Actaea–commonly called baneberry–is a rhizomatous perennial that bears fluffy racemes of small white flowers in late spring and early summer. The flowers are followed by clusters of round berries that add color to the garden in late summer and fall. Actaea forms handsome 2- to 4-foot-wide clumps of mid-green leaves that are divided in a […] More
Althaea–commonly called marsh mallow–is a perennial often grown as an annual. It closely resembles the hollyhock (Alcea) but with smaller, usually stalked flowers. Althaea is often grown in moist, brackish habitats. Althaea bears pink to purple, cup-shaped flowers on tall, erect stems in summer. The flowers are smaller than hollyhocks with notched petals. The flowers […] More
Abronia–commonly called sand verbena–is a trailing perennial or annual that bears dense, verbena-like round-topped clusters that can be pink, rose-pink, or purple. Abronia resembles verbena but is not a true verbena. Abronia is a perennial in mild-winter regions of the Western United States where it is a native. It can be grown as an annual […] More
Zauschneria–commonly called California fuchsia–is a rhizomatous perennial that bears tubular scarlet flowers to 2-inches long atop wiry stems. The narrow leaves are green to gray-green and often felted. Zauschneria is a genus of 4 species native to the western United States and Mexico, primarily California and Baja California. Zauschneria is related to Fuchsia (true fuchsias) and Oenothera (evening […] More
Strelitzia–commonly called bird-of-paradise–is a subtropical perennial with large, erect leaves and bright flowers that emerge from a boatlike bract. The flowers resemble an exotic bird taking flight. Strelitzia has large, long-stalked oblong to lance-shaped leaves. The flowers are produced intermittently from the leaf axils. Flowers emerge from usually horizontal, waxy, stiff, boat-shaped spathes; the flowers […] More
Pachystachys is a tropical evergreen perennial that is grown for its tubular, 2-lipped flowers that are borne in erect terminal spikes with large, overlapping, usually brightly colored bracts. Pachystachys flowers can be scarlet or white; bracts can be pale green or bright golden yellow. Flower spikes are 4 to 6 inches (10-15cm) long. Leaves are […] More
Justicia is a tropical shrub that bears tubular, two-lipped flowers surrounded by bracts. Flowers appear in spikes or panicles. Justicia has lance- to oval-shaped leaves. Plants grow from 12 inches (30cm) t 5 feet (1.5m) tall depending on the variety. Justicia can be planted in mixed borders in tropical regions, Where temperatures are cool in […] More
Gloriosa lily is a tuberous, vining perennial that is cultivated for its brightly colored yellow, red, or purple flowers. It is often planted where it can scramble through other plants. It also can be grown as a houseplant. Gloriosa flowers are nodding and showy. They have 6 reflexed, wavy margins and red or purple tepals, […] More
Exacum–commonly called Persian violet–is an evergreen subtropical perennial usually grown as an annual. Exacum bears violet to blue, occasionally pink or white flowers with conspicuous yellow stamens. Flowers appear on 4-angled stems above lance-shaped mid-green leaves. Exacum can be grown as summer-flowering annuals in beds and borders in subtropical regions. It is grown as a […] More
Episcia–commonly called flame violet or carpet plant–is a small evergreen tropical perennial with long slender stems that produce small plantlets at their ends. The leaves are oval and hairy. The flowers are tubular to bell-shaped, flame red or metallic pink, and appear in spring and summer. Episcia stands about 6 inches (15cm) tall. Episcia are […] More
Achimenes is a genus of upright and trailing tropical plants that bear heart-shaped leaves and tubular to flaring flowers in white, pink, red, yellow, orange, blue, lavender, and purple. Achimenes can be grown as bedding or border plant in tropical shade gardens. It can be grown in pots and hanging baskets as a houseplant in […] More
Strobilanthes–commonly called Persian shield–is an upright tropical shrub that is cultivated for its tubular, 2-lipped, often hooded blue to purple, white, and rarely yellow flower. The stems of Strobilanthes are furry and bear pairs of narrow, triangular leaves from 6 to 8 inches (15-20cm) long. The upper leaf surfaces are dark green flushed with purple and […] More
Stephen Albert