Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Veronica spicata 'Corymbosa'

Family: (Plantaginaceae)

(P) to 9″. Many-Spiked Speedwell. Many dense spikes of deep blue, star-shaped flowers complement the dark green, toothed foliage. A long bloomer. Sun. 3 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Arthropodium candidum Bronze Leaf

Family: (Asparagaceae)

Tender bulb to 12″. New Zealand. Starry white, six-petalled flowers bloom in early summer. Mottled bronze leaves are grass-like. Excellent for the cool greenhouse. Adorable. Sun. 3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Dregea sinensis

Family: (Apocynaceae)

(TP). We grow this fabulous vine in a pot in our Pit House. Here, it twines around upright supports and runs along the eaves. In June, sweetly scented, waxy, white-blushed, pale pink clusters of flowers hang down from above. Native of China and used to be known as Wattakaka sinensis. Shame about the name change. What a treasure. Sun. 3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Eucomis comosa

Family: (Asparagaceae)

Tender bulb to 12″. Pineapple Lily. South Africa. Fat, cylindrical racemes show off pendulous, cream or green flowers edged purple, with a pineapple-like tuft of leaves at the top of each thick stem. A magnificent, bulbous plant. A welcome late summer treat. Sun. 3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Habranthus robustus

Family: (Amaryllidaceae)

Tender bulb to 8″. Rain Lily. A native of Argentina and South Brazil. The three-inch, Lily-like flowers, two per stem, are a blushed pink with darker veining and a green throat. Narrow, strap-like foliage. Grow Habranthus on a cool windowsill in well-drained soil. Easy. Sun. 3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Heimia salicifolia

Family: (Lythraceae)

Tender shrub to 10′.  Willow-leaved Heimia, Elixir of the Sun.  South US, C & S America.  This unusual plant has many slender, woody stems that are densely covered in mostly opposite, narrow, linear, green leaves.  Small flowers have six, bright yellow, somewhat wrinkled, roundly obovate petals.  The petals are attached to the rim of the tube-shaped floral cup with 12 stamens inserted low in the cup.  The flowers arise from the leaf axils and bloom in profusion all summer.  This plant is very accommodating – in the spring we plant it in our Flower Garden and Order Beds then dig it up in the fall.  It never skips a beat.  4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Melasphaerula ramosa

Family: (Iridaceae)

Tender corm to 12″. Fairy Bells. South Africa. Slender, loosely branched flower stalks with many delicate, long-lasting blooms on threadlike pedicels give the plant an airy appearance. Blooms are pale yellow with a fine, darker line along the centre of the pointed tepals. Fans of delicate, Iris-like foliage disappear during summer dormancy. Grows well on a warm window ledge out of direct sun. So easy to grow and incredibly adorable. April to June. Well-drained soil. Partial shade. 3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Narcissus serotinus

Family: (Amaryllidaceae)

Tender bulb to 10″. An autumn-flowering Mediterranean species with a white perianth and a minuscule, golden yellow corona. Light citrus scent. We grow it in our Pit House where it blooms for Thanksgiving. Charming and easy to raise from seed. Sun. 3 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Albuca bracteata (syn. Ornithogalum longibracteatum)

Family: (Asparagaceae)

Tender bulb to 3′.  Pregnant Onion.  South Africa.  Beautiful spikes of white striped green, star-shaped flowers.  The smooth, green bulb becomes very large and produces many bulbils attached to the sides of the mother bulb.  These bulbils become flowering size very quickly.  The foliage is two inches wide and a smooth, glossy green.  An easy and fascinating houseplant.  Sun.  3 & T3, then may need 40º for 2-3 months.

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Petrocoptis pyrenaica

Family: (Caryophyllaceae)

(TP) to 6″.  West Pyrenees.  Basal rosettes of blue-grey leaves from which arise leafy stems that hold lax cymes of five-petalled, notched, Lychnis-like flowers that are the palest of pink.  Summer blooming.  Sun and well-drained soil.  We have not found this plant to be winter hardy, but it does self-seed when the conditions are right.  4 & T2