Plants
Aphelandra squarrosa 'Zebra Plant'
Aphelandra squarrosa, commonly known as the Zebra Plant, features vibrant green leaves with bold white stripes. It requires consistently moist soil and thrives in bright, indirect light with higher humidity levels. This plant prefers temperatures between 65-75°F and benefits from a well-draining, peat-based potting mix.
Sarracenia 'Dixie Lace'
Sarracenia 'Dixie Lace' is a vigorous hybrid carnivorous plant introduced by Larry Mellichamp and Rob Gardner. It features sturdy, upright pitchers with dramatic red veining and maroon-red flowers that bloom in April and May. This plant is suitable for damp, sunny sites and is easy to grow, making it a popular choice for bog gardens and greenhouses. It holds its color into the frost and can last for up to two years, with traps darkening to maroon in the fall.
Gunnera manicata
Gunnera manicata, native to the Serra do Mar mountains of Brazil, is a large, clump-forming perennial known for its massive leaves that can exceed 4 feet in diameter. The plant has spikes on the underside of its leaves and stalks, and it bears tiny red-green flowers in early summer. It forms a symbiotic relationship with blue-green algae for nitrogen fixation. Gunnera manicata requires a cool, moist site and is challenging to grow outside of climates similar to the West Coast.
Mammillaria prolifera
The Texas nipple cactus, Mammillaria prolifera, is a low-growing cactus that forms colonies up to 2 feet in diameter. It is native to regions from Mexico to the Caribbean and features yellowish-white to pinkish-yellow flowers. This cactus prefers a porous soil mix with minimal organic matter and requires bright light with some direct sun. It is sensitive to frost but can withstand short periods of cold down to 23°F.
Koelreuteria paniculata
Koelreuteria paniculata, also known as the golden rain tree, is a four-seasons ornamental tree with yellow blooms and a distinctive Chinese lantern seed display. It features an umbrella-shaped canopy and orange-yellow fall color, making it a popular choice for urban forestry. This tree is drought-tolerant, fast-growing, and adaptable to various soil types, providing a tough and easy-care option for landscapes.
Zephyranthes candida
Zephyranthes candida, also known as the rain lily, is native to South America and features deep glossy green leaves with erect white flowers. It blooms in late summer and performs best in full sun to part shade with medium wet soil. This semi-evergreen plant is propagated by dividing bulbs or offsets.
Trillium vaseyi
Trillium vaseyi, commonly known as sweet wakerobin, is a spring-flowering perennial native to the southeastern United States. It features large, nodding red flowers and thrives in rich woodlands, often near streams. This plant is named after botanist George Vasey and is considered vulnerable due to its limited range. It grows as a single or double stalk and is propagated by seeds, taking 7-8 years to mature. Its presence in moist, shaded areas makes it a valuable addition to native plant gardens.
Senecio herreianus
Senecio herreianus, a creeping succulent, is characterized by its bead-like leaves that taper to a point. It prefers partial shade or bright indirect light and requires dry soil between waterings. This plant belongs to the Asteraceae family.
Cleyera japonica 'Romeo'
This variegated Cleyera features leathery dark green leaves with buttery golden edges that turn rosy pink to red in fall and winter. It is compact with dense foliage, reaching 6-8 feet tall and 6 feet wide. The plant is disease and pest resistant, heat tolerant, and prefers full sun to part shade and well-draining soil.
Peperomia caperata
Peperomia caperata, also known as 'Ripple Peperomia', is a mound-forming evergreen perennial native to Brazil. It features corrugated heart-shaped leaves and narrow spikes of white flowers in summer. This easygoing plant thrives in typical room conditions and requires minimal care.
Buxus microphylla 'Sprinter'
This evergreen plant has dense, compact branches and thrives in zones 5-9. It requires partial shade to full sun and grows 3-6 inches per year, reaching up to 4 feet in height and width. It is adaptable to various soil types but requires well-drained soil.
Alocasia 'Ebony'
Alocasia 'Ebony' is a tropical plant with arrow-shaped leaves in deep green, accented by light green to silver veins. It requires high moisture and thrives in low light conditions, making it a perfect choice for indoor environments. This plant is also known for its air-purifying qualities.
Hydrangea paniculata 'Chantilly Lace'
Hydrangea paniculata 'Chantilly Lace' is an early-blooming hydrangea with a tight habit and dark green leaves. Its blooms transition from white in July to pink in August and deep pink in fall, turning back to creamy white after the first frost.
Ceropegia sandersonii
Ceropegia sandersonii, native to southern Africa, is an evergreen, prostrate twiner with sparse, succulent leaves. It features greenish-white funnel-shaped flowers that act as biological fly-pollinated pitfall traps. Known for mimicking the scent of injured bees, it attracts Desmometopa flies. This succulent vine is cultivated as a houseplant and has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Gossypium thurberi
Gossypium thurberi is an Arizona native perennial cotton plant, reaching 4 feet in height with mallow-like leaves. It produces small white flowers that turn pink on the second day and small purple cotton bolls. The foliage turns red in fall, and the plant requires very dry soil in winter.
Begonia 'Harmony's Witchy Woman'
Begonia 'Harmony's Witchy Woman' is a bushy plant known for its colorful flowers, which can be red, pink, yellow, or white. This plant's vibrant blooms and compact growth habit make it a popular choice for adding color to indoor and outdoor spaces. Its versatility and striking appearance make it a favorite among begonia enthusiasts.
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Lilacina'
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Lilacina' is a charming shrub known for its mauve to blue lacecap flowers and light green foliage. Part of the Mariesii family, it was bred in France by Victor Lemoine in 1904. This hydrangea has a long flowering period and is well-suited for wooded settings. It thrives in USDA zone 6, making it a versatile addition to gardens in temperate climates.
Hoodia pilifera
Hoodia pilifera, also known as Trichocaulon piliferum, is a leafless succulent native to South Africa. It grows up to 80 cm tall and features erect stems with pinkish-brown flowers that bloom in August or September. This plant is frost-sensitive and thrives in full sun or partial shade, requiring occasional watering during the growing season. Its unique appearance and low water needs make it a popular choice for succulent enthusiasts.
Neoregelia 'Cheers'
Neoregelia 'Cheers' is a small-sized bromeliad with bright green leaves adorned with pinkish-purple dots and lines. This epiphytic plant holds water in its leaves and forms pups from the mature plant. It requires fresh water weekly and adequate ventilation to thrive. Its vibrant appearance and adaptability make it a popular choice for tropical plant collections.
Chionanthus virginicus
Chionanthus virginicus, a North American native tree, is known for its showy white flowers in spring and yellow fall color. Female trees produce dark blue berries in winter, and it is tolerant of air pollutants, thriving in USDA zones 3-9.
Buddleja alternifolia
Buddleja alternifolia is a deciduous shrub endemic to Gansu, China, known for its narrow, grey-green leaves and long, thin panicles of light lavender flowers. It grows up to 16 feet tall and flowers in early summer, adding a fragrant touch to gardens. This shrub prefers sunny positions and loamy soil, and it is fully hardy, making it a reliable choice for various landscapes.
Gardenia jasminoides 'Frostproof'
Gardenia jasminoides 'Frostproof' is an evergreen shrub known for its fragrant white flowers that bloom from mid-spring to fall. This plant is cold-hardy and low-maintenance, featuring dark-green, glossy foliage and an upright, dense growth habit. It is deer resistant and thrives in USDA zones 7-10, preferring full sun to partial shade and well-draining, acidic soil. With a mature height of 4-5 feet and a width of 3-4 feet, 'Frostproof' is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a reliable and aromatic addition to their landscape. Its resilience and beauty make it a popular choice for both novice and experienced gardeners.
Gongora batemanni
Gongora batemanni is an orchid species found across Central America, from Mexico to Costa Rica. Known for its unique and intricate flowers, this orchid thrives in warm, humid environments typical of its native regions. It is a favorite among orchid collectors due to its exotic appearance and adaptability to various growing conditions.
Clerodendrum speciosum
Clerodendrum speciosum is a tropical shrub native to Indonesia and Papuasia, known for its pink blooms. It has naturalized in parts of Latin America, Africa, the Caribbean, Seychelles, and Florida. This plant adds a vibrant touch to tropical gardens.
Diplazium hachijoense
Diplazium hachijoense is a fern native to China, Japan, and Korea, known for its slowly creeping black rhizome and deeply cut evergreen fronds. The triangular-shaped fronds can grow up to 2 feet long, forming clumps that reach 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide over seven years. This fern thrives in light shade and is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 7b to 9b.
Echeveria elegans
Echeveria elegans, native to Mexico, is a succulent evergreen perennial known for its pale green-blue fleshy leaves and pink flowers with yellow tips. It grows to 5-10 cm tall and 50 cm wide, thriving in subtropical climates. This plant is ideal for rock gardens or as a potted plant, requiring well-draining soil and bright light. It has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Caladium 'Thai Pink'
Caladium 'Thai Pink' is a vibrant plant with pink leaves accented by white hues and green veining. As the foliage matures, it becomes lighter in color. This plant thrives in bright, indirect light but can tolerate direct sunlight.