Subtropicals

Madagascar Ocotillo!

If you are familiar with Fouquieria splendens , a.k.a Ocotillo, then you will have a sense of the form of this plant. Though not a relative of our southwest native the form is strikin... More

One way then another Aloe! This aloe is unique in that its growth habit changes as it ages. For a long period of time during this plants juvenile phase the leaves of the plant are distichous or stacked in two rows that parallel... More

Orange orchid tree!

This African orchid-tree has large coral-orange flowers, which are produced in such abundance that they completely cover this broad-spreading shrub from mid-summer until frost. The size and color o... More

Yellow bell orchid tree! 'Never give up' is my motto and that is the case with this summer flowering shrub. For years I have grown this plant only to have it freeze dead even in the mildest of winters. A couple of years ago w... More

Desert Bird of Paradise This bird-of-paradise is native to Argentina but has naturalized in areas of western and central Texas. The large, showy yellow and red flowers on open racemes are exceptionally striking against the c... More

Showy yellow flowers all summer! This is a dense, umbrella-like shrub with airy, compound leaves from which clusters of bright-yellow flowers appear. It requires a hot, dry site that is sheltered from cold winds. This plant is very ... More

Red-bird-of-paradise! This highly-ornamental summer flowering herbaceous perennial attracts all the neighbors' attention as well as butterflies and hummingbirds. Produced all summer long, the showy red flowers are held abo... More

Mexican beautyberry! A tropical looking beautyberry which has glossy jet black fruit that is produced in such abundance that the branches appear to be covered with giant blackberries. A robust plant that will take drought... More

Gold-tipped bottlebrush! This specie's flowers are a bright red but sport golden tipped anthers, thus, the trait that gives the species it common name. This species generally grows to become a dense shrub at about 12' tall an... More

Willow Bottlebrush! Bottlebrushes are so fascinating to me. The stamen packed flowers that literally look like old time bottle cleaners are so unique and refreshing. The flowers are not only visually fascinating but the... More

Bow-tie palm! Distinctive butterfly-like green leaflets that resemble a bow tie distinguish this species from all other cycads, or for that matter, any other plant! The strong stems that hold these leaves strictly ... More

This Ceratozamia is native to forested, costal areas in the state of Vera Cruz, Mexico. If has a narrowly upright habit with lime-green, leathery leaflets. The emergent leaves are green and show no co... More

Mexican Olive! In South Texas and Northeastern Mexico where much of the native flora is thorny and scratchy anything lush and tropical attracts attention, especially in the middle of a hot and dry summer when little... More

Standing Tiger! Until just recently I thought Calatheas and related plants were purely tropical. I would still believe this if I hadn't planted one in the ground for trial. Well, after three seasons, (where lows have... More

Durango Sotol! I purchased seed of this Dasylirion knowing nothing about it; but being an admirer of all Sotols, I had to give it a try. In Bogler's monograph on Dasylirions he says that it is a large robust plant ... More

Cherry Coke Dyckia! Over the years this Dyckia clone has consistently been one of our favorites. The dark, rich-red leaf color, the large overall mature size, and the tall, branching, floriferous flower spikes are all at... More

Cockspur Coral Tree! In the costal regions of Southern Brazil to Argentina, Erythrina cristi-galli grows into a large shrub as apposed to the inland forms which tend to be more tree-like. The branches of this terrific for... More

We got this plant from friends in Oregon and were understandably skeptical that it would survive in our notorious heat. It surprised us by growing superbly in our environs. Emerging in mid-spring, in ... More

Everyman's Hymenocallis! This is certainly the most forgiving and beautiful of all the white spider lilies, which explains its widespread cultivation. Since it has been so widely grown it is difficult to determine where it wa... More

White moons! This pure-white form of the bush morning glory is a cool, refreshing accent in the back of a border. Easy and fast-growing, it can be cut back in mid-summer to reduce its mass. It loves heat, and will... More

Summer fun! It is hard to believe that this strange looking castor-bean-like plant with large, shiny leaves that resemble a maple could do so well in the hot Texas sun. Odd also is that this drought tolerant shru... More

Burnt-orange flowers! The showiest shrimp-plant that can grow outside--its flower spikes are covered with showy orange bracts holding bright orange-red flowers. This easily cultivated plant is outstanding in a hot, dry sit... More

Pink Lace! Kaempferias are great shade loving gingers for small gardens and are often considered the "Hostas of the South". They are compact, well behaved and just pretty as buttons. The leaves of this Kaempferi... More

Dreadlock Cactus! This epiphytic cactus is mostly found growing on rough barked trees, like Mesquites and Erythrinas, in the seasonally humid forests of Northwestern Argentina and Southern Bolivia. The 3/4" triangular ... More