Plants
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Scindapsus 'Silvery Ann'
Scindapsus 'Silvery Ann' is a trailing plant with small heart-shaped green leaves featuring silver variegation. It prefers bright, indirect light and can grow up to 8 feet long indoors, making it a popular choice for hanging baskets and easy propagation.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Begonia 'Sylvan Triumph'
Begonia 'Sylvan Triumph' is a cane-like hybrid from 1940, known for its dark green leaves with silver spots. It grows upright, reaching over 2 feet tall, and produces pink flowers in medium-sized clusters. This begonia has been cultivated for over 70 years, making it a classic choice for indoor and outdoor gardens.
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.
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.
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.
Begonia 'Fireflush'
Begonia 'Fireflush' is a rex-cultorum begonia with deep green leaves marked with maroon and covered in red hairs. Its velvet-like leaves and light pink fragrant flowers make it a unique addition to indoor plant collections.
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.
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.
Tillandsia baileyi
Tillandsia baileyi, commonly known as Bailey's ball moss, is a unique air plant native to southern Texas and Tamaulipas in Mexico. It features thin, pointed blade-like leaves with a silver-green color, which can turn red when exposed to sunlight. This epiphyte prefers to grow on Southern live oak and Texas ebony trees, thriving in the humid conditions along the Gulf of Mexico. Tillandsia baileyi is a fascinating addition to air plant collections, requiring minimal care and offering a distinctive appearance.
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.
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.
Amydrium 'Silver'
Amydrium 'Silver', also known as Spiderman Monstera, is a tropical plant native to South America and Southeast Asia. Despite its common name, it is not part of the Monstera genus but belongs to the Araceae family. This plant is appreciated for its air-purifying qualities and ease of care, making it a popular choice for indoor environments.
Anthurium 'Silver Blush' X 'wuhoo's First Night'
Anthurium 'Silver Blush' X 'wuhoo's First Night' is a hybrid plant requiring bright, indirect light and high humidity. It thrives in well-draining soil kept evenly moist, making it suitable for indoor environments.
Tricyrtis affinis
Tricyrtis affinis is a small, slow-growing plant from Japan, known for its black-purple stems and creamy white leaves that turn green in summer. It grows to 20 inches tall and produces white flowers with a dark purple eye zone and spots. This plant is suitable for shaded gardens and adds a unique touch with its patterned foliage.
Alternanthera ficoidea
Alternanthera ficoidea, also known as Joseph's coat or Parrot leaf, is native to the Caribbean and South America. It is known for its vibrant foliage and is considered invasive in some regions. This plant propagates via seeds and is popular for its colorful appearance.
Arum dioscoridis
Arum dioscoridis is a plant from Cyprus with large, dark green, spade-shaped leaves and spathe and spadix inflorescences in late April. The spathes are creamy yellow with dark purple spots, and the plant emits a pungent smell to attract flies for pollination.
Thaumatophyllum xanadu
Thaumatophyllum xanadu is a perennial plant native to Brazil, known for its glossy green, deeply lobed leaves. It forms dense clumps up to 5 feet tall and 6.5 feet wide, making it suitable for tropical and subtropical climates. This plant is adaptable to indoor conditions, requiring moderate to bright, indirect light. It contains calcium oxalate crystals, which are toxic if ingested, so caution is advised around pets and children.
Pinellia pedatisecta
Pinellia pedatisecta is an unusual aroid with green spathes and long, 8-inch tails. Its foliage resembles that of arisaema, giving it a tropical appearance. This plant can reseed if old flower stalks are not removed, making it a unique addition to gardens that appreciate self-sowing species.