Plants
Aconitum alboviolaceum
Aconitum alboviolaceum is a deer-resistant monkshood from South Korea, known for its clumping growth and light green, geranium-shaped leaves. It produces spikes of ivory flowers in late summer and thrives in part sun to light shade conditions.
Alocasia cucullata
Alocasia cucullata, also known as Chinese taro or Buddha's hand, is a tropical plant with thick, shiny, heart-shaped leaves. It grows up to 3 feet tall and wide, with leaves that can reach 7 inches wide and 1 foot long. This plant is considered to bring good luck and is used in traditional Chinese medicine, though it is poisonous if ingested.
Eleocharis vivipara
Eleocharis vivipara, commonly known as Giant or Umbrella Hairgrass, is a popular background plant for aquariums. It features tall, slender stems that create a canopy effect as they fold over. This hardy plant thrives in medium to high light conditions and benefits from CO2 injection to encourage growth. It can reach heights of 12 to 16 inches and grows via runners, making it easy to propagate. Native to the southern United States, it adapts well to various freshwater conditions and adds a jungle-like aesthetic to aquariums. The plant is known for its swaying effect in water currents and requires occasional trimming to maintain its appearance.
Gentiana andrewsii
Gentiana andrewsii, native to northeastern North America, is known for its rich blue, bottle-shaped flowers with closed mouths that bloom in late summer. It thrives in wet to dry-mesic prairies and prairie fens, preferring slightly moist alkaline conditions. This plant attracts hummingbirds and tolerates seasonal droughts, making it a resilient addition to gardens.
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Hornli'
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Hornli' is a compact variety known for its prolific blooms and slow-growing nature. Bred in Switzerland, this plant adds a touch of elegance to gardens with its abundant flowers. Its compact size makes it suitable for smaller spaces, and its ability to thrive in various conditions makes it a versatile choice for gardeners seeking long-lasting beauty.
Aspasia epidendroides
Aspasia epidendroides is a small orchid found in the tropical forests of South America. It features star-shaped yellow and brown flowers and grows epiphytically in shaded, humid environments. This plant is popular for its ornamental value and unique floral display.
Pilea pubescens 'Silver Cloud'
Pilea pubescens 'Silver Cloud' is a compact plant with solid silver leaves and a red back, thriving in bright, indirect light and moderate humidity. It is easy to propagate and suitable for terrariums and mixed dish gardens.
Peperomia maculosa
Peperomia maculosa, also known as the 'Polka Dot' plant, is a small, easy-to-care-for plant with oval-shaped leaves featuring silver or creamy-white spots. It thrives in indirect light and is ideal for desktops, shelves, or hanging baskets. This plant is native from Mexico to northern South America.
Hydrangea paniculata 'Jane'
Hydrangea paniculata 'Jane' is a compact shrub with clusters of lime-green flowers that turn pink. It grows to 4-6 feet tall and thrives in USDA zones 3-8, preferring partial to full sunlight and consistent soil moisture.
Philodendron hederaceum var. oxycardium
This is an easy-to-grow, common indoor plant that comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors.
Sarracenia farnhamii
Sarracenia farnhamii is a hybrid carnivorous plant with bright red, green, and white pitchers. It features broad and ruffled hoods with a thick red lip, and its traps turn deep red in cold weather. This plant is well-suited for sunny, boggy conditions and produces fragrant dark red flowers in early spring.
Pteris cretica
Pteris cretica, commonly known as the Cretan brake, is an evergreen fern with arching pinnate fronds that can grow up to 30 inches tall and 24 inches wide. Native to Europe, Asia, and Africa, this fern is winter-hardy and thrives in part sun to shade. It is widely cultivated as a houseplant and in gardens, particularly in shade gardens. The variety Pteris cretica var. albolineata is especially popular for its ornamental appeal. This fern requires frost protection and has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Hydrocotyle leucocephala 'Variegated'
Hydrocotyle leucocephala 'Variegated', also known as Brazilian Pennywort, is a fast-growing aquatic plant from South America, characterized by its half-dollar-like leaves. This versatile plant can be used in the foreground, midground, or background of aquariums and can form compact bushes or a carpeting effect under high light and CO2 conditions. The variegated version requires more light to maintain its vibrant pattern. It is easy to propagate by trimming and replanting stems, making it suitable for beginners. The plant thrives in medium to high lighting and requires a nutrient-rich substrate.
Hydrangea serrata 'Maiko'
Hydrangea serrata 'Maiko' is a compact shrub known for its mophead blooms, making it a charming addition to gardens. It is well-suited for smaller spaces due to its compact growth habit. This hydrangea thrives in zone 6 and is appreciated for its vibrant floral display, which adds a splash of color to any landscape.
Opuntia quimilo
Opuntia quimilo, commonly known as the Common Prickly Pear, is a cactus native to Argentina, characterized by its treelike form and distinct trunks. It can grow up to 13 feet tall and features long spines on older segments. The cactus produces shiny carmine or red flowers, adding a splash of color to desert or Mediterranean gardens. It is relatively fast-growing and requires full sun and well-drained soil. This cactus is hardy to 23°F for short periods, making it suitable for zones 8-10. Its striking appearance and resilience make it a popular choice for xeriscaping.
Hesperocyparis glabra
Hesperocyparis glabra, or Arizona cypress, is an evergreen conifer with blue-green foliage and a naturally pyramidal shape. It grows rapidly, reaching up to 30 feet tall and 15 feet wide, and is drought-tolerant once established. This tree is ideal for hedging and thrives in full sun with well-drained soil.
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Red Sensation'
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Red Sensation' is a compact shrub with dark green foliage and bright blooms that appear on both new and old wood. It is suitable for container or mass planting, adding vibrant color to garden spaces.
Philodendron squamiferum
Philodendron squamiferum is a climbing plant native to South America, known for its distinctive five-lobed leaves and reddish stalks covered in small bristles. This ornamental foliage plant thrives in bright, indirect light and moderate to high humidity, making it a popular choice for indoor cultivation. Its unique appearance and easy care requirements make it a favorite among plant enthusiasts. The plant's ability to climb and its need for support add to its appeal, making it a versatile addition to any plant collection.
Hydrangea aspera 'Kawakamii'
Hydrangea aspera 'Kawakamii' is a plant with delicate lavender and white blooms and slender leaves. It features a frilly lacecap bloom with a more fertile fringe and has a square stature and habit, making it a distinctive choice for gardens.
Maxillaria brachybulbon
Maxillaria brachybulbon is a petite orchid from Central and South America, known for its intricate yellow blooms with red accents. It thrives in moderate temperatures and high humidity, requiring a well-draining orchid mix and indirect light. Its compact growth habit makes it suitable for small spaces.
Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum 'Crimson Fire'
Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum 'Crimson Fire' is an evergreen shrub with deep burgundy-red foliage and small pink fringe-like flowers in spring. It grows to about 4 feet in height and is well-suited for use as a hedge, border, or specimen plant. This low-maintenance shrub thrives in full to partial sunlight and well-drained soil.
Mitchella repens
Mitchella repens, commonly known as partridgeberry, is a creeping, evergreen shrub with dark green, shiny leaves and small white flowers that turn into bright red berries. Native to North America, it thrives in shaded areas with dry or moist soil, making it an excellent groundcover for woodland gardens. The berries, while edible, are tasteless and have been used traditionally for medicinal purposes. This plant is ideal for underplanting with hostas and ferns, adding a touch of natural beauty to shaded garden areas.
Aglaonema 'First Diamond'
This plant, native to Asia, tolerates indoor conditions and has leaves with bright white and dark green patches. It is a visually striking addition to any indoor space.
Lablab purpureus
Lablab purpureus, also known as hyacinth bean, is an ornamental plant with striking pinkish-purple flowers and dark purple pods. Its twining stems make it perfect for climbing fences or trellises, and it can also serve as an attractive ground cover or container plant. While visually appealing, it contains toxins and is not recommended for consumption.
Eleocharis acicularis 'Mini'
Eleocharis acicularis 'Mini', also known as the shortest growing hair grass, is a popular aquarium plant for creating a dense, lush lawn effect. It features compact, short leaves that curl downward in high light and nutrient-rich environments. This plant propagates via runners and is ideal for foreground placement in aquariums. It thrives with medium to high lighting and benefits from CO2 supplementation, although it is not strictly necessary. Its ease of care and carpet-forming ability make it a favorite among aquarists.
Brassica oleracea ssp. gemmifera 'Silvia'
Brassica oleracea ssp. gemmifera 'Silvia' is a brussels sprout variety with high resistance to Fusarium Yellows and intermediate resistance to Blackrot. It also has high tolerance to bolting, making it a resilient choice for gardeners.
Woodwardia virginica
Woodwardia virginica is a US native fern found from Maine to Texas, thriving in bogs and acidic, mucky soils. It is adaptable to dry sand and features upright green fronds that often emerge coppery red. This plant is suitable for part sun to light shade conditions.
Bulbophyllum rothschildianum
Bulbophyllum rothschildianum is a small orchid species known for its intricate yellow and purple flowers. It requires partial shade, ample water, and good air circulation to thrive.
Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood'
A deciduous tree that grows in USDA zones 5-8, it prefers full sun to part shade and slightly acidic, well-drained soil. It grows 15-25 feet tall and 20 feet wide with a growth rate of 1-2 feet per year. The leaves are bright scarlet red in fall and red-green in spring and summer. Winter pruning is recommended, and it cannot tolerate hot summer heat.