Plants
Begonia 'Granada'
Begonia 'Granada' is a small, shrub-like hybrid with a bushy growth habit. It has oval-shaped leaves with a chocolate edge and silver blade, and light pink flowers, growing 12 to 15 inches tall.
Nymphaea 'Ploydaeng'
Nymphaea 'Ploydaeng' is part of a genus of aquatic plants known for their ornamental value and ability to provide shade, reducing algae growth. These plants are divided into tropical and hardy types, with hardy varieties tolerating cold better. They have received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Hoya 'Rebecca'
Hoya 'Rebecca' is a hybrid plant that combines traits from Hoya lacunosa 'Langkawi Island' and H. obscura. It is easy to care for and grows quickly, producing clusters of fuzzy pink flowers with golden yellow centers. The plant's pointed oval leaves turn red in bright light, adding to its visual appeal.
Dieffenbachia 'Camouflage'
Dieffenbachia 'Camouflage' is a cultivar known for its large, variegated leaves and upright, outwardly arching growth. It has a freely clumping habit, making it a popular choice for indoor plant collections.
Pelargonium alternans
Pelargonium alternans is a drought-resistant plant native to the southwestern Cape. It features attractively lobed-toothed foliage and white to very light pink flowers. This plant thrives in light shade or morning sun and requires protection from frost, making it suitable for warmer climates.
Miscanthus sinensis
Miscanthus sinensis, commonly known as Zebra grass, is an ornamental grass with arching, striped green and white foliage. It forms a 4-foot wide mound and produces tan plumes in late summer, remaining attractive into early spring. This grass is native to eastern Asia and is popular for its graceful appearance and ability to thrive in a variety of garden settings.
Arisaema heterophyllum
Arisaema heterophyllum is a perennial herb native to East Asia, featuring a green and purple-tinged pitcher with a long tongue-like spadix. It grows in forests and wetlands, preferring humus-rich, well-draining soil, and is used in traditional Chinese medicine.
Ceropegia linearis ssp. woodii
Ceropegia linearis ssp. woodii, commonly known as chain-of-hearts, is a trailing succulent vine native to South Africa. It features heart-shaped leaves with a gray reticulate pattern and purplish-red undersides. This plant is drought-tolerant and thrives in bright, indirect light with well-draining soil. It is ideal for hanging baskets and requires minimal watering, making it a popular houseplant.
Alcea rosea
Alcea rosea, commonly known as hollyhock, is an ornamental plant with flowers in a range of colors, including a rich purplish burgundy. It can grow up to 8 feet tall and is fairly drought-tolerant, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies. The flowers are edible but bland.
Harpochloa falx
Harpochloa falx is a tussock grass native to South Africa, characterized by fine, glaucous-green leaves and early summer seed heads resembling caterpillars. This fire-adapted species grows up to 18 inches tall and 3 feet wide, dominating competitors in the absence of regular burns.
Syngonium chiapense 'Frosted Heart'
Syngonium chiapense 'Frosted Heart' is a vigorous climber with variegated leaves that can grow up to two feet long. The leaves have a shield-like shape and do not become deeply lobed. This plant prefers shade to partial sun and thrives in temperatures between 45 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. It requires the soil to dry between waterings.
Rhododendron 'Southgate Radiance'
This plant features intense lavender-pink buds that open to snowy white and magenta blooms. It has dark green, elongated, oval-shaped leaves and a slow growth rate, reaching a mature height of 4-5 feet. The plant is hardy from USDA zones 6-9 and is more heat tolerant than traditional Rhododendrons. It performs best in part sun to shade and requires slightly acidic soil with good drainage.
Xyris baldwiniana
Xyris baldwiniana is a perennial herb native to the coastal regions of the southeastern United States, known for its upright, thin foliage and flower heads resembling miniature brown pine cones. It blooms with yellow flowers that open daily over several months in spring and summer. Preferring sandy or peat-based soils that remain consistently moist, this plant is well-suited to wetland or bog garden settings.
Prunus persica 'Pink Cascade'
Prunus persica 'Pink Cascade' is a deciduous tree known for its bright pink double flowers that bloom in early spring. It features weeping branches and leaves that turn golden yellow or greenish in fall. This ornamental tree does not produce edible fruit and is hardy in USDA zones 5-9. It grows up to 12-15 feet tall and wide, preferring well-draining, slightly acidic soil and full sun.
Polystichum polyblepharum
Polystichum polyblepharum is a striking evergreen fern known for its dark, lacily-cut fronds that form a deer-resistant clump about 2 feet wide. This plant, native to Japan and South Korea, thrives in rich, well-drained soil and can tolerate dry conditions but not waterlogged soils or full sun. Its unique name, meaning 'many eyelashes,' reflects the intricate texture of its fronds. It provides excellent textural contrast in woodland gardens and maintains its beauty throughout winter. Awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit, it is a reliable choice for shaded or dappled shade areas.
Iris pseudacorus
Iris pseudacorus, also known as the yellow flag iris, is a medium-sized plant with bright yellow flowers and long, sword-like leaves. Native to Europe, western Asia, and northwest Africa, it thrives in both dry land and standing water, making it versatile for various garden settings. This iris is important for wildlife, providing habitat for endangered species like the corncrake in western Scotland. However, it can be invasive outside its native range. The plant is used in water treatment for nutrient uptake and can tolerate high salinity levels. Its petals and stem are toxic, so caution is advised when handling.
Crinum asiaticum
Crinum asiaticum is a bulb-forming perennial with large, showy, spider-like white flowers. Native to various tropical regions, it is known for its toxicity, with all parts being poisonous if ingested. This plant thrives in sunny, moist environments and is often used as a natural boundary plant.
Peperomia albovittata 'Piccolo Banda'
Peperomia albovittata 'Piccolo Banda', also known as Peacock Peperomia, is a houseplant that thrives in bright, indirect light to part shade. It features striking foliage and requires the soil to dry out between waterings. This plant is easy to care for and adds a touch of elegance to indoor spaces.
Philodendron 'Variegated Ring Of Fire'
Philodendron 'Variegated Ring Of Fire' is a slow-growing hybrid known for its colorful new leaves, which range from white to cream, light to dark green, and orange to fire red. This plant is an air purifier and thrives in low light conditions.
Lagenaria siceraria 'Corsican'
Lagenaria siceraria 'Corsican' is a type of hard-shelled gourd that grows 6 to 10 inches round and 3.5 to 5 inches deep. These gourds can be painted, carved, cut, or drilled, making them ideal for decorative purposes. They should be sown 24 inches apart if trellised.
Ipomoea batatas 'Bright Eyes Black'
Ipomoea batatas 'Bright Eyes Black' is a fast-growing terrestrial plant from Brazil, recognized for its purple heart-shaped leaves. It thrives in moist soil and high humidity environments, making it suitable for terrariums or tropical-themed gardens. This plant is easy to propagate from stem breaks, allowing for quick expansion in suitable conditions. Ipomoea batatas 'Bright Eyes Black' adds a vibrant splash of color with its striking foliage, making it a popular choice for gardeners looking to enhance their plant collections with unique and colorful species.
Cucurbita pepo 'Red Warty Thing'
Cucurbita pepo 'Red Warty Thing' is a unique pumpkin variety developed from the 1897 heirloom 'Victor'. It is renowned for its delicious flavor and fine texture, with a bumpy, thick red-orange skin. These pumpkins weigh between 10-20 pounds and grow on long vines, making them a striking addition to fall displays.
Fouquieria formosa
Fouquieria formosa is a small tree native to rocky alluvial slopes and valleys, known for its hummingbird-pollinated flowers. It features branches covered in spines and short inflorescences with large deep orange-red to yellow-orange flowers. This plant exhibits a high level of phenotypic variation and typically flowers from October through February.
Dianthus caryophyllus 'Chabaud'
Dianthus caryophyllus 'Chabaud' is a colorful plant with flowers in shades of scarlet, purple, pink, white, yellow, and bicolored. It has blue-green foliage and is popular with butterflies. The petals have a mild clove flavor, making them suitable for culinary use.
Mayaca fluviatilis
Mayaca fluviatilis is a perennial herbaceous submerged plant native to the Americas, known for its soft thin leaves arranged in spirals and white or pale green stems. It grows in wet soil or as a submerged plant, forming semi-floating mats and thriving in moderate to high lighting conditions.
Vernonia arkansana
Vernonia arkansana is a perennial plant native to the south-central United States, reaching heights of 4-6 feet. It blooms with large clusters of pink-purple flowers from August to September, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. The plant is avoided by herbivorous mammals due to its bitter foliage.
Tillandsia ionantha
Tillandsia ionantha, an air plant native to Central America and Mexico, is known for its striking spiky appearance and vibrant colors. This small plant, reaching 2-3 inches in height, features bright green leaves that turn red at the tips when blooming. It produces purple flowers and is easy to cultivate, making it a popular choice for indoor gardening. The plant thrives in bright, indirect light and requires minimal care, making it versatile for various environments.
Cucumis melo
Cucumis melo is a type of melon known for its sweet, almost wine-like flavor and light green flesh. This heirloom variety, introduced in 1948 by the University of Minnesota, is well-suited for short growing seasons and can be grown in containers. The plant is compact, reaching about 36 inches, and produces round fruits weighing between 3 to 8 pounds. It is resistant to Fusarium wilt and more drought-tolerant than other melons. The fruit is aromatic with a small seed cavity, making it a high-quality choice for various climates. Melons are rich in vitamins A and C and are often used in culinary applications, including as a flavoring for Japanese liqueur Midori. The plant thrives in warm, well-drained soil but is vulnerable to certain diseases like downy mildew and anthracnose.
Pseuderanthemum maculatum 'Reticulatum'
Pseuderanthemum maculatum 'Reticulatum', also known as 'Yellow Veined Eranthemum', is a tropical shrub with large green leaves veined in lemon yellow. It produces white flowers with purple spots and thrives in partial sun to shade, growing 18-24 inches tall.