This is the place for tropical & temperennial plants with spectacular foliage to show themselves. As you can see, leaves can be as showy and diverse as any group of flowers, explaining why foliage is "all the rage". These are definetly worth consideration for the garden, alone in a pot, or any combination which calls for that "something special".  While only a partial list, to be sure, it includes some of our favorites, as well as the outright bizarre...

Aglaonema ' Sparkling Sarab'

NEW for 2010! This unusual "Chinese Evergreen" has cotton candy pink stems & midribs, and leaves plashed & spotted with pink & cream like confetti. This rare selection is a reliably showy choice for moderate or bright but indirect light. Allow the soil to dry slightly before watering, but avoid allowing the soil to dry completely. This plant has stunning potential for shady combinations!

Anthurium crystallinum

This hard to find tropical treasure produces massive, dark green, velvety leaves contracted with prominant, near white veining. Leaves can reach up to two feet in size! A definite curiousity & conversation piece, it is easy to grow in anything from high, to bright indirect or moderate light, with average water requirements. 

Anthurium vittarifolium

Dramatically cascading with long, thick leaves that feel like vinyl, this rare sleection is unique by any standard. Although the flowers (spathe & spadix) could best be described as gaunt & homely, they are followed by long showy clusters of jewel-toned pink fruit. All parts of this plant are toxic. Growing in high to moderately low light,  it likes average amounts of water, even leaning a bit toward the drought tollerant side.

Abyssinian Banana (Ensete ventricosum 'Maurellii')

The bold, deep green foliage large-leaved banana are accentuated by dark red mid-ribs, petioles, & leaf edges. Slower growing than other bananas, it is a suberb choice for a tropical container specimen. Give it high to moderate light' part shade outdoors & protect from wind to avoid leaf tatter (though the plant won't mind!) It it gets too big - just wack it back & new leaves will emerge -Really!

Begonia 'Art Hodes'

For years we've carried this rare & curious plant as 'Anthole', but were recently corrected by our freind, Harley, in Nebraska. Medium sized, roughly textured leaves & stems are covered with bewilderingly tranluscent red hairs which catch the light & simply glow! Grom in moderate light or part shade, being careful not to overwater.

Begonia bipinnatifida

Another rarely found Begonia, the finely cut, frilly leaves are barely more than dark green veins with red undersides & stems. A stunning texture alone, or in combination with other shade preferring plants, it always garners attention when on our benches. Like other begonias, take care not to over water this one.

Begonia 'Escargot'

Large silver swirls which spiral from cacky-red leaves make this one of our most popular specialty begonias. 'Escargot' rapidly makes large bushy plants (for a Begonia) & are a stunning sight on bright or moderate light. Allow the soil to dry between waterings.

Begonia wentii

Easy to grow, but hard to find, this silver-speckled wonder is typically one of our first sell-outs each year. Roughly scalloped, elongated cacky leaves have red undersides & the polka-dot quality of a tropical snow-storm! For the lucky few who happan to get their hands on it, give it bright or filtered light, & run it on the dry side.

Blood Banana (Musa zebrina 'Rojo')

Singularly, our most popular Banana, this one has bold & random splashes of red on large tropical green leaves with a bright red midrib. This fast grower lends an instant tropical feel & can reach 8' or more in a single season. Like other banans, it likes sun or part shade, & can be hacked to a stump if it gets too big. 

 Caladium 'Thai Beauty'

Tantilizing elephant-ear pinks dance between the green veins of these broadly undulating leaves. This caladium thrives is shade or part shade (bright indirect or moderate light indoors) & makes a great if not flashy houseplant.

Calathea 'Jester'

NEW for 2010! Unusually fast growing for a Calathea, 'Jester' has generously sized emerald foliage boldly & artistically painted with shades of chartreuce, cream, mint, buttercream & yellow - with purple undersides! More than a mouthful of color for brightshade or moderate light, it enjoys high humidity & likes to be kept pretty evenly moist. 

Calathea mosaica

Utterly unlike any other Calathea, this low-light plant presents a rectilinear matrix of green veins amidst a chartreuce field. Growing much like a ginger, it sends up new leaves from beneath-the-soil "runners", and likes to be evenly moist. 

Canna 'Australis'

Stunning & stately spires of broad, deep burgundy leaves give way to brilliantly red flowers. Best planted in sunny masses, tubers can be dug & stored for the following year. Grow in full sun. Established plants will tolerate 'wet feet'.

Canna 'Cleopatra'

Rarely offered, this unpredictable variety produces leaves from wholly green to completely red & every possible combination between. Blooms can also ranfe from solid to speckled, yellow to red, & on rare report - lavander.

Canna 'Intrigue'

The slender, hazy red leaves & small orange blooms are the perfect compliment for the blues. Also best planted in masses, like other Cannas, tubers can be harvested & stored for replanting next year.

Canna 'Stuttgart'

Another rare Canna, 'Stuttgart' appears to have white leaves randomly splashed with green. You'll definetly want to give this one some afternoon shade & planty of water to avaoid unsightly scorching. Mid summer, plants are topped with peach colored blooms.

Canna 'Tropicana'

Broad, semi-translucent leaves are finely striped with varying shades of yellow, green, orange, & red. This plant loves to play in the light & rewards its growers with brilliantly orange flowers.

Cheesecake Monstera (Monstera deliciosa 'Cheesecake')

NEW fo 2010!

This delicious monster of a plant is tremendously exciting with its super-large growing, laciniating (cutting/splitting) leaves splotched and speckled with cheescake tones - even the stems & sheaths are variegated! Prefering bringht indirect, moderate, or brightly filtered light, this plant is nor for the space conservative as leaves can reach 6' x 6' or more, with time. Despite it's tempting name, beware; all parts of this plant are toxic.

Colocasia 'Maui Magic'

This unusual Elephant Ear has matte-black leaves with an almost magical irridescence radiating from the center. Great outdoors in part shade as a conversation sparking single specimen, it is also makes a stunning addition to combination planters.    

Cordyline ' Mocha Latte' (Dracaena cordyline ' Mocha Latte')

NEW fo 2010! Surrealistic lines of mocha, cappucino, cacky & buttercream paint the broad leaves of this tastefully unusual selection. An artisically stylized choice for foliage lovers, this plant will do best in moderate or bright but indirect light. We suspect that some magical combinations will be conjured by this introduction!

Crocodile Fern (Microsorum musifolium 'Crocodyllus')

Another often hard-to-find gem of the fern world, 'Crocodyllus' grows as a semi-upright array of bold, oddly textured fronds, radiating from a central rosette. Given the texture of this unique fern, it is easily equated to its namesake - the Crocodile. Tollerating moderately low to very bright light, the Crocodile Fern is a little less water demanding than some ferns, and appretiates being allowed to dry out lightly between waterings. 

Croton 'Mammie' (Codiaeum)

This plant exudes an explosion of color in a bushy form of densely clustered contorted leaves. Crotons like to dry out between waterings. Although they will tollerate medium light conditions, their fullest habit & most intense color is achieved in the highest of light. Mammie is an excellent addition to containers & combos where colore & texture is desired!

Croton 'Picasso's Paintbrush' (Codiaeum)

Exhilaratingly different, this stunning plant is great in combos, or as a houseplant with panache'! It has everything; color, texture, and structure, all rolled into one "everybody's talking about it" package. It need very high light for the color, & the soil shoul dbe allowed to dry out between waterings. 

Croton 'Revolution' (Codiaeum)

An instant conversation piece, 'Revolution' is a suitingname for this plant. Each leaf is neatly folded along its midrib, curled like a ramshorn with a fine yellow edge, and densely clustered on this texural explosion of a plant. It makes a fine container plant for the house, or anywhere with high light (the more; the better). Allow soil to dry between watering. 

Deiffenbachia 'Camille'

Deiffenbachias prefer bright indirect, filtered, or moderate light. Camille, with her boldly bright, centrally variegated leaves seems to emit radiant light from within. An outstanding choice for an easy to grow house plant, she also lend herself well to combo pots for bright shade outdoors (see a sample here).

Deiffenbachia 'Sterling'

This one has become intensley popular among interior designers. Elegant & stately, the broad, dark green leaves are understatedly highlighted with creamy-white midribs & upcurved veins. These sturdy, easy to grow, low to moderate light plants are forgiving on water, as long as they are not wet. Like other "Dumb Canes", this plant is toxic, so keep it away from children & pets.

Dracaena 'Limelight'

The clear lemon-yellow leaves of this "Ti Plant" have a cast of chartreuse, & simply exude a feeling of happiness. Easy to grow, 'Limelight needs bright light for it's color, but protection for hot or direct sun where she will develop a nasty sunburn. This is a GREAT houseplant for brightening things up & is extensively useful in shady containers outdoors.

 Elephant Ears

 Many plants are referred to by this moniker. Amongst them there are varieties which produce alost every color of the spectum, and sizes range from a few inches to 15' or more! Learn more about these fascinating tropical plants & our selections here.

Euphorbia tirucalli 'Sticks on Fire'

Tangled branching of cylindrical spires are vibrantly colored in varying shades of green, yellow, orange, & red; hence the name. Plants occasionally produce minute leaves, like full sun & prefer to be kept dry. Over the years this plant can grow 4 - 6'. This plant is toxic. 

Ficus triangularis 'Coconut Cream'

NEW for 2010! This super-rare selection is a slow growing fig with truly triangular leaves, primarily creamy-white in color with flashes of mint & green. These plants can produce miniscule figs - peachy-pink in color that are much more showy than edible. Forgiving on water, but prefering not to be constantly wet, this collector's item is adaptable to a suprisingly wide range of light conditions; but avoid hot, intense sun where it may scorch.

Hawaiian Snowbush (Breynia disticha 'Roseopicta')

This daintily textured shrub can be trained as a tree, & develops an open, layered habit without pruning. Dime-sized leaves emerge pink from red stems, fading to white, then green speckled with white, & eventualy green with a bronze flush. Give it high light indoors, full sun to light shade outdoors. Takes well to pruning. Do not over-water. 

Hibiscus 'Fire and Ice'

While there are many to be found, this is the most dramatically colored variegated Hibiscus we know. Grown more for the foliage than the flowers, Leaves can be hot or pale pink, white, deep burgundy, or any combination, with hardly any two leaves alike. Leaves are speckled, splashed, spotted, or solid, and will produce only a nominal amount of green in full sun if not over-fed. Blooms are magenta, 2 - 3" across.

Kalanchoe beharensis

Thick, fleshy leaves are covered with silver fuzz & edged in rust. Undersides of the leaves, also fuzzy develop soft but firm, pointed outcroppings that look like they want to be incisors. The pant has a pre-historic look, and given a large enough pot, can reach several feet in just a few years. 

Liriope 'Cassidy'

This jolly & sassy grass-like plant has very dark green, curly-q leaves that exude exactly the kind of attitude we want from a fun plant. Give it shade or part shade for the best character; as in sun the blades will loose their curls. Slow growing, 'Cassidy' makes a great housplant or accent for containers, & likes to be kept on the dry side. This plant can be divided easily over time. 

Neoregelia 'Puppy Love'

NEW for 2010! A short rosette composed of broad strap-like leaves, dark glossy green in color will begin to flush hot pink from the center. In time, the entire plant turns hot pink flushed with vibrant red. Like other bromeliads, this one is very easy to grow, prefering moderate or bright indirect light (but it can be slowly acclimated to higher light levels). Keep water in the central cup & feed sparingly, only during the growing season.

Papyrus (Cyperus papyrus)

We carry several varieties of this plant ranging in size from one or two feet, to 8' or more, including the elusive variegated strains. Papyrus make stunning container plants for full sun to light shade. While they easily tolerate "wet feet" & can be used as a pond marginal, they grow equally well in potting mix, indoors or out.

Peperomia monticola 'Jayde'

Each year, we offer a very limited number of this extremely rare Peperomia. The large, glossy, spade shaped leaves are a lively shade of emerald green. Easy to grow but hard to propogate, these treasures thrive in moderate light with average water. Do not over-water. Blooms are cream-colored "whips", and can be produced in profusion if the plant is stressed, interfearing in the production of leaves. Do not over water.  

Philodendron 'Brazil'

The dark green, heart shaped leaves of of this trailing variety display anything from a central streak of lemon-chiffon yellow to random variegation. They do best in moderate, bright but indirect, or moderately low light. Philodendron are very easy to grow. Use an all purpose fertilizer in spring & summer. Allow the soil to dry lightly between watering.

Philodendron 'Golden Xanadu'

Gracefully scalloped leaves emerge sunshine yellow, ad fade to charteuce as they age, giving this plant not only color & texture, but depth. Philos are extremely easy to grow & like bright, indirect, or moderate light. These plants are extremely forgiving on water. Feed sparingly with an all-purpose plant food. Mature plants will produce dramatic, trailing aerial roots, peachy-orange to pink in color.

Philodendron 'Moonlight'

This slow growing Philo has vibrant lemon yellow leaves which fade to chartreuce, & eventually green as they age. A very well-behaved, easy to grow house plant, it does best in moderate, bright but indirect, or moderately low light. Philodendron are very easy to grow. Use an all purpose fertilizer in spring & summer. Allow the soil to dry lightly between watering.

Philodendron 'Pink Princess'

This rare variety has deep mahogany-purple leaves generously splashed with shades of pink. They do best in moderate, bright but indirect, or moderately low light. Philodendron are very easy to grow. Use an all purpose fertilizer in spring & summer. Allow the soil to dry lightly between watering. 

Philodendron 'Prince of Orange'

This slow growing Philo has red-orange leaves which fade to bronze, & eventually green as they age. A very well-behaved, easy to grow house plant, it does best in moderate, bright but indirect, or moderately low light. Philodendron are very easy to grow. Use an all purpose fertilizer in spring & summer. Allow the soil to dry lightly between watering. 

Pothos 'Pearls and Jade' (Epipremnum 'Pearls and Jade')

NEW for 2010!  Pothos are one of the easiest to grow trailing houseplants. This one has subtly hued green tear-drop shaped leaves grandly splashed & spotted white! Pothos are forgiving & adaptable plants, growing best in low to bright light with average water. Sometimes called 'Devil's Ivy, Pothos are toxic.

Persian Shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus)

With metalic purple leaves, veined dark green, this plant always garners attention in our greenhouse. Tolerant of full sun with adequate water, they will thrive & give the best color in part shade. This plant has the added benefit of occasional lavender blooms which are reported to be attractive to hummingbirds. 

Purple Passion (Gynura aurantiaca)

This victorian favorite has long been grown as an easy houseplant, but also makes an excellent addition to combination pots. Dark geen leaves are covered with soft purple hairs. Bloom are yellow pomponettes, fading to white as seeds form, but are best removed due to their foul smell. 

Rastafarian Lipstick Plant (Aeschinanthus radicans 'Rasta')

Now here is a plant with attitude! Rasta has the traditional red "lipstick" blooms, but they seem merely a perk when considering the curiously tantalizing texture created by the foliage. Performing well indoors or out, it adapts to light ranging from moderately low to moderately high indoors, but prefers part shade outside. 

Red Mexican Spurge (Euphorbia cotinifolia)

Also called Caribbean Copper Plant or Mexican Smoke Bush, this large shrub, often trained into a tree likes full sun to light shade. Leaves are translucent red, and glow when backlit by the sun. This plant is fast growing, and should not be over watered. 

Red Firecracker Plant (Russelia equisetiformis 'Firecracker')

This plant has become wildly popular for us, and is rarely found in other northern garden centers. Though not ideal for indoor culture, it offers a truly unique texture for sunny borders & pots during the growing season. Dense, mounding, soft cascades of bright green "filament" foliage produce bright orangy-red tubular blooms prized by hummingbirds. Try this as an exciting "spiller" in combination pots.

Red Rubber Tree (Ficus elastica 'Ruby')

Slow growing, this a one tough & forgiving plant. Growing in moderate low to moderately high light, leaves are hazy shades of green, edged in cream with a stunning peachy-pink cast. Easy to grow; allow the soil to dry between watering. 

Silver Satin Pothos (Scindapsus pictus 'Silver Satin')

This tough & easy trailer has emerald heart-shaped leaves spotted with metalic silver.  Suitable as a low or moderate light houseplant, it also makes a nice accent in shady combination planters. Allow soil to dry between watering. All parts of this plant are toxic if ingested.

Solanum pyracanthioides (S. pyracanthemum)

Not the most traditionally beautiful of plants, this South Amreican potato releative is grown more as a curiousity. Leaves are lined, top & bottom, with stiff, sharp yellow-orange thorns. Purple star-shaped flowers are followed by fruit not unlike a fuzzy cherry tomato. Like many potato relatives, all parts of this plant are toxic.

Spider Plant 'Bonnie' (Chlorophytum comosum 'Bonnie')

Here's a new twist on an old favorite! Spider plants are one of the easiest & most reliable of houseplants. Each leaf & trailing cluster of "babies" is brightly variegated in a clean buttercream, & symphonically twisted! Spiders do best in bright or moderate light. We've found this one to be an invaluable addition to combo pots for part shade. (See a sample here)

Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera deliciosa)

Also known as "Split Leaf Philodendron", this is actually a tropical / sub-tropical vine. Leaves emerge heart shaped, splitting & incising with age as they grow. On mature plants, leaves can exceed two or three feet. Do not over-water. All part of this plant are toxic if ingested. 

Tapeworm Plant (Homalocladium platycladum)

Also called "Ribbon Bush" or "Centipede Plant", this unusual Solomon Island native will grow in full sun (where it prefers to be kept evenly moist) to full shade (where it would prefer to dry out slightly between waterings). Upright flat stems of spring green are segmented. Sporadically, from the joints, small leaves will emerge, as will clusters of (unshowy) pin-head flowers. 

 Tiger Eye Fern (Nephrolensis 'Tiger Eye')

Wow! Bright yellow & chartreuce stripes appear in varying widths and patterns throughout this Boston variety, maiking it a real stunner. Because of its outstanding color, it has become a favorite for use in combination planters for bright shade. More rapid growing than most Nephrolensis, a small plant can fill a big planter in no time. It stands alone as a specimen, and makes for a show-stopping basket. Treat this one just lke other Boston Ferns.