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): Puya chilensis

Family: (Bromeliaceae)

(TP) to 13′. An easy, “must-have” native to the arid hillsides of Central Chile. Dense, basal rosettes of pale green leaves reach up to three feet in length, and are amply equipped with hooked, leathery, marginal spines. In the wild, the flowers appear on stalks up to 10 feet tall atop which sits a three-foot long flowerhead. These prominent flowers have strident, green-yellow sepals, chartreuse petals, and bright yellow anthers. Our greenhouse specimen reaches a respectable five feet. Sun. 4 & T2, keep moist

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Ruscus aculeatus

Family: (Asparagaceae)

Tender evergreen shrub to 3′. Butcher’s Broom. Mediterranean, Central Europe. This is a stellar plant for pot culture in your home. Numerous, dark, glossy green stems are covered with sharp, rigid, scale-like leaves called cladophylls. Tiny, white flowers arise in the centre of the cladophylls and are followed by incredible, bold, red berries which persist indefinitely. Very interesting. Sun/partial shade. 3 & T3, then it may need 40

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Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Tibouchina urvilleana

Family: (Melastomataceae)

(TP) to 12′. Princess Flower, Glory Bush. Brazil. The silky, saturated purple blooms are the best. These showy, five-petalled flowers appear on terminal, three-forked panicles and display long, purple stamens. Fresh green, ovate, and acute leaves have prominent, parallel veins and are felted with soft, white hairs. Cool temperatures cause the leaves to change colour to blushed peach to red. We have a handsome specimen in a warm greenhouse and we love adding smaller plants to the flower beds, and grow many in pots. Moist soil. Sun. 3 & T2

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Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Actaea alba (syn. A. pachypoda)

Family: (Ranunculaceae)

(P) to 2′. Doll’s Eyes. This American native has a long season of interest from flower to fruit. Racemes of fat, white, bottlebrush flowers bloom early and are followed by china-white berries with black eyes. Sturdy, red-flushed stems and the attractive toothed leaves add interest, too. A “must” for the woodland. Berries are poisonous! Partial shade. 3 & 7 for 3 months, then T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Actaea japonica (syn. Cimicifuga japonica)

Family: (Ranunculaceae)

(P) to 3′. Bugbane, Rattletop, Snakeroot. Numerous creamy, tufted, sessile flowers bloom on spikes from August through October. Shiny lobed and toothed leaves are very attractive in the woodland. Self-sows nicely. Partial shade. 3 & 6A

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Actaea racemosa (syn. Cimicifuga racemosa)

Family: (Ranunculaceae)

(P) to 6′. Early Snakeroot, Black Cohosh. An eastern North American native with branched wands of white, bottlebrush flowers. Blooms prolifically in June. Light green, divided foliage remains at three feet tall. Partial shade. 3 & 6A

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Actaea simplex 'Brunette' (syn. Cimicifuga ramosa 'Brunette')

Family: (Ranunculaceae)

(P) to 6′. One of the darkest leaved Cimicifugas. Stems are a rich purplish brown with pure white, upright, fragrant flower spikes in September. Not all seedlings will be as dark as ‘Brunette’, but definitely worth a try. Partial shade. 3 & 6A