Plants
Loropetalum chinense 'Red Diamond'
This evergreen shrub features candy red blooms in early spring and dark purple foliage. It reblooms from early summer to fall, reaching a mature size of 6 feet tall and wide. It is hardy in USDA Zones 7-10 and prefers full sun to partial shade with well-draining, slightly acidic soil.
Rhexia virginica
Rhexia virginica, also known as Virginia Meadow Beauty, is a US native plant found from Canada to Florida. It is a dwarf, hardy version of tibouchina, producing violet flowers from early August until frost. This perennial herb thrives in moist, often acidic soils and forms large patches up to 3 feet wide in three years. It is adaptable to high pH soils and non-bog garden sites, making it a versatile addition to gardens.
Solanum aethiopicum
Solanum aethiopicum, also known as the ornamental eggplant, is notable for its pumpkin-shaped fruits that are used in Asian cooking. This plant adds a decorative touch to gardens with its unique fruit shape and vibrant color. While primarily grown for ornamental purposes, its fruits are also edible and can be incorporated into various culinary dishes.
Quercus rubra
Quercus rubra, commonly known as the Northern Red Oak, is a fast-growing, long-lived deciduous tree native to the United States. It reaches about 20 feet in height after 10 years and is known for its deeply lobed foliage and outstanding fall color in red and russet tones. This tree produces acorns that serve as food for wildlife and is tolerant of urban conditions, making it a versatile choice for landscapes.
Aeonium canariense
Aeonium canariense is a succulent endemic to Tenerife in the Canary Islands, known for its large rosettes of leaves. It thrives on dry slopes and cliffs, reaching up to 1300 meters in elevation. The plant produces yellow flower spikes that can grow up to 70 cm tall, adding a striking vertical element to its natural habitat.
Hoya carnosa 'Wilbur Graves'
Hoya carnosa 'Wilbur Graves' is a trailing or twining plant with generous splashes of silver variegation. It thrives in bright, indirect light and requires the soil to dry slightly before watering. Optimal humidity is around 50% or more.
Begonia 'Steve's Leaves Illumination'
Begonia 'Steve's Leaves Illumination' is a new cane hybrid with dark bronze leaves on top and red underneath. It produces large clusters of coral pink flowers and blooms most of the year. This plant has a spreading growth habit, making it suitable for hanging baskets and adding vibrant color to indoor or outdoor spaces.
Anthurium regale
Anthurium regale is a striking tropical plant known for its large, velvety heart-shaped leaves with prominent white veins. Native to Peru, it thrives in moderate, indirect light and high humidity, making it a popular choice for indoor plant enthusiasts. The leaves can grow impressively large, and their coloration may vary based on environmental factors. This plant appreciates good airflow and can adapt to both cooler and warmer conditions. It is a cross between two large parent regale plants, contributing to its robust size and unique appearance.
Sarracenia gilpinii
This naturally occurring hybrid (S. rubra x psittacina) features bright red, green, and white pitchers with dominant areoles. The traps turn deep red or maroon in cold weather, and the plant prefers open, sunny, boggy conditions, holding its color into frost. Dark red fragrant flowers bloom in early spring. The plant is perennial and temperate, thriving in bright to partial sun and requiring dormancy.
Harperocallis flava
Harperocallis flava is a federally endangered plant native to the Apalachicola region of Florida. It features 5-inch tall tufts of grass-like foliage and 18-inch stalks with bright yellow, star-shaped flowers in spring.
Cichorium endivia
Cichorium endivia, commonly known as endive or escarole, is a flowering plant species widely cultivated for its edible leaves. It belongs to the genus Cichorium and is often confused with C. intybus.
Alocasia 'Mandalay'
Alocasia 'Mandalay' is a tropical plant admired for its large, textured deep green leaves with slightly ruffled edges and bright white striping. This easy-to-grow aroid thrives in high humidity, indirect light, and requires consistent moisture with well-draining soil. The plant's unique variegation makes each specimen distinct, adding a touch of elegance to indoor or outdoor spaces. It is an intermediate tropical plant, making it suitable for those looking to add a bit of the tropics to their collection.
Hoya hainanensis
Hoya hainanensis is a tropical epiphyte from Vietnam, featuring showy foliage with light green color and dark green veins. It prefers bright, indirect light and should be watered when the soil surface is dry. This plant has a trailing or twining growth habit, making it suitable for hanging baskets or as a climbing plant.
Cynara scolymus
Cynara scolymus, an improved version of the 'Green Globe' artichoke, is a perennial with large grey-green foliage and blue-violet thistle-like flowers. It is grown as an annual in cold climates and is known for its reduced spines and better production.
Carya illinoinensis
Carya illinoinensis, commonly known as the pecan tree, is a fast-growing nut tree native to Texas. It can reach heights of 70 to 100 feet with a branch spread of up to 70 feet. This tree thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, producing large, high-quality nuts with a rich kernel content. It is a Type-1 pollinator, requiring a Type-2 pecan tree for cross-pollination. Known for its disease resistance, particularly to scab, it begins nut production in 5 to 10 years, with harvests occurring in October.
Poinsettia 'Pink'
Poinsettia 'Pink' is a tropical plant native to Mexico and Central America, famous for its colorful foliage used in Christmas displays. While traditionally red and green, it can also feature pink, white, and variegated leaves. The plant's leaf color may change under different lighting conditions.
Physostegia correllii
Physostegia correllii is a rare North American native perennial found in southeast Texas and Louisiana. It forms large colonies with 7-foot tall stems and mauvy pink flowers in early July. This wetland species is pollinated by bumblebees and thrives in sunny conditions.
Begonia 'Smarty Pants'
Begonia 'Smarty Pants' is a large cane-like hybrid with narrow, bright green leaves adorned with large silver spots. It produces clusters of bright pink flowers and can grow 2 to 3 feet tall, making it a vibrant addition to any collection.
Begonia 'Baby Dress'
Begonia 'Baby Dress' is a charming plant with bright green whorled leaves and a dark trim around the edges. It is well-suited for terrariums and vivariums, adding a touch of elegance with its unique foliage.
Hoya chewiorum
Hoya chewiorum is a trailing or twining plant with dark green leaves and pale-yellow star-shaped flowers, found in the Crocker Range of Borneo. It thrives in bright, indirect light and temperatures between 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant should be watered when the soil surface is dry, making it a low-maintenance choice for indoor environments. Its unique flowers and growth habit make it a favorite among Hoya enthusiasts.
Nymphaea 'King Of Blue'
Nymphaea 'King Of Blue' is a tropical water lily with double deep purple petals and green pads. Created by Chaiyaphon Thamasuwan in 1998, this ornamental plant provides shade to reduce algae growth in ponds. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and requires warm conditions, as tropical lilies do not fare well in winter.
Ennealophus euryandrus
Ennealophus euryandrus is a plant native to the northern Argentine provinces of Jujuy and Salta, forming clumps that reach 10 inches tall. It features narrow, iris-like leaves and mauvy-lavender flowers with three falls and a small purple cup. This plant blooms during summer for several months and is winter-hardy in certain climates. Ennealophus euryandrus prefers full to partial sun and well-drained soils, making it a versatile choice for various garden settings.
Anubias barteri
Anubias barteri is a hardy aquatic plant native to West Africa, known for its leathery, dark green leaves and adaptability to various lighting conditions. It can grow both submerged and emersed, making it suitable for aquariums and terrariums. The plant thrives in temperatures between 72-82°F and does not require CO2, although it can enhance growth. Anubias barteri is a slow grower, often used as a midground or background plant, and is easy to care for, making it ideal for beginners. Its rhizome should be attached to a hard surface and kept above the substrate to prevent rot. The plant can reach heights of 6-10 inches and is tolerant of a pH range from 6 to 7.5. It is propagated by dividing the rhizome and can benefit from regular fertilization. Despite its slow growth, it is resilient and can coexist with fish that typically damage plants.
Bulbophyllum clandestinum
Bulbophyllum clandestinum is a cool-growing epiphyte native to Southeast Asia, including Borneo and Vietnam. It features long hanging rhizomes and tiny pseudobulbs, each with a single leaf. The plant produces creamy flowers that are 1-2 inches long. It thrives in humid environments with well-draining soil and requires minimal watering during summer dormancy.
Primula veris
Primula veris is a herbaceous perennial native to temperate Europe and western Asia, known for its deep yellow flowers in spring. It grows to about 10 inches tall and is found in open areas like fields and meadows. This plant has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit and is used in wildflower mixes for landscaping.
Ocimum basilicum 'Ciao Bella Blend'
Ocimum basilicum 'Ciao Bella Blend' is a milder-flavored basil that can be grown indoors year-round. It is ready to harvest in 16 to 25 days and consists of 90% Genovese basil and 10% Dark Opal basil.
Hydrangea paniculata 'Kyushu'
Hydrangea paniculata 'Kyushu' is a plant with large lacy white flowers that bloom from July through fall. Originating from Japan, it features glossy, slender leaves and was introduced to Europe from Kyushu Island. This plant is suitable for gardens in zone 4.