking appearance. This plant is a new introduction as of 2020 and thrives in zone 5.
Hoya ranauensis
Hoya ranauensis is a Finlaysonii-type species from Borneo, known for its elliptical green leaves with dark venation. It produces small flowers with white coronas and reflexed corollas, making it a unique addition to any hoya collection.
Solanum lycopersicum 'Brandywine'
Solanum lycopersicum 'Brandywine' is a tomato variety known for its large fruits, often weighing around a pound. The Yellow Brandywine produces golden yellow fruits with a sweet and tart balance, while the Red Brandywine offers a rich, well-balanced tomato flavor. This variety is appreciated for its taste and versatility in culinary uses.
Rudbeckia auriculata
Rudbeckia auriculata, commonly known as eared coneflower, is endemic to southeastern Alabama and adjacent Florida and Georgia. It grows in moist, sunny sites and produces tall stalks with clusters of golden orange flowers in August and September. This plant is listed under the Endangered Species Act and is best used at the back of the border in garden settings.
Lactuca sativa 'Black Seeded Simpson'
Lactuca sativa 'Black Seeded Simpson' is a beloved garden lettuce variety that has been popular since 1850. It is known for its full-sized, frilly leaves and rapid growth, allowing for harvest in just 3-4 weeks. This lettuce is particularly resilient, withstanding hot, dry conditions and light frosts, making it a reliable choice for gardeners in various climates.
Juniperus chinensis 'Torulosa'
Juniperus chinensis 'Torulosa' is an evergreen tree with a unique twisting growth habit and dense dark green foliage. It reaches 12-15 feet in height and 8-10 feet in width, thriving in full sun and well-drained soil. This tree is hardy in USDA Zones 5-9 and is tolerant of heat, cold, and drought.
Fittonia 'White'
Fittonia 'White' is a spreading evergreen perennial known for its delicately veined, deep-green leaves. It comes in varieties with veins in different colors and may produce small, white to off-white flowers. This plant thrives in low-light conditions and is pet-friendly, making it a popular choice for indoor environments.
Artemisia lactiflora
Artemisia lactiflora is a vigorous perennial with creamy-white flower plumes in summer and autumn. Known for its lush green foliage, it thrives in poor, dry soil and is suitable for flower arrangements.
Begonia 'Caribbean Star'
Begonia 'Caribbean Star' is a hybrid begonia known for its large palmate leaves with serrated margins. The leaves are silver-grey with dark gray veins and a burgundy reverse, creating a striking contrast. In the late growing season, it produces light-pink flowers. This begonia is a visually appealing addition to any garden or indoor plant collection, offering unique foliage and delicate blooms.
Solanum lycopersicum
Solanum lycopersicum, commonly known as the tomato plant, is renowned for its hearty flavor and early harvest of cherry tomatoes. The plant features vigorous vines that can reach up to 6 feet long and produces tangerine-colored fruits with a sweet, juicy taste. It is disease-resistant and performs well in heat and humidity, making it ideal for container gardening.
Neomortonia rosea
Neomortonia rosea is an epiphytic plant from the rainforests of Central and South America, belonging to the Gesneriaceae family. It features small, heart-shaped, velvety leaves that are deep green, sometimes with variegation or reddish undersides. The plant produces pink or rose bell-shaped flowers and thrives in warm, humid environments with moderate to low light. Its unique foliage and flowers make it a captivating addition to tropical plant collections.
Epipremnum aureum 'Marbled Queen'
This moderately small vine has green and white variegation and thrives in moderate, indirect light with moderate to high humidity. It appreciates airflow and moist sphagnum moss aids rooting.
Trichocereus bridgesii
Trichocereus bridgesii, also known as the 'Penis cactus', is a drought-tolerant plant that prefers sunny areas and well-draining soil. It requires more water than most cacti and benefits from monthly fertilization during the growing season. This cactus is cold hardy to -12°C and is susceptible to fungal diseases if overwatered.
Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltonii'
Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltonii' is a hardy evergreen ground cover with a low trailing habit and silvery-blue aromatic foliage. It spreads up to 8 feet wide and is tolerant of air pollution and deer. This plant thrives in full sun and well-draining soil, making it ideal for erosion control and dry, sandy terrains.
Leptochilus pteropus ssp. pteropus 'Needle'
Leptochilus pteropus 'Needle' is an adaptable aquatic plant with long, narrow leaves that can reach up to 10 inches in length. It grows slowly, reaching a height of about 8 inches, and thrives in low to moderate light conditions. This plant does not require CO2 supplementation and can be attached to driftwood or rocks in aquariums. Regular fertilization is recommended to maintain its health, and care should be taken not to bury its rhizome to prevent rot.
Solanum lycopersicum 'Pork Chop'
Solanum lycopersicum 'Pork Chop' is a true yellow tomato variety with a sweet flavor and citrus undertones. The tomatoes are slightly flattened beefsteaks, featuring yellow skin with green stripes that mature to a deep golden hue. This unique coloration and taste make it a standout in any garden.
Ornithocephalus ecuadorensis
Ornithocephalus ecuadorensis is a small epiphytic orchid native to the cloud forests of Ecuador. It features delicate, thread-like stems and tiny flowers in shades of green, brown, and white. Adapted to cool, misty environments, this orchid thrives in high humidity and is a unique addition to any collection.