(Rabbit's Foot Fern)

Deriving their common name from their fuzzy creeping rhizomes, these evergreen or semi-evergreen ferns are found throughout the Old World tropics. Many are epiphytic or lithophytic, forming large clumps on trees or rocks. The lacy, glossy, often triangular fronds vary widely in size. Popular hare's-foot ferns include the rabbit’s-foot (Davallia fejeensis), with relatively tall, finely divided fronds; deer’s-foot fern (Davallia canariensis), with downy brown rhizomes and knee-high,...

(Rabbit's Foot Fern)

Given their common name for their fuzzy creeping rhizomes (ground-level stems), hare’s-foot ferns are evergreen or semi-evergreen perennials found throughout the Asian tropics. Many are epiphytic or lithophytic, forming large clumps on trees or rocks. This species, Davallia sinensis has the typical much-divided, soft fronds, gathered in a nodding clump.

In frost-free areas, give it bright shade and moist, highly organic, well-drained soil. Like most Hare's-foot ferns, it is an excellent...

(Squirrel's Foot Fern)

Squirrel's foot fern is a finely textured evergreen fern with green fronds growing from attractive fuzzy, red-brown creeping rhizomes.

Grow this fern in average to fertile, moist but well-drained soil with humus in shade or part shade. Since the rhizomes are so interesting and textural, an excellent application is in a large hanging basket or growing on a tree trunk at eye level. Be careful not to overwater or allow soil to become bone dry, as both will lead to leaf drop.

(White Rabbit's Foot Fern)

This evergreen to semi-evergreen fern derives its common name from its fuzzy exposed rhizomes (creeping stems), which anchor it to trees and rocks in its native Indochina.

The leathery, dark green, narrowly triangular fronds of this tender fern arise from a slowly expanding network of silver-furred rhizomes. The upright to arching, pinnately compound (feather-shaped) fronds have about a dozen pinnate segments.

This fern likes bright shade, high humidity, even moisture, and frost-free temperatures,...

(Dovetree)

Large white flower bracts flutter from the branches of this medium-sized deciduous tree in spring, suggesting a flock of doves. Davidia involucrata is native to forests of central and western China.

The rather large, heart-shaped leaves of this hardy tree are bright green with fuzzy undersides. The leaves of variety vilmoriniana have little or no fuzz. Small, spherical, brush-like flower clusters nestle between pairs of drooping, porcelain-white, leaf-shaped bracts in mid to...

(African Ivy, Cape Ivy, Climbing Groundsel, German Ivy)

Lustrous, angular leaves that grow from sprawling and twining burgundy-violet stems makes the cape ivy alluring year round. However, the rampant growth rate, rooting stems and high production of seeds usually finds this perennial vine from South Africa considered a noxious environmental weed. Cape ivy has been naturalized across various continents, especially in Mediterranean climates throughout coastal forests.

The leaves are rounded with six large blunt lobes or massive teeth, always mimicking...

(Ice Plant, Table Mountain® Ice Plant)

The surprisingly hardy iceplant, Table Mountain®, offers hot, tropical looks to hot spots in southern and northern gardens alike, though its hardiness depends largely on good winter drainage. Cold wet ground will cause root rot and death, so it must be relegated to elevated or sloping ground with porous well-drained soil.

Intense, bright fuchsia flowers with contrasting white centers cover this plant from late spring until frost. When in full bloom, it looks like a carpet of flowers—its bright...

(Hybrid Ice Plant, Ice Plant)

The surprisingly hardy iceplant, Lavender Ice®, offers cool looks to garden hot spots in southern and northern gardens alike, though its hardiness depends largely on good winter drainage. (Cold wet ground will cause root rot and death, so it must be relegated to elevated or sloping ground with porous well-drained soil.) This Plant Select® introduction was discovered as a sport of the popular Delosperma Table Mountain® and boasts starry pale lavender flowers with darker halos at the centers....

(Ice Plant, White Nugget Ice Plant)

The pure white-flowered 'White Nugget' is heavy-blooming and cold hardy. This tough, drought tolerant succulent was discovered in 1996 by Kelly Grummons at Paulino Gardens of Denver, Colorado and is distinguished by its low compact habit, glassy bright green succulent leaves and small snow white daisy-like flowers. Blooming occurs from spring through summer and flowers may sporadically appear up to frost.

Hot, sunny locations with average, well-drained soil are ideal. Allow plants to completely...

(Hardy Yellow Ice Plant)

The succulent, angular foliage of hardy yellow iceplant forms beautiful lush green carpets. For many weeks in late spring or early summer, it becomes covered with lemon yellow daisy-like flowers that are highly attractive to bees. These open in the morning and close in the afternoon, with new blossoms emerging each day.

This native of eastern South Africa naturally inhabits rocky screes on mountainsides where conditions are both cold and dry. So, sunny locations with average to poor, sharply...