(Coolio Junegrass, Smooth Junegrass)

Smooth Junegrass is a short-lived ornamental grass and selection 'Coolio is nicely mounding, with thread-like blue-green foliage and silvery flowerheads. This small, clump-forming perennial is native from central Europe eastward into parts of Siberia in Russia. The numerous narrow leaf blades help form an attractive blue-green mound. In early summer, wiry stems arise above the leaves, revealing a panicale, or collection of short stems at the stem tip, that contains the numerous and tiny green flowers....

(Bipinnate Golden Raintree)

Feathery compound foliage of bipinnate golden raintree is accentuated by airy clusters of yellow flowers in summer, and papery, pinkish tan seedpods soon thereafter. A rounded deciduous tree with an irregular branching habit with cracking gray bark, it hails from southwestern China.

The leaves are bi-pinnately compound - a central leaf stem petiole branches again into lined stems of long, pointed, tooth-edged, bright green leaflets. Emerging leaflets are light green with a coppery cast. In late...

(Flamegold)

Feathery compound foliage of flamegold is accentuated by upright, airy clusters of tiny yellow flowers in late summer, and showy salmon-pink or pale red-orange seedpods soon thereafter. A rounded, semi- or fully deciduous tree with an irregular branching habit with cracking gray bark, it a native of warm southern China and Taiwan.

Its leaves are bi-pinnately compound - a central leaf stem petiole branches again into lined stems of tooth-edged, bright green leaflets. In late summer to early fall...

(Beautybush)

Beautybush lives up to its name in late spring when its branches are laden with pink flowers. This large, deciduous shrub is native to slopes, roadsides, and brushy areas in eastern and central China.

The mid- to dark-green, oval leaves are paired along the upright to slightly arching branches of this twiggy shrub. Older stems have brown, flaky bark. The bell-shaped flowers are pale- to medium-pink with a yellow throat. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds visit the blooms. The small fruits that...

(Hyacinth Bean)

What an outstanding ornamental vine for heat! Hyacinth bean is a long, vigorous, twining vine with brilliant purple stems, greenish purple trifoliate (three-parted) leaves and clusters of rosy purple, pea-like flowers. It will bloom from summer to fall, as long as temperatures stay warm, and is very drought tolerant. Where native in Sub-Saharan Africa, it survives as a short-lived perennial but most gardeners grow it as an annual.

In just a single season, hyacinth bean can grow up to 20 feet...

(Bottle Gourd)

Evidence suggests bottle gourds were among the first plants domesticated by humans. As long as 8,000 to 10,000 years ago, humans were using bottle gourds as containers, musical instruments and fishing floats. It is believed that they were first cultivated in Africa, taken to Asia and finally into the Americas, possibly across ancient land bridges.

Bottle gourds, also known as calabash, grow on vigorous rambling annual vines that climb via tendrils. Their large leaves are coarse, hairy, medium...

(Appalachin Gourd, Gourd)

Evidence suggests bottle gourds were among the first plants domesticated by humans. As long as 8,000 to 10,000 years ago, humans were using bottle gourds as containers, musical instruments and fishing floats. It is believed that they were first cultivated in Africa, taken to Asia and finally into the Americas, possibly across ancient land bridges.

Bottle gourds, also known as calabash, grow on vigorous rambling annual vines that climb via tendrils. Their large leaves are coarse, hairy, medium...

(Big Apple Gourd, Gourd)

The bottle gourd, ‘Big Apple’, isn’t from New Your City but the fruits look like big, dark green apples with lots of lovely yellowish green speckles. They mature to softer colors and are a great choice for crafts and decoration.

Large, funnel-shaped flowers are produced mostly in summer and fall in temperate zones and in late winter in warm, frost-free locations. The ivory flowers are monoecious, meaning single plants bear separate male and female flowers. Male flowers are generally produced...

(Birdhouse Gourd)

The dry shells of this favorite fall gourd have given many birds needed shelter. ‘Birdhouse’ gourds have a bulbous top with a tapered center and even broader bulbous base. Their smooth, hard skin is spring green and dries to tan. Crafters, kids and decorators love these easy-to-grow, drought tolerant gourds.

Large, funnel-shaped flowers are produced mostly in summer and fall in temperate zones and in late winter in warm, frost-free locations. The ivory flowers are monoecious, meaning single...

(Dipper Gourd)

As the name suggests, 'Extra Long-handled Dipper' has a long handle and small, bulbous base. Once dried, the base cut along one side to create a dipper for water. The dipper form of Lagenaria siceraria has been used by cultures across the world for thousands of years. Even early American settlers valued them. This cultivar has smooth, hard, pale green skin and dries to tan. Crafters, kids and decorators love this easy-to-grow, drought tolerant gourd.

Large, funnel-shaped flowers...