(Giant Reed)

Arundo donax var. versicolor is a large, evergreen or deciduous, perennial grass with thick, hollow, cane-like stems and long, arching, green to gray-green leaves with white longitudinal stripes. In late summer it sometimes produces feathery plumes of light green to purplish flowers that mature to silver. Originally from southern Europe, giant reed has been widely planted and become naturalized in temperate and sub-tropical regions worldwide. Although it is less robust than most...

(Giant Reed)

The giant reed cultivar 'Aureovariegata' is a large, evergreen or deciduous, perennial grass with thick, hollow, cane-like stems and long, arching, green to gray-green leaves with yellow longitudinal stripes. In late summer it sometimes produces feathery plumes of light green to purplish flowers that mature to silver. Originally from southern Europe, giant reed has been widely planted and become naturalized in temperate and sub-tropical regions worldwide. Although it is less robust than most other...

(Chinese Wild Ginger)

Spreading to form lush colonies of large silver-splotched evergreen leaves, this low-growing hardy perennial from China is an excellent choice for the woodland garden. The shiny dark green arrowhead-shaped leaves arise from short rhizomes which travel underground, creating an ever-expanding mass of foliage. The leaves typically have two longitudinal bands of silvery splotches. Foliage remains evergreen in zones 7 and up. Chubby cup-shaped purple flowers with pale spotting cluster at the base of the...

(Ascocentrum Orchid, Orchid)

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,...

(Pawpaw)

The northernmost representative of the otherwise tropical fruit family, Annonaceae, pawpaw is beloved for its interesting foliage and odd-tasting, edible fruit. The native distribution of this small tree is from the very southernmost reaches of Ontario, Canada, south to Florida, and westward to Texas. Natural populations inhabit bottomlands, floodplains and ravines. This species is quite common in many areas of the country but is listed as a species of concern in others.

Large, oval leaves...

(Cast Iron Plant, Variegated Cast Iron Plant)

Variegated cast iron plant is an evergreen perennial with upright blade-like, glossy, dark green leaves with cream-white striations. Its coarse foliage produces a bold, tropical effect year-round in warm climates or as a houseplant in cold climates.

Plant outdoors as a groundcover in deep shade in average, well drained, sandy soils or indoors in containers. Water and fertilize regularly in the summer growing season. Over-fertilization leads to diminished leaf variegation.

(Mother Fern)

Mother fern is an evergreen or semi-evergreen in its native Australia and New Zealand habitats. It has long, finely divided fronds slightly over an arm's length-long. Young plantlets form along its midrib that drop off and can be easily transplanted. It can form large colonies from these either in the ground, upon fallen logs, inbetween stones or on large tree roots.

Mother fern needs a moist and friable soil with organic matter. Bright indirect light and an acidic soil is ideal for this plant....

(Bird's Nest Fern)

This tender evergreen fern from the Old World tropics is a classic houseplant. In its native habitat it is usually epiphytic, growing in trees. In cultivation, however, it also takes well to containers or garden beds. The long linear simple leaves are glossy-green with dark midribs and pointed, often furled tips. The leaves form circular rosettes which accumulate organic debris in their hair-lined centers. The spores are borne in rib-like rows on the underside of the leaf. Numerous cultivars and...

(Amerika Astilbe, Astilbe, False Spirea)

Mid-sized and free-flowering, astilbe ‘Amerika’ is an herbaceous perennial grown for its tolerance of shade, dependable bloom, plush spikes of flowers, and dark, dense ferny foliage. The spikes grow at the top of slender upright stems and have a branching habit that looks a bit like a Christmas tree. Tiny, closely packed, coral-pink flowers clothe the spikes, transforming them into soft, billowing plumes that wave in the breeze. One plant may produce several stems, making a cloud of bloom high above...

(Astilbe)

The plants in the Astary Series share two traits: precocity and dependable flowering. These astilbes, started from seeds, produce seedling that, planted in the garden, bloom the first year. This series flowers in colors that range from pure white and pink to deep pink or rose. The plants are stocky and branching, with glossy, dark-green, ferny leaves. The flower spikes that top the stems have a branching habit and tiny, closely packed flowers that clothe the branches and stem, transforming them into...