(Snow Bush)

Snow bush is a tropical evergreen shrub to small tree that is native to regions throughout Melanesia. When mature it develops gently arching branches and a vase-shaped habit. It is grown primarily for its showy foliage that is often variegated in shades of green, pink and cream. Its insignificant flowers are green.

Overall, snow bush grows best in sites with partial sun and humus rich soil with average drainage. It grows quickly and is tolerant of high heat and humidity. Plants don’t respond...

(Hawaiian Snow Bush, Rosy Snow Bush, Snow Bush)

Snowbush is a lovely tropical shrub that has ovate green and white leaves, 'Roseo Picta' also has leaves with pink mottling and reddened stems and pink new foliage. This plant has insignificant green flowers, but its showy foliage looks great all growing season. This native of the southern Pacific islands may also be grown as a tender perennial.

Snowbush prefers part-sun and humus rich, well-drained soil. Plant snowbush in a container, mixed border or massed planting, especially under a cluster...

(Perennial Quaking Grass)

Common quaking grass is a perennial, tufted grass grown mostly for its interesting seed pods. It is native to Eurasia and naturalized in the cooler regions of North America. The leaves are linear, narrow, flat, upright and green to blue-green in color. Common quaking grass spreads slowly by rhizome (underground stem). Flowers are small and green held in lacy branched heads on stiff, leafless stalks well above the foliage, doubling the size of the plant. They appear later spring into summer. The fruit...

(Rose-of-Venezuela, Scarlet Flame Bean)

A comparatively easy-to-grow tropical flowering tree, scarlet flame bean readily produces clusters of scarlet or red flowers and has pink emerging leaves. The flower clusters look like flaring flamenco skirts. This small tropical evergreen tree is native to Venezuela, Guyana and the forests of north-central Brazil. It attains an upright to spreading habit with irregular branching. Branch tips often arch or weep.

The long green leaves are compound, each with 10 to 18 elliptical leaflets. In...

(Lantern Brownea, Rose-of-Venezuela)

Lantern brownea readily produces plump, balled clusters of crimson to rose-red flowers and displays ornate, pink new foliage resembling handkerchiefs. The large flower clusters look like pendent crepe paper balls. This small tropical evergreen tree is native to Venezuela, Guyana and north-central Brazil's forests. It attains an upright to spreading habit with irregular branching. Branch tips often arch or weep.

The long green leaves are compound, each with 10 to 18 elliptical leaflets. In chilly...

(Rose-of-the-jungle, Rose-of-Venezuela)

The famed rose-of-Venezuela produces a tightly packed ball of pink-magenta to salmon-red flowers that look somewhat like large roses. The newly emerging foliage is amusingly speckled and floppy. This tropical evergreen tree is native to the rainforests of northern Venezuela and Trinidad in northern South America. Its habit is spreading and irregular.

Mature leaves on the rose-of-Venezuela are leathery and deep green. Each compound leaf contains five to 11 pairs of long, oval leaflets. Newly...

(Panama-flame Tree, Rose-of-Venezuela)

A glamorous tropical tree with pink, floppy new foliage and vivid red flowers, the Panama-flame tree is a sight to see in the warmest months of the year. It's a large but slow-growing evergreen native to the rainforest understory from Panama to Colombia. When young, the tree is gangly with low-spreading branches, but as it ages it develops a short trunk and a tall, dome-like habit with pendulous foliage.

Panama-flame tree's leaves are compound, with two to six long, tapering, oval leaflets....

(Angel's Trumpet, Brugmansia, Frosty Pink Angel's Brugmansia)

The dramatic, pale coral pink and white blooms of ‘Frosty Pink’ make this tropical perennial a winner in southerly gardens and container plantings. This angel’s trumpet is a highly ornamental evergreen shrub to small tree. Throughout the season it produces huge, pendulous, trumpet-shaped blooms that are white edged in pink. These are fragrant, attract moths and contrast nicely with its large soft green leaves.

Heat, humidity and sun-loving, angel’s trumpet grows best in fertile, organic-rich...

(Angel's Trumpet, Brugmansia, Peaches and Cream Brugmansia)

Beautifully variegated foliage and peachy pendulous flowers distinguish ‘Peaches and Cream.’ This angel’s trumpet is a highly ornamental evergreen shrub to small tree. Throughout the season it produces huge, pendulous, trumpet-shaped blooms that are soft apricot. These are fragrant, attract moths and contrast nicely with its large medium green leaves edged in cream.

Heat, humidity and sun-loving, angel’s trumpet grows best in fertile, organic-rich soil with good drainage and requires regular...

(Yellow Angel's Trumpet)

Prized for its huge scented flowers, this broadleaf evergreen from the northern Andes grows as a small multi-stemmed tree in the wild. Showy, trumpet-shaped, golden or white blooms dangle from its spreading branches in summer and fall. Each flower broadens at its tip into five pointed backswept lobes. The blossoms cast a heavy fragrance after dark, attracting moths and other night-flying pollinators. The large, oval, smooth or hairy leaves alternate along the stems. Mature plants bear smooth-margined...