Plants
Hydrangea paniculata 'Unique'
Hydrangea paniculata 'Unique' is known for its extremely tall flower panicles that bloom white and mature to pink. This cold-hardy plant grows 6-10 feet in height and width and attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and is adaptable to various weather conditions.
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.
Nepenthes gymnamphora
Nepenthes gymnamphora is a highland tropical plant native to Java and Sumatra, known for its dark coloration and pitcher-like structures. It grows at altitudes ranging from 600 to 2,800 meters and thrives in humid environments. This plant is part of a taxonomic debate with related species and is appreciated for its unique appearance and adaptability to highland conditions.
Pachypodium lamerei
Pachypodium lamerei, native to Madagascar, is a stem succulent with a shiny silver trunk and long, sharp spines. It grows up to 6 feet indoors and 15 feet outdoors, thriving in bright, indirect light and high humidity. This plant is drought-tolerant and known for its large, fragrant flowers.
Stenocereus pruinosus
Stenocereus pruinosus is a cactus native to Mexico, known for its tree-like form with branching stems that can reach heights of 13 to 16 feet. It features a light glaucous trunk with dark green shoots and produces funnel-shaped white flowers near the shoot tips. The cactus bears green fruit tinged with red, containing edible red flesh. It is drought-tolerant and requires ample light, making it suitable for well-draining, porous soil.
Aglaonema 'Red Siam'
Native to Asia, this plant has pink stems and bright red midribs with colorfully marbled leaves. It tolerates various indoor conditions and adds a vibrant touch to any space.
Vaccinium ashei 'Tifblue'
Vaccinium ashei 'Tifblue' is a prolific fruit-producing blueberry variety from the rabbit-eye family, known for its heat tolerance and large, dark blue berries. It blooms with white and pink bell-shaped flowers in early spring and requires cross-pollination for optimal fruit production.
Diospyros 'Nikita's Gift'
This plant is a hybrid of American and Japanese persimmon, known for producing large, succulent fruit with a sweet and tangy flavor. It is a compact variety, growing to a height of 10-15 feet, and takes 2-4 years to bear fruit. The fruit is astringent and should be fully ripened before eating. It prefers full sunlight and is adaptable to various soil types, provided they are well-draining.
Pediomelum canescens
Pediomelum canescens is a native plant of the Southeastern US, forming a 2.5-foot tall by 2.5-foot wide clump with heavily-branched stalks. It produces small flowers that are blue in bud and open to creamy white, thriving in prairies and open woodlands.
Huernia zebrina
Huernia zebrina is a unique succulent known for its striking stem shapes and colors, native to southern Africa. It thrives in bright light and requires minimal watering, making it ideal for sunny indoor spots or summer patios. This drought-tolerant plant prefers a well-draining soil mix, often enhanced with pumice or perlite. It is recognized for its ability to reproduce in various ways and is a recipient of the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. Huernia zebrina is well-suited for container gardening and can be a fascinating addition to any succulent collection.
Epipremnum aureum
Epipremnum aureum, commonly known as pothos, is a popular houseplant native to Mo'orea, French Polynesia. It is an evergreen vine that can grow up to 20 feet tall, using aerial roots to climb. The plant is known for its heart-shaped leaves with green and yellow variegation, making it a decorative choice for indoor spaces. Pothos is an effective air purifier, removing pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene. It thrives in bright, indirect light but can tolerate low light conditions. However, it is toxic to pets and humans if ingested, so caution is advised.
Drosera occidentalis
Drosera occidentalis is a carnivorous plant endemic to Western Australia, found in wetlands between Perth and Pinjarra. It has the smallest leaf-blades of any Drosera species, measuring just 1 millimeter in diameter. This unique plant is adapted to its specialized habitat.
Echinodorus 'Pink Princess'
Echinodorus 'Pink Princess' is an aquatic plant with vibrant pink to reddish leaves and a heavy root system. It requires a nutrient-rich substrate and moderate lighting, growing up to 20 inches tall.
Camellia sasanqua 'Shishi Gashira'
Camellia sasanqua 'Shishi Gashira' is an evergreen shrub with hot pink flowers and a golden yellow center. It blooms from late fall to early spring and grows up to 4-5 feet tall with a 6-8 foot spread. This acid-loving plant is drought-tolerant once established and thrives in USDA zones 7 to 10.
Scadoxus puniceus
Scadoxus puniceus, native to South Africa, is known for its unique flower head resembling an orange shaving cream brush. It emerges in mid-April with speckled stems and glossy leaves. This plant is used medicinally and can be grown outdoors in Zone 7b or as a potted plant in colder areas.
Pilea hitchcockii
Pilea hitchcockii is a fast-growing plant from Ecuador, featuring leaves that range from bronze red to deep green with a silver sheen. It thrives in bright, indirect light and moderate humidity, making it suitable for vivariums. This plant is easy to propagate through pruning and replanting, and it can tolerate lower light conditions.
Drymonia turrialvae
Drymonia turrialvae is a plant from the Gesneriaceae family, native to the cloud forests of Costa Rica. It is ideal for terrariums or small spaces, thriving in high humidity and indirect light.
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.
Camellia sasanqua 'White Shi Shi'
Camellia sasanqua 'White Shi Shi' is a compact shrub with white, double blooms from October to January. It grows 3-4 feet tall and wide, with sturdy branches and evergreen foliage. This heat-tolerant plant thrives in full sun to partial shade and is hardy in USDA Zones 7-9.
Olea europaea 'Olive Tree'
Olea europaea, commonly known as the Olive Tree, is a small evergreen tree native to the Mediterranean region. It is cultivated for its olives, which are used to produce olive oil, a product of significant cultural and economic importance. This tree is well-suited for warm climates and adds a touch of the Mediterranean to gardens.
Stanhopea candida
Stanhopea candida, an orchid species native to Central and South America, is renowned for its fragrant 'upside-down' flowers. It thrives in bright, indirect light with high humidity and good air circulation, making it a unique addition to tropical plant collections.
Mertensia virginica
Mertensia virginica, commonly known as Virginia bluebells, is an early spring flowering perennial native to eastern North America. It features large green leaves and small, bell-shaped flowers that transition from pink buds to sky-blue blooms. This spring ephemeral thrives in rich, moist woods and attracts a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The plant is also edible and has been used in traditional Native American medicine. Its delicate beauty and ecological benefits make it a cherished addition to woodland gardens.
Alternanthera 'Red Broad Leaf'
Alternanthera 'Red Broad Leaf' is a beginner-friendly plant with red stems and greenish-yellow hues. It thrives in high nitrates and phosphates and is suitable for terrariums, vivariums, or bogs.
Geogenanthus poeppigii
Geogenanthus poeppigii is a decorative houseplant from the Amazon, known for its wavy-edged leaves with vibrant green patterns. It requires bright, indirect light and high humidity, making it ideal for indoor environments. This compact plant grows around 12 inches tall and 18 inches wide, adding a touch of the tropics to any space.
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.
Amelanchier canadensis
This multi-stemmed shrub or small tree features early clusters of white flowers, dazzling fall colors, and dark edible berries. It has glossy silver-gray bark and provides refuge and food for wildlife, growing to a height of 25-30 feet and a spread of 15-20 feet.
Dracunculus canariensis
Dracunculus canariensis is a winter-growing species native to the Canary Islands and Madeira. It features 3-foot tall stalks with hand-shaped green leaves and sweet, fruit-scented white flowers. The plant is summer dormant and best grown indoors in colder zones.