Tropical Plants

The large deep purplish red petals of Ruby Glow Passionflower are topped with a halo of deep bluish purple filaments. A heady sweet fragrance fills the air when this beautiful passionvine is in flower and it may produce very large, up to 3"W x 5"L, yellow tropical fruit if the flowers are cross pollinated by another species, cultivar, or seedling passionflower. Ruby Glow is a vigorous growing, heat loving tropical vine that can reach 20'H under good conditions. Caterpillar host: Gulf Fritillary, Julia Butterfly, Variegated Fritillary, and Zebra Longwing. Item# 631.

Strongly fragrant 1" white star-like blooms in clusters of 3-12 are produced on new growth from spring to fall. The fragrant white waxy flower petals are used to flavor Jasmine tea and Jasmine rice. An evergreen twining climber or arching shrub growing to 8' high if left to its own devices but it can certainly be pruned to keep it in bounds. Grow it as a container plant, as a hedge, an espalier or even as a small tree form. Item#11743

Exotic 4-5" wide glowing scarlet flowers are produced from spring to fall on a this vigorous bronze leaved passion vine. The Scarlet Flame Passion is a more vigorous hybrid of Passiflora vitifolia x V. coccinea developed by Patrick Worley and it can become quite large, reaching 25' or more in a season. Where not hardy it can be overwintered indoors with sufficient light. Click the image for more info on growing Passionvines. The red flowering Passionvines are designed for hummingbird pollination but are considered toxic to US butterfly species and so is not a suitable caterpillar host, except for the hybrid 'Lady Margaret' which is a host for the Gulf Fritillary but not for other species of Heliconian butterflies like the Zebra Longwing.Item# 11243

1-1/2" long, deep orange tubular flowers with lavender upper petals and exerted stamens give this cute Cuphea the 'batface' look and are produced throughout the warmer months of the year, or year round where winters are frost free. The flowers attract loads of hummingbirds and other long-tongued pollinators. This is a bushy shrub-like and herbaceous, tender perennial suitable for sunny outdoor locations and can be overwintered in bright indoor locations where not hardy. Enjoy Schumann's Cuphea as a container plant or in the garden. Provide a well-drained, moderately fertile soil for the best results. Item# 10702.

The clusters of nectar rich, larger flowers open a deep golden yellow and quickly deepen into fiery oranges to near red attracting a variety of pollinators and especially butterflies and bees. Shamrock™ Orange Flame Lantana was selected it for its moderately vigorous but compact habit, deep green foliage, larger flowers, and exceptional flower power all lending this variety to use in containers, as specimens or in mixed container gardens, as well as in hanging baskets, and for summer long color in a sunny garden or landscape. Provide Lantana with a full to mostly sunny site in an average moist, fertile soil with good drainage for optimum vigor and flowering. Images courtesy of Ball Horticulture, all rights reserved. Item# 13500

2-3" long, light bluish purple to purple fading to light blue, slightly flaring, tubular flowers are produced in large hanging clusters throughout the growing season, to potentially year-round under warm tropical conditions, and are designed for hummingbird pollination, but may attract bees and butterflies as well. Sky King Iochroma, a selection of Iochroma cyaneum, is a naturally evergreen, loosely branching, tropical shrub with an upright to spreading habit typically growing to about 4-6' high and 2-3' wide. This miniature cousin of the Angel's Trumpet is easily enjoyed as a container plant where not hardy. Site in full sun to partial shade in a fertile, average to well-drained, average moist soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Iochroma, Tubeflower, or Mini Angel's Trumpets flower on new growth so keep them growing and healthy for and endless display. Item# 790

Large purplish-red to near fuchsia colored tubular flowers are borne in dense spikes beginning in spring and continuing until frost. Skyscraper™ Dark Purple Salvia is a mid-size well-branched and exceptionally free flowering Sage perfectly suited for use in medium-sized containers as well as in sunny garden and landscape settings. The Skyscraper series grows to about one half the size of the Wish series Salvias and flowers longer than typical Tropical Salvia, Salvia splendens, selections. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in an average moist well-drained fertile soil. Item# 12158

A 2019 Classic City Award winner in the UGA Trials Gardens! Large deep orange tubular flowers emerge from dense spikes composed of bronze and orange tinged calyxes beginning in spring and continuing until frost and are sure to draw in hummingbirds and larger butterflies. Skyscraper™ Orange Salvia is a mid-size well-branched and exceptionally free flowering Sage perfectly suited for use in medium-sized containers as well as in sunny garden and landscape settings. The Skyscraper series grows to about one half the size of the Wish series Salvias and flowers longer than typical Tropical Salvia, Salvia splendens, selections. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in an average moist well-drained fertile soil. Item# 12157

Large 2" long rosy-pink tubular flowers emerge from contrasting light bronze and rose tinged calyxes in dense spikes atop the deep green glossy foliage from spring until first frost. Skyscraper™ Pink Salvia is a mid-sized well-branched and exceptionally free flowering Sage perfectly suited for use in medium-sized containers as well as in sunny garden and landscape settings. The Skyscraper series grows to about one half the size of the Wish series Salvias and flowers longer than typical Tropical Salvia, Salvia splendens, selections. It is reported to have some winter hardiness into zone 7B. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in an average moist well-drained fertile soil. Item# 12459

Vibrant red, single, tropical Hibiscus flowers bring elegance and poise to the chaos of color brought on by the brilliantly variegated foliage which is randomly splashed in shades of rosy pink, white, and green. The tropical effect created by Snow Queen's foliage and flowers is sure to bring a cool fire to any tropical setting while the red flowers attract Hummingbirds, Sulphur butterflies, and other pollinators. Snow Queen Hibiscus is a vigorous and easy to grow Tropical Hibiscus with an upright to spreading habit and easy enough to train into standards. Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Item# 9392

The large maple-like foliage is broadly edged in bright creamy white and provide a nice backdrop to the orange veined Chinese lantern-like, 2" long flowers. Souvenir de Bonn Variegated Abutilon is a vigorous upright growing Flowering Maple that makes an easy to grow addition to tropical settings or as an indoor plant (this is a type of heirloom Abutilon that was once called a Parlor Maple).  Easily reaches 6-8' high if allowed to.Item# 11318

Clusters of 1" orange tubular blooms are born throughout much of the year where protected from frost and freezes or it acts as a die-back perennial in the northern portions of its range. Shade and drought tolerant, deer resistant, and a favorite of Hummingbirds, how can you go wrong with Spicy Justicia? It flowers in sun or shade, though plants may be healthiest and most floriferous when grown with afternoon or midday shade, in well-drained, average moist, moderately fertile soils. Caterpillar host: White Peacock and Malachite. Item# 654.

The large, palmate, tropical-looking, glossy medium to deep green foliage is heavily overlaid with contrasting white to creamy white variegation including the major veins which are almost solid white. A choice evergreen shrub for shaded sites. Mature plants produce large loose clusters to 18" or more across are composed of 1" to 1-1/2" diameter, ball-shaped white flowers that are produced in fall to winter attracting an amazing number of mainly smaller pollinators and are followed by 1/4" diameter green berries that ripen to black. Spider's Web Fatsia or Japanese Aralia makes an excellent choice for shaded locations and develops into a medium to large, often multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with an initially slow rate of growth that increase to moderate once plants are well-established. Makes a wonderful specimen, informal hedge, or container plant for indoors or out. Provide Fatsia with an average moist, fertile, acidic soil rich in organic matter with average or better drainage. Photos courtesy of TERRA NOVA® Nurseries, Inc., www.terranovanurseries.com, all rights reserved. Item# 12829

Lavender trumpets with white throats may be produced throughout the growing season, or nearly year round in mild winter climates, in spike-like clusters and nicely complement the creamy white to soft buttery yellow and green variegated, rounded foliage. The Ganges Primrose is a naturally evergreen (in frost-free climates), groundcover-like, mounding and spreading, shrub-like perennial. Use as a non-aggressive groundcover in the garden or filler in containers. The flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Caterpillar host: White Peacock and Malachite. Item# 11049

The rounded clusters of flowers open a bright golden yellow and mature through bright pumpkin orange and finally into deep red tones all the while attracting a wide variety of pollinators with their nectar reward from spring until fall. Star Landing Lantana was selected for its low mounding habit, excellent flower power, vigor and reliable zone 7B cold hardiness. Use it as a groundcover in the garden and landscape for traffic stopping color throughout the growing season as well as for low-maintenance container specimens. When planted alone it is reported to produce almost no seed. Provide a full sun to partly shaded site in an average moist, average to well-drained, fertile soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 12886

The 1" long magenta to fuchsia tubes open to display white petals with purple markings and seemingly cover up this plant throughout the growing season to potentially year round under warm frost free conditions. The flowers attract a variety of bees, butterflies and is reported to be a hummingbird magnet. Starfire Pink Cuphea or Cigar Plant is a naturally spreading and mounding plant eventually maturing to about 18-24"H and 24-36"W by the end of the growing season. It can be used as a a stand alone specimen, in combination plantings, and even as a hanging basket plant as well as in the garden and landscape. Cupheas are some of the most reliable heat and sun tolerant plants and have exceptional flower power. Provide a full sun to partially shaded site in an average moist, well-drained, fertile soil for optimum vigor and continuous flowering. Item# 13421

Clusters of 3-4" long, tubular, waxy buds open to display the long-lasting starry white wonderfully fragrant flowers that are held against a foil of shiny ovate foliage and may be produced throughout the growing season to year round under warm tropical conditions. Stephanotis or Madagascar Jasmine, Stephanotis floribunda, is an evergreen tropical twining vine that makes an easy container plant and is readily trained to small to medium sized trellises although it can climb to 12-15' high where it has a support. This is an old favorite and as Liberty Hyde Bailey states in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture "is one of the best greenhouse climbers" and "There are few plants that have all the good qualities of S. floribunda. It is a splendid grower, has good foliage, is very free flowering, and the flowers last well on the plant or when cut for decorative work." Provide a quality well-drained fertile soil in light shade to full sun. Stephanotis is an RHS Award of Garden Merit plant. Item# 665

6" wide rounded clusters of 1" wide deep blue-purple to dark purple trumpet shaped flowers are produced atop sturdy 3' high stalks in summer that attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Though recent competition has increased when it comes to reliably cold hardy Agapanthus cultivars, Storm Cloud is still considered to be one of the most reliable, naturally winter dormant cultivars but it will benefit from a breathable mulch in any area that experiences freezing temperatures for extended periods. Somewhat drought resistant once well-established but generally prefers an average moist, fertile, well-drained soil in a full to mostly sunny site. Deer and rabbit resistant and moderately salt tolerant. Makes an easy and low maintenance container plant where not hardy. Item# 1144

An Almost Eden Exclusive introduction! 'Sunset Scentsation' Night Blooming Jasmine has proven to be a vigorous repeat blooming selection, producing waves of the famously fragrant blooms about every 6 weeks during the growing season. The tubular white to greenish-white blooms begin to release their wonderful perfume at sunset and continues through early morning. This is a vigorous growing tropical shrub in warmer regions, or grow as a perennial in zone 8B. Item # 528.

Sweetly fragrant spikes of tiny white flowers are produced from spring or early summer until frost on this little known but easy to grow and tough deciduous shrub. Its intensely fragrant flowers attract a host of mainly smaller pollinators and it is considered to be an especially good honey plant. Sweet Almond Verbena, Aloysia virgata, is a vigorous and pest free, heat and sun loving loving, large shrub to small tree growing to 8-10' high and 6-8' wide. In areas that experience hard freezes, like zone 8 and 9, the plants act like die-back perennials freezing to near ground level and then regrowing in spring. Plant it with Sweet Olive, Gardenia, and Banana Magnolia to have outdoor fragrance nearly year round in zones 8-9. The 2008 Florida Plant of the Year! Item# 11894

Royal purple, 1/2" blooms that are edged in white lace, are born in drooping clusters from spring or early summer until frost and attract butterflies and bees. The nectar rich flowers are followed by grape-like clusters of 1/2" golden berries giving it the name of 'Golden Dewdrop'. Sweet Memories Purple Sky Flower is naturally a large multi-stemmed tropical shrub and can be trained into tree standards or use it as a hedge or screen in mild winter climates. In mild winters in zones 8B and 9, well-established plants may act as a die-back perennials or they can easily be overwintered as a container plants. Item# 579