Common Name
and Description

Datura ceratocaula

White Datura - A less-common Datura having ghostly white, trumpet-like flowers. The beautiful blooms can grow up to and over 6". Short, shrubby and trailing growth pattern, usually to no more than a foot or two. This particular species does very well in wet and swampy areas. All parts of the plant are toxic to ingest. #1077

Datura metel

Double Golden Datura - A double-flowered Datura with beautiful golden yellow flowers. The large 6"+ blooms are double petaled and yellow inside and out. Small plants grow to a few feet and are great in containers. All parts of the plant are toxic to ingest. #1079

Datura metel alba

White Datura - A breathtaking flowering shrub producing huge tumpet-like flowers with a beautiful snow white color. Similar to some of the Brugmansia's, except the flowers open more upright. Amazing blooms and very fragrant during the evening hours! Hardy to short frosts. Can be grown in containers. Grows to 3-5ft. All parts of the plant are toxic to ingest. #1059

Datura parajuli

Datura - A fairly rare Datura, having long, trumpet-like flowers with white petals. Similar to some of the Brugmansia's, except the flowers open more upright. Hardy to short frosts. Can be grown in containers. Grows to 3-5ft. All parts of the plant are toxic to ingest. #1083

Datura stramonium

Devil's Apple - A distinctive Datura, having trumpet shaped, white flowers with petals that are slightly twisted, looking a bit like a pinwheel. Similar to some of the Brugmansia's, except the flowers open more upright. Hardy to short frosts. Can be grown in containers. Grows to 3-5ft. All parts of the plant are toxic to ingest. #1084

Delonix regia

Royal Poinciana - Regal tropical tree commonly planted as an ornamental along streets and in parks throughout the tropics. Its ornate, red-orange-yellow flowers and graceful canopy find it as one of the most popular tropical ornamentals. more info... #279

Dracaena draco

Dragon Tree - Exotic Agave relative native to the Canary Islands. Known for its interesting growth pattern and pretty, palm-like foliage. Name comes from the red sap, once used in medicine and ancient witchcraft. Hardy to the low 20's (F), sometimes grown as a houseplant in cold climates. #842

Dyckia sp.

Dyckia Bromeliad - Arid climate tolerant bromeliad native to South American cloud forests. Great for landscape use, this is a relative of the sapphire tower producing yellow colored flowered spikes in season. We don't know the exact species. Hardy to around 32F. #839

Erythrina arborescens

Sunshine Coral Tree - One of the beautiful tropical coral tree, so popular as an ornamental in warmer climates. This species produces bright and sunny orange-red blooms with the typically beautiful coral tree appearance. Tree is often leafless when blooms appear. Medium sized tree to 20-30ft. #1071

Erythrina coralloides

Flame Coral Tree - Seeds are from the classic Coral Tree, a gorgeous ornamental with torch-like red blooms that can reach 6-12". Tree is often leafless when blooms appear. Medium sized tree to 20-30ft. Seeds are poisonous if eaten. #1073

Etlingera eliator

Pink Torch Ginger - Seeds are of the fabled tropical pink torch ginger, renowned for its pink flower bracts which grow atop stems several feet long. Clumping growth habit. Herbaceous, hardy to 32F but roots can be used to resprout in colder areas. The young buds are spicy, edible, and popular for use in some southeast Asian dishes. #1053

Etlingera eliator

Red Torch Ginger - Seeds are from the fiery tropical red torch ginger, renowned for its red flower bracts which grow atop stems several feet long. Clumping growth habit. Herbaceous, hardy to 32F but roots can be used to resprout in colder areas. The young buds are spicy, edible, and popular for use in some southeast Asian dishes. #1069

Etlingera eliator

White Torch Ginger - Seeds are from the elegant white-flowered torch ginger, renowned for its snow white flower bracts which grow atop stems several feet long. Clumping growth habit. Herbaceous, hardy to 32F but roots can be used to resprout in colder areas. The young buds are spicy, edible, and popular for use in some southeast Asian dishes. #1067

Etlingera venusta

Malay Rose Torch Ginger - A fairly rare ginger having delicate looking pink flowers with a white center opening upwards. Native to the tropical rainforests, this ginger does well in shade. Exotic blooms are long lasting and like other gingers, the plant provides a beautiful tropical look. Hardy to the 30's (F). #1037

Eucalyptus citriodora

Lemon-Scented Eucalyptus - Tall Eucalyptus with beautiful, smooth gray-white bark and a wonderful lemon scent to its foliage. This Eucalyptus is commonly used to obtain essential oils, which are used in the fragrance and perfumery industry. Bears puffy, ornamental, white powder-puff flowers during spring. Hardy to about 25F. #1021

Eucalyptus deglupta

Rainbow Bark Eucalyptus, Mindanao Gum - Gorgeous tropical eucalyptus whose peeling bark exposes a bright, multi-colored trunk. Commonly planted in tropical regions, if allowed can grow to 200ft high. Hardy to 20-25F. #274 more info...

not currently available

Eucalyptus globulus

Tasmanian Blue Gum, Eucalyptus - Tall Eucalyptus with beautiful, smooth blue-gray bark and strong, aromatic foliage. This Eucalyptus is commonly used to obtain essential oils, which have considerable medicinal uses, most commonly to treat coughs and colds. Bears puffy, ornamental, white powder-puff flowers during spring. Hardy to about 25F. #1030

Eucalyptus resinifera

Red Mahogany - A tall eucalyptus known for its pretty red wood that has a resmeblance to tropical mahogany. Has rough, peeling bark and a slender profile, reaching as much as 75ft with maximum space. Hardy to the mid or low 20's. The wood has economic value in construction and furniture. #1054

Ficus benghalensis

Banyan Tree, Indian Fig - A famous tree, easily recognizable by its large aerial roots which grow down from branches. It is easily grown as a houseplant but can be grown outdoors in areas without much frost. In its natural environment it begins life as an epiphyte before developing into a freestanding tree. Similar in appearance to the rubber tree. #1048

Ficus religiosa

Bo Tree, Sacred Fig - The Bo Tree is a fig native to India. It is best known for its sacred place in Buddhism and Hinduism. It is said that under this species of tree the first Buddha attained enlightenment. Can grow to 90ft, and does well in moderate rain or tropical climates. The fruits are edible but not highly esteemed. Hardy to around 32F. more info... #1008

Gardenia jasminoides

Gardenia - The common gardenia is a well-known tropical, loved both for its ornamental look and its heavenly scented white flowers. The glossy-leaved shrub may grow to 4-6ft. The fluffy white flowers are borne during warmer months and have the unmistakable gardenia fragrance. Hardy to 20F. #1068

Gossypium hirsutum

Cotton - Perennial shrub which produces the cotton of commerce. Seeds are from a perennial variety, (most commercial cotton grown today comes from annual strains which are replanted yearly). Hardy to the upper 20's, in cold climates it can be grown as an annual. Pretty bright yellow flowers bloom throughout warm months. #825

Grewia stolzii

Green-Petaled Cross Berry - Phalsa relative having interesting four-lobed fruits. Grows to a 3-6ft tall bush, hardy to the upper 20's. Fruits may be edible. Native to Central Africa. #837

Guaiacum officinale

Lignum Vitae - Beautiful evergreen tropical known for its extremely dense and heavy hardwood, used in woodworking. The tree is ornamental as well, with pretty purple flowers in season. Native to the Caribbean, its numbers have severely diminished due to harvesting. Also used medicinally. more info... #890

Gunnera insignis

Poor Man's Parasol - Medium sized shrubby plant known for its huge green leaves that can be several feet in width. The poor man's parasol is a quite striking plant in the garden. Hardy to 25-32F. Grows well in part-shade/filtered sun. more info #828

Heliconia latispatha

Golden Lobster Claw- Gorgeous tropical flower known worldwide, this species is known for its alternating and orange tinged flowers.Can survive to about 32F. Large red-yellow, ornate flowers and banana-like foliage give this plant a stunning tropical look. #821 picture

Heliconia spathocircinata

Orange Fringed Heliconia - A deeply beautiful tropical heliconia with upright bracts mostly red in color, with orange-yellow interiors and pink tinges. This species is the parent for a number of cultivated hybrids. Grows to 6-7ft. Hardy to the low 30's (F). #1085

Heliconia wagneriana

Rainbow Heliconia - A very showy Heliconia with large flower bracts that are a rainbow of pink, red, and green. Can grow to 12ft. Best in tropical or subtropical climates without freezes. A gorgeous plant having a classic "tropical" look. #1046

Hedychium gardnerianum

Kahili Ginger - Yellow ginger well-known throughout Hawaii and tropical regions as an ornamental. Flowers are borne for much of the year and have an intensely fragrant smell. Plant grows to 4-6ft, with large, green leaves. #884

Hibiscus tiliaceus

Beach Hibiscus - A fairly common tropical Hibiscus that often finds its home near shorelines and beaches. Also drought tolerant, this tropical beauty has bright yellow flowers which change to orange and finally red before closing by the end of the day. This species is also used for bonsai. more info... #283

Indigofera tinctoria

True Indigo - Small bushy tree to 15ft with exotic pink-purple flower tufts. This plant is the original source of indigo dye and has been cultivated for centuries. Will stand brief frosts, makes for a good shade plant. Indigo is also a legume and can be planted as a nitrogen fixer to improve soil. #1028

Ixora coccinea

Red Ixora - A brilliantly colored tropical flowering shrub renowned for its closely packed, bright red flowers. Ixora is a small bush, usually growing no more than a few feet with flowers displayed for much of the year. Hardy to 32F. more info... #1060

Jacaranda mimosifolia

Blue Jacaranda - Stunning subtropical/tropical tree grown for its gorgeous blue-purple flower blooms that cover the tree in season. Hardy to about 20-22F. We don't have a nice picture of the tree in bloom to display yet, but the jacaranda is one of the most famous and popular of the subtropical flowering trees. #834

Jacquinia aurantiaca

Jacquinia- Shrubby Caribbean tree often found growing near water. Blooms small orange flowers in great numbers when in season, followed by 1-2" orange fruits that are popular with birds. #891

Jatropha curcas

Barbados Nut, Physic Nut - A fast-growing and tough tropical tree currently experiencing a resurgence of interest for its use as a biofuel. From the seeds an oil can be extracted that produces a fuel that can burned in standard diesel engines. Trees grow to 40-60ft and are hardy to some frost. Very easy to grow and highly tolerant of adverse soil and water conditions. The plant also has a variety of medicinal uses. #1078

Lagerstroemia indica

Crepe Myrtle, Crape Myrtle - Seeds are from mixed purple and red varieties. The crepe myrtle is a beautiful, commonly planted ornamental blooming large panicles of small flowers during summer and fall. Bark is also very pretty, reddish in color and reminiscent of a guava. Very fast growing, hardy to 0F. #242

Leptospermum minutifolium

Small Leaved Tea Tree- Tiny leaved Australian tea tree, with pretty foliage having a weeping, fern-like look. Hardy to 20-22F. Leaves are fragrant, plant tolerates some drought. Small, bushy tree to 6-12ft. #814

Leptospermum petersonii

Lemon Scented Tea Tree- Small native Australian tree to 10-15ft. Foliage has a strong lemon scent and is used to make tea. Hardy to 25-28F. Tolerates arid climates, needs little care. #257

Leptospermum polygalifolium

Tea Tree - One of the hardy Australian Tea trees, this species makes a nice landscape shrub or tree, particularly in tough conditions. Hardy to about 20F, the tree is also drought tolerant and grows fine in poor soils. The leaves can be used to make a tea. Shrubby habit to 10-15ft. #1082

Leptospermum rotundifolium

Round Leaved Tea Tree- Native Australian tea tree with rounded leaves and profuse amounts of white-pink flowers in spring. Leaves are aromatic. Tree is hardy to at least 25F, does well in arid climates. #813

Lycianthes quichensis

Lilac Lycianthes - A rare ornamental related to the potato bush. This species is native to Central America and grows into a bushy habit with lilac-colored flowers somewhat like the potato bush. Bright red fruits follow. Hardy to the 20's. Great in sun or shade. #1035

Mahonia bealei

Oregon Grape - Small, shade-loving bush grown as an ornamental for its amazing, deep-blue fruits which cover the bush in season. Hardy to a few degrees below 0 (F). The edible fruits have a mild flavor and are high in vitamin C. #338

Melaleuca incana

Gray Honey Myrtle - Small bushy tree known for its beautiful silver foliage and yellow bottlebrush flowers. Hardy to the upper 20's, very drought tolerant. #830 more info

Michelia champaca

Michelia, Perfume Tree - Beautifully fragrant subtropical Magnolia relative native to China. Bears stunning, white, multi-petaled flowers with a deep, perfumy scent used in the cosmetics industry. Hardy to about 28F. #881

Mimosa pudica

Sensitive Plant - Tiny, annual/perennial with fern-like leaves, known for the unique characteristic that when touched, the leaves quickly fold up, only to fan out again minutes to hours later. Plant is tropical and will not survive cool or frosty temperatures, but can be kept potted indoors. It can be weedy in some tropical areas. more info #823