(Snowdrop)

A double form that has been known in gardens for at least 300 years, 'Flore Pleno' is often found naturalized both within and outside common snowdrop's native range of Spain to Ukraine. Like other common snowdrops, it is a small perennial bulb that produces a single flower in winter or early spring.

Nodding from a slender arching stem ("pedicel") atop an erect ankle-high scape, the white, honey-scented flower has numerous petal-like segments in two whorls. The three to five outer segments are...

(Galeandra)

Intrigue, murder and thievery have followed the orchid; world explorations have been launched and fortunes won all in the pursuit of these exotic flowers. Since the 19th century, when tropical orchids were first introduced to Europe, orchids have inspired human desire and greed because of their rarity, collectability and indescribable beauty.

Measured in geologic time Orchidaceae was once thought to be a newer family but recent research has shown it is much older. One of the largest plant families,...

(Bauer's Galeandra)

Intrigue, murder and thievery have followed the orchid; world explorations have been launched and fortunes won all in the pursuit of these exotic flowers. Since the 19th century, when tropical orchids were first introduced to Europe, orchids have inspired human desire and greed because of their rarity, collectability and indescribable beauty.

Measured in geologic time Orchidaceae was once thought to be a newer family but recent research has shown it is much older. One of the largest plant families,...

(Shower-of-Gold, Smooth Goldshower)

Shower-of-Gold is a large, evergreen shrub native to eastern Mexico south to Guatemala. The leaves are opposite on the stems, light green to bluish, smooth or waxy and elliptical to oval-shaped with two visible glands at the base. The stems are reddish with many hairs. The yellow flowers are borne on terminal racemes, or un-branched flowerstalks. The shrubs bear some flowers year ‘round with a heavier bloom in summer. The flower petals do not drop completely and interesting three part seed capsules...

(Rain-of-Gold, Spray-of-Gold, Thryallis)

Rain-of-Gold is a large, evergreen shrub native to eastern Mexico and Central America. The leaves are opposite on the stems, light green to bluish, smooth or waxy and elliptical to lance-shaped with two visible glands at the base. The yellow flowers are borne on terminal racemes or un-branched flowerstalks. The shrubs bear some flowers year ‘round with a heavier bloom in summer. The flower petals drop completely once the ovary is fertilized and are followed by interesting three part seed capsules....

(Galtonia)

Galtonia includes four species of summer-growing bulbous perennials, all native to moist grasslands across eastern South Africa. They are closely related to plants in the genus Ornithogalum.

The fleshy underground bulbs produce clumps of thick, strap- to lance-shaped, erect or arching basal leaves. Long, airy, conical clusters of white or light green, trumpet-shaped or bell-shaped flowers are borne on tall leafless stems in summer. The flowers of some galtonias are fragrant....

(Cape Hyacinth , Summer Hyacinth)

Admired for its delightful summer display of fragrant white flowers, this winter-dormant perennial bulb from eastern South Africa is also remarkable for its cold-hardiness.

The fleshy underground bulbs give rise to thick, light- to medium-green, strap- to lance-shaped basal leaves that are erect or arching. In mid to late summer, tall, steeple-shaped clusters of nodding, white, green-tinged bell-flowers are borne atop waist-high, leafless stalks. The flowers expand from green buds, with the...

(Green Cape Hyacinth, Green-flowered Summer Hyacinth)

Particularly loved because of its midsummer floral display on arching stems, green cape hyacinth bears flower spikes of drooping tubular pale green flowers with a faint fragrance. A dormant to semi-evergreen herbaceous perennial from Lesotho and South Africa, it grows from bulbs.

The fleshy, medium to gray-green leaves are broad and lance-shaped. In midsummer or late summer, depending on mildness of climate, leafless stalks rise, arch and bear light green flower buds that open to pendent light...

(Gardenia)

(Cape Jessamine, Gardenia)

Best known for its lush foliage, rounded habit and wonderfully fragrant flowers, this East Asian native is a superb evergreen shrub for warmer climate gardens. Its neat, dense form and glossy, dark green leaves provide landscape interest year round. From late spring to summer it produces many large, waxy, ivory flowers whose powerful fragrance permeates the garden. Flowers may be single, semi-double or double depending on the cultivar. Dwarf, cold-hardy, and variegated cultivars are also available....