Common Name
and Description

Agapanthus africanus

Lily of the Nile - A pretty ornamental with huge multi-flowered blooms that are a bright sky-blue. Reasonably hardy, will survive frosts. A popular ornamental, they are great in areas with lots of water. #1061

Alectryon subcinereus

Smooth Rambutan / Bird's-Eye - A small to medium sized hardy tree native to the Australian rainforest. Produces a small edible red fruit surrounding a black-red seed, which attracts birds. Fairly fast growing with spreading habit. Flowers in Summer leading to fruit in Winter. #232

Aloysia triphylla

Lemon Verbena - 4-6" tall shrubby plant known for its soothing lemon-like fragrance. Leaves are used in teas, potpourri, and in cooking. Hardy to the low 20's, but can also be grown as an annual in colder climates. #841

Alpinia sp.

Shell Ginger - Unknown species of shell ginger from Papua New Guinea. Large fruited, large leaved shrubby ginger to 6-10ft. Unknown hardiness. #290

Bartlettina sordida

Bartlettina - Striking cloud forest tree with hugs lavender colored puff-ball blooms. The flowers also have a lovely fragrance. Leaves are large, purple veined, and the whole tree makes a wonderful ornamental. Hardy to the 20's (F). #858

Bauhinia blakeana

Hong Kong Orchid Tree - Striking subtropical tree with profuse blooms of large, red-pink orchid-like flowers throughout winter and spring. Hardy to 22F. The gorgeous flower is the national emblem of Hong Kong. B. blakeana trees are usually sterile, seeds are from a tree originally identified as this species having the flower pictured to the left. #1003

Bauhinia purpurea

Purple Orchid Tree - Striking subtropical tree with profuse blooms of large, pink-white, orchid-like flowers throughout winter and spring. This species is similar to B. variegata and is often planted as an ornamental in both tropical and temperate-subtropical climates. Hardy to 22F. #1048

Bauhinia tomentosa

Yellow Bell Orchid Tree - A small or medium sized shrubby tree with ornamental, canary yellow, bell-petaled flowers. The bright flowers are followed by pod fruits similar to more common Bauhinia's. Native to Africa, hardy to the 20's, fast-growing. #1049

Bauhinia variegata

Orchid Tree - Striking subtropical tree with profuse blooms of large, pink-white, orchid-like flowers throughout winter and spring. Hardy to 22F. more info... #243

Bauhinia variegata 'Alba'

White Orchid Tree - Striking subtropical tree with profuse blooms of large, white, orchid-like flowers throughout winter and spring. Hardy to 22F. This is the white form of the orchid tree. more info... #1004

Bontia daphnoides

Barbados Olive - Edible, short statured plant native to the Caribbean. Produces small yellow ripening fruits that have a slightly bitter taste. The plant is probably best known for its ornamental and medicinal uses, being commonly planted near seashores. Medicinally the plant has anti microbial uses as well as use as a treatment for diabetes, ulcers, and intestinal worms. Hardy to near 30F. #845

Brachychiton acerifolius

Australian Flame Tree - Beautiful tree native to the Eastern rainforests of Australia. Huge bright red blooms are produced throughout spring and summer and cover large portions of the tree in red. Tree grows to 30-75ft, and is fairly hardy, able to survive several degrees below freezing. #233

Brugmansia suaveolens

Angel's Trumpet - White flowered angel's trumpet with flowers reaching 12" or more. Flowers heavily, occasionally sweetly fragrant. Hardy to the upper 20's. Small shrubby tree to 10-20ft. This is a white flowered form. #850

Caesalpina pulcherrima

Dwarf Poinciana - Standard red flowered form. Named for its ornate flowers which look much like the Royal Poinciana, yet grow on a small bushy tree, usually only reaching 6-8ft in height. Susceptible to frosts, can be container grown. #291

Caesalpina pulcherrima

Pink Dwarf Poinciana - Seeds are from the rare Pink flowered form. Named for its ornate flowers which look much like the Royal Poinciana, yet grow on a small bushy tree, usually only reaching 6-8ft in height. Hardy to the upper 20's (F). Great for containers. #1034

Callistemon citrinus

Lemon Bottlebrush, Crimson Bottlebrush - The Lemon Bottlebrush bears long, ornate, crimson powder-puff flowers. The branches and foliage have a wonderful citrus smell. Hardy to the low 20's (F). Small bushy tree usually to 5-10ft. #1022

Callistemon pallidus

Lemon Bottlebrush - Beautiful, lemon colored, flowering bottlebrush. Flowers are several inches long, with green tufts and yellow tips. Hardy to the 20's (F). Small bushy tree usually to 5-10ft. #816

Callistemon pinifolius

Green Bottlebrush, Pine Leaved Bottlebrush - Beautiful, green flowered bottlebrush. Flowers are several inches long, with green tufts and yellow tips. Hardy to the 20's (F). Small bushy tree usually to 5-10ft. #815

Callistemon salignus

Pink Bottlebrush - Seeds are from the Eureka variety bearing pink flowers. The bottlebrush is a well-known ornamental with large, 3-6" flowers looking like bottlebrushes. Hardy to the 20's (F). Does extremely well in Mediterranean and subtropical climates. #811

Callistemon speciosus

Albany Bottlebrush - Beautiful, pink-flowered bottlebrush. The bottlebrush is a well-known ornamental with large, 3-6" flowers looking like bottlebrushes. Hardy to the 20's (F). Does extremely well in Mediterranean and subtropical climates. #870

Cananga odorata

Ylang-Ylang - Beautiful tropical tree grown for its gorgeous yellow flowers with unique sweet smelling fragrance. The scent is used in perfumes, soaps, and numerous other products. During Spring and Summer, the ornate yellow flowers cover branches, releasing their sweet fragrance into the air. The ylang-ylang is easy to grow, fast-growing, and forms a slender shape when mature. Hardy to the mid to low 30's (F). 5+ seeds/pack. #225 more info...

Canna generalis

Canna Lily 'Orange-Red'- Orange-red flowered variety. Small annual or perennial plant with banana-like leaves and gorgeous, fragrant flowers. Easily grown, hardy to the 20's. Can be grown in colder regions where rhizomes should be dug up and stored over winter. #229 more info..., pictures

Canna generalis

Canna Lily 'Red'- Deep-red flowered variety. Small annual or perennial plant with banana-like leaves and gorgeous, fragrant flowers. Easily grown, hardy to the 20's. Can be grown in colder regions where rhizomes should be dug up and stored over winter. #237more info..., pictures

Canna generalis

Canna Lily 'Yellow'- Yellow flowered variety. Small annual or perennial plant with banana-like leaves and gorgeous, fragrant flowers. Easily grown, hardy to the 20's. Can be grown in colder regions where rhizomes should be dug up and stored over winter. #238 more info..., pictures

Canna tuerckheimii

Giant Canna - Possibly the largest of the Canna species, this grows to 8-12ft, with huge tropical-looking leaves several feet long. Flowers are red. Easily grown, hardy to about 15F. Can be grown in colder regions where rhizomes should be dug up and stored over winter. #880

Cassia closiana

Golden Cassia - Heavily blooming tropical/subtropical tree. Bright yellow blooms blanket the tree in summer and fall. Fairly hardy, great for deserts and areas with infrequent water. Can be kept small, or grown to a large tree. #869

Cassia didymobotrya

Popcorn Cassia - Similar to the Candle Bush, this shrubby perennial is popular in tropical and subtropical areas for its bright yellow flowers which dot the bush through much of the year. Grows to 10-25ft, hardy to light frosts. #1062

Cassia javanica

Pink Shower Tree, Apple Blossom Tree - Gorgeous tropical tree producing long strands of pink flowers. A very common garden tree throughout Hawaii and many tropical locations. The beautiful and prolific flower strands also resemble apple blossoms, hence its other common name. The tree will bloom for many months of the year in warm climates. #1029

Ceiba pentandra

Kapok, Silk Cotton Tree - A beautiful and useful ornamental tree. The Kapok bears large, 6" fruits willed with a light fiber that has a number of industrial applications. The bark has a number of medicinal applications as well. Trees grow to 30-60ft and are hardy into the mid 20s (F). The Kapok is the national tree of Puerto Rico. #1027

Cordyline australis purpurea

Purple Cabbage Tree - A New Zealand native and a beautiful oranmental with an almost prehistoric look. Seeds are from the gorgeous purple-leaved type. Mature trees somewhat resemble the famous Dragon Tree. Can grow to 40ft, but generally remains small. Once used as a major food source by the Maori, the tree also has utilitatrian uses for its fiber. Hardy to 15-20F. #1055

Cordyline terminalis 'Red'

Red Ti Plant - A famous (and hardy) tropical plant known for its beautiful lush leaves which impart a perfect tropical look to any garden. The Ti Plant is well-known in the Hawaiian islands and Native Hawaiian belief has that when planted around the home, the Ti Plant is said to impart luck. Seeds are form a dark red leaved variety. Hardy to 15-20F. more info... #1020

Crescentia cujete

Calabash Tree - Small or medium sized tropical tree producing large and heavy, round, hard-shelled fruits that are dried and used as marracas. Tree is a commonly planted ornamental in tropical regions. #226