(Blueberry Flax, Tasmanian Flax Lily)

Tasmanian flax lily is an evergreen perennial native to southeastern Australia and Tasmania. The leaves grow from underground thick stems that grow laterally and spread to form clumps or colonies. Its leathery strap-like blades are often curved. The lavender-blue flowers are held on branched stems above the foliage and appear from spring to summer. Each flower is small, nodding, star-shaped and centered with a flare of bright yellow male structures called stamens. These are followed by persistent...

(Variegated Blueberry Flax, Variegated Tasmanian Flax Lily)

Variegated Tasmanian flax lily is an evergreen perennial native to southeastern Australia and Tasmania. It is primarily grown for its attractive, arching strap-like foliage that is dark green with ivory stripes. The leaves grow from thick rhizomes that spread to form broad clumps or colonies. In late spring and summer it produces delicate branched stems that rise above the foliage. These hold very small lavender-blue or white flowers. Each nodding bloom is star-shaped and has a spray of yellow anthers...

(Blue Evergreen Hydrangea, Chinese Quinine, Fever Flower)

This less common member of the hydrangea family produces lovely clusters of pink or blue summer flowers followed by magnificent blue berries. As its name suggests, evergreen blue hydrangea is a fully evergreen shrub, though it has been known to get nipped back by light winter freezes. This tropical to subtropical plant hails from southern Asia, from China and India southward to Indonesia, where it naturally inhabits damp, shrubby areas and forest margins.

Its long, oval leaves are medium green...

(Soft Tree Fern, Tasmanian Tree Fern)

Tasmanian tree fern is a tree-like fern native to the forests of tropical and temperate regions of eastern Australia and Tasmania. In milder regions it is an evergreen. The upright, trunk-like rhizome is covered with a thick, red, fuzzy mat of roots. The numerous bold, long, arching, leathery fronds are light green when they first emerge and darken with age. The leaflets on each frond are quite finely cut.

Tasmanian tree fern should be grown in a humusy moist soil that is acidic. A partial to...

(Hurricane Palm, Princess Palm)

A healthy hurricane palm has a stately, slender gray trunk and a noble, elegant canopy of feathery fronds. This evergreen plant is native to the coastal forest of the Mascarene Islands, just to the east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. It is in danger of extinction there because of deforestation and over-harvest for eating as heart-of-palm.

The trunk is closely set with ring scars left from old leaf fronds. The trunk base often swells and flares out slightly. New fronds slowly unfurl from...

(Whiteshaft Hurricane Palm, Whiteshaft Princess Palm)

A healthy hurricane palm has a stately, slender gray trunk and a noble, elegant canopy of feathery fronds. Furfuraceum is among the most prized natural varieties for the garden because of its white crownshaft and blue-green leaves. This evergreen plant is native to the coastal forest of the Mascarene Islands, just to the east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. It is in danger of extinction there because of deforestation and over-harvest for eating as heart-of-palm.

The trunk is closely...

(Dieffenbachia, Dumbcane)

Native to tropical America, this frost-sensitive tender perennial is commonly grown as a houseplant. Its large, waxy, green leaves are mottled with blotches of white, cream or yellow. As its lower leaves are shed its stem becomes more evident. All parts of this plant are poisonous if eaten and its sap may cause skin irritation.

Dumbcane should be given bright light, but never direct sunlight (unless right at morning or dusk). A rich, moist and well-drained soil is perfect. Do not overwater this...

(Dumbcane, Star Bright Dieffenbachia)

Native to tropical America, this frost-sensitive tender perennial is commonly grown as a houseplant. Its large, waxy, green leaves are mottled with blotches of white, cream or yellow. As its lower leaves are shed its stem becomes more evident. All parts of this plant are poisonous if eaten and its sap may cause skin irritation.

Dumbcane should be given bright light, but never direct sunlight (unless right at morning or dusk). A rich, moist and well-drained soil is perfect. Do not overwater this...

(Bali Hai Dieffenbachia, Dumbcane)

A frost-sensitive tender perennial, dumbcane is commonly grown as a houseplant. 'Bali Hai' has dark green leaves with chartreuse blotches when young that gradually change to white. As its lower leaves are shed its stem becomes more evident.

Dumbcane grows best in fertile, moist well-drained soil and bright, filtered light. Reduce watering in the cooler winter months indoors and out. Direct morning and evening sunlight is appropriate if not during summer. Low humidity can result in leaves curling...

(Camille Dieffenbachia, Dumbcane)

A frost-sensitive tender perennial, dumbcane is commonly grown as a houseplant. 'Camille' has creamy yellow leaves with rich green borders. This plant has a bushy look but as its lower leaves are shed its stem becomes more evident.

Dumbcane grows best in moist, rich well-drained soil and bright, filtered light. Reduce watering in cooler winter months both inside and out. Watch for snail or slug damage on leaves and too low humidity will cause leaves to curl and brown. All parts of this plant are...