(Abyssinian Banana)

Abyssinian banana is closely related to the edible banana we are all familiar with; however, the fruits of this species are dry and unpalatable. It is native to Ethiopia in east central Africa. Abyssinian banana has paddle-shaped leaves that can be tremendously large and long arising from a a central crown. The stem midribs are red underneath. The plant dies back to the root base after blooming which usually occurs two to five years after planting.

Abyssinian banana requires a rich fertile soil...

(Abyssinian banana, Maurel's Abyssinian Banana, Red-leaved Banana)

Abyssinian banana is closely related to the edible banana we are all familiar with; however, the fruits of this species are dry and unpalatable. Abyssinian banana has paddle-shaped leaves up to 20 feet long arising from a a central crown. The mid-ribs of the stems are red underneath. The plant dies back to the crown after blooming which usually occurs two to five years after planting.

Maurelii Abyssinian banana has red tinged leaves above and dark red leaf stalks.

(Trailing Arbutus)

The sweetly fragant, waxy, pale-pink bell-flowers of trailing arbutus are one of the highlights of spring in the eastern North American woods, and in any garden that is blessed with this delightful broadleaf evergreen. Creeping stems bear loose mats of oblong, wavy-edged, slightly fuzzy leaves, held stiffly on relatively long stalks. The flowers cluster among the leaves at the tips of the stems. Forms with double or deep-pink flowers are sometimes available.

This lovely little woodlander likes...

(Hummingbird Trumpet)

The fiery, late-season flowers of this shrubby perennial are irresistible to hummingbirds. It is native to dry rocky canyons and uplands from northwestern Mexico to the Northwest United States.

The bright green to gray-green, lance-shaped to linear leaves of this variable perennial alternate or are paired along brittle, upright to arching stems that may be calf- to waist-high. Leaves often persist year-round in mild climates, but plants are deciduous where sub-freezing temperatures are frequent....

(California Hummingbird Trumpet, Hummingbird Trumpet)

Doubly attractive, this bushy perennial bears fiery hummingbird-pollinated flowers and handsome gray-green leaves. It is native to shrubby hills and canyons in western and central California.

The woolly, narrowly lance-shaped leaves of this variable perennial alternate or are paired along brittle, upright to arching stems that may be calf- to waist-high. Leaves often persist year-round in mild climates, but plants are deciduous where sub-freezing temperatures are frequent. Showy spikes of red...

(Garrett's Firechalice, Garrett's Hummingbird Trumpet)

An exceptionally cold-hardy variety of hummingbird trumpet, this perennial from mountains of the western United States is prized for its fiery, hummingbird-enticing flowers.

The bright green, lance-shaped leaves of this variable perennial alternate or are paired along brittle, upright to arching stems that may be calf- to knee-high. Showy spikes of red or orange, narrowly trumpet-shaped flowers with gaping mouths appear from early to late summer. Plants may self-sow prolifically if not deadheaded....

(Garrett's Hummingbird Trumpet, Orange Carpet® Hummingbird Trumpet)

An exceptionally cold-hardy of humminbird trumpet from mountains of the western United States, Epilobium canum var. garrettii is prized for its fiery, hummingbird-enticing flowers. The cultivar 'Orange Carpet' has a ground-covering habit and reddish-orange blooms.

The bright green, lance-shaped leaves of this variable perennial alternate or are paired along brittle, sprawling, mat-forming stems. Showy spikes of narrowly trumpet-shaped flowers with gaping mouths appear from...

(Barrenwort, Bishop's Hat, Longspur Barrenwort)

A classic groundcover for dry shady locations, barrenwort's heart-shaped leaves and tall spurred flower display in late spring makes it one of the prettiest of perennials, too. A clump forming herbaceous perennial from northern China, Korea and Japan, it becomes a nice robust clump through its rhizomes (underground stems).

Each leaf is made up of about nine leaflets, each being shaped like a heart and having spined margins. When leaves first emerge they have a bronze color and then mature to...

(Barrenwort, Bishop's Hat, Dark Beauty Barrenwort, Longspur Barrenwort)

A classic groundcover for dry shady locations, barrenwort's heart-shaped leaves and tall spurred flower display in late spring makes it one of the prettiest of perennials, too. A clump forming herbaceous perennial from northern China, Korea and Japan, it becomes a nice robust clump through its rhizomes (underground stems).

Each leaf is made up of about nine leaflets, each being shaped like a heart and having spined margins. When leaves first emerge they have a bronze color and then mature to...

(Barrenwort, Orion Barrenwort, Orion Bishop's Hat)

A classic groundcover for dry shady locations, Orion barrenwort's heart-shaped leaves and rose-violet flower display in late spring makes it one of the prettiest of perennials, too. A clump forming herbaceous perennial from northern China, Korea and Japan, it becomes a nice robust clump through its rhizomes (underground stems).

Each leaf is made up of about nine leaflets, each being shaped like a heart and having spined and thinly reddened margins. When leaves first emerge they have a bronze...