Plants
Gardenia jasminoides 'Fool Proof'
Gardenia jasminoides 'Fool Proof' is a gardenia variety with double, pure white, fragrant blooms that rebloom through fall. It grows to a mature size of 3 to 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide, with slender, glossy green leaves. This shrub tolerates shade and is hardy in USDA zones 7-10, preferring moist, well-draining, acidic soil. Its improved resistance to pests and diseases makes it a reliable choice for gardeners.
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.
Nepenthes ventricosa
Nepenthes ventricosa is a hardy and adaptable carnivorous plant native to the Philippines, known for its waisted, waxy pitchers that range from ivory white to red. It thrives in a variety of conditions, including lowland, intermediate, and highland environments, making it beginner-friendly. This plant is excellent at catching large insects and can be grown indoors or outdoors in warm weather.
Adenia glauca
Adenia glauca is a flowering plant from the Passifloraceae family, native to southern Africa, particularly southeastern Botswana and northern South Africa. It is notable for its enlarged main stem at ground level, which can grow between 1.5 to 11.5 feet tall. This plant is adapted to dry conditions and is often found in rocky or arid environments. Adenia glauca's unique growth form and resilience make it an interesting addition to xeriscaped gardens or collections of drought-tolerant plants. Its ability to thrive in challenging conditions highlights its adaptability and ecological significance in its native habitat.
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.
Citrullus lanatus 'Crimson Sweet'
Citrullus lanatus 'Crimson Sweet' is a classic watermelon variety known for its bright crimson flesh and large size, typically weighing 20-25 pounds. It is well-suited for northern climates and is resistant to common diseases like Fusarium wilt and anthracnose. The fruit's bottom turns ivory when ripe, indicating readiness for harvest. This watermelon is a staple in home gardens due to its reliable quality and sweet taste.
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.
Begonia 'Black Fancy'
Begonia 'Black Fancy' is a rhizomatous hybrid with maroon to black leaves and a fringed margin. It thrives in bright, indirect light and moderate to high humidity, making it suitable as a houseplant. This begonia produces small pink flowers and has a compact growth habit, adding a touch of elegance with its dark, velvety foliage.
Thelypteris palustris
Thelypteris palustris, a US native marsh fern, is known for its light green, lacily-cut fronds and creeping rhizome. It forms a wide patch over time and is more drought-tolerant than other forms. This fern thrives in average garden soils and spreads faster with more water.
Fittonia albivenis 'Stripes Forever'
Fittonia albivenis 'Stripes Forever' is a small-leaved plant with dark green foliage accented by striking white veins. It has a trailing growth habit and thrives in shaded, moist environments, making it a popular choice for terrariums and indoor gardens.
Dasylirion leiophyllum
Dasylirion leiophyllum is a cold-growing dasylirion native to the southwestern United States, found at elevations of 7,000 feet in Texas. This deer-resistant, yucca-like plant features spines along its leaf edges and grows 4 feet tall and wide in ten years. It produces a 12-foot tall flowering spike and is well-suited for xeriscaping and desert landscapes.
Schlumbergera truncata
Schlumbergera truncata, commonly known as the Christmas cactus, is a popular winter-flowering houseplant native to Brazil. It features green, flat stem segments and pink flowers that bloom at the tips. This cactus thrives in bright, indirect light and requires well-draining soil. It is easy to propagate and can live for many years, making it a beloved addition to indoor plant collections.
Kleinia stapeliiformis
Kleinia stapeliiformis, native to South Africa, is an upright succulent with fleshy blue-green, pencil-like stems that trail when mature. It produces bright reddish-orange flowers in summer and thrives in bright sun to partial shade. This drought-tolerant plant requires a well-draining, chunky potting mixture and moderate watering during the growing season, with a dry period in winter. It can withstand temperatures from 50 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, making it suitable for various climates. Its unique appearance and resilience make it an interesting addition to succulent collections.
Peperomia rugosa
Peperomia rugosa is a small tropical indoor plant with thick, dark maroon leaves that have red undersides. Over time, the leaf margins develop a lime green hue, adding to its visual appeal. This easy-care plant is suitable for low-light environments, making it a great choice for indoor settings.
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.
Allium cepa 'Monastrell'
Allium cepa 'Monastrell' is a late-season, intermediate-day onion known for its uniform, slightly flattened red globes, measuring 3.5 to 4 inches in diameter. This variety is particularly resistant to sunscald and has a high percentage of single-centered bulbs, making it ideal for growing in latitudes between 32 and 42 degrees. Its robust nature and consistent quality make it a reliable choice for onion enthusiasts.
Philodendron 'Bloody Mary'
Philodendron 'Bloody Mary' is a striking plant with deep red stems and new burgundy leaves that turn green. It thrives in bright, indirect light but can handle medium light, making it an easy-to-propagate addition to indoor plant collections.
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.
Dryopteris varia
Dryopteris varia is a semi-evergreen fern native to parts of Asia, including China and Japan. It features fronds that emerge with a bronze coloration and is slow-growing, thriving in evenly moist soil. This fern is easy to grow and adds a touch of elegance to shaded garden areas.
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.
Hoya 'Mathilde'
Hoya 'Mathilde' is a cross between Hoya carnosa and Hoya serpens, featuring small, succulent, ovate leaves with silver spots. It produces white, fuzzy flowers in spherical clusters with a sweet fragrance. This plant prefers partial sun and temperatures between 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. It should be watered only when the soil is dry to the touch, making it a low-maintenance choice for indoor gardens.
Malus domestica 'Red Delicious'
Malus domestica 'Red Delicious' is a classic apple variety known for its deep red peel and sweet-flavored white flesh. It produces medium to large fruit that ripens from September to October and is a reliable pollinator for other apple varieties. This tree grows up to 15-20 feet tall and wide, thriving in USDA zones 4-8 with full sun and well-drained soil.
Sansevieria 'Golden Hahnii'
Sansevieria 'Golden Hahnii' is an easy-care houseplant with long, sword-shaped leaves featuring dark green foliage with yellow variegation. It is tolerant of low light levels and is known for its hardiness, making it a reliable choice for indoor environments.
Ipomoea purpurea
Ipomoea purpurea, a vigorous vine native to Mexico and Central America, is known for its heart-shaped leaves and trumpet-shaped flowers in blue, purple, and white. This plant covers fences and trellises, adding vertical interest to gardens. It prefers moist, rich soil and can self-sow, making it a resilient choice for warm temperate and subtropical regions. However, it is toxic if ingested, so caution is advised.
Heteropterys glabra
Heteropterys glabra is a South American native plant known for its bright yellow flowers and red maple-like samaras in late summer. It grows up to 4 feet tall and 6 feet wide in five years, thriving in well-drained soils. This plant can be grown in containers and is used in South America as a sedative and invigorating tonic.
Tanacetum parthenium
Tanacetum parthenium, commonly known as feverfew, is a flowering plant in the daisy family with pungently-scented leaves and daisy-like flowers. It is a herbaceous perennial that can grow into a small bush up to 28 inches high. Native to Eurasia, it has spread worldwide and is hardy to USDA zone 5. Feverfew is used in traditional medicine and contains parthenolide, which is under research for potential cancer properties.
Viola cornuta
Viola cornuta 'King Henry' is a low-growing, clump-forming perennial native to the Pyrenees and northern Spain. It features delicate pale violet flowers with five strap-shaped petals and a slender spur, blooming in early summer. This plant is ideal for spring bulb cover and fall color, with edible petals suitable for garnishing. It is hardy in USDA zones 6-11 and is known for its mid-green ovate leaves with rounded teeth.