Tropical Plants

The starry soft primrose yellow, wavy edged flowers are centered by a deeper yellow star shaped throat that is tinged with orange at its edges and are produced in clusters of 3-4 atop light green sturdy stems in late winter to early spring. Evan's Yellow Amaryllis, Hippeastrum evansiae, is a rare and endangered Bolivian Amaryllis species that readily produces offsets at the tips of the fleshy roots during winter dormancy. It is from a relatively dry region and does best in soils with excellent drainage and will prefer a dry winter rest period of 6-8 weeks prior to flowering. Evan's Yellow Amaryllis is considered to be one of the smallest Hippeastrum species and is a naturally deciduous tropical species. It is reported to be hardy into zone 9B, although, it is possible it will withstand colder regions but we have not yet tried it in the ground. Item# 12278

In a nod to the fierceness of hummingbirds protecting their nectar sources we bring you our latest hybrid Porterweed introduction Fiercely Fuchsia! Nearly 1/2" wide bright *fuchsia flowers are produced on narrow elongating spikes on this medium-sized Porterweed from spring to frost attracting a wide array of pollinators. Porterweeds, members of the genus Stacytarpheta, are shrubby tropicals with exceptional flower power and excellent nectar production and these are the plants that many hummingbirds feed on in their winter resting grounds in Central and South America. We can tell you from personal experience, these tiny aerial acrobats will even try to face down a human over their prized plants with a series of strong and forceful "Cheeps!". Expect Fiercely Fuchsia Porterweed to grow to about 3-4' high and 2-3' wide by the end of the growing season. Item# 13261

Large dark mauve starry flowers with a deep eggplant center are born freely on this vigorous and large growing, and much sought after, rare Hibiscus. Fiji Island Hibiscus is a vigorous and free flowering Tropical Hibiscus producing a nearly continuous display of the rare purple Hibiscus flowers throughout the year making this a wonderful addition to the tropical garden or as a container plant. A must have for any Hibiscus lover! Deep glossy green foliage on an upright to spreading, vigorous shrub that could easily be trained into small tree standards. Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Item# 9519.

Large rounded clusters composed of a multitude of intense deep red-orange, 1-2" long, tubular flowers and are produced throughout summer and into fall attracting hummingbirds for miles around. The Firecracker Bush, Bouvardia ternifolia, is a naturally small, upright to rounded, subtropical shrub native to the US desert southwest and Mexico growing to 1-2' high and wide but potentially to 4'. Its desert roots makes this an easy and forgiving container plant as well as an excellent addition to the garden and landscape. Provide the Firecracker Bush with a well-drained, fertile, average moist soil in part shade to bright shade for optimum vigor and flowering. Under warm frost free conditions it may flower nearly year-round. Item# 13182

Spikes of deep red upward facing funnel-shaped flowers are produced non-stop from mid to late spring to fall atop the rich glossy deep green foliage attracting hummingbirds, occasional butterflies, and long-tongued bees. Flame Red Hummingbird Bush, a selection of Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii, is a small decidous native shrub from South Texas with excellent flower power. This easy and reliable heirloom has an upright to spreading busny habit rarely exceeding 3-4' in height (3'x3' is fairly typical in our zone 8B gardens) and it revels in the heat and sun of summer and is undaunted by the high humidity and high rainfall of the southeastern US. In the northernmost portion of its hardiness range, zones 7A-8A, the Hummingbird Bush may freeze back to near groundlevel in the hardest winters but readily returns to flowering by mid to late spring. Provide a full sun to mostly sunny site in a well-drained, fertile, average moist soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Small and tough enough for container culture but it also makes a low-maintenance addition the garden and landscape. Item# 13176

Rounded clusters up to 5" wide are composed of a multitude of rich fiery red butterfly shaped flowers that may be produced nearly throughout the year on this rare and unusual tropical vine. The curved butterfly pollinated flowers are produced on a woody twining vine with large rounded deep green foliage. An excellent choice for tropical gardens, indoors, or anywhere a small manageable vine is needed although in the ground plants may reach 12' high. The Flaming Glory Bower Vine truly is one of the most beautiful and free flowering of all vining Clerodendrums. Item# 9346

The sweetly fragrant clusters of flowers open purple (yesterday), fade through lavender (today), and finally to pure white (tomorrow) creating a beautiful multi-colored effect on this popular tropical to subtropical naturally evergreen shrub. Flowering occurs in late winter and spring and they are pollinated by butterflies. The Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow can be enjoyed as a container plant where not hardy or in the ground in mild winter regions. It prefers mildly acidic, moderately fertile, average moist soils and cool sunlight to filtered shade. Item# 11168

The red to pinkish-red and white tubular flowers emerge from between the spikes of chartreuse bracts from spring to fall to year-round under warm tropical conditiosn. The Fruit Cocktail Shrimp Plant, one the newest selections of Justicia brandegeeana, has a naturally more compact, better branching habit than the typical Red Shrimp Plant but in all other regards it is nearly identical. It is quite tolerant of light conditions ranging from full sun to light shade but may have the densest habit in sunnier conditions. The flowers attract hummingbirds, larger butterflies, and other pollinators. Use Shrimp Plants to add color in containers, as a specimen plant or in mixed container gardens, as well as in the garden and landscape. Provide an average to well-drained, moderately fertile, average moist soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Caterpillar host: Cuban Crescent, Texan Crescent, White Peacock, and Malachite. Item# 12724

Large branching, loose flower spikes to 16" high are composed of blue to purple, up to 2" long, hooded, two-lipped, tubular, lightly fragrant flowers that attract a variety of pollinators including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. It may be in flower at anytime of year but may be heaviest in spring and fall. Giant Blue African Salvia, Brillantasia nitens, is an unusual, large and vigorous, naturally evergreen, herbaceous tropical adorned in large, medium green, textured, tropical foliage on square stems and can grow to 6-9' high and potentially to 15' and tree-like under warm tropical conditions. Provide a full sun to part sun site, in an average moist to moist, fertile soil with average or better drainage for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 10703

The large 1-1/2" long tubular color-changing flowers are produced in spike-like clusters from the leaf axils and start out yellow and fade through orange into red tones and are held on 3-4'H sturdy stems. The flowers are produced during the spring, where plants are not frozen to the ground, and/or in fall just in time for migrating hummingbirds. The Giant Cigar Plant, Cuphea micropetala, is a herbaceous, slowly spreading, upright to branching perennial cloaked in dark green glossy foliage. Considered by many to be the most reliably cold hardy Cuphea species surviving into zone 7B if provided a breathable winter mulch. It typically spreads stoloniferously and via rhizomes but is not considered invasive or aggressive. As with basically all Cupheas, the Giant Cigar is heat and sunloving and will benefit from average moisture, in fertile soils with average or better drainage. Where not hardy it can easily be maintained as a medium to medium-large container plant. Item# 429

The fragrant very large 5" wide cupped flowers, when pollinated, produce the largest fruit of any of the Passion Fruits and mature to be 5-6" wide and 8-12" long (wow!). The Giant Granadilla, Passiflora quadrangularis, is a vigorous tropical vine with winged square stems and large oval leaves. It prefers a deep, well-drained, moist to average moist, fertile soil and a full to partly sunny position. High humidity and temperatures of 60^oF or more are required for fruit set and pollination. The Giant Granadilla is considered to be self-sterile and so it requires another species or a different clone (ours are clonally propagated), like Passiflora phoenicia 'Ruby Glow', for cross pollination. Caterpillar host: Gulf Fritillary, Julia Butterfly, Variegated Fritillary, and Zebra Longwing. Item# 11818

Giant Pink Turk's Cap produces a seemingly endless display of 2-3" long, pendant, sleepy light pink flowers from late summer through spring where kept free from frosts and provided with ample sunlight. Smooth, narrow, waxy, rich green foliage. Excellent for Hummingbirds and other long-tongued pollinators. This is a vigorous, shrub-like woody perennial that can reach 8-12' in mild winter climates and few plants can compete with the enormous amount of flowers that this plant can produce. Item# 566.

Dr. Allen says "Butterflies drink lots of nectar from these plants and I find the pink to have smaller leaves and to be in flower later in the year and thus are used by migrating monarchs. The caterpillars of the io moth (Automeris io) and Straight Lined Mallow Moth (Bagisara rectifascia) are reported to use these plants.'

The large, flowering spikes can be up to 8" high and are composed of numerous, nearly 2" long, deep scarlet tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds and other pollinators. Flowering typically occurs in summer. The Giant Red Justicia, a.k.a. Cardinal's Guard, Pachystachys coccinea, is a naturally evergreen tropical shrub growing to about 3-5' high and is cloaked in large, deep green, tropical looking foliage. It will grow and flower best in a partly shaded to partly sunny site in a good quality, acidic potting soil with average moisture and moderate fertility. Provide high light if overwintering plants indoors. It is reported to be a caterpillar host for the White Peacock and Malachite butterflies. Item# 907

Massive spikes of crimson blooms, to 24" high and 16" wide, are held above the large, tropical, heart-shaped leaves. Blooms throughout summer and into fall. A tough old Heirloom that will slowly spread by underground runners finding its way to the perfect garden position. In freeze free climates the Japanese Glory Bower can grow into an 8-12' high shrub with flowers on every branch. An excellent plant for long tongued pollinators but especially hummingbirds and larger butterflies. Item# 1048.

Giant White Turk's Cap produces a seemingly endless display of 2-3" long, pendant, sleepy pure white flowers from late summer through spring where kept free from frosts and provided with ample sunlight. Smooth, narrow, waxy, rich green foliage. Excellent for Hummingbirds and other long-tongued pollinators. This is a vigorous, shrub-like woody perennial that can reach 8-12' in mild winter climates and few plants can compete with the enormous amount of flowers that this plant can produce. Item# 11889.

The clusters of purple to purplish-pink 3" wide trumpet shaped flowers with a nicely contrasting white ring surrounding the yellow throats that are lined with fine magenta lines that guide large bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to the nectar and pollen reward inside. The Glowvine, Bignonia magnifica, is a highly desireable, exceptionally free flowering, naturally evergreen tropical vine with unusual pairs of oval leaflets that are centered by its grasping tendrils. Once mature, these easy to grow vigorous vines can flower continuously throughout the year under warm tropical conditions. The Glowvine (a.k.a. Glow Vine) can be trained as a shrub and overwintered indoors with regular pruning or allow it to cover fences, trellises, and arbors in tropical regions. Item# 12033

The most floriferous Esperanza that we grow! Gold Star Esperanza produces an endless display of large clusters of large golden yellow, lightly fragrant trumpets from late spring to frost. This Greg Grant selection is the standard by which all other Esperanza's are judged. Hardy, heat and sun loving, and with a nicely branched habit Gold Star Esperanza is great for tropical settings in containers and in the garden. Attracts pollinators including butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees. Item # 9902

3" wide golden yellow trumpet shaped flowers are held against a foil of glossy, deep green foliage are produced from spring to fall to potentially year-round on mature plants attracting butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. The Golden Butterfly Allamanda, a selection of Allamanda cathartica, is a compact form of this naturally evergreen, tropical, scandent shrub growing to 2-3' high and wide making it the perfect choice for a tropical specimen container plant and can also be enjoyed in hanging baskets and sunny window boxes. The key to success with Allandas is an average moist, fertile, well-draining soil, that should be allowed to become semi-dry between waterings, and a warm to hot, full sun to part sun site. Item# 12782