Browse Plants

This deciduous shrub is related to the forsythia, but differs in that it has white (rather than yellow) flowers that open in early spring before true forsythia. It is a member of the olive family (Oleaceae). In early spring, before the new leaves form, purplish buds all along the grey naked branches open into small white four-petaled, almond-scented flowers with yellow stamens. After flowering, green, glossy abelia-like leaves appear.

This subshrub from New Zealand has scalloped leaves that reach 3 inches across with 11 to 15 tiny, purple-brown to pale olive leaflets. Its rhizomatous roots spread in a mat to support this plant's wonderful ground-cover form. In early summer, the flower stems rise nearly 3 inches tall, ending with numerous 3/4-inch-wide flowers composed of brownish green sepals and white anthers. Purple sheep's burr spreads slowly until well established. It requires little attention, other than pruning every five years or so to tidy things up.

This spreading shrub is grown for its multi-colored, toothed, oval leaves. Use it as a houseplant or as an annual or container plant outdoors where it is not hardy. Flowers are small, green or pinkish, and generally not noteworthy. 

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This spreading shrub from tropical and subtropical regions can reach 6 feet tall. It is grown as a houseplant or as an annual outdoors where it's not hardy. Its oval leaves are splashed with red, green, and yellow and its long, fuzzy flowers are borne periodically throughout the year, although they are somewhat hidden. Acalypha wilkesiana 'Tricolor' can be grown in a warm greenhouse, in a border, or as a specimen or hedging plant (especially in warm areas).

The striking lime-to-chartreuse-tinged golden leaves of this small, rounded tree make it the star of any shade garden. In fall, its golden leaves turn as orange and red as those of our native sugar maple. Like many small maples from Japan, this one needs shade and protection from sun and drying winds or its foliage will curl up and turn brown on the edges.

This chocolate-leaved cultivar up to 4 feet tall and 2 feet wide bears compact spikes of white flowers in late summer. This plant may languish in very warm temperatures. The flowers remain ornamental for three to four weeks.

'Hillside Black Beauty' differs from other bugbanes because of its deep purple–black foliage. From late spring to late summer, it provides the perfect backdrop for colorful foliage and flowering shade plants (it’s even deer resistant). In fall, fragrant, cream-colored flowers emerge on wandlike, 5- to 6-foot-tall wiry stems.

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Even those accustomed to the diversity and color of succulents are amazed by the "flowers" of black rose. They are actually burgundy-black leaves arranged in rosettes at the ends of stalklike stems. The bright yellow flowers in winter are a stunning contrast against the dark foliage. 'Zwartkop' is a wonderful backdrop plant, providing a black velvet canvas against which many companion plants shine.

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There are many beautiful aloes besides the popular medicinal aloe (Aloe vera, Zones 10-11). Most have spectacular winter flowers, and some, like red aloe, have interesting foliage color that fluctuates, depending on water and sun, from green to a deep, red wine hue. Red aloe is easily propagated from cuttings and, over time, will form beautiful red-purple mounds with orange flowers.

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This dark-leaved, tropical foliage plant loves heat, and is useful spreading through a bed, border, or in a container where its deep purple leaves can contrast with brightly colored flowers or foliage. Alternanthera are native to tropical and sub-tropical areas of Central and South America. Their flowers are generally an afterthought. This plant works well for edging, as an annual groundcover, or in a formal knot garden.

A. ficoidea ‘Red Threads’ is a slender-leaved perennial selection that doesn't wander, forming a textured carpet in shades of deep burgundy. A single plant makes a mound about 8 inches tall and 14 inches wide. It blooms on and off all year, but you may never notice. The small, pale flower buttons are held in the leaf axils, where they are nearly indistinguishable from the foliage unless you're paying close attention. Use 'Red Threads' at the base of taller plants in the border to provide vibrant color echoes or contrasts. Grow as a warm-season annual in cooler climates, mass the plants in beds, or use in a formal knot garden as the Victorians did.

'Yellow Form' Alternanthera is an easy-to-grow, tropical plant with a fast-spreading habit and pointed, chartreuse-yellow leaves. It forms a mat of color from spring's frost-free date to fall's first frost. Like others of this genus, it makes a great edging, bedding, or container plant. In formal landscapes, it can be used in a knot garden. It looks great with dark-leaved plants.

This hardy annual has vibrant, ornamental red, yellow, and green foliage that lends a tropical effect to the garden. Small flowers, borne from summer to early autumn, are inconspicuous in comparison to the effect of the foliage. Cultivars feature yellow and maroon-shaded leaves, but the species still offers the showiest foliage.

From the prairies of Nebraska comes a refined variety of big bluestem: 'Pawnee'. It has an upright habit and warm fall colors that persist into winter. Each stiffly vertical stem has the characteristic bluish purple cast of this genus. In late summer, 'Pawnee' develops purplish red flowers in groups of three or six, which resemble the foot of a turkey—hence its nickname: "Turkey Foot Grass." Big bluestem has an extensive root system that can extend down more than 10 feet. Each year, a third of these roots die, opening up channels for water.

This deciduous, mat-forming perennial produces everlasting flowers. It is a native prairie plant that has stem and leaf bottoms covered with white hairs and whitish flower heads that form in dense clusters. Male and female flowers are produced on separate plants.

This is the bronze-purple form of the common Queen Anne's lace. It produces beautiful, highly fringed, lacy foliage in a dusky purple.

This is a dwarf astilbe with attractive red-green leaves and reddish pink flowers in broad, dense conical groups. Its blooms appear mostly in summer.

‘Ghost’ is a fiendish fern with an upright habit and showy silvery fronds. Many speculate that the name of this plant is due to the fact that each new frond emerges from the “underworld” with a shimmering whitish hue, then slowly darkens to a silvery green with burgundy accents. It spreads slowly by shallow rhizomes, making a fine ground cover.

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This fern has cool, grey-green, almost silvery, foliage and reddish-purple stalks that are useful for brightening dark spots in borders. It is deciduous, and although it reaches only 8 to 12 inches in height, it is easy to grow, prolific, and easily divided.