Allamanda (Allamanda Cathartica)

The Allamanda is a robust tropical vine that is native to South America.

It can be identified by whorls of long shiny evergreen leaves, and an abundance of large bright yellow, flaring, trumpet shaped blooms.

This showy vine flowers throughout the summer and is excellent for window boxes and decorative pots. It will grow to 12 feet.

6-6-6 Fertilizer may be used to encourage growth and flowering.

An Allamanda bush, growing to 4 feet is also available. The plant looks the same, except the leaves are smaller as well as the flowers.

Amaryllis (Hippeastrum)

Growth habit: A perennial with long straplike leaves arising from a large bulb with a neck protruding a few inches above the soil line. Leaves are dark green, often arching, w/parallel veins growing to 2 ft. long.

Light: Plant in full sun to light shade.

Feedings: Apply a general garden fertilizer every 6-8 weeks March through August.

Water needs: Tolerates short periods of drought but grows best with weekly waterings February through September. During the fall and winter months allow the soil to dry between waterings to encourage spring blooms.

Hardiness: Hardy; tops may be damaged by frosts or freezes, but plants survive as bulbs protected by mulches and soil.

Major problems: Large lubber grasshoppers love the foliage and should be handpicked from the plants when young each spring. Plantings are also affected by red blotch, a disease causing brown to red spots on the leaves. Prune light infections or treat with a fungicide when severe.

Uses: Add to perennial flower beds and to create spots of color.

Angel Wing Jasmine (Jasminum Nitidum)

Growth habit: A rounded to sprawling evergreen shrub w/twining vinelike stems producing plants to 5 ft. tall & wide. The leaves are glossy and dark green with a lancelike shape growing to 4" long and 1" wide.

Light: Plant in full sun to light shade.

Feedings: Apply a general garden fertilizer once monthly in March, June and August if needed to encourage growth, or select a slow-release product; follow label instructions.

Hardiness: Medium; might be damaged by severe freezes but survives most winters with no injury.

Pruning: Plantings need periodic grooming to remain in bounds and attractive. Selectively remove errant twining shoots as needed. Major reshaping of plants can be performed in late February before spring growth begins.

Uses: As foundation plantings and space dividers between gardens and along walkways. Some also set the plants to disguise fences, conceal walls and climb trellises. Plantings are in bloom April - August producing clusters of 1" diameter fragrant white pinwheellike blossoms.

Anise (Illicium Parviflorum)

Growth habit: Evergreen shrub w/dense foliage to the ground and an upright to rounded shape; grows to 12 ft. tall and 8 ft. wide. The leaves are a medium-green color and lancelike in shape, growing to 6" long and 2" wide.

Light: Plant in full-sun to shady

Feedings: Apply a general garden fertilizer once monthly in March, June and September if needed to encourage growth

Water needs: Tolerates short periods of drought; grows best when watered every 7-10 days

Hardiness: Hardy

Major problems: Scale insects occasionally may attack the stems and foliage. When needed, a low-toxicity oil spray can be applied as a control.

Pruning: Encourage dense growth by removing the growing tips as needed to produce additional branches with foliage. The plants grow tall and may need the selective removal of individual stems to control height and width in late winter and midsummer. Shearing is not recommended because the leaves are large and show the pruning wounds.

Uses: An excellent hedge plant for sun and shade.

Angelina Sedum (Sedum repestre 'Angelina')

The Sedum 'Angelina' has brilliant, needle-shaped, golden yellow foliage. It is a very vigorous mat-forming plant. Angelinas prefer well drained soil and to be kept on the dry side. It does well in a gritty soil or in a pot with its trailing habit.

Sedum ‘Angelina’ needs to be planted in full sun in well-drained soil. It will tolerate most soil types and is drought resistant.

‘Angelina’ is a great choice for beds and borders and excellent as cut flowers. It is also a great butterfly and bee attractor and is disease resistant.

Mature Height: 3 - 6 inches

Mature Spread: 12 - 14 inches

Soil Type: Widely Adaptable

Moisture: Widely Adaptable

Mature Form: Spreading

Growth Rate: Fast

Sun Exposure: Partial Sun

Flower Color: Yellow

Fall Color: Tipped with Orange

Foliage Color: Golden Yellow

Anise Sage 'Black and Blue' (Salvia Guaranitica)

Salvia guaranitica 'Black and Blue' gets its name from the flowers, the flowers are blue in color and the calyx is almost black in color.

The Sage will flower from late summer until late fall. Anise Sage can get up to 8 feet tall and up to 3 feet wide, making it an excellent background plant.

Plant Use: Flowering Perennial

Exposure: Sun to Part Sun

Water Requirements: Medium to Low

Aztec Gold Daylily (Hemerocallis)

Daylilies are grown for their showy and many times fragrant flowers which come in a wide range of vibrant colors. The individual blooms last only for one day but there are many blooms on strong stems that rise above tall grassy foliage.

These plants will flower from early summer to fall and some varieties are semi-evergreen to evergreen in warmer climates. Plant position in the garden should be carefully considered as the flower heads turn toward the sun and the equator. The distinction between a diploid variety and a tetraploid variety is that the flowers on a tetraploid plant has much thicker petals.

Hemerocallis 'Aztec Gold' has gold 3.25 inch flowers. Plant height is 18 inches. Blooms early season and repeats bloom cycle. Plant is semi-evergreen in warmer climates.

Habit or Plant Use: Flowering Perennial

Exposure: Sun to Part Sun

Water Requirements: High to Medium

Bloom Cycle: Early Season

Aztec Grass (Liriope Muscari)

Liriope muscari 'Aztec' has a tufted stoloniferous growth habit and can get up to 24" tall.

Aztec Grass has white spikes of bell shaped flowers in the summer. This grass is prized for its foliage which is variegated pale yellow to white. Aztec Grass is slow growing and has a coarse root system and is not as cold hardy as other Liriope spp. so keep protected until well established.

Plant Use: Groundcover

Exposure: Part Sun to Shade

Water Requirements: Medium

Bald Cypress (Taxodium Distichum)

The bright green fern-like leaves give the Bald Cypress its unique look. Its leaves turn a coppery bronze in the autumn, then drop in the winter. A spherical green female cone will ripen to a brown in autumn and males will produce perdent red cones in late winter.

It has rapid to moderate growth of 50-70 feet in height and a spread of 20-30 feet, but can get up to 100 feet tall. Can tolerate extremely wet conditions, often seen growing next to rivers and lakes, Bald Cypress can also tolerate dry conditions. When growing in wet conditions the tree will develop "knees" at the base.

Bald Cypress is similar to Oaks in that trees from drier regions are more adapted to dry soils while those from swampy regions are more adapted to soggy soils.

Plant Use: Tree

Exposure: Part Sun-Full Sun

Water Requirements: Low - High

Beefsteak Plant (Perilla)

If you like Coleus you will love Perilla. It has the same vibrant colors as it’s look- a- like but stronger stems, and it can be a perennial in the southern garden during a mild winter.

The nice mounding growth habit, and large magenta, chartreuse, and green leaves makes this foliage plant a great addition to any border, mixed container or ringing a tree.

Beefsteak Plant loves the heat, just keep well watered. Perilla 'Magilla' can grow to 18-36" tall with a 24" spread.

Plant Use: Annual

Exposure: Partial Shade

Water Requirements: Medium

Begonia Fuchsia

This plant is one of the most beautiful plants that are native to North America.

They like medium to bright light and moderately cool temperature. If the temperature gets to 90 degrees they will go downhill.

They make great landscape and container plants. A hanging basket can have more than 100 or more bell shaped flowers. The long days of spring bring the flowers naturally.

They can be brought into early bloom with extra lighting.

Giant Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia Nicolai)

Strelitzia nicolai is a clump forming perennials, reaching up to 30 feet tall that has 6' long leaf stalks that support the large 5' long banana-like leaves that are held in a fan shape.

In the Spring Giant Bird of Paradise bears flowers that resemble a bird, these have brownish red spathes with white sepals and light purple to blue corollas.

Strelitzia nicolai gives an exotic feel to the landscape, working great as an accent tree or it can even be used as accents in large containers.

Plant Use: Flowering Perennial

Exposure: Full Sun

Water Requirements: Medium to Low

Blueberry [Windsor] (Vaccinium Species)

Growth habit: A deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub with an upright to rounded shape growing to 8 feet tall and half as wide. The leaves are thick and oval, medium- to dark-green and grow to 2 inches long and half as wide.

Light: Full sun (best for fruit production) to light shade

Feedings: Lightly scatter an azalea-camellia fertilizer once monthly in April, June, August and October

Water needs: Water when the surface soil begins to dry during establishment and fruiting time. Seasonal rains often supply adequate moisture at other times. Maintain a 2- to 3-inch pine-bark mulch layer.

Hardiness: Hardy.

Major problems: Blueberries require a very acid soil in the 4.5 to 5.2 pH range. Otherwise, growth is poor and plants decline. Provide an organic-matter-enriched but well-drained soil to encourage growth and prevent rot.

Pruning: Every year or two, prune to stimulate growth and better fruiting. Remove up to one-quarter of the older stems after fruiting to reduce the height and width.

Black Eyed Susan, Gloriosa Daisy (Rudbeckia Fulgida Var. Sullivantii)

Black Eyed Susans are native to North America and have bright daisy-like composite flowers with a central cone that is very prominent. The flowers are usually in tones of yellow, however the cones may vary from a rust color to black.

Many varieties make excellent cut flowers and the plants generally flower from early summer to late fall.

The plants like full sun and somewhat moist soil conditions. Rudbeckia make great plants to attract butterflies. Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm' has large flower heads that are golden yellow in color.

The flowers are 3.5 to 5 inches across and the plant is approximately 24 inches in height.

Plant Use: Flowering Perennial

Exposure: Sun

Water Requirements: Med

Bottlebrush (Callistemon Rigidus)

Callistemon rigidus or Stiff Bottlebrush is an Australian native shrub that can get 3-8' tall with a 6-10' spread at maturity.

This Bottlebrush has a bushy growth habit with stiff stems and stiff linear shaped leaves and will do best on a well-drained soil.

In the summer this Callistemon will bloom sporting spectacular bright red bottlebrush-like flowers that are great for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. Actually the red that is seen is the showy stamens, as the petals are small and inconspicuous. After bloom the Bottlebrush will have button-like seed capsules.

One interesting thing about Bottlebrushes, for us "plant nerds" is the fact that the stems continues to grow after the flowers and seed capsules, so they are not necessarily at the terminal. So there will be foliage, flower or seed capsules and then foliage again.

Callistemon rigidus has shown in some trials to be more cold hardy than Callistemon citrinus.

Plant Use: Shrub

Exposure: Full Sun

Water Requirements: Med

Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea Spectabilis)

Growth habit: A sprawling evergreen vine often trained as a shrub, growing to 20 feet tall and wide. The leaves are medium green and oval in shape and grow to 4 inches long and half as wide. The leaves often have thorns near their base.

Light: Tolerates light shade but grows and flowers best in full-sun locations.

Feedings: Apply a general garden fertilizer once monthly in March and June.

Water needs: Drought tolerant; maintain a moist soil until the roots grow out into the surrounding area; this can take up to a year. Thereafter, the plants can exist with seasonal rains.

Hardiness: Tender; damaged by freezes but usually grows back from main stems or buds near the ground.

Pruning: Give bougainvillea plenty of room to grow so shoots can reach maturity and flower. Prune to restrict growth and develop compact plants after flowering during late spring and before midsummer to allow new shoots to mature and flower by winter.

Uses: Train bougainvillea up a trellis near a wall, along the side of the home.

Bulbine Frutescens (Yellow African Bulbine)

Bulbine frutescens is native to desert grasslands in South Africa, this plant grows well in a well-drained soil and is also very tolerant of poor, dry soil. Be careful not to over water.

Bulbine grows best in full sun, has succulent foliage, and produces racemes of star-shaped yellow flowers in the summer months, around 10-15 stalks per plant.

Bulbine can withstand a light frost, keep protected in colder climates. Yellow African Bulbine is also known as Bulbinella and Burn jelly plant, the sap in the leaves is used for healing in South Africa.

Bulbine frutescens can reach 1.5' tall with a 2' spread, the flowers are held 2-3' above the foliage.

Plant Use: Flowering Perennial

Exposure: Part Sun to Sun

Water Requirements: Low

Burford Holly (Ilex Cornuta 'Burfordii')

The Burford Holly was discovered in Atlanta's Westview Cemetery in the 1900s. This cultivar is one of the toughest of the Chinese Hollys available. It is an evergreen shrub with glossy, stiff leaves with that cup downward, this cultivar has very few spines on the leaves.

In the fall Burford Holly sets fruit, these are long lasting large red berries, and there will be a show every year because this cultivar does not need pollination to set fruit.

Ilex cornuta 'Burfordii' grows 15-20 feet tall and it has a tolerance to heat, drought, and alkaline soil.

Plant Use: Shrub

Exposure: Sun-Part Shade

Water Requirements: Medium

Bush Daisy (Gamolepis Chrysanthemoides)

African bush-daisy is a herbaceous perennial or sub-shrub that grows in a mound-like bush up to 3 ft. tall and 4 ft. wide.

It has dark glossy-green, pinnately compound leaves, and yellow daisy-like flowers. The leaves are alternate, glabrous (hairless), about 2" long, and crowded at the ends of the branches.

The flower heads are about 2" across and borne on peduncles (flower stems) about 5" long.

African bush-daisy will grow in acidic to slightly alkaline soils.

For best flowering, grow in full sun.

African bush-daisy is moderately drought tolerant, but it should be kept well watered for maximum flowering.

Use in a perennial border or as a stand-alone specimen. Bush-daisy also is grown in planters and as a foundation plant. Plant African bush-daisy against a wall, so it won't fall over as it gets taller.

In the right location, African bush-daisy forms a striking mound of brilliant yellow flowers that seem to float above the shiny green foliage. In south Florida it blooms nearly year-round.

Cabbage Palm (Sabal Palmetto)

The Cabbage Palm is a large robust palm with a single unbranching trunk that grows to about 50 ft. but may occassionally reach heights of 70 ft. The crown is relatively small being 12-18 ft. in diameter. Like many palms the crown is typically wider when grown in shade and more compact when grown in full sun.

The large leaves have a dull finish and are a medium green, sometimes yellow-green, in color. Each leaf is up to 12 ft. long overall including the spineless leaf stems which measure about 5-6 ft. in length.

Sabal palmetto is very salt and drought tolerant and can be used in beachside plantings. It is able to adapt to most types of soil. Cabbage palms are easy to transplant if they have at least 6 ft. of trunk.

Light: Full sunlight to some shade. Trunk development is suppressed in heavily shaded specimens.

Moisture: Very adaptable. Average moisture will do. Tolerates drought, standing water and brackish water.

Caladium (Caladium Hortulanum)

Growth habit: An upright to rounded perennial with large heart-shaped leaves rising from below-ground tubers. Plants grow to 18" tall from spring through fall and die back to the ground during winter dormancy.

Light: Full sun to shady locations.

Feedings: Apply a light scattering of a general garden fertilizer or manure every 6-8 weeks March through September.

Water needs: Prefers a moist soil; water every 3-4 days.

Hardiness: Hardy; keep mulched to protect tubers from cold.

Major problems: Slugs feed on the foliage in moist soils, producing large holes in the leaves overnight. Handpick from plants or coax into shallow trays of stale beer. Foliage also may burn if plants are moved from shady sites to sunny locations, but new shoots adjust to the higher light levels.

Pruning: Remove yellowing leaves and old flower heads in late spring and summer.

Uses: Caladiums with brightly colored leaves are the stars of the Florida perennial garden. Plant in beds, along walkways and in container gardens.

Sweetheart Caladium (Caladium Bicolor Sweetheart)

Growth habit: A deciduous perennial with heart/arrow shaped leaves that arise from a tuber several inches below ground, produces plants growing to 18" tall and wide. Leaves are green, marked with variations of white, pink, purple and red blotches and streaks.

Prefers light shade but can grow in deep shade to full sun.

Feedings: Apply a light scattering of a general garden fertilizer every 6-8 weeks March through September.

Water needs: Tolerates short periods of dry weather; grows best in moist, organic-matter-enriched soils. Water in-ground plantings every 3-4 days, container plantings daily during hot, dry weather.

Hardiness: Hardy. Caladiums survive as underground tubers during the winter months; maintain a 3-4" mulch in colder locations.

Major problems: Slugs often feed on the foliage in moist home gardens; use a slug bait as needed.

Uses: Plant as flower substitutes in shady sites to enjoy foliage April through September. Cluster single or mixed colors as accents and ground covers.

Camellia Japonica

The Japanese Camellia has soil requirements that are similar to that of Azaleas, acidic and well drained, and are not very tolerant of salty soils.

The foliage is dark glossy green with thick leathery leaves. The main attraction of Japanese Camellias is the winter flowers. The Victory White Camellia blooms mid season with medium sized semi-double to loose peony-like pure white blooms.

Camellia japonica 'Victory White' has a vigorous growth rate with an upright growth habit.

Plant Use: Flowering Shrub

Exposure: Partial Sun to Shade

Water Requirements: Medium

Canary Island Date Palm (Phoenix canariensis )

Canary Island Date Palm is highly prized for its formal aspect in the landscape which complements Mediterranean style architecture, and for its hardiness which allows its use throughout most of Florida and parts of California and Arizona.

The leaf scar pattern on the trunk is very ornamental.

The spread of Canary Island Date Palm require ample room for development even when the palms are young.

Extremely tough and durable, this species endures dry conditions and, with the exception of easily correctable magnesium deficiency, poor soils as well. Poorly drained sites, however, should be avoided. Over-irrigation may increase susceptibility to various fungal diseases.

Transplanting large specimens should be handled carefully; stressed plants are easily invaded by palmetto weevils which quickly destroy the irreplaceable ”heart”.

Canna (Cannacea)

Canna (Indian Reed Flower)

Canna Australia

Canna Pretoria

Cardboard Palm

Carrisa Holly (Ilex Cornuta)

The Carrisa Holly was developed from Ilex cornuta 'Rotunda' and has been know to revert back to this.

Ilex cornuta 'Carrisa' is an outstanding dwarf Chinese Holly because of its dense growth habit and small leaves, this Holly only reaches 3 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide.

It has small, dark, glossy green leaves cupped slightly upward with one spine on the tip. Carrisa Holly produces no berries.

Plant Use: Shrub

Exposure: Full Sun to Part Sun

Water Requirements: Medium

Carissa Macrocarpa (Natal Plum)

Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra Elatior)

Aspidistra elatior originates from the woodlands of the Himalayas, China, and Japan. Cast Iron Plant has long lasting lance-shaped leaves that are pointed at the tip and narrow at the base.

This rhizomatous perennial bears inconspicuous cream colored flowers near the ground in early summer that are normally covered by the foliage. This groundcover can tolerate full sun but will look ratty so it is best with some shade.

Aspidistra elatior is valued for it's ability to tolerate full shade, fluctuating climates and neglect, at maturity reaching 1.5-2' tall. Also known as Barroom plant because of it's use in bars, very tolerant of neglect!

Plant Use: Groundcover

Exposure: Part Sun to Full Shade

Water Requirements: Medium to Low

Century Plant (Agave Americana)

Agave americana is a monocarpic (dies after blooming) succulent that forms a basal rosette of thick spiny grey-green leaves, often 6' long. The flower stalk is branched and can reach 20'-40' tall with yellow green flowers.

Century Plant is known as such because it is thought they only bloom once a century then die. Really they can bloom much faster, 10 years in warm climates to 60 years in cooler climates, only the Mother plant will die leaving the many suckers or "pups" to flourish.

Plant Use: Flowering Shrub

Exposure: Full Sun

Water Requirements: Low

Christmas Palm

Clerodendrum Splendens (Flaming Glory)

Coleus (Solenostemon)

Coleus (Solenostemon) foliage features a mix of intense colors including bright lime green , burgundy, and creamy yellow.

This plant can get up to 18-24" tall and should be spaced 12-18" apart.

This multi-colored Coleus is perfect for contrast in flower beds as well as containers.

Plant Use: Tender Perennial

Exposure: Sun to Part Sun

Water Requirements: Medium

Compact Nandina 'Compacta' (Nandina Domestica)

Nandina domestica is an evergreen shrub in the Southern states, 'Compacta' is lower growing than the species and has more numerous leaflets giving it a lacey appearance.

Nandina domestica 'Compacta' blooms in the spring and the new flush of growth is coppery in color. Foliage turns green in the summer. In the fall Nandina 'Compacta' produces a show of red berries and the foliage turns a reddish-purple color.

This Nandina can reach 4-6' tall and will spread through rhizomes with age.

Plant Use: Shrub

Exposure: Sun to Partial Sun

Water Requirements: Medium

Confederate Jasmine, Star Jasmine

Trachelospermum jasminoides produces masses of sweet-smelling, star-shaped, white blossoms in the spring. The Confederate or Star Jasmine has shiny dark green leaves and can grow to lengths of thirty inches.

Plant Use: Vine

Exposure: Full to Partial Sun

Water Requirements: Medium

Coontie Palm

Copper Leaf Alternantherea

Cord Grass [Florida Native]

Cordyline Fruiticosa Tricolor

Cordyline Purple Prince

Cordyline Red Sister

Coreopsis Grandiflora

Crapemyrtle 'Natchez' (Lagerstroemia Indica X Fauriei)

A National Arboretum introduction, Natchez Crapemyrtle is a cross between Lagerstroemia indica 'Pink Lace' and the first L. fauriei brought from Japan, this was done back in 1964. After much evaluation the cultivar was finally released in 1978.

This vigorous cultivar blooms from June through September for roughly 110 days revealing beautiful tiny white flowers, it can have up to 100-800 flowers per inflorecence, that are offset by stuning cinnamon colored bark.

The Natchez Crapemyrtle has dark green oblong leaves that turn orange and red in the fall. This towering Crapemyrtle grows to a height of 20 to 30 feet with a crown spread of 35 feet at maturity.

It is tolerant to heat, humidity, and powdery mildew.

Plant Use: Small Tree

Exposure: Full Sun

Creeping or Climbing Fig (Ficus Pumila)

Crepe Myrtle

Crossanda Infundibuliformis (Firecracker Flower)

Growth Habit: Upright

Mature Height: 2 to 3 feet

Cold Hardy? No

Bloom Time: Continuous

Growing Temperature: Warm. 60 at night, 80 in the day if possible.

Recommended Light: Full sun to light shade.

Bloom Size: 1 to 1½ inches

D.D. Blanchard Magnolia (Magnolia Grandiflora)

Magnolia grandiflora 'D.D. Blanchard' Magnolia has a compact and pyramidal growth habit and is evergreen. This cultivar does not produce as many flowers as most; the flowers are like most Southern Magnolias, creamy white globe shaped with fantastic fragrance.

The leaves on D.D. Blanchard Magnolia are unique, the tops are shiny green like other Magnolias but the backs are a rusty almost orange color. A striking tree for any landscape.

Magnolia grandiflora 'D.D. Blanchard' can reach up to 50 feet tall with a 25-30' spread at maturity.

Plant Use: Tree

Exposure: Full Sun

Water Requirements: Medium

Dianthus Firewitch

Dipladenia

Dragons Breath Hibiscus

Dwarf Burford Holly (Ilex Cornuta)

The Dwarf Burford Holly is very similar to the Burford Holly only it is a more compact grower and the foliage is darker and glossier and the bright red berries have a more glossy appearance.

Ilex cornuta 'Burfordii Nana' is a dwarf so it only grows 8-10 feet tall and about 8 feet wide.

Plant Use: Shrub

Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirements: Medium

Dwarf Mondo Grass 'Nana' (Ophiopogon Japonicus)

Mondo Grass is native to Korea and Japan. It has a fairly low growing habit and the leaves are somewhat finer on this species than other species. The flowers are hidden and insignificant, thus the plant is grown for its foliage and groundcover effect.

Total height of Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nana' is only 3 inches and dark green in color. It makes an excellent filler between walkways and stepping stones.

Dwarf Mondo Grass needs to be grown in partial shade to shady conditions.

Plant Use: Groundcover

Exposure: Part Sun to Shade

Water Requirements: Medium to Low

East Palatka Holly (Ilex X Attenuata)

The East Palatka Holly is a cultivar of Ilex x attenuata which is a cross between Ilex cassine (Dahoon Holly) and Ilex opaca (American Holly).

East Palatka is female and produces dark red berries. Ilex x attenuata 'East Palatka' is an evergreen shrub with lance-shaped light green, spineless leaves.

The East Palatka Holly is a narrow pyramidal shaped tree that can get 12 feet tall and 6 feet wide and has a looser growth habit than Ilex x attenuata.

Plant Use: Shrub

Exposure: Full Sun-Part Sun

Water Requirements: Medium

Echinacea Purpurea (Magnus Purple Coneflower)

Echinacea has 9 species in its genus and all are native to the United States. They are related to Rudbeckia and have very much the same look when flowering. Echinaceas have dark green leaves and solitary, daisy-like flower heads.

They require well-drained soil, full sun and flowers should be cut off when flowering is complete in order to extend the bloom time.

Purple Coneflowers attract wildlife and provide a wildflower or wilderness look to your garden. Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus' has a bit larger flower (approx. 7 inches wide) with dark orange disks and the ray florets are deep purple and more horizontal than other varieties.

Plant Use: Flowering Perennial

Exposure: Full Sun

Water Requirements: Low

Edward Goucher (Abelia X)

Pink Abelia or Abelia x 'Edward Goucher' can be a evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub depending on the zone.

The cultivar grows 3-5' tall and 5 feet wide. 'Ed Goucher' has a lacier foliage than A. grandiflora and can be somewhat less hardy. 'Edward Goucher' is a result of a cross between A. x grandiflora and A. schumannii.

Pink Abelia produces liliac-pink flowers in the spring and a bronzy foliage in the fall.

Plant Use: Flowering Shrub

Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun

Water Requirements: Medium

Elaeagnus (Elaeagnus X Ebbingei)

Elaeagnus is an evergreen with leathery leaves that are glossy dark green on upper sides then silvery beneath, giving a nice contrast.

Elaeagnus is sometimes called Ugly-Agnes because of its wild growth habit, but this shrub can look nice if sheared properly.

Elaeagnus is known for its toughness, it can survive and thrive in places many shrubs cannot, such as highway medians. Elaeagnus x ebbingei is a hybrid from E. pungens. E. x ebbingei is more upright in growth an has no thorns on the branches.

This shrub has tiny, fragrant, white flowers and the fruit is sometimes used to make jelly. It can grow to be up to 10-12 feet tall.

Plant Use: Shrub

Exposure: Partial Sun-Full Sun

Water Requirements: Medium

Elephant Ear

European Fan Palm

Fan Plam (Trachycarpus)

Fashion Azalea

Azalea 'Fashion' is a Glenn Dale hybrid. Glenn Dale hybrids are evergreen, semi-dwarf, and have bigger and more colorful flowers than Azalea in the Southern Indian group.

The Fashion Azalea has a salmon-pink colored flower that is 2 inches in diameter. It is a medium sized shrub that reaches up to 6 feet in height with an equal spread.

Like all Azaleas, Fashion Azalea does best on an acidic soil.

Plant Use: Flowering Shrub

Exposure: Part Sun - Shade

Water Requirements: Medium

Compact Mexican Firebush (Hamelia Patens)

This Firebush selection is a more compact selection reaching only 5-6' at maturity.

Hamelia patens flowers late spring to early fall. Flowers are bright orangish-red and in clusters. The stems and flower stalks also have a red hue.

Mexican Firebush is heat and drought tolerant and requires excellent drainage. This plant is also known to be salt and lime tolerant.

When in flower and fruit this is a great habitat plant, attracting birds, especially hummingbirds.

Plant Use: Flowering Perennial

Exposure: Full Sun to Part Sun

Water Requirements: Medium to Low

Firecracker Plant (Russelia Equisetiformis)

Native to Mexico, Russelia equisetiformis produces thin wiry-like foliage and scarlet to coral tubular flowers from Spring until Fall.

Great for containers or for spilling over walls, much like a fountain this plant is great for producing movement in the garden. Grows best in a well-drained soil and in full sun to partial shade. Firecracker Plant can get up to 4-5 feet in height at maturity.

Plant Use: Flowering Perennial

Exposure: Full Sun to Part Sun

Water Requirements: Medium

Firepower Nandina (Nandina Domestica)

A dwarf species that was developed in New Zealand by the New Zealand's Nurserymen's Association for its lime green leaves and superior red color that shows in the fall.

Very compact growth, only 2 feet wide by 2 feet tall at maturity, great for those who hate to prune!

Flushes lime green in the spring, produces no flowers or fruit. In the summer the foliage will become red-tinged, by fall the foliage is bright red, hence the name Firepower!

Plant Use: Shrub

Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun

Water Requirements: Medium

Mexican Firespike

Mexican Firespike is a showy evergreen shrub that will add a tropical look to your garden. Odontonema strictum is winter hardy in the south and has a high heat tolerance.

It is a fast grower with tall thick branches that grow upright and nice dark green shiny leaves. In September you will be rewarded with large upright panicles of tubular flowers and hummingbirds by the dozen.

Mexican Firespike can reach 5' tall with a 24-40" spread.

Plant Use: Flowering Perennial

Exposure: Full Shade to Partial Shade

Water Requirements: Medium

Fishtail Fern

Fishtail Palm

Florida Anise (Illicium Floridanum)

Growth habit: An evergreen rounded shrub with an open branching habit growing to 10 feet tall and 8 feet wide. The leaves are deep green and lancelike, growing to 6" long and half as wide.

Light: Grows in full sun to shad