(Ponytail Palm, Variegated Ponytail Palm)

Heat and drought are no problem for this tough plant. Ponytail palm is a tall, palm-like plant that is not a true palm but is closely related to agave. It has an upright, fleshy, trunk-like stem that becomes swollen at the base, where is stores water. This is topped with clusters of long, curved, sword-shaped leaves that hang down giving the appearance of a pony’s tail. When mature, it produces panicles of fragrant cream colored flowers that are pollinated by bats.

Ponytail palm thrives in hot...

(Easter Lily Vine, Herald's Trumpet, Nepal Trumpet Flower)

With dangling clusters of large white trumpet-shaped flowers in very late winter and into the spring, herald's trumpet is a spectacular vine perfect for smaller tropical gardens. A heavy, vigorous evergreen vine it is native to southern Asia from the Himalayan foothills southeastward into Vietnam. Here, its lily-like blooms appear in proximity to the Easter holiday, yielding another common name.

Rust-colored hairs are on the undersides of youngest leaves before they mature to larger oval or oblong...

(Begonia, Kaylen Hardy Begonia)

The Kaylen hardy begonia has glossy pinkish green foliage and late summer occurring blossoms of a sweet pink. This herbaceous perennial is the result of a hybrid cross at the University of Georgia and is considered an open-branched wax begonia. Each leaf is glossy and wax-like, being round and ruffle-edged. Having a green color overall, there is pronouced pink and reddish tones throughout. By late summer and continuing into the autumn, reddish pink flowers dangle from the stem tips.

Plant 'Kaylen'...

(Begonia, Metallic Mist Begonia)

Metallic Mist hardy begonia has brilliant maple-like leaves in a cool silver and dark green hue. This cold-hardy, herbaceous perennial is the result of extensive hybridization. Each leaf blade has jagged lobes that are ghostly silver with dark green veins. In the center, where the veins converge, is a small flash of burgundy that becomes more pronounced in cooler times of year. Pink flowers contrast the foliage in a magnificent way in late summer and into autumn.

Plant 'Metallic Mist' in a moist,...

(Hardy Begonia)

Hardy begonia is tuberous begonia that bears elegant, pendulous clusters of fragrant pink (or rarely all white) flowers above dusky green leaves with vibrant reddish bronze undersides. This subtropical species is the only begonia known to survive in regions with prolonged sub-freezing winter temperatures. It is native to southeastern China, where it grows in forested river valleys, along montane slopes and moist cliff sides, and has been cultivated there since the 15th century. The flower stems are...

Hardy begonia is tuberous begonia that bears elegant, pendulous clusters of fragrant pink (or rarely all white) flowers above dusky green leaves with vibrant reddish bronze undersides. This subtropical species is the only begonia known to survive in regions with prolonged sub-freezing winter temperatures. It is native to southeastern China, where it grows in forested river valleys, along montane slopes and moist cliff sides, and has been cultivated there since the 15th century. The flower stems are...

(Blackberry Lily, Leopard Flower)

The fruits and flowers of this charming, but heavily self-sowing, perennial add appeal to the summer garden. Blackberry lily is an old fashioned flower that originates from Russia, China and India. It forms upright clumps of stiff, sword-like leaves of medium green. In summer, tall, airy, branched stems appear topped with orange lily-like flowers with red and yellow markings. These are followed by clusters of small, round, glossy black fruits that look much like blackberries.

Drought tolerant...

(Hello Yellow Dwarf Blackberry Lily, Yellow Leopard Flower)

The black fruits and yellow flowers of the charming, shorter-growing 'Hello Yellow' add beauty to the summer garden. Blackberry lily is an old-fashioned perennial that originates from Russia, China and India. It forms upright clumps of stiff, sword-like leaves of medium green or bluish gray-green. In summer, the tall, airy, branched stems appear on 'Hello Yellow' with light lemony yellow blossoms. These are followed by clusters of small, round, glossy black fruits that look much like blackberries....

(Wintergreen Barberry)

A tall evergreen shrub, wintergreen barberry is the hardiest of the evergreen barberries. Its spiny, glossy green leaves become tinged red in the autumn and winter, and it has showy yellow flowers that develop into small, waxy blue fruits that turn almost black when fully mature. This shrub has large, fierce three-parted spines that make it almost impenetrable, especially when used in hedges. Wintergreen barberry prefers full to part-sun and is very site-tolerant and low maintenance.

(Spring Glory Barberry, Wintergreen Barberry)

An upright to mounded evergreen shrub, wintergreen barberry is the hardiest of the evergreen barberries. 'Spring Glory' has reddish new growth in spring which matures to leathery green leaves. These become tinged bronze-red in the autumn and winter. Its showy yellow flowers develop into small, waxy blue fruits in autumn that turn almost black when fully mature and persist into winter.

This shrub has large, fierce three-parted spines that make it almost impenetrable, especially when used in hedges....