Chinese Windmill Palm
Trachycarpus fortunei

This native of China is also commonly referred to as the Windmill Palm, since its stiff, perfectly symmetrical leaves often vibrate in the breeze, looking a bit like they're spinning. This is one of the most commonly planted palms in all over California, on up to Washington, and some are growing in Vancouver, Detroit, and Chicago.  This palm prefers cooler growing conditions with afternoon shelter from the sun and winter winds.  Although winter protection is critical when young Trachycarpus will become more winter hardy each year.  It forms a wonderfully 'hairy' fibrous trunk, but once over about 20', the fibre starts to fall off exposing a trunk of only 4-6" in diameter. It is one of the faster growing palms at 12" per year, though most would still consider it a slow growing plant.  It benefits from ample water and fertilizer.  Officially hardy to Zone 6b, but people are having luck with them in the Midwest.

Hayes Stiff Windmill Palm
Trachycarpus 'Hayes Stiffie'

Trachycarpus (Hayes Stiffie) is a very hardy palm tree being grown in Alabama. Most believe this may be a hybrid cross between T. Wagnerianus x T. Fortunei. The leaves are stiffer and hold themselves much different than the other forms. Their are many other small details and interesting characteristics that make this plant unique which leads palm experts to believe that it is a true hybrid or very odd form of Trachycarpus. When grown near other Trachycarpus Fortunei, the differences are quite apparent. In Louisville, seedlings have been taken down to 0°F to -5°F when very young and the pots they were in were frozen solid. When spring arrived the seedlings were all still green and alive. Not a single one was lost to the extreme cold.  With other Fortunei you can usually tell when the plant is being stressed by the cold from the leaf damage, but this hybrid maybe far more cold hardy than any other variety or form.  This form is also reported to be a faster grower than other Trachcarpus.

Japanese Fiber Banana
Musa 'Basjoo'

Musa Basjoo is the hardiest of all bananas, cold hardy to -20°F degrees when mulched properly.   In warm weather months it can grow up to 2 feet in a week. It's mature height is 18'. It can flower and bear fruits at 10' or whenever it has 35 leaves. The bananas are not edible. This handsome broad leaved variety can be grown in almost every state if the ground is mulched properly in the very cold months. At 40 degrees it will stop actively growing and at 28 degrees the leaves will die back and the tree can be cut back to a 2'or 3' height. It will grow back rapidly as the warmer season approaches.  The leaves can be used to wrap foods like fish and corn to be placed on the grill.

Trunking Beaked Yucca
Yucca rostrata

Yucca rostrata is a Texas Native in the southwestern portion of the state, it is also native to Mexico. This is one of the most beautiful of the Yucca's with a 6-12' tall trunk and stunning blue-green foliage. Yucca rostrata is slow growing but it is one of the most cold hardy of the tree-like Yucca's, tolerating negative digits. The foliage is soft and undulating but still is needle-pointed as are most Yuccas. The name rostrata means beaked, it gets this name because the seed is reminiscent of a bird's beak. Beaked Yucca is a great addition for any Xeriscape or WaterWise Landscape as it requires very little water. To establish plants you should water them one or two times a month in the winter, depending on the temperature and how fast the soil drains and soak them at least once a week in the summer. In the winter established plants will only need water once a month and will need a heavy weekly soaking during the summer. Beaked Yucca flowers are white and form flower stalks that rise above the plant. Plants will do best in a full sun location.

 

Scrub Palm
Sabal minor 'McCurtain'

These seedlings were grown from an extremely vigorous natural stand of Sabal minor in McCurtain County, Oklahoma, just west of Folsom, Arkansas, near the Red River. According to the late Logan Calhoun (the seed source), seedlings of this population have survived temperatures of -24° F in Wichita Kansas and are producing seed. These will be great for experimental Zone 5 gardeners who like to push the hardiness limits. This particular strain will grow much faster than normal Sabal minors.

Dwarf Palmetto, Swamp Palmetto
Sabal minor

Sabal minor, is not a fast growing plant, and grows abundantly in pine tree forests, and in poorly drained lowlands, that are under water periodically. It also grows well in very heavy shade in the South, but does better in the sun up North. Native to the Southeastern US, this palm grows small trunks that remain hidden behind the leaves. The flower stalk grows four to six feet, and white flowers grow into one-half inch, black fruit. Leaves will stand up to 5 feet tall in the North.  One of the hardiest palms, Sabal minor has survived -10°F temperatures but requires some sheltering to survive in Zone 5.  Does not do well in pots because of the huge subterranean trunk and roots.

Needle Palm
Rhapidophyllum Hystrix

From the southeastern US, the Needle palm is generally considered the hardiest of the palm species.  They easily survive zone 6 winters with no damage whatsoever, and will toughen-up over time in zone 5.  Usually the palm forms a large clump of 6 to 8 feet in height and width slowly over time.  Some will actually develop a 4' single trunk that is really a crown of old dead stems.  The palm gets its name from the very long and sharp needles (up to 10") around the base that guard the seeds, hence this palm is harder to find than others  It is also very difficult to dig up for the same reason, however it freely produces suckers that can be dug up to start a new plant.  Needle palms will grow virtually anywhere so they are a good choice for hard to fill shady areas.  They will even tolerate sites prone to flooding.

Giant Elephant Ear
Colocasia Gigantea

This huge species, from Thailand and surrounding countries, is a cousin to Alocasia. It can grow to a massive size over 9 feet tall. The leaves can reach up to 4 feet wide and around 5 feet long. The whole plant has a light bluish green coloring. The leaves forms some mutated growths under the leaves which are hard to describe but similar to small leaves attached to the underside of the large leaf. The flowers come out in brackets, usually 3 to 5 flowers or more at a time, with white spaths. This is a very unique plant. This plant has survived zone 6 for the last 3 years (in Louisville) with nothing but 5 to 8 inches of mulch for protection.  In the right micro-climate this Elephant Ear might survive a Zone 5 winter left in the ground.

Crape Myrtle Dynamite
Lagerstroemia indica 'Whit II'  (Dynamite)

 Dynamite was developed by Carl Whitcomb, a horticulture professor at Oklahoma State University who gave up on academia to pursue a career as a nursery consultant and inventor. Whitcomb has patented several items used widely in the nursery industry.  Dynamite was one of Whitcomb's first entries in the field of plant breeding and has become his most successful. Dynamite was developed by using a chemical mutigen to force changes at the gene level. The occasional flecks of white in the petals are an indication that there may be vestiges of a chimeral background in the plant.  As a crape myrtle Dynamite is considered one of the best because of the bright red flowers and its superior powdery mildew resistance. Like all crapemyrtles, it has outstanding drought tolerance. 

Up to zone 7, Dynamite can be grown as a deciduous tree or shrub reaching 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide where it will withstand temperatures down to -5°F.  In Zone 5/6 gardens, with proper mulching,  it can be grown as a die-back perennial much like a Butterfly Bush. 

Since flowering, which occurs from July until frost, is on new-wood only, Dynamite can develop into a lush flowering 4 - 5 foot shrub in one summer even if it is cut back to the ground each Winter.  Use a foliage fertilizer in the Spring and stop fertilizing altogether before Fall.

Crape Myrtle Purple
Lagerstroemia indica 'Catawba'

 ‘Catawba', is one of the best purple flowering, Crape Mytrle selections available. It displays large, long lasting clusters of dark purple, crepe-like flowers in summer. The handsome foliage has bronzy cast in spring, bright green in summer, and orange-red in the fall. Catawba is mildew resistant, and more tolerant of dry spells than most Crapes. It is a moderate grower maturing to a rounded dome 15 feet tall and 14 feet wide. Older plants will have exfoliating bark.  Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. For a formal appearance, shear annually after flowering.  Plants thrive in full sun in a good heavy loam soil with a pH of 5-6.5. 

Southern Magnolia 'Edith Bogue'
Magnolia grandiflora Edith Bogue

'Edith Bogue' is by far the cold-hardiest Southern Magnolia surviving as far north as Chicago.  It held its leaves here in 2006 when the temperature hovered around -10°F, and certainly stayed below zero for 2 full weeks!  Of pyramidal form (30' tall by 15' wide),  the large, lush evergreen leaves are glossy green above and rusty tomentose below. The creamy white, 8- to 12-inch flowers, emitting that legendary fragrance, appear profusely in late spring and early summer, then sporadically until frost. Showy red fruits add appeal in the fall.  Plant in a location protected from wind and free of competing roots.  Magnolias need good soil in protected areas. Zones 5-9.

Paw-Paw Tree
Asimina triloba

Asimina triloba -Paw-Paw- is related to the tropical Cherimoya (Custard Apple), with huge leaves that look more at home in the jungle, this is actually an Eastern U.S. native, hardy to -25° F! A forest understory tree quite happy in shade, it also tolerates full sun. The fruits, weighing up to a pound each, are rich, sweet, and custard-like, with hints of banana and vanilla. 15 to 30 feet tall. Plant at least two for pollination. Very Cold-Hardy. Rediscover this neglected American classic! Zones 4-9.

Big Leaf Magnolia
Magnolia Macrophylla

M. Macrophylla has the largest simple leaf of any native North American tree, reaching up to 30" in length and a foot wide.  In April to May 10 to 15 inch flowers that are yellowish, ivory in color cover the tree.  The flowers are followed by 3 to 5 inch, ovoid, purplish, hairy fruits which contain the seeds.  Native to the Appalachian Mountains, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, Big Leaf Magnolia prefers a moist, well-drained, protected site where its big leaves will not be torn by the wind.  Although it will tolerate full sun it is happiest as an understory tree beneath the forest canopy where it can still reach 50 feet in height.  Hardy to Zone 5

Rose Mallow 'Fireball'
Hibiscus moscheutos 'Fireball'

This dazzling new introduction from the late Fleming Brothers makes a compact 4' tall plant with fine-textured green foliage - often with a purple blush.  Gigantic flowers up to 12" wide sit atop compact, shrub-like plants from mid to late summer.  The blossoms are flaming red and have overlapping petals.  Each successive spring will bring larger flowers especially if they are well watered.  The finely textured, dissected foliage glows with a purplish blush and the sturdy stems display red veining.  Mulch heavily the first winter and cut back to 6" in the Spring.  This tropical looking beauty is hardy to zone 4.

Rose Mallow 'Kopper King'
Hibiscus moscheutos 'Kopper King'

'Kopper King' is a compact, vigorous, sturdy, rounded, somewhat shrubby, woody-based hibiscus cultivar which typically grows to 3-4' tall. Features copper-red foliage and dinner plate-sized, 5-petaled, hollyhock-like flowers (10-12" diameter) which are among the largest flowers produced by any perennial which is hardy to the Chicago area. Flowers are light pink with red veining and a bright red central eye. Each flower has a prominent and showy pale yellow tubular central staminal column. Individual flowers last only one day, but one or more flowers usually open each day, in succession, over a long mid-summer to early fall bloom period. Lobed, maple-like leaves are coppery red. Commonly called rose mallow. This hybrid is a recent introduction from the Fleming Brothers of Lincoln, Nebraska who have produced several rose mallow hybrids.  Plant lower in the ground than usual and trim back to 4-6" in the late Fall.  Hardy to Zone 4.

Rose Mallow 'Lord Baltimore'
Hibiscus moscheutos 'Lord Baltimore'

From mid-summer until frost, Lord Baltimore has brilliant, ruffled, dinner plate sized, red blooms up to 10" across.  The 4 to 5 foot, shrub-like plants have deeply lobed leaves and stay compact especially in full sun.  Be patient for spring growth as hibiscus break dormancy very late.  Plant in full sun to partial shade 4" deep.  This plant is the ONE exception to the above-grade rule when planting.  Give the plant plenty of organic material and don't let it dry out between watering - especially the first year.  Plants become more draught-tolerant with age.  Trim back to 6" in late Fall or early Spring.  Hardy to Zone 4

Rose Double Knock Out
Rosa Double Knock Out

Several years ago, Knock Out wowed gardeners everywhere with its superb performance as a landscape Rose. Not only was it a tireless bloomer all summer and into fall, but it was terrific at keeping its dense, healthy green foliage no matter what the climate. The same breeder has developed its sister seedling, with all the same disease resistance, floriferousness, plus DOUBLE-flowered blooms and even greater shade tolerance.  These blooms of shiny fire-engine red are about 2 1/2 inches wide and utterly unstoppable from early summer right up through November many years. Most are fully double, with others semi-double, with an average petal count of 18 to 25. These blooms are all high-centered in the classic Rose form. No need to deadhead this lively shrub.  The flowers just keep coming no matter what.  Crown-hardy to -20°F, this 3- by 3-foot shrub withstands drought, heat, humidity thru zone 4.
 

Thalia
Thalia geniculata ruminoides

Thalia (fire flag) is a large emersed plant that grows from a thick rhizome. It grows in ponds, swamps, marshes, and along stream banks. It is not widely distributed.  Large simple leaves on long stalks are among fire flag's most notable features. The leaves are broadly lance-shaped, with broadly rounded bases. They can be up to eight inches wide and more than 2 1/2 feet long. Several leaves growing together are sheathed at the base. Fire flag flowers are paired; that is, two flowering bracts emerge on top of a tall flower stalk. Multiple small purple flowers hang from the bracts. The flowers have three petals.

Caroline Gable (Gable) -15º

Joe Gable hybridized a lot of azaleas. Formed by crossing poukhanense x kaempferi, and poukhanense x hexe, Caroline was chosen by Joe Gable as one of his brightest reds. Late mid-searson flowers are 1¹/2" with a deeper blotch, budding profusely in sun. A hardy plant which is upright and spreading, growing to 4-5'.  Foliage is very glossy, dark emerald green with burgundy, and tropical-looking.  Winter appearance is much lusher than other evergreen azaleas, and once established this plant will hold its leaves without any protection in Zone 5.

Clumping (Umbrella) Bamboo
Fargesia murielae

Introduced it into cultivation in 1910, murielae is considered to be one of the most beautiful of all bamboos. With a soft, cascading canopy of lustrous evergreen foliage this bamboo will leave a long standing impression. The new shoots are light blue with tan culm sheaths, aging to a yellowish-green.  Like all other Fargesias, it does not have running rhizomes and needs no containment to prevent spread. It looks best when planted in an area that gets afternoon shade or dappled sunlight throughout the day. It will retain its pastel green foliage throughout the winter, though it usually sheds a few leaves in late fall. Even more important murielae my be the hardiest of all bamboos. It began flowering in the US in 1992 so this is a new generation of “Umbrella Bamboo” which will not flower for the next 100 years.  Umbrella bamboo will ultimately reach 14' in height.  It is not particularly fond of high humidity, but is hardy to -20°.

Clumping (Fountain) Bamboo
Fargesia rufa

Fargesia rufa is a recently introduced species from the mountains of Western Sichuan, China. Fargesia rufa is a pachymorph, which means that it couldn't run even if it was being chased down the mountain by a pack of starving pandas. In form, this short clumper makes an elegant 8' tall upright fountain. In addition to the wonderful form, the culm sheaths are reddish-brown. In initial tests, Fargesia rufa looks to be quite tolerant to both heat and cold.  This very hardy clumping bamboo should remain evergreen even in Zone 5.. The overall impression in the Spring is green with a little red. It is also unusually tolerant of sun for a Fargesia.

Buckthorn 'Fine Line'
Rhamnus frangula 'Ron Williams'

Fine Line is one of the coolest new introductions in years. This splendid Buckthorn combines airy, ferny foliage with upright, slender growth, so that it looks freshly-trimmed yet needs no attention at all to keep its perfect "figure".  Happy in containers or the garden, it's easy to grow, almost self-maintaining, and brings a tropical flair to any setting.

Reaching about 6 feet high but no more than 2½ feet wide, Fine Line looks like an architect's drawing of the perfect accent plant.  Unlike most buckthorns this one is non-invasive, and will not re-seed itself all over the yard since it bears very few fruits, which are sterile.  Always looking trim and neat, the upright habit keeps it as fresh in August as it was in April.   Happy in full sun to partial shade, in any good garden soil, Fine Line is quite cold- and heat-tolerant within its hardiness range. Small enough for a patio garden but majestic enough for the focal point of even a large setting, this little shrub is an excellent alternative to larger bamboo or ornamental grasses, and contriutes a unique foliage texture to the tropical landscape.  Space plants about 18 inches apart for a nice hedge.  Hardy in zones 3-7.

Western Red Cedar 'Whipcord'
Thuja plicata 'Whipcord'

Add random elegance and texture to the garden with a 'Whipcord', an unusual selection of the Western Red Cedar.  The dancing foliage of this mult-branched shrub is glossy green in summer with a bronze cast in winter.  Cover a bank with this topical-looking wild mop that looks like beach grass.  Whipcord will do best in full sun (where it is full and lush) to partial shade conditions (where the habit is more open and stringy).  It stays neat at a growth rate of only 3 - 6" per year.  A 10 year plant will be about 3 feet tall and wide.  Evergreen hardy to zone 5.

Variegated Monkey Grass (Lilyturf)
Lirope muscari 'Variegata'

It’s easy to sing the praises of variegated lilyturf for making the perfect edger.  Its impeccable green-striped-with-cream foliage is vibrant and grass-like, but the leaves are wider and more blunt at their tip than grasses. Ideal as an edging plant, a clump runs from 1 to 1½ feet tall and half again as wide. The crisp, virtually indestructible leaves look attractive all season and often well into the winter. Nor are the spikes of small blue-violet flowers anything to sneeze at. They appear in late September—when few flowers are in bloom—and continue through the middle of October. Another virtue of variegated lilyturf is its tolerance of shade. Indeed, it bleaches out a bit in full sun, preferring morning sun and afternoon shade, and it will put up with moderate to dense shade as well.  Fully evergreen up to Zone 6, northern gardeners will want to cut it back to the ground  in early spring before the new growth appears.

Boxwood Winter Gem
Buxus microphylla 'Winter Gem'

An excellent densely branched evergreen shrub for small hedges. Among the hardiest of boxwoods (to Zone 5), Winter Gem retains its dark green velvety foliage color in winter. Grows best in full to partial sun. Moderate grower to 4 to 6 feet tall and wide, but can be pruned to any size and shape.  Winter Gem also makes a nice stand-alone specimen.

Pieris Japonica 'Mountain Fire'

Japanese Pieris is an upright evergreen shrub with a neat habit of stiff, spreading branches.  Small white bell-shaped flowers appear in late March and early April.  Flowers take second place, however, to the new growth in the spring which is fiery-red, and lasts over a long period before turning deep glossy green.  Plant in sun or partial shade.  It is very important to protect Pieris from winter winds.

Pachysandra 'Green Sheen'
Pachysandra terminalis Green Sheen

An exciting new variation of one of the most valuable and carefree evergreen groundcovers, with foliage so unbelievably glossy that each leaf shines like a little green mirror -- while a dense stand glints and sparkles to light up any shady corner.  Each plant grows only 10 to 12 inches high, and over a 2 to 3-year period will spread to evenly carpet a 3-foot space.  Plant in light to full shade; tolerant of wide range of soils from moist to dry.  Superb in combination with ferns and hostas.

Anah Kruschke (Kruschke)
[(ponticum-Seedling) x ( )]
6' -15ºF Sun Tolerant

A great plant for that spot in the sun.  The beautiful flowers are reddish-purple with a darker purple eye on the upper lobe of each floret.  The deep dark green foliage of this plant is striking, full and robust.  This is a strong growthing plant that fits into a wide range of conditions.  This one is more tropical-looking than most and the leaves last for 3 years resulting in a compact, dense plant.

Sarcococca (Sweet Box)
Sarcococca hookeriana 'humillis'

This compact, stoloniferous Sweetbox is a Chinese native slowly growing 12 to 15 inches high and 2 feet wide. Its tufted growth, glossy leaves, fragrant white flowers, and blue-black fruit offer long-season interest as a ground cover or shrub for underplanting. Ideal for winter arrangements too!    Sarcococca are low-growing, evergreen shrubs with dark, lustrous foliage that are seldom seen in American gardens. Allied to the Boxwoods, their sweetly fragrant flowers appear in late winter and early spring. Extremely tolerant of dry shaded areas that are often so difficult to fill, Sarcococca makes an outstanding ground cover. Also tolerates a wide range of growing conditions! Zones 5 (with protection) - 9.

Hosta 'Ryan's Big One'

Hosta Ryan's Big One

Ryan's Big One is a very tall, 3-4 foot plant, with deeply puckered, thick bluish-green leaves.  The leaves on this extra large giant, can reach up to 18 inches in length and over a foot wide -- much larger than sieboldiana hostas.  A strong grower, it forms impressive clumps up to 5 feet in diameter.  The flowers are white.

Umbrella Palm

Cyperus alternifolius

The Umbrella Palm, also known as Umbrella Plant and Umbrella Papyrus, is an excellent accent plant for ponds or patios. Umbrella Palms provide an exciting look to any location - home, office or pond.  A quick grower, Umbrella Palms have 24 to 72 inch high stems with thin blades arranged like an umbrella on the end. They can easily achieve this height in one growing season.  Plant them in nutrient rich soil in 2 to 5-gallon or larger containers. They prefer 1 to 6 inches water depth, and to be placed in sun to partial shade. Waterproof containers can also be sunk around the garden to create a bog situation for the palm.  Umbrella Palms may spread easily to 12-48". Zones 9-11.

Banana Leaf Canna
Canna Musafolia

Canna Musafolia is a giant monster of a Canna which is grown mainly for it’s over all size and height. The leaves look more like a banana’s leaf, very wide and long on large maroon stems, reaching up to about 15 feet, possibly 18 feet in a protected area. The flowers are small, red, and bloom only late in the season. They are hardly noticeable unless you are looking for them.  The rhizomes of this plant are different than most Cannas. They are large clumpy sections that do not seem to run but stay compact and slowly get larger each year.  Not many Cannas can reach this size and it makes an excellent back drop for a tropical landscape. The foliage is green with a maroon rim and is very long and very wide.  This plant prefers full sun and rich soil.  Hardy to zone 7 so dig and overwinter in a basement or garage.

Giant Thailand Elephant Ear
Colocasia  Giant Thailand Strain

Make mine super-sized! This huge strain of the giant elephant ear was grown from wild seed collected from Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand, in 2003.  In the wild, the plants reached a massive 9' tall, which is much larger than the clone of C. gigantea that is readily available.   In trials individual leaves have  grown  in excess of 5' long x 4' wide. Although there will be slight differences between individual seedlings the end result will be a massive plant!  From a tiny 5" plant each new leaf will nearly double in size to reach monstrous proportions in a single growing season.  Foliage-wise, the leaves are an attractive glaucous-grey which is typical of this species. From an early age, the plants are adorned with clusters of dramatically large, pleasantly scented, white flowers.  Hardy to zone 7 so dig and store.

Giant Elephant Ear
Alocasia macrorrhizos "Borneo Giant"

The second largest undivided leafed plant in the world.  Slightly more cold tolerant than previouisly thought and recorded.  The upright leaves grow to a height of 15 feet and the stem petiloes can grow to 10 feet tall pushing the large leaves even higher into the air.  These are fast reproducers creating pups around the base of the mother plant once they are established, but are not invasive.  Mature plants have a deep, dark green blue-ish hue to the leaves.  These large tubers are easy to dig and store over the winter in the north.  Plants will do well in partial shade and even deeper shade and a fast draining soil rich in compost.  Hardy in Zone 7

Giant Elephant Ear
Colocasia esculenta "Jack's Giant"

Jack's Giant was introduced by Jack de Vroomen of Marlboro Bulb Company, who brought this Elephant Ear back from Costa Rica. The tuber was much larger and shaped differently from other esculenta forms that have been grown. In just one summer the plants typically reach 7' tall, even in a very dry section of the yard.  Jack's Giant has mottled, medium green leaves similar to typical esculenta. It appears to be a triploid form, which should increase winter hardiness, but the plant is new and there isn't much data yet. Remember that rich, organic soils that are moist during the growing season result in the best growth and the plant will benefit from additional water and fertilizer. This is another "must have" to super-size your tropical garden in a temperate zone.  Plants multiply quickly with runners/pups.

Calypso Oleander
Nerium oleander 'Calypso'

Nerium oleander is an evergreen shrub reaching 6 to 12 feet in height and spread, but can top off at 20 feet in the South. Calypso is extremely cold hardy for an Oleander, but it is subject to freeze damage. The leaves are dark green throughout the seasons. Flowers bloom in summer to early fall; each flower is 1 1/2 inch in diameter, borne in terminal cymes on new growth. Flowers are showy, fragrant pink and may be singles or doubles. Various cultivars are available. Bears a slender pod fruit, not really ornamental. It is tolerant of seascapes, likes well drained, fertile soil, withstands dry conditions and pollution. Calypso should have at least 6 hours of direct sun per day for best flowering.  It is native to southern Asia in the Mediterranean area. This is an extremely toxic plant. Even the dried leaves can be lethal, so do not burn.

Hardy Red Oleander
Nerium oleander 'Hardy Red'

Nerium oleander 'Hardy Red' sports single red blossoms and dark green leathery leaves. This Oleander can reach up to 6-12' in height and 10' wide. Like all Oleanders, Hardy Red is drought, heat, salt, wind, and pollution tolerant and is often seen growing where other plants won't such as highway medians. Oleander is also a great choice for sheared hedges as well as for screening.  For best flowering prune only in early fall and plant in a site that gets at least 6 hours minimum of sun per day.  The more sun, the more flowers!  This oleander will hold its evergreen leaves down into single digits for short spells.  Even if it is zapped by cold it can rebound and grow up to 6 feet in once season from well-established roots.  For this reason gardeners have had success in Zone 6 and are giving it a try in Zone 5.

Yucca Cane Tee (Spineless Yucca)
Yucca elephatipes

A dramatic landscape element, Spineless Yucca is the tallest of the Yuccas, ultimately reaching 30 feet in height with a 15-foot spread.  Its single, thick, rough trunk is topped with straplike, four-foot-long leaves. In the landscape the trunk can grow to four feet  in diameter. Sprouts often grow from the base of the trunk forming a multitrunked tree. Spineless Yucca grows fairly rapidly but usually stays under 20 feet in height, and is ideal for use in succulent gardens or large planters. Unlike its close relative, Spanish Bayonet, Spineless Yucca can be used in close range of people since it lacks the formidable, terminal spine and has harmless leaves. It was introduced into Florida in 1956 as a substitute for the spiny Spanish Bayonet.  Hardy to zone 9.

Canna Red Stripe
Canna indica 'Red Stripe"'

Canna Red Stripe is a rare and very impressive and showy specimen, not only for its erect brilliant red blooms and its lush and shockingly beautiful burgundy red and green leaves, but also for its great stature. This canna easily grows to eight or nine feet in the South. In cooler climates it may reach a slightly less height, but it will still be a show stopper. The flowers are a bright red, leaning slightly toward the orange side of the spectrum. They are magnets fro hummingbirds.  Although the flowers are interesting, this canna is grown for its huge foliage.  The leaves are large (around 2 feet) and bear the dark red stripes for which it was named.  Hardy to zone 7, so dig and store.

Canna Lily
Canna x generalis 'Tropicanna'

Tropicanna cannas provide an excellent backdrop in the perennial border, or a focal point when grown in large containers. Many people are attracted to the “tropical” feeling generated by these exotic plants. Tropicanna is one of the most colorful Canna on the market. Its bright orange flowers are a great contrast to the dark foliage striped with vibrant colors of pink, red, yellow, orange and green.  Zone 7 hardy.

Castor Bean
Ricinus communis

The source of castor beans and castor oil, this plant is more toxic to humans than any other plant.  The entire plant is toxic, but the seeds more than any other part. The plant is, however, very striking in cultivation and many horticultural varieties exist. The typical species is mostly a green plant but many varieties have red stems and reddish-pink flowers that are very tropical in appearance.  Plant should be treated as an annual and disposed of each Winter.