Plants
Actaea racemosa
Actaea racemosa, commonly known as black cohosh, is a perennial plant native to eastern North America, thriving in woodland habitats. It is recognized for its tall spikes of small white flowers that bloom in late spring and early summer, emitting a sweet yet fetid aroma that attracts various insects. Historically, it has been used in traditional medicine, particularly for women's health issues, although modern use raises safety concerns. This plant prefers moist, compost-rich soil and is resistant to deer, making it a low-maintenance choice for shaded gardens. It has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit and was named the 2017 wildflower of the year by the Virginia Native Plant Society. Despite its medicinal properties, caution is advised due to potential allergic reactions and liver damage. Black cohosh is a member of the Ranunculus family and is a notable addition to gardens for its unique floral display and historical significance.
Anthurium 'Mystique'
Anthurium 'Mystique' is a plant with palette-shaped leaves and contrasting dark green foliage. It is a striking addition to any plant collection, known for its unique leaf shape.
Sedum lineare 'Variegatum'
Sedum lineare 'Variegatum' is an evergreen groundcover known for its striking green leaves edged in white. This low-growing perennial forms a non-weedy mat and is highly drought-tolerant, making it ideal for sunny locations. It rarely flowers, but when it does, it produces small yellow blooms. The plant thrives in well-draining soil and requires minimal watering, making it a low-maintenance choice for gardeners. It can withstand temperatures as low as 40°F, but prefers ample light to maintain its vibrant foliage. This sedum is versatile in reproduction and can adapt to various garden settings, including rock gardens and living walls.
Ruscus aculeatus
Ruscus aculeatus, also known as butcher's broom, is a rare evergreen shrub with narrow, sharp foliage. It grows up to three feet tall and four feet wide, thriving in dry shade. This plant is deer-resistant and requires a male or bisexual companion to produce red berries.
Scutellaria ovata
Scutellaria ovata, a member of the mint family, is a perennial plant native to regions from Minnesota to Florida and Mexico. It grows to about 2 feet tall with heart-shaped green leaves and blue-purple flowers resembling miniature snapdragons. This plant thrives in well-drained soils and may go dormant in extreme drought.
Lupinus texensis
Lupinus texensis, the state flower of Texas, is an annual plant that thrives in naturalized wildflower areas. Known for its tall plumes of blue flowers, it attracts bees and butterflies, adding life to gardens. This plant self-sows readily and grows best in moist conditions, with seedlings emerging in the fall. Its seeds have a hard coat and can be scarified to improve germination.
Kalanchoe sexangularis
Kalanchoe sexangularis is a succulent perennial with reddish shoots and green to deep ruby-red leaves. It blooms in winter with yellow flowers and is common in southern Africa, thriving in rocky, shaded areas.
Primulina 'Joanne Martinez'
Primulina 'Joanne Martinez' is an easy-care houseplant known for its striking leaf markings. It thrives in bright, indirect light and requires well-draining soil. Regular fertilization with a diluted houseplant fertilizer helps maintain its vibrant appearance. This plant is a member of the African violet family and is appreciated for its ornamental foliage. Its adaptability and low maintenance make it a popular choice for indoor gardening enthusiasts.
Asplenium 'Leslie'
Asplenium 'Leslie' is a fern known for its distinct fronds. It is pet-friendly and suitable for indoor growing, making it a popular choice for plant enthusiasts.
Pyrrosia porosa
Pyrrosia porosa, commonly known as the tongue fern, is native to regions from India to the Philippines. It grows on tree trunks at elevations between 3,000 and 8,500 feet, featuring thick, dark green, evergreen fronds with a brown indumentum on the leaf back. This fern is suitable for well-draining slopes or as a pot specimen, thriving in part sun to shade. Its adaptability and unique appearance make it a popular choice for tropical and subtropical gardens.
Goeppertia roseopicta 'Little Princess'
Goeppertia roseopicta 'Little Princess' is a charming plant known for its air-purifying qualities. Its leaves curl up at night and unfurl in the morning, adding a dynamic element to its appearance. It thrives in bright, indirect sunlight and requires a moist, high-humidity environment.
Rossioglossum schlieperianum
Rossioglossum schlieperianum is an orchid native to Central America, known for its showy and often fragrant blooms. It requires bright, indirect light and well-draining growing media, thriving in environments with proper humidity levels.
Vallisneria spiralis 'Leopard'
Vallisneria spiralis 'Leopard' is a background aquarium plant with a distinctive leopard stripe on its leaves. It grows upright with long, slender leaves and turns red under high light. This fast-growing plant is suitable for beginners and does not require CO2, thriving in both stagnant and flowing waters.
Hydrangea paniculata 'Brussels Lace'
Hydrangea paniculata 'Brussels Lace' is a dwarf variety known for its lacy blooms that appear from July until the first frost. With dark green foliage, this plant is a seedling of 'Unique' and was bred by Rober and Jelena de Belder in 1975.
Prosthechea prismatocarpa
Prosthechea prismatocarpa is an epiphytic orchid celebrated for its distinctive and intricate flowers. It adapts to diverse habitats in Central and South America, making it a versatile addition to orchid collections. This plant is known for its unique floral patterns.
Drosera paleacea ssp. roseana
Drosera paleacea ssp. roseana is a pygmy sundew from Western Australia, known for its orangey-red leaves in a dense rosette. It thrives in sunny, humid spots with sandy-peat soil and produces small, fragrant white flowers in mid-summer.
Begonia 'Steve's Leaves Dorian Gray'
Begonia 'Steve's Leaves Dorian Gray' is a rhizomatous hybrid with striking silver-grey leaves adorned with pink or silver spots. The leaves have toothed and undulated margins, and the plant shows its best color in lower light conditions. This begonia is part of a trio of hybrids derived from B. 'Grey Nurse' and B. lyniceorum, making it a unique addition to indoor plant collections.
Agave victoriae-reginae
Agave victoriae-reginae, native to Mexico, is a slow-growing succulent known for its tight rosettes and thick, dark green leaves with dramatic white bands. It is drought-tolerant and requires full sun and well-draining soil. This plant is hardy in USDA zones 9-12 and blooms after 40 years, after which it dies.
Peperomia 'Obtipan'
Peperomia 'Obtipan' is a small, easy-care houseplant with a diverse appearance, featuring various leaf shapes and colors. Its compact size and low maintenance make it a popular choice for indoor plant enthusiasts.
Arisaema dracontium
Arisaema dracontium, commonly known as Jack-in-the-Pulpit, is a native North American perennial often found in damp woods. It forms a clump with a dusty-green stalk and a unique arrangement of 7-15 leaflets. The plant features a narrow green hood with a yellow tongue-like spadix. It can grow up to 3 feet tall in dry shade and produces orange-red berries. The plant is listed as vulnerable in Canada and is known for its distinctive inflorescence.
Pilea grandifolia 'Coral'
Pilea grandifolia 'Coral', also known as Copper Pilea, is a bushy plant with quilted copper-colored leaves and tiny pinkish flowers. It grows up to 10 to 12 inches tall and prefers shade to part shade environments.
Begonia 'Black Magic'
This plant grows from a creeping rhizome and has very dark leaves with a pebbled texture. It requires medium indirect sunlight or 8-10 hours under grow lights, high humidity, and well-drained soil. It should be watered every 3-4 days and fertilized every 4 weeks in summer and every 12 weeks in winter.
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Horben'
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Horben' is a compact, free-flowering plant with tightly packed petals. Its sturdy foliage can withstand some sun, and the flower color can change to pink or blue. Bred in Switzerland in 1973, this hydrangea is a versatile addition to gardens.
Buddleja 'Lil' Lavender'
This plant has light purple flowers and attracts pollinators like butterflies and bees. It is ideal for containers and smaller gardens, maturing to 2-3 feet high and wide. It is easy-care, prune-free, and water-wise once established, blooming in summer and continuing into fall. It grows best in full sun to part shade.
Thermopsis lanceolata
Thermopsis lanceolata, native to Russia, is an early-season flowering perennial with bright yellow, baptisia-like flowers. It grows in 3-foot tall clumps with peanut-like leaves and thrives in sunny locations.
Begonia 'Steve's Leaves Flashing Flurry'
Begonia 'Steve's Leaves Flashing Flurry' is a rhizomatous hybrid with palmate leaves featuring grey, silver, and bright green venation. The leaves have a red reverse and are covered with white hairs on the stems and margins. This plant thrives in bright, indirect light and requires humidity levels between 50-65%. It grows 6 to 10 inches tall and should be watered when the top two inches of soil are dry.
Hydrangea serrata 'Painter's Pallett'
Hydrangea serrata 'Painter's Pallett' is a compact shrub known for its disease resistance and vigorous growth. It features white, green, and pink blooms and dark green foliage. This plant is ideal for adding a splash of color to gardens and is well-suited for various landscapes.
Hibiscus lasiocarpos
Hibiscus lasiocarpos, or hairy-fruited hibiscus, is a large, bushy perennial herb native to the southeastern United States and parts of Mexico. It features heart-shaped leaves and bright white petals with red bases. The plant produces a capsule fruit containing spherical seeds, adding interest to its appearance.
Goeppertia veitchiana
Goeppertia veitchiana, also known as 'Medallion Calathea', is a houseplant with large, show-stopping foliage featuring dark green and bright pink patterns. It thrives in medium to bright indirect light and high humidity, requiring well-draining soil and distilled water to avoid leaf distress.
Xerosicyos perrieri
Xerosicyos perrieri is a succulent native to Madagascar, known for its ability to thrive in full sun and temperatures ranging from 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. It requires low humidity and should be watered only when the soil is completely dry. This plant is part of the Cucurbitaceae family and is well-suited for dry, sunny environments.