(Ivy Peperomia)

A compact plant long grown as a houseplant, ivy-leaf peperomia is found in the forest of South America mostly Brazil. It’s highly textured leaves and easy culture make this a favored plant of novice and experienced gardeners.

This species has an unusual but attractive rosette growth habit. It produces dark green leaves that are rounded, heart-shaped or oval with deeply impressed dark veins giving them a quilted appearance. The leaves are held on long reddish petioles (leaf stems) and have a...

(Hybrid Perilla, Magilla Perilla, Purple Shiso)

This fast-growing annual has beautiful foliage, much like that of coleus, but is far more sun tolerant.

Magilla perilla is an attractive, easy-to-grow ornamental valued for its exotic looking hot pink, deep burgundy and green variegated foliage. It has a tall, bushy habit and produces inconspicuous spikes of white flowers that should be removed because they detract from the plant's overall appearance.

Grow 'Magilla' in full to partial sun and average garden soil with moisture and good drainage....

(Perilla, Shiso)

Grown for its attractive, aromatic, edible leaves, this annual from eastern and southern Asia is becoming increasingly popular for both ornamental and culinary gardens. Its oval, medium green, often purple-flushed leaves are paired along erect stems that are square in cross section. The spicily flavored leaves have deeply toothed margins that in some forms are ruffled and crisped. In summer, thin spikes of tiny white flowers appear at the stem tips. An abundance of seed follows, often resulting...

(Purpleleaf Perilla, Purpleleaf Shiso)

Grown for its attractive purple foliage that is aromatic and edible, this annual from eastern and southern Asia is becoming increasingly popular for both ornamental and culinary gardens. Its oval, darkened purpled leaves with teeth are paired along erect stems that are square in cross section. The spicily flavored leaves have deeply toothed margins that in some forms are ruffled and crisped. In summer, thin spikes of tiny white flowers appear at the stem tips. An abundance of seed follows, often...

(Avocado)

Buttery slices of ripe avocado on sandwiches, thick, rich guacamole, milkshakes and salads are just a few of the uses for the versatile fruit of Persea americana. Native to the area from the Rio Grande south through Peru, this tree has been cultivated for centuries. It is now grown worldwide in subtropical and tropical regions as a commercial crop, in home landscapes and orchards.

Extremely variable trees, avocados may be tall and erect to moderately-sized and spreading. The leaves...

(Avocado, Guatemalan and Mexican Avocado)

Buttery slices of ripe avocado on sandwiches, thick, rich guacamole, milkshakes and salads are just a few of the uses for the versatile fruit of Persea americana. Native to the area from the Rio Grande south through Peru, this tree has been cultivated for centuries. It is now grown worldwide in subtropical and tropical regions as a commercial crop, in home landscapes and orchards.

The famous ‘Hass’ avocado cultivar is a Mexican x Guatemalan hybrid. The medium sized fruits are oval...

(Avocado, Guatemalan Avocado)

Buttery slices on sandwiches, thick, rich guacamole, milkshakes, and salads are just a few of the uses for avocadoes, the versatile fruit of Persea americana. Native to the area from the Rio Grande south through Peru, this tree has been cultivated for centuries. It is now grown worldwide in subtropical and tropical regions as a commercial crop, in home landscapes and orchards.

The cultivar ‘Pinkerton’ is a Guatemalan strain. The large fruits are pear-shaped with a long neck. They have...

(Avocado, Guatemalan Avocado)

Buttery slices on sandwiches, rich guacamole, milkshakes, and salads are just a few of the uses for avocados, the versatile fruit of Persea americana. Native to the area from the Rio Grande south through Peru, this tree has been cultivated for centuries. It is now grown worldwide in subtropical and tropical regions as a commercial crop and in home landscapes.

The cultivar ‘Reed’ is a Guatemalan strain. The large fruits are oval with a large seed. The moderately thick skin is easy to...

(Avocado, Mexican Avocado)

Buttery slices of ripe avocado on sandwiches, thick, rich guacamole, milkshakes and salads are just a few of the uses for the versatile fruit of Persea americana. Native to the area from the Rio Grande south through Peru, this tree has been cultivated for centuries. It is now grown worldwide in subtropical and tropical regions as a commercial crop, in home landscapes and orchards.

The cultivar ‘Stewart’ is a Mexican strain. The small to medium fruits are oval to pear-shaped, have...

(Avocado, Mexican Avocado)

Buttery slices of ripe avocado on sandwiches, thick, rich guacamole, milkshakes and salads are just a few of the uses for the versatile fruit of Persea americana. Native to the area from the Rio Grande south through Peru, avocados have been cultivated for centuries. It is now grown worldwide in subtropical and tropical regions as a commercial crop, in home landscapes and orchards.

The cultivar ‘Zutano’ is a Mexican strain. The medium fruits are oval to pear-shaped, have a high oil...