Tropical Plants

The 1" long, showy tubular flowers are red to red-orange at their base and quickly fade into bright sunny yellow and are held against a foil of dainty, glossy dark green foliage. The flowers are produced heaviest in fall and spring with intermittent flowers in between. The Brazilian Fuchsia or Firecracker Flower, Justicia rizzinii or now J. floribunda, is a naturally evergreen, small tropical shrub typically growing to up to 2-3' high and potentially as wide. It can be enjoyed as an indoor plant where it is sure to provide a little cheer during the cold dreary winter days in a warm sunny window. The flowers of the Brazilian Fuchsia attract hummingbirds and other pollinators in fall and spring as they migrate through when grown outdoors. Utilize it as a porch or patio plant during the warmer months or in the ground in areas with mild, generally frost free winters like in zone 10 as it is reported to be hardy to brief dips to about 28^oF. Tolerant of full sun to light shade and provide an average moist, well-drained, fertile soil for optimum vigor and flowering. An RHS Award of Garden Merit winner. Item# 12807

Clusters of sunny yellow orchid-like flowers are borne in summer and into fall to yearround under warm tropical conditions on this vigorous twining vine. The Brazilian Golden Orchid Vine, Stigmaphyllon ciliatum, is a naturally evergreen woody twining climbing with dark green arrowhead shaped foliage that has a heart-shaped, or cordate, leaf base and fine bristles along their edges as well as along the sepals. It is not quite as cold hardy as the Yellow Butterfly Vine, Mascagnia macroptera, with which it is easily confused but it has larger flowers. The flowers attract a variety of pollinators including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Where not hardy it is easily overwintered indoors in a warm sunny location. Provide a well-drained, moderately fertile, acid soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 12001

An unusually free-blooming white flowered plumeria, producing a succession of the 1 1/2" white flowers with a yellow eye are born throughout the warmer months. Unusual spatula shaped, shiny, deep green foliage on an upright plant. A great patio plant. Item # 788

The rounded flower clusters open to bright orange-yellow and deepen into pumpkin orange all on a compact mounding plant growing to about 12-15"H x 15-18"W. Bright Orange Lantana's compact habit makes it a no-brainer for colorful containers as well as in the garden and landscape where it is sure to attract all shapes and sizes of pollinators with its nectar rich flowers. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in a fertile, average moist soil for optimum vigor and continuous flowering. Images courtesy of Robrick Nursery, all rights reserved. Item# 13119

The Buddha's Belly Bush or Gout Plant produces long lasting clusters of bright reddish orange flowers that open a few at a time on sturdy stems held well above the large tri-lobed, rounded tropical foliage. The base of the plant develops into a swollen caudex providing the Buddha's belly. These are easily grown and rewarding plants that flower throughout the warmer months and will often flower sporadically through winter on established plants. Its drought tolerance lends it to a well-drained soil and is an excellent choice for the porch, patio, or even indoors. Item # 339.

The Buddha's Belly Bush or Gout Plant produces long lasting clusters of bright reddish orange flowers that open a few at a time on sturdy stems held well above the large tri-lobed, rounded tropical foliage. The base of the plant develops into a swollen caudex providing the Buddha's belly. These are easily grown and rewarding plants that flower throughout the warmer months and will often flower sporadically through winter on established plants. Its drought tolerance lends it to a well-drained soil and is an excellent choice for the porch, patio, or even indoors. Item #13065

The multitude of bright golden-yellow petals create a rounded, 3-4'', peony-like flower that seems to glow against the foil of deep green foliage. The Butterball Hibiscus (a.k.a. Triple Yellow) Hibiscus has a vigorous bushy upright to spreading habit and flowers throughout much of the year when grown under warm tropical conditions. Provide a mostly sunny to part shade position in a well-drained fertile soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 1052

Large clusters of 2" long creamy white tubular flowers are produced throughout the warmer months and potentially year-round under warm tropical conditions. Buttercream Icing Iochroma, an Almost Eden selection and exclusive introduction, develops into an upright to spreading, exceptionally free-flowering, naturally evergreen, shrub-like tropical that can easily be maintained in medium-sized containers or add it to the garden and landscape in tropical climates. Provide a full sun to part shade site in a fertile, well-drained, average moist soil for optimum vigor and flowering. In hot summer climates midday or afternoon shade may be beneficial. The flowers of Iochromas attract hummingbirds and the occasional long-tongued bee. Easy and rewarding and sure to add a tropical flair to any garden and landscape. Item# 12673

The tall spikes of deep golden yellow 1"+ wide flowers emerge from dark, near black buds and calyxes atop the tropical looking, up to 18" long, pinnately compound foliage composed of fragrant, deep olive green, rounded leaflets. The flowers may be produced throughout the warmer months of the year attracting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Buttered Popcorn Cassia, Senna didymobotrya, is a heat and sunloving, loosely branching, tropical shrub typically growing to 6-8' high, potentially larger in warmer climates with longer growing seasons and generally shorter, 4-6'H, in cooler summer climates. Gently rub the rounded slightly fuzzy leaflets and they will emit a fragrance similar to buttered popcorn to peanut butter depending on your nose which is certainly a good conversation starter especially for the younger generations. The Buttered Popcorn Cassia adds a splash of summerlong color and a tropical feel to any sunny setting. Provide a well-drained, fertile soil, in full to mostly sunny conditions for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 9018

Each petal of the Butterfly Amaryllis is heavily veined in burgundy and has large splotches of burgundy toward the center of the largest petals. The flowers have a narrow display and are born in small clusters atop sturdy stems in late winter and early spring. A rare and endangered species of tropical Amaryllis that makes an easy container plant. One 2-1/2 to 3" diameter flowering size bulb per container. Item# 10495.

The 3" wide, widely flaring flowers are a creamy white delicately marked with an abundance of maroon. The typical Dutchman's Pipe shaped flowers have a dark burgundy eye with a creamy yellow throat. The Calico Flower is an easily grown, twining, generally evergreen tropical vine whose unusual summer flowers are sure to attract attention. Item# 10483.

Super big 9"+ white and yellow blooms, with a white and green throat. An easily grown cactus-like plant with 1.5" wide, flat, scalloped branches to 8'. Great in hanging baskets. Item# 9469.

Super big 9"+ white and yellow blooms, with a white and green throat. An easily grown cactus-like plant with 1.5" wide, flat, scalloped branches to 8'. Great in hanging baskets. Item# 1071.

Red-tinge green arching foliage is borne in low, tight rosettes. The offsets of this variety cascade on arching stems from the mother plants creating a great hanging basket or allow it to spill from mixed container gardens. Easy to grow. Item# 2278.

Sweetly fragrant, 6" deep pink bloom clusters are borne atop the dark glossy green heart-shaped foliage. Item # 12977

Although this vine produces the typical pale pink trumpets with darker pink throats that are common to this species, flowering is just a bonus as the beautifully variegated foliage steals the show! The dark green glossy foliage is heavily edged, splashed, and flecked with soft yellow on new growth that ages to a creamy white at maturity. Charisma Variegated Pink Bower Vine is a naturally evergreen, twining, tropical vine that makes a fantastic statement on a trellis or other support and unlike some variegated plants it can handle full hot summer sun without burning. Where not hardy it can be easily maintained on a small 3' high or larger trellis but it is vigorous enough to cover a 12-15'H arbor or can spread to 30' across on a 6'H fence. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in an average to well-drained, fertile soil. Item# 12372

Large 3" wide dark reddish-purple trumpet shaped flowers are borne throughout summer to year-round under warm tropical conditions adorn the vine-like stems of this tropical. Cherries Jubilee Allamanda, a selection of Allamanda blanchetii, is a naturally evergreen, scandent (a.k.a. vine-like) large arching to shrub to vine-like shrub that revels in the heat and sun of summer. The flowers may be visited by butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. It can be trained as an espalier, trellis, or even as a tree form and can be allowed to trail along fences and up arbors in freeze free climates. Cool winter temperatures and frosts may cause some leaf drop. Provide Cherries Jubiliee Alllamanda with a full to partly sunny site in an average moist but never soggy wet, well-drained, fertile soil for optimum vigor and continuous flowering. Where not hardy it is easily overwintered in a warm sunny window.  Item# 356

Deep fiery red, 1" long tubular flowers tipped in white are produced throughout the growing season to year round under warm tropical conditions attracting hummingbirds and the occasional larger butterfly. Cherrybells Cigar Plant is a selection of Cuphea ignea with a compact habit and good resistance to leaf spotting, It is a naturally evergreen, herbaceous tropical whose full bushy yet somewhat compact habit lend it to use for sunny hanging baskets, window boxes, or add this neat little guy to mixed containers where it can mingle among and around the taller plants and will eventually spill over the edges to some extent. For optimum growth and vigor provide a full to mostly sunny site in a fertile, well-drained, average moist soil.  Images courtesy of Ball Horticulture, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12880

The large, highly fragrant pink trumpets are borne in profusion on this vigorous and very free flowering Angel's Trumpet. An exciting new hybrid with the flower power of the famous 'Cypress Gardens'! An excellent choice for gardens or large tropical containers. Be sure to plant it where you can enjoy its powerful evening and night fragrance.Angel's Trumpets are fast growing tropical shrubs that act-like die-back perennials in the northern parts of their range but readily return from the roots in spring. Easily overwintered indoors where not hardy. Item# 9251

Graceful foot-long spikes of fuzzy bright fuchsia tubular flowers are produced from summer through fall and throughout winter under frost free conditions on a mannerly shade tolerant plant with deep green textured foliage. Chiapas Sage develops into a 3' high and wide plant and hails from the Cloud Forests of San Cristobal, Chiapas, Mexico and should do wonderfully in the humid central and eastern US. It is frost tender but is reported to withstand zone 7 winters if given a breathable protective winter mulch in a well-drained soil. In hot summer climates plan to give Chiapas Sage midday and afternoon shade and it can tolerate light shade and will be sure to brighten up these areas. The nectar rich flowers are a treat for hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators. Easy to overwinter as a container plant and floriferous enough to be enjoyed as an annual. Item# 11691 

Deep clear red flowers hang like Chinese lanterns are produced in large clusters at the ends of weeping branches of this rare, unusual, and free flowering tropical Hibiscus. Under warm tropical conditions the Chinese Lantern Hibiscus may flower continuously throughout the year. This is a small to medium-sized evergreen shrub with a naturally weeping form that makes it suitable for medium to large hanging baskets and container culture as well as a free flowering Bonsai specimen. Item# 11238