Plants
Pachypodium lealii
Pachypodium lealii is a shrub or tree with a thick bottle-shaped trunk and slender thorn-covered branches. It produces white flowers in spring and is endemic to Namibia and southern Angola. This plant grows in semi-desert areas and is known for its unique appearance.
Nicotiana glauca
Nicotiana glauca, or tree tobacco, is a tall perennial with glaucous blue foliage and yellow tubular flowers. It can grow over 6 feet tall and is known for its invasive nature in some regions. All parts of the plant are poisonous, and it reproduces primarily by seed.
Vaccinium ashei 'Woodard'
Vaccinium ashei 'Woodard' is one of the oldest Rabbiteye blueberry varieties, requiring 350 chill hours. It produces medium to large dark blue blueberries rich in antioxidants, with white bell-shaped blooms in early spring. The plant is heat-tolerant and thrives in full sun with slightly acidic soil.
Cerinthe major 'Purpurascens'
Cerinthe major 'Purpurascens' is a plant that was popular in 16th century England, known for its ability to pair well with bronze and deep-purple or red foliage. It thrives in lean, poor soils and tolerates drought and heat, attracting bees and hummingbirds. Its historical significance and adaptability make it a charming addition to gardens.
Aralia continentalis
Aralia continentalis is a deciduous plant with tropical green foliage, growing up to 4 feet tall. It produces small white flowers in late summer, which are followed by black fruit. This plant is native to regions such as Mt. Sorak and is adaptable to various garden settings, providing a lush, exotic appearance.
Hoya parasitica 'Splash'
Hoya parasitica 'Splash', native to the Solomon Islands, is known for its glossy green leaves with silver spots and star-shaped white flowers with pink centers. It has a trailing or twining growth habit and thrives in bright, indirect light, making it a popular choice for indoor plant collections.
Begonia 'Steve's Leaves Monsieur Brutus'
Begonia 'Steve's Leaves Monsieur Brutus' is a striking plant with large leaves that transition from olive green to nearly black as they mature. It produces vibrant pink flowers in the summer and thrives in bright, indirect light with temperatures ranging from 45 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. This begonia can grow up to 4 feet tall and prefers humidity levels between 40 to 60%.
Gelasine elongata
Gelasine elongata is a South American plant with foliage resembling a small sabal palm. It features pleated grey-green leaves and produces 20-inch tall stalks with clusters of dark violet-blue flowers in May and June.
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Kluis Superba'
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Kluis Superba' is a free-flowering hydrangea with color-changing blooms that vary from deep pink to violet or blue, depending on soil conditions. Bred in the Netherlands, this plant is known for its wide, rounded flower heads, making it perfect for drying or cutting.
Calathea 'Beauty Star'
Calathea 'Beauty Star' is a tropical plant native to the Americas, prized for its decorative leaves. Some species produce colorful inflorescences, making them popular as pot plants. This plant thrives in low light conditions, making it suitable for indoor environments.
Callisia repens 'Variegata'
Callisia repens 'Variegata' is a low trailing plant with small leaves ranging from green with stripes to pink and cream. It is ideal for small hanging baskets and thrives in shade to partial shade. This easy-to-care-for plant is a good choice for beginners.
Alocasia 'Stingray'
Alocasia 'Stingray' is a tropical plant known for its distinctive foliage that resembles the shape of a stingray. It requires a warm environment and thrives in well-lit areas, though it should be kept out of direct sunlight. This plant is a striking addition to any indoor plant collection, appreciated for its unique leaf shape and tropical appeal.
Drosera 'Lantau Island X Anglica'
Drosera 'Lantau Island X Anglica' is a hybrid sundew with a large rosette of paddle-shaped leaves in deep burgundy red. It features numerous tentacles with sparkling "dew drops" and sterile pink blossoms on multi-flowered scapes. This plant thrives in open, sunny, boggy conditions and requires a winter rest for optimal growth.
Veronica 'Moody Blues Dark Blue'
This plant has a season-long bloom from spring until the first frost and a compact, clumping growth habit. It matures to 12-14 inches in height and width and is hardy in USDA zones 6-9. It prefers full sun to part shade and well-drained garden soil rich with organic matter, and should be fertilized in early spring with balanced acidic plant fertilizer.
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Star Gazer'
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Star Gazer' is part of the Double Delight TM collection, featuring large double bi-color pink or blue flowers with a white edge. This plant is suitable for USDA zone 6.
Agave potatorum
Agave potatorum, native to Mexico, is a striking succulent known for its use in mezcal production. It forms a basal rosette with leaves up to 1 foot long, adorned with dark spines. This drought-tolerant plant can produce a flower spike reaching 10 to 20 feet, bearing pale green and yellow flowers. It is recognized for its ornamental value and has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight Prime'
Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight Prime' is a fast-growing shrub with cone-shaped blooms that transition from lime-green to creamy white. It flowers from early summer to fall and features large, deep green leaves. This plant thrives in zones 3-8, requiring full sun or partial shade and consistently moist soil. It can reach a height and width of 4-6 feet.
Begonia cubensis
Begonia cubensis is a perennial plant native to Cuba, recognized for its colorful flowers and small wavy gray/green leaves. It thrives in moist subtropical to tropical climates and prefers well-drained soils. This plant is not preferred for eating due to its bitter taste and has a laxative effect.
Fargesia murielae
Fargesia murielae is a large, clump-forming evergreen bamboo native to the mountains of central China. It grows up to 10-14 feet tall with canes that are about 0.5 inches in diameter. This bamboo is hardy to 5°F and thrives in USDA zones 5 through 9. Its new shoots are light blue with tan sheaths, maturing to yellowish-green, and it prefers afternoon shade. Notably, it is non-invasive and has a monocarpic life cycle, flowering once before dying.
Hydrangea quercifolia 'Little Honey'
Hydrangea quercifolia 'Little Honey' is a plant known for its golden foliage and corky exfoliating bark. It produces small but showy white blooms and bright red fall leaf color. This plant requires protection from hot sun and is a striking addition to gardens with its vibrant foliage and seasonal interest.
Rhododendron 'Hino Crimson'
This short shrub features fiery red flowers that appear in mid-spring and last until summer. Its foliage stays green in summer and turns bronze and red in fall. The plant grows best in partial shade and prefers moist, humus-rich acidic soil that drains well. It grows 2-3 feet tall and 3-5 feet wide and makes a great container plant.
Cryptanthus 'Calypso'
Cryptanthus 'Calypso' is a small tropical indoor plant with light green leaves mottled with dark green and a bright pink overlay. The underside of the leaves is covered with white scurf, adding to its unique appearance.
Hydrangea macrophylla 'All Summer Beauty'
Blooming from early summer to fall, this plant's flower color varies with soil pH. It has medium or dark green oblong leaves with serrated edges and grows 3-4 feet tall and wide. The plant thrives in USDA zones 5-9 and prefers partial shade and moist, well-draining soil.
Goeppertia insignis
Goeppertia insignis, also known as the Rattlesnake Plant, features sword-like leaves with dark green spots and ruffled edges, with a striking reddish-purple underside. Native to Brazil's rainforests, it thrives in low light and can grow up to 3 feet tall. This non-toxic plant is an excellent air purifier and produces bright yellow-orange blooms in late spring and early summer.
Vicia faba
Vicia faba, commonly known as the fava bean, is a versatile plant used both as a cover crop and for human consumption. It is known for its high nitrogen-fixing ability and large, deep roots that improve soil structure. The plant is exceptionally cold-tolerant, able to withstand temperatures as low as 10°F, and grows best in cool conditions. Fava beans produce beautiful white and black flowers that attract pollinators, and the young pods can be eaten like snap beans. However, individuals with G6PD deficiency should avoid handling the seeds or consuming the beans due to potential health risks.
Crassula 'Jade'
Crassula 'Jade' is an evergreen succulent from South Africa with green, finger-like leaves tipped with red. It blooms with small pinkish-white flowers in late fall and early winter.