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Botanical name: Anthurium vittarifolium

Common name: Long Leaf Anthurium

Family: Araceae

Origin: Columbia

Hardiness: 30°F

Anthurium vittarifolium is a rare epiphytic species from the rainforests of Colombia and Ecuador, admired for its long, ribbon-like foliage and elegant pendant inflorescences. In its natural habitat, it grows high in the canopy, with leaves cascading gracefully downward. Mature plants can produce strap-shaped leaves reaching 3 6 ft in length, deep green and leathery, creating a striking curtain-like effect. Almost inconspicuous blooms, appearing as a long slender spadix with a woven pattern in pale green and cream, are followed by striking clusters of bright scarlet and magenta berries, reminiscent of glossy beads.

This tropical plant thrives in warm, humid conditions with bright, filtered light. It prefers a very well-drained, airy substrate rich in organic matter, similar to that used for orchids. Water regularly to maintain consistent moisture, but avoid waterlogging. High humidity is essential to prevent leaf edge browning. Best suited for greenhouse culture or as a hanging specimen in frost-free climates (USDA Zones 10 11), it can also adapt to indoor growing if given sufficient humidity and light.

Botanical names: Argyreia nervosa, Argyreia speciosa

Common names: Elephant creeper; Woolly Morning Glory, Hawaiian Baby Woodrose

Family: Convolvulaceae

Origin: India

A native of eastern India and Bangladesh, this vigorous twiner will grow 30 ft (9 m) or more into the treetops, but can be trained over a post or stump and kept trimmed to a moundlike form. A dense white down covers both young stems and leaf undersides. The leaves are ovate-cordate, to 1 foot across, white tomentose beneath with lateral veins conspicuous on the undersides. Tight clusters of trumpet-shaped bright pink flowers about 2 in (5 cm) across on pedicels to 6 inches long appear among the foliage in spring and summer. In a tropical climate cultivation is simple, the plants making very vigorous growth in a sunny position in moist soil. In cooler climates they can be grown in a sunny conservatory, but due to their rampant growth will need frequent cutting back. Propagate from seed or cuttings. Used medicinally in India. The roots and seeds of Elephant Creeper have been used as a support of the nervous system, a geriatric tonic and mild aphrodisiac. The whole plant is reported to have purifying properties. It is also taken to help maintain healthy joints.

Botanical name: Asclepias incarnata

Common names: Swamp Milkweed, Rose Milkweed, Swamp Silkweed

Family: Apocynaceae    (Formerly:Asclepiadaceae)

Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae

Origin: North America

Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) is a drought-tolerant plant with a strong taproot, making it ideal for areas with limited water. It can thrive in pots with good drainage and regular watering, and appreciates occasional light fertilization and weed-free conditions.

This Missouri native plant grows well in grows in USDA zones 9-11. It is clump-forming and grows 3-4 feet tall on branching stems. It is commonly found in swamps, river bottomlands, and wet meadows in the state. Its small, fragrant flowers are pink to mauve and have five reflexed petals and an elevated central crown. These flowers appear in tight clusters at the ends of the stems in the summer and are a popular nectar source for butterflies, particularly the Monarch butterfly. The plant also produces attractive seed pods, which split open to release silky-haired seeds when ripe.

The genus name of swamp milkweed honors the Greek god of medicine, Asklepios, while the specific epithet refers to the flesh-colored flowers. This plant is easy to grow in full sun and tolerates average, well-drained soils in cultivation, despite being native to swamps and wet meadows. Its deep taproots make it best left undisturbed once established, and its foliage may take longer to emerge in the spring. Swamp milkweed is suitable for sunny borders, stream or pond banks, and butterfly gardens, and it is a good plant for moist areas in the landscape. However, it is important to note that its stems exude a toxic milky sap when cut.

Botanical name: Asclepias perennis

Common names: Aquatic Milkweed, White Swamp Milkweed

Family: Apocynaceae

Origin: North America

Found in low wet woods, cypress swamps, lake and pond margins, slow streams, and wet ditches.Like all members of the Asclepias genus, it is a larval host plant for Monarch, Queen and Soldier butterflies. Swamp milkweed works well in mixed butterfly and wildflower gardens planted along pond edges or similar moist sites. It also does well in a container.

Botanical name: Bambusa sp.

Common name: Common bamboo

Family: Poaceae    (Formerly:Poaceae / Gramineae)

Subfamily: Bambusoideae

Origin: China

All tropical forms of bamboo are fast growing plants that can reach tree-like proportions. It is more than just a decorative plant, is also a major producer of oxygen, great to have around. Bamboo is the most fast growing plant in the world. Some varieties were reported to grow as much as 3-4 ft a day. The plant requires moist soil, can tolerate a few days of flooding, but won't tolerate soggy conditions for a very long time.

Bambusa vulgaris, a stylish oriental plant, is the bamboo to thrive indoors. With an excellent life expectancy it can be relied upon to create a long and lasting impression. There are 3 varieties sold under Bambusa vulgaris: Bambusa vulgaris (yellow stems), Bambusa ventricosa (green, bumpy stems), and Bambusa siamensis (smooth green stems). It is advisable to plant them in a large pot because they can die if the root ball is allowed to dry out. Can torerate a small amount of light. B. melangensis - one of the most fast and tall growing varieties. Most of bamboo are hardy to frost, and some are hardy to as low as 16-18F.

Botanical name: Barringtonia acutangula

Common names: Freshwater Mangrove, Indian Oak, Indian Putat

Family: Lecythidaceae

Origin: Southeast Asia

Barringtonia acutangula is native to coastal wetlands in southern Asia and northern Australasia, from Afghanistan east to the Philippines and Queensland. The plant is used medicinally in fold remedies. Its bark contains potent opioid painkillers