(Fort McNair Horsechestnut, Red Horsechesnut)

Rose red horsechestnut is a hybrid between the European horsechestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) and the red horsechestnut (Aesculus pavia). It is a medium to large, spreading deciduous tree with an oval to round crown and dark green, glossy, palmate leaves with five to seven leaflets, which produce little fall color. It is best known for its beautiful panicles bright rose-red flowers that appear from late spring to early summer. These are followed by large round, spiny capsules that contain two to...

(East African Yellowwood, Fern Pine)

The graceful form of fern pine is accented by the linear, bluish green leaves that project from the branches much like the leaves of a lily. This tall, tender evergreen tree is native to higher elevations of subtropical eastern Africa. Unlike other conifers such as junipers, that have scale-like needles, fern pine leaves are smooth, flat and narrow, arranged spirally around gently pendent branches. Plants are dioecious, being either male or female. Male plants produce small, tan, finger-like cones...

(African Lily, Lily-of-the-Nile)

The Blue Umbrella lily-of-the-Nile is a dramatic tender perennial grown for its large sky-blue flower clusters borne on long stalks above clumps of grassy dark green foliage. Often listed as a variant of the South African Agapanthus praecox ssp.orientalis, it is actually a hybrid. Where hardy, it is best grown in the landscape but in colder climates it may be maintained as a container specimen if provided a large spacious pot. Bloom time is variable, depending on the local climate...

(African Lily, Ellamae Lily-of-the-Nile, Lily-of-the-Nile)

Very large brilliant indigo blue flower clusters adorn 'Ellamae.' Each vibrant flower cluster has many florets. This cultivar was bred in 1978 by Archie A. Amate of Huntington Beach, California and introduced in 1990 by the Los Angeles State and County Arboretum. It is best grown in the landscape but in colder climates it may be maintained as a container specimen if provided a large spacious pot. This tends to be a summer bloomer, but bloom time can be variable depending on the local climate and...

(African Lily, Dwarf Lily-of-the-Nile, Lily-of-the-Nile)

The compact lily-of-the-Nile, 'Rancho Dwarf', (sometimes called 'Rancho White' or 'Peter Pan Albus') produces dense umbels of white, bell-shaped flowers on compact stalks. Its long sword-shaped leaves are nearly evergreen in zones 9 and 10 but die back in zone 8. This tends to be a summer bloomer, but bloom time can be variable depending on the local climate and water availability.

Agapanthus are beautiful, fleshy-rooted herbaceous perennials native to southern Africa. In that country...

(African Lily, Lily-of-the-Nile)

The Storm Cloud lily-of-the-Nile is a dramatic, evergreen tender perennial grown for its large indigo flower clusters. This cultivar was selected by Barrie Coate as a seedling variant of 'Mood Indigo,' a hybrid of Agapanthus africanus and A. pendulus developed at the Los Angeles State and Country Arboretum. Where hardy, it is best grown in the landscape but in colder climates it may be maintained as a container specimen if provided a large spacious pot. Flowering is most profuse...

(African Lily, Lily-of-the-Nile)

The English Headbourne hybrids are some of the hardiest Agapanthus available. These evergreen to semi-evergreen perennials bear dense clusters of lily-like flowers in variable shades of violet-blue or white. Each flower head has around 70 to 75 florets. Where hardy, they are best grown in the landscape but in colder climates may be grown in containers if provided large spacious pots. Bloom time is variable, depending on the local climate and water availability, but plants typically bloom...

(African Lily, Blue Lily, Common Agapanthus, Lily-of-the-Nile)

Queen of the African lilies, Agapanthus praecox is a large-flowered beauty with lustrous, strap-like, evergreen foliage. Long leafless stems topped with rounded clusters of variable violet-blue or white, liliaceous flowers appear in profusion, especially if plants are well-tended. Each funnel-shaped bloom has six tepals (petal-like sepals) marked with dark blue lines down their centers. This tender perennial is native to the rocky slopes of the eastern Cape of South Africa where winter rainfall...

(Fetterbush, Florida Leucothoe, Hobblebush)

Fetterbush is a broadleaf evergreen shrub with arching branches densely covered with glossy, dark green leaves tinged with reddish bronze new growth. Fragrant creamy white flowers occur in late spring on this native of the wetlands of the southeastern United States. The flowers are urn-shaped and dangle from the arching branches.

Fetterbush needs moist soils and at least partial shade to look its best and makes an excellent evergreen screen in shady gardens. It is an especially attractive companion...

(Agastache, Apricot Sprite Hyssop, Hummingbird Hyssop)

Apricot sprite hyssop is a strongly aromatic, highly drought tolerant, short-lived perennial. Throughout summer, this member of the mint family produces strongly scented leaves that subtend short stems topped with loose spikes of, fragrant, tubular flowers of apricot to orange. Everblooming and tolerant of poor soils, it requires little deadheading and is highly attractive to hummingbirds. Apricot sprite hyssop has a dwarf habit and is a superior perennial for containers, rock gardens and mixed beds...