Pisonia is a genus of tropical shrubs and small trees cultivared for their simple leaves. Oblong, leathery green leaves grow to 15 inches (38cm) long. They grow in whorled pairs along the stems. One species, Pisonia umbellifera, commonly called bird-catcher tree, is grown as a houseplant. Pisonia grows best in warm temperatures and bright filtered or […] More
Leea–commonly called West Indian holly–is an open tropical shrub that becomes dense with age. It bears pinnate leaves 24 inches (60cm) long; each leaf consists of lance-shaped, slender-pointed toothed leaflets. Leea is grown mainly for its foliage, but it does bear small tubular flowers. Flower buds are rounded and scarlet red; the flowers open pink […] More
Graptophyllum–commonly called caricature plant–is an erect evergreen tropical shrub commonly grown as a foliage houseplant in temperate regions. It grows to several feet tall in its native habitat Australasia and Southwest Pacific. Only one species is grown as a houseplant. Graptophyllum has glossy green leaves spotted, mottle, or banded with various colors, often yellow. Indoors it […] More
Fatshedera is a large-leaved evergreen shrub. It is a hybrid between Japanese aralia (Fatsia japonica) and English ivy (Hedera helix), with characteristics of both parents. Fatshedera has highly polished, 4 to 10-inch-wide leaves with three to five pointed lobes that look like giant ivy leaves. The plant sends out long, trailing, or climbing stems like […] More
Elettaria–commonly called cardamon–is a handsome leafy shrub with linear to lance-shaped bright green leaves. When grown in tropical regions, Ellettaria bears violet-veined white flowers which give way to aromatic seed capsules. The seed capsules are used as a spice called cardamon. In temperature regions and indoors, Elettaria makes an attractive foliage plant. In frost-free regions, […] More
Schefflera is a genus of mostly tropical evergreen shrubs, trees, and climbers. Members of the genus are commonly called Schefflera. These plants bear glossy, green leaflets combined in umbrella-like clusters. One species Schefflera actinophylla is commonly grown as a houseplant. It grows 6 to 10 feet (1.8-3m) tall and can be trained into a treelike […] More
Ardisia is a small evergreen shrub grown for its whorls of glossy leaves, star-shaped flowers, and lasting bright red berry-like fruits. One species, Ardisia crenata, is often grown as a holiday houseplant, a second is grown as an outdoor groundcover. Ardisia is a genus of about 150 species of evergreen shrubs. Only the two species listed below […] More
Chilopsis–commonly called desert willow or desert catalpa–is a deciduous shrub or small tree that bears trumpet-shaped flowers in summer followed by catalpalike fruit in autumn. Chilopsis is open and airy. With age, it develops shaggy bark and a twisting trunk. The leaves are linear and mid-green. The flowers are borne in racemes of white to […] More
Leucophyllum–commonly called Texas ranger or silverleaf–is an evergreen shrub native to the American Southwest. Leucophyllum has silvery-green leaves and bears bell- to funnel-shaped rose-purple flowers. Leucophyllum is drought tolerant and is often found in arid or desert gardens where it can be used as a border or hedge plant. Leucophyllum is also salt-tolerant and can […] More
Bouvardia is a subtropical evergreen shrub that bears colorful tube or funnel-shaped flowers. Bouvardia can be grown in containers or in borders in regions where frost does not occur. In cooler regions, Bourvardia is grown as a house plant and set outdoors during the summer. Bouvrdias showy clusters of tubular flowers can be white or red. […] More
Romneya–commonly called Matilija poppy–is a perennial sub-shrub that bears showy white flowers with yellow centers that look like eggs cooking sunny-side-up. Romneya has large pinnatifid, irregularly lobed gray-green leaves. Romneya prefers regular water, but once established, it will tolerate drought. Romneya blooms from late spring into summer; with regular water, Romneya will bloom into autumn. […] More
Anisodontea–commonly called cape mallow–is a quick-growing woody-perennial or shrub that bears spray of bowl-shaped pink or purplish-pink bowl-shaped flowers that look much like miniature hollyhocks. Anisodontea has an open and freely branching habit. The ovate and often 3-palmate leaves are tender and soft green. In warm, not hot, weather Anisodontea fills out nicely and can […] More
Stephen Albert