Plants
Solidago stricta
Solidago stricta, a North American native, is a perennial that grows in sandy pine barrens and wet coastal plains. It blooms from August to November with bright yellow flowers and is known for attracting butterflies. This plant is also a host to the insect-induced gall Procecidochares polita.
Phalaenopsis deliciosa
Phalaenopsis deliciosa is a miniature epiphytic orchid native to regions from the Indian subcontinent to China. It features small flowers in pink, white, and yellow forms, and is protected under CITES due to its potential endangerment.
Zingiber mioga
Zingiber mioga, a hardy edible ginger from Japanese woodlands, produces 3-foot tall stalks with parchment gold leaves that become flecked green. It features yellow orchid-like flowers at ground level in late summer and can survive temperatures as low as -15°F.
Selaginella rupincola
Selaginella rupincola, or desert spikemoss, is native to the high southwestern deserts and forms a 6-inch tall by 3-foot wide patch in full sun rock gardens. Its evergreen foliage turns brown during drought but rehydrates with rain, making it a resilient groundcover for sunny areas.
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Tricolor'
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Tricolor' is a variegated plant with deep green, light green, and cream leaves. It produces free-flowering white lacecap heads, adding elegance to gardens. This hydrangea is possibly part of the Mariesii lineage and was bred in Italy before 1860. Its unique foliage and delicate flowers make it a standout in any garden setting. The plant thrives in well-drained soil and adds a touch of sophistication to borders and beds. Its historical significance and beauty make it a favorite among gardeners.
Syngonium 'Neon Robusta'
Syngonium 'Neon Robusta' is a houseplant with beautiful pink leaves, grown in pesticide-free greenhouses. It thrives in moderate light levels and well-draining soil, making it a popular choice for indoor gardening.
Lycium barbarum
Lycium barbarum, known for its delicious and nutrient-rich berries, is a deciduous woody shrub native to China. It grows 8-10 feet tall and 4-6 feet wide, thriving in full sun and consistently moist, well-draining soil. The plant is self-pollinating and has been cultivated for over 600 years, used in traditional Chinese medicine and for erosion control.
Philodendron 'Glad Hands'
Philodendron 'Glad Hands' is a low-maintenance plant with distinct digitate leaves that grows quickly in bright, indirect light. Its unique leaf shape and rapid growth make it a popular choice for indoor plant enthusiasts looking for an easy-care addition to their collection.
Primulina linearicalyx
Primulina linearicalyx is a plant with long, slender leaves marked with lobes, producing lavender trumpet or bell-shaped blooms. It is suitable for indoor cultivation, adding a touch of elegance with its delicate flowers.
Teucrium chamaedrys
Teucrium chamaedrys, commonly known as Wall Germander, is a fragrant, creeping evergreen perennial native to the Mediterranean and Middle East. It features tiny, scalloped, dark green leaves and tubular flowers that bloom in whorls during late summer. This plant is ideal for borders and thrives in USDA Zones 5 to 10. It is known for its ornamental value and can be toxic if ingested in large quantities. Wall Germander prefers sunny locations and requires regular pruning to maintain its shape and encourage dense growth.
Begonia limprichtii
Begonia limprichtii is a terrarium species native to China, featuring ovate green leaves with red trichomes. It prefers bright, indirect light and moderate to high humidity, making it ideal for enclosed environments.
Hydrangea serrata 'Chiri San Sue'
Hydrangea serrata 'Chiri San Sue' originates from South Korea and features pink or blue doubled petals. It blooms in late spring and has attractive dark green leaves. This hydrangea is a beautiful addition to gardens, offering a choice of flower color based on soil pH.
Nerium oleander 'Twist Of Pink'
Nerium oleander 'Twist Of Pink' is a resilient shrub with deep pink blooms and creamy white variegated foliage. It is drought, heat, and salt-resistant, making it suitable for challenging environments while adding vibrant color to landscapes.
Phaseolus vulgaris 'Provider'
Phaseolus vulgaris 'Provider' is a high-yielding, early-producing bean variety known for its disease resistance and stringless, straight beans. This cultivar, developed in 1965, germinates well in cooler soils, making it a reliable choice for early planting. It is excellent for freezing and canning, providing a versatile addition to the home garden. Its robust growth and productivity make it a staple for gardeners seeking a dependable bean crop.
Agave toumeyana
Agave toumeyana is a succulent native to central Arizona, forming dense clumps of rosettes with narrow, white-streaked foliage. Its flowering stalks can reach up to 10 feet, bearing greenish-white flowers. This plant is well-suited to rocky, limestone, and volcanic areas.
Abelmoschus esculentus
Abelmoschus esculentus, commonly known as okra, is a heat-loving plant developed at Clemson University with dark green, grooved pods. This plant is related to hollyhocks and is known for its full-bodied flavor, making it a popular choice for culinary use. Okra attracts pollinators, which can enhance garden biodiversity. It thrives in warm climates and requires well-drained soil and full sun to produce a high yield. The plant is relatively easy to grow and can be a rewarding addition to vegetable gardens. Its pods are typically harvested when they are young and tender, and they can be used in a variety of dishes, from soups to stir-fries.
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Gerda Steiniger'
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Gerda Steiniger' is known for its enormous blooms and deep colorful florets that change color throughout the summer. This plant features glossy deep green foliage and was bred by August Steiniger in 1946. It blooms from early summer through fall, providing a long season of interest. 'Gerda Steiniger' thrives in well-drained soil and is ideal for adding vibrant color to garden borders.
Copiapoa humilis
Copiapoa humilis is a small cactus native to Northern Chile, characterized by its hemispherical shape and grass-green to red-brown stems. It blooms from spring to fall with yellow, bell-shaped flowers and prefers gritty, well-draining soil. This slow-growing cactus is frost-tolerant and thrives in full sun, making it a resilient addition to arid gardens.
Hibiscus laevis
Hibiscus laevis is an upright mallow with large pale pink flowers featuring a red center. This plant attracts butterflies and is native to the United States.
Begonia 'Dutch Sunrise'
Begonia 'Dutch Sunrise' is a fast-growing rex cultivar with large leaves that display a silver color with black veins. The leaf margins are green with silver dots and a thin black edge, and the color varies with the season. This plant is ideal for adding a touch of elegance to indoor spaces.
Begonia paulensis
Begonia paulensis is a compact, shrub-like species from Brazil, known for its light green, puckered leaves with a spiderweb-like vein pattern. The leaf petioles are densely covered with white hairs. This begonia grows quickly in mild temperatures and prefers high humidity, making it suitable for terrariums. It is considered challenging to grow, recommended for experienced begonia enthusiasts.
Alstroemeria psittacina
Alstroemeria psittacina is a Japanese selection known for its white-edged leaves and narrow tubular flowers speckled with maroon and green. This winter-growing plant forms a spreading mass of foliage and goes semi-dormant in summer. It re-emerges in September, providing a unique seasonal interest in gardens.
Nandina domestica 'Gulf Stream'
This easy-care shrub grows 3-4 feet tall and wide, with fall colors that last through winter. It produces small white flowers in spring in warmer climates, maturing to bright red berries in fall and winter, and is deer-resistant and drought-tolerant once established.
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Souvenior De Presidente Doumer'
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Souvenior De Presidente Doumer' is a mid-season standout for shaded areas, known for its small petaled, rounded flowers in dark maroon reds, purples, and deep cobalt blue. Bred in France in 1932, it thrives with morning sun and midday shade.
Anthurium podophyllum
Anthurium podophyllum is a terrestrial plant native to the coastal areas of Veracruz and Oaxaca, Mexico. It thrives in tropical forest understories, particularly in seasonally dry areas. The plant is characterized by its palmate leaves with many subdivisions and is related to Anthurium pedoradiatum. It produces orange berries and is well-suited for those interested in unique foliage plants from tropical regions.
Hydrangea paniculata 'Phantom'
Hydrangea paniculata 'Phantom' is an ornamental deciduous tree known for its large, cone-shaped clusters of white flowers that turn pink as they mature. It grows up to 10 feet tall and 8 feet wide, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. This hydrangea prefers well-draining, slightly acidic soil and partial shade to full sun.
Aloe juvenna
Aloe juvenna, also known as Tiger Tooth Aloe, is a miniature succulent native to Kenya. It features compact triangular leaves with cream-white spots and small teeth along the margins. This drought-resistant plant thrives in bright light and well-draining soil.
Phaseolus coccineus
Phaseolus coccineus, commonly known as the Scarlet Runner Bean, is a perennial vine notable for its vibrant red flowers and multicolored seeds. Originating from Central America, it has been cultivated since ancient times in regions like Mexico and Guatemala. The vine can grow over 10 feet tall, with pods reaching up to 10 inches long. While the young pods are edible and flavorful, mature pods can be shelled for beans. This plant is a member of the legume family and is known for attracting pollinators such as hummingbirds and bees. It is also popular in British cuisine and has several cultivars, including 'Scarlet Runner' and 'Painted Lady'. However, it contains a toxic protein, phytohaemagglutinin, which requires proper preparation before consumption. The plant's starchy roots are traditionally consumed in Mesoamerica.
Rhipsalis pachyptera
Rhipsalis pachyptera, native to Brazil, is a spineless, freely branched epiphytic cactus that can grow up to 5 feet long. It features flat, green stems sometimes tinged with red and produces creamy-yellow or whitish flowers followed by white fruits.
Syngonium 'Neon Pink'
Syngonium 'Neon Pink' is a vibrant vining plant with neon pink foliage that transitions from arrow-headed to multi-lobed leaves as it matures. It is well-suited for low-light environments, making it an adaptable choice for indoor spaces.