Lily of the Nile Agapanthus africanus

Lily-of-the-Nile is native to South Africa (not the Nile River as the misleading common name suggests). A. africanus is an evergreen species that produces rounded clusters (umbels) of blue, funnel-shaped flowers atop stiff, upright, leafless, fleshy stalks (scapes) typically rising 18-24" tall above a dense mound of basal narrow, strap-shaped, linear, grass-like leaves. Blooms in summer. Foliage mounds are attractive when plants are not in bloom.

Lily of the Nile “Peter Pan”

Agapanthus africanus ‘Peter Pan’

It is grown for the dark, glossy, strap-shaped leaves that arch gracefully. Flowers are borne on long erect stems 3 feet or taller. Agapanthus make good background plants or edging along a fence, driveway, or wall. These plants can thrive on conditions of neglect and naturalize readily. They also make excellent tub and container specimens and can be used in cut flower arrangements. In cold winter areas they can be brought indoors for the winter. This lily has light blue flowers with 1 to 1.5 foot flower stalk. Plant height is 8 to 12 inches tall. Foliage can remain evergreen in warmer climates.

Lizard’s Tail Sauruus cernuus

Lizard's-tail is a common emerzed plant. It grows into small colonies from underground runners. The erect plant is commonly found growing to one to two feet tall, in freshwater marshes and swamps nearly throughout Florida. It blooms in the summer. Lizard's-tail has a bottlebrush spike of white flowers. It is typically six to eight inches long but can be longer. The flower spike arches above the leaves of the plant. After maturity, the flowers become a string of nutlets that resemble a lizard's tail. The leaves are medium sized, about 1 1/2 inches wide, and three to four inches long. They can be arrowhead-shaped or heart-shaped, are on stalks, and are alternate on the stem. Leaf stalks form clasps where they join the stem.

Liriope Liriope muscari

Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist, fertile soils in part shade. Tolerates wide range of light conditions and soils. Also tolerates heat, humidity and drought. Mow in early spring to remove old foliage.

This lilyturf cultivar is a tufted, grass-like perennial which typically grows 12-20" high and features a clump of strap-like, arching, medium green leaves to 1" wide. Clumps slowly expand by short stolons, but do not spread aggressively like Liriope spicata. Erect, showy flower spikes with tiered whorls of dense, lilac flowers, somewhat resembling grape hyacinth (Muscari), rise just above the leaves in late summer. Flowers give way in fall to blackish berries which often persist into winter. Evergreen in the South.

Maman Cochet Rose Growth Habit: Spreading

Year Introduced: 1890 to 1899

Bloom Type: Fully Double

Zone: Zone 7

Fragrance: Fragrance fff

Rebloom: Rebloom rrr

Hybridizer: Cochet, Scipion

Height: 5-6 Feet

Color: Pink Blend

Class: Tea

Bloom Size: Bloom Size 3

Manfreda Manfreda sp.

This rare Agave relative was discovered in the hills of west-central Mexico. Its funky leaves have awesome maroon spots that almost seem intended for us gardeners! Manfredas are basically tuberous Agaves that can go deciduous in winter. The species name of this Manfreda hasn't been determined. Its fleshy leaves are completely without thorns or sharp edges, and no two have the same pattern of spots. This is a must-have for collectors of cool plants!

Maple Leaf Hibiscus Hibiscus acetosella

Hibiscus acetosella, commonly known as Maple Leaf Hibiscus is a tropical shrub and relatively little-known member of the hibiscus family which deserves more recognition. Under ideal conditions, plants can attain a height up to 8 feet. They prefer a moist soil in full sun or partial shade, but do not like 'wet feet'. We water ours every day during the hot summer months. They will let you know by curling their foliage when they are thirsty. Maple Leaf Hibiscus will do well year round where temperatures do not drop below freezing. Cut back all growth to about 24 inches from the ground after blooming ceases and temperatures start to get cooler. This will prepare them for the following season's onset of new growth and also serves to keep the plant compact and bushy. If you have forgotten to prune the plants or they have been damaged by frost, wait until the first signs of new growth in spring, then cut back all old and dead wood to within 20 to 24 inches from the base.

Marble Queen Ivy Epipremnum Aureum

The Golden Pothos can be found under several botanical (Epipremnum pinnatum, Epipremnum aureum, Philodendron nechodomii, Pothos aurea, Scindapsus aureus, Rhaphidophora aurea) and common names (Centipede Tongavine, Devil's Ivy, Devil's Claw, Golden Pothos, Marble Queen). There are approximately 60 species in the genre. The plant is native to Solomon Islands in South Pacific (northeast of Australia). The Pothos family is one of the easiest plants to grow. There are four varieties of this plant available; Pothos Gold, Pothos Marble Queen, Jade Pothos and the new Neon Pothos. Pothos is a low and fast growing vining plant generally not over 18 tall unless grown on a pole. Vines can reach 10 feet in length. Leaves are heart-shaped and variegated (green with blotches of golden-yellow). Variegation increases with the amount of sunlight the leaves receives. Leaves are alternately arranged and glossy.

Mexican Buckeye Ungnadia speciosa Endl.

Mexican-buckeye, an 8-12 ft., deciduous tree, can reach 30 ft. in height. It is often multi-trunked with light gray to brown bark, smooth on young branches, becoming fissured with age. Leaves up to 12 inches long, with a central axis supporting 2 to 6 paired leaflets and a terminal one; leaflets up to 5 inches long, ovate to narrower with an elongate tip, rounded base, and serrate margins. Pinnate foliage turns golden yellow in fall. Clusters of bright-pink, fragrant flowers appear before or with the leaves from the axils of the previous season. Fruit distinctive, a light reddish brown when ripe, 3 lobed capsule containing 1 to 3 dark brown to black, shiny seeds 1/2 inch in diameter, the walls of the capsule often persisting through the winter, seeds poisonous.

Mexican Coneflower Ratibida columnifera

Long-headed coneflower or prairie coneflower is an erect, hairy, clump-forming plant that typically grows to 1-3’ tall. It is most common on the Great Plains. This is an aster family member that is perhaps most noted for the long, cylindrical, center disk of each flower and its deeply cut leaves. Flowers bloom in summer. Each flower features a long narrow center disk (cone to 2” long) with 3-7 drooping yellow rays at the base. Leaves (to 5” long) are pinnately lobed. Cylindrical center disks are dark brown and somewhat resemble in shape the crown of a slender sombrero, hence the additional common name of Mexican hat. Columnifera refers to these columnar center disks.

Mexican Honeysuckle Justicia spicigera

Mexican Honeysuckle is a small shrub that isn't fussy, blooms most of the year, and is attractive to hummingbirds. With deep green leaves and bright orange flowers, Mexican honeysuckle grows 3 to 4 feet tall and spreads 3 to 6 feet wide. The soft, velvety leaves become larger in partial shade locations. Clusters of bright orange, narrowly tubular flowers appear almost any time of the year.

Mistletoe Fig Ficus triagularis

This member of the ficus family is most commonly found as a standard tree or a bush type. It has large dark green, shiny rounded triangle-shaped leaves on woody branches. They make an excellent specimen plant in the right environment.

LIGHT: One of the most important needs for the Ficus is bright light. Not enough light will cause leaf loss. An east, west, or southern window with a sheer curtain is ideal. Some leaf loss is normal as your plant acclimates to it's surroundings. Once placed, refrain from moving this plant unless you see that it needs more light.

TEMPERATURE: Provide average household warmth with a minimum of 55° in the winter. Mist occasionally to elevate humidity in dry environments.

WATER: Allow soil to dry to the touch before thorough watering. Do not allow plant to stand in water. With a larger plant you must make sure you give it enough water to reach the bottom of the pot. If you do not you will loose leaves. A suggestion is to give it enough water until you see it run out the bottom of the pot.

Morning Glory Tree Ipomoea carnea

The plant is covered with medium-size, light pink (there is a white form available) blooms all summer. Blooms last only one day but clusters of blooms are formed in a axil of every leaf. Plants can get 8-12 feet tall with multiple trunks. When hard frosts kill plants, the tops should be removed; in South Central Texas plants will sprout again from the hardy root system the following May. Once established, it is tough, being both heat a drought tolerant. It blooms best in direct sun light and will not bloom well if receiving less than 8-10 hours of sun light. Cutting back in July will reduce height and encourage a spectacular fall bloom.

Natal Plum Dwarf Carissa macrocarpa ‘Napa’

'Nana' is a thornless dwarf bearing flowers with spirally overlapping petals. White, star-shaped, fragrant flowers are produced over a long period on this wonderful, low growing evergreen shrub with dark green, thick leathery leaves. Flowers are followed by scarlet, edible fruit with a cranberry-like flavor, making this a pretty plant for pots or beds. It has excellent salt and drought tolerance, making it a great choice for sandy, coastal sites as well.

Obedient Plant Physostegia virginiana

An erect, clump-forming but rhizomatous perennial. Typically grows 2-4' tall on stiff, square stems and features dense spikes of pinkish, tubular, two-lipped, snapdragon-like flowers which bloom throughout the summer. Blooms from bottom to top on each spike. Narrow, lance-shaped, sharp-toothed leaves (to 4" long). Genus members are commonly called obedient plants because each individual flower will, upon being pushed in any one direction, temporarily remain in the new position as if it were hinged. Sometimes also commonly called false dragonhead because the flowers are suggestive of those of dragonhead (Dracocephalum).

Orange Peel Cestrum

Cestrum ‘Orange Peel’

This superb and easy-to-grow introduction from Southern Perennials and Herbs is a cross of Cestrum diurnum x Cestrum nocturnum. This plant selection has been both floriferous and winter-hardy. The fast-growing woody stems are clothed in ligustrum-shaped, deer-resistant leaves, and adorned from early June until frost with terminal clusters of mustard-orange flowers tipped in yellow...a hummingbird delight. When winters drop into the single digits, Cestrum 'Orange Peel' behaves as a dieback perennial that returns in spring to reach 8' tall x 8' wide by fall...simply superb!

Orange Dragon Ruttya fruticosa

Beautiful vining shrub covered with very unusual red to dark orange flowers with brown markings resembling rabbit's head with ears. This plant is relatively rare. The flowers look like 1-2 inch hummingbirds with their wings swept back or, from the front, like rabbits ears. They are full of and drip nectar. Needs moderate watering. Needs part to full sun. Blooms in winter-spring. Attracts butterflies, hummingbirds and bees.

Papyrus ‘Little Tut’ Cyperus papyrus ‘Little Tut’

A stouter version of an ancient classic, 'Little Tut' rises to only 4', a much more manageable size for water pots and small ponds. The thick stems are topped with fine green filaments through out the season. No plant has more grace and presence. Full sun to light shade partially submerged in water- the best results are when the pot is less than three inches below the surface of the water.

Passion Vine Passiflora sp.

Passiflora is one of the most impressive, fast growing and easiest tropical vines. If you need to cover a fence, this plant will do it in no time. The ability of these plants to cope with conditions far from their optimum is extraordinary. Passiflora has one of the most beautiful flowers. The complex flower symbolizes the Passion of Christ. Passiflora is a very popular indoor plant due to its ability to withstand a wide range of conditions, it will take both sun and shade, and some drought. Most passion flowers, whether young seedlings or mature adult plants, will benefit from supplementary lighting if indoors over the winter months. If light levels are low, heating the soil is more important than the air. Water sparingly from below and put a thin layer of sand over the soil. Don't fertilize and use free-draining soil to avoid root rot.

Peggy Martin Rose Rosa ‘Peggy Martin’

"Peggy Martin Rose" was one of only two plants surviving 20 feet of salt water over the garden of Mrs. Peggy Martin, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, after the destruction of Hurricane Katrina in late August, 2005.

Since then, it has been introduced into commerce in the United States and has become a symbol among gardeners and rose lovers of a tenacious plant associated with a spirit of renewal and regrowth in the aftermath of a devastating blow of Nature against those living and gardening in the Gulf Coast area. Dr. Bill Welch shared cuttings of this rose which he had taken from Peggy Martin's garden in 2003 and established at his country home near Burton.

Pam’s Pink Turk’s Cap

Turk's cap varieties with red and white flowers have been grown in Texas for generations. But a new hybrid variety, "Pam Puryear," named in honor of one of the first female graduates of Texas A&M University, has pink flowers. Because both new and old varieties of Turk's cap are tough and versatile plants, they have been designated Texas Superstars for 2011.

Gardeners, hummingbirds and butterflies have it made in the shade with Turk’s cap, the newly designated Superstar by Texas AgriLife Research.

Pepper ‘Bolivian Rainbow’

Capsicum annuum ‘Bolivian Rainbow’

Capsicum annuum. Plant produces good yields of small ¾" long by ½" wide hot peppers. Peppers are very hot and turn from purple, to cream-yellow, to orange, to red when mature. Plant has green stems with purple tint, green leaves with purple tint, and purple flowers. A beautiful ornamental pepper plant with all color stages on the plant at the same time. The peppers are edible. A variety from Bolivia. Plant Height: 36" tall.

Pink Ice Plant Delosperma cooperi

‘Rosea’

Native to South Africa, this ice plant species typically forms a vigorous, succulent, spreading, evergreen ground cover in warm winter areas of the United States. However, north of USDA Zones 7, it is at best semi-evergreen and is not reliably winter hardy. This is a succulent mat-forming plant that typically grows to 3” tall and spreads quickly to 24” or more. Daisy-like, bright red-purple flowers (to 2” diameter) cover the plant with bloom from June to September. The neon-like intensity of the flower color and length of bloom greatly enhance the ornamental interest of these plants. Succulent, fleshy, cylindrical, medium green leaves. Foliage is covered with transparent flakes that somewhat resemble tiny pieces of ice, hence the common name.

Frangipanis are relatively small trees growing only to about6-15ft in height, but what they lack in height they make up in width often becoming as wide as they are tall. They have a well-behaved root system which makes them great for the home garden and for growing in pots. Frangipanis are also great survivors coping with drought, heat, neglect and insect and pest attack. They are also deciduous allowing maximum winter sun while providing shade in summer. Frangipani flowers appear in clusters, also at the end of the branches, and are distinctively scented. The petals are waxy with the center of the flower a different color to the rest. For example the most common frangipani has white flowers with a yellow center. There are many varieties ranging from deep crimson to orange , yellow and white (and every shade in between). Unlike some flowering trees which bloom for a few days or weeks, frangipanis go on flowering.

Plumeria Plumeria frangipani

Pomegranate Dwarf Punica granatum ‘Nana’

Punica granatum ‘Nana’ is a dwarf version of the species reaching only 3-4′ tall with a 3′ spread at maturity. This deciduous shrub also has a compact and dense habit and puts on a great show with orange-red single flowers, doing especially well in hot summer heat. Dwarf Pomegranate blooms on new wood so it is best to prune late in the dormant season. In the fall, Dwarf Pomegranate will bear small red fruit. Punica granatum ‘Nana’ tolerates the heat and a variety of soils, works great in the garden or as a container plant. This flowering shrub is also drought tolerant once established, working great in xeriscape situations.

Porterweed purple

Stachytarpheta jamanicensis

This pest-free perennial blooms best during warm months. It is strange how these small blue flowers attract butterflies more than large-blooming, showy neighbors. Blue porter weed gradually reseeds nearby for a fresh batch of new plants. Mix with other species of Stachytarpheta for a variety of leaf shapes and colors ranging from purple to coral. Attracts butterflies and bees; self-sows. Provide average garden soil in full sun to partial shade.

Pride of Barbados Caesalpinia pulcherima

Pride of Barbados plants (Caesalpinia pulcherrima) are also known as peacock flowers, dwarf poincianas and red bird-of-paradise. They are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 8 to 11. In hot tropical climates they are evergreen but, in zone 9 Mediterranean climates, they are deciduous. In zone 8, frost kills the stems of the plant to the ground, but they return each spring. They grow between 8 and 20 feet tall, depending on the climate. Proper care of this plant begins with proper planting.

Pride of Barbados Native Yellow Caesalpinia gillesii

A short, arid-climate shrub with amazing flowers! Akin to some of its paradise flower relatives, this tough plant is a profuse bloomer and something to behold as a landscape plant. Shrubby growth habit to 6-12ft by 6-8ft. Deciduous. The ornate flowers bloom through most of the warmer months and are followed by woody, podded fruits. Hardy to 10-15F. Grows very well in dry regions. Has a deep root system and needs little water when established, though more regular watering will promote blooming. Weathers hot and dry conditions with ease. Grow in full sun. Will grow in pretty much any soil type.

Purple Oxalis Oxalis regnellii

Oxalis regnellii is often used as a gift plant this time of the year for St. Patrick’s Day. It is easy to grow but there are a few requirements to assure success. Shamrocks bloom in the Spring. Flowers are lilac in color. Oxalis regnellii like cool air and moist soil while they are growing. A suitable compost for shamrocks consists of 2 parts peat moss to 1 part loam to 1 part sand. Bright indirect light is best, but they will grow in lower light levels. Fertilize weekly while they are growing with a balanced fertilizer. No matter what you do, they will seem at times to be unhealthy and lose their leaves. When this happens, they are "tired," so let them "rest." Shamrocks are bulbs, and they require a dormant period every once in a while. Restrict all watering. As with any bulb, let the leaves die back naturally. Do not remove any leaves until they are brown. Let the bulbs stay dormant for 3 to 4 weeks, then water and fertilize. In most indoor-grown shamrocks, this dormant period occurs 2 to 3 times a year.

Purple Rubber Vine Crytostegia grandiflora

The Purple Rubber Vine has large (2" across), showy, lilac flowers with a broad funnel-shaped tube and five spreading lobes. Leaves are very ornamental, wide, deep green and waxy. This exotic woody vine poses a significant threat to northern Australian savanna landscapes. The Rubber Vine is poisonous it contains glucosides interfering with the heart, and ingesting with provoke stomach and intestinal upset. When trimming wear gloves since the sap is very irritating to the skin, and discard what you trimmed rapidly, because the dust from dried plants is also irritating.

Ramie Boehmeria nivea var. tenacissima

Ramie has large, olive-green, eliptical leaves resembling a fish's tail. The rough texture of the leaf feels like sandpaper This highly decorative foliage plant is easy to cultivate and performs well in either part-sun or shade. It grows 2ft to 4 ft in Zone 8-10, preferring semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. Cream/tan flowers appear early summer through late fall. Grown mainly for the foliage interest.

Rangoon Creeper Quisqualis indica

The Rangoon Creeper is by far the most exotic plant in the garden, the name alone is more appropriate for a horror movie than a plant. The flowers change three different colors in one day, when they open in the morning they are white, by mid afternoon they turned pink, and at sundown they are bright red. In the early evening the flowers omit an aroma of fresh picked apples that is intoxicating throughout the garden.

Redbird- variegated

Pedilanthus tithymaloides ‘Variegated’

This subtropical succulent is a distant relative of the well-known Christmas poinsettia. The plant grows from a few inches to 3 or 4 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. It has 1 to 3 inch long leaves. The variegated form takes on a pinkish tint during cooler weather. It will grow outdoors in hot, humid regions. Indoors, you'd want to give this Central American member of the Euphorbia plant family really bright light and warm conditions.

Red Powder Puff Calliandra emarginata

This is a slow-growing, evergreen to die-back shrub. It grows to about two to four feet tall. Leaves are composed of four leaflets. It produces red flowers on new growth for a long season of color. It grows well in sun to part shade in a well-drained soil. It is drought tolerant. This plant is an evergreen shrub in zone lower 9a and south. It is not reliable in northern zone 9a. The plant is evergreen to about 29º F. The plant dies back to the ground in the low to mid-20's F. New shoots and leaves appear in early April. It flowers from mid-June into January or until a hard freeze.

Red Yucca Hesperaloe parviflora “Red”

Red yucca (which is not a yucca) is a stalwart in the landscapes of Texas and the southwest. Its dark green rosette of long, thin leaves rising fountain-like from the base provides an unusual sculptural accent, its long spikes of pink to red to coral bell-shaped flowers last from May through October, and it is exceedingly tough, tolerating extreme heat and cold and needing no attention or supplemental irrigation once established, although many people remove the dried flower stalks in the fall. Unlike yucca, the leaves are not spine-tipped, and have fibrous threads along the edges. Red yucca is native to Central and Western Texas. Hummingbirds are attracted to the flowers.

Rock Rose Pavonia lasiopetala

Pavonia lasiopetala is a Texas Native that is extremely drought tolerant, although is does not mind a little water now and then. Texas Rock Rose can be see growing native in the Edwards Plateau, Rio Grande Plains, and the Trans Pecos areas of Texas. The most eye-catching feature of this plant is the Hibiscus-like pink to rose colored flowers. These flowers are generally 1″ in diameter and the Rock Rose will stay in bloom from summer till fall. This is a shrub-like perennial that can get woody at the base, it should come back every year if planted South of its native habitat. To keep this plant in bloom and to prevent legginess it can be trimmed back throughout the growing season. Texas Rock Rose generally only last 3-4 years but will reseed freely and the seedlings can replace the older plants. The flower will open in the morning and will close in the afternoon, blooms can be extended if there is afternoon shade.