Ornamental foliage - Plant Encyclopedia Results

The Spikemosses are creeping or ascendant plants with simple, scale-like leaves on branching stems from which roots also arise. They can be used for edging greenhouse benches, covering pillars, planting in hanging baskets and decorating terrariums.

In cold regions where winter temperatures may dip to 20s F, it's best to grow Canna lilies (Canna sp.) in containers to provide a more mild environment. Containers can be moved to a sheltered spot indoors or even in a heated garage. Canna lily flowers come in a range of colors, including pink, red, crimson and vinous. Some varieties also have yellow and orange flowers. Canna lilies can also provide an ornamental foliage. The flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds. If planted in the garden, Cannas make a beautiful addition to the landscape, and are sure to add a splash of color to any garden. Canna lilies are very low-maintenance plants and they are fairly flood-tolerant.

Cannas need full sun in order to produce profuse flowers. In fact, the more sun the plant receives, the better. These lilies are heavy feeders, so it is important to provide them with plenty of compost or a good liquid fertilizer in order to keep them looking healthy. Without sufficient nutrients and moisture, Cannas may appear unattractive. If your Canna plant appears ratty during the summer, this is a sign that it needs additional food.

Rarely cultivated tropical plant from tropical Asia (i.e., Malaysia, Thailand, Kampuchea and Indonesia.) It looks like a young palm, and it has young palm-like leaves. The small yellow flowers are ginger-like, non-scented, and appear near the soil.

Beautiful pleated foliage, very durable. The color is a brighter green than most tropicals so makes a nice contrast. Never bothered by insects or any type disease. The flowers are well hidden and you really have to watch for them. The foliage is the main attraction. Leaves are about 45" tall/long and most stand up, a few curving over.

This plant is easily cultivated in humid, warm places, tolerating both sun and shade. It propagates itself through its rhyzome quickly. In zone 9 this plant will usually die back to the ground in the winter but comes right back in the spring.

The leaves add a lush topical look to any flower bed. Trouble-free plant. Very suitable for growing indoors.

Native to South Africa, the Phylica plumosa (Flannel Flower) is a small plant up to 2-5 ft tall, with ornamental foliage, yellow and orange flowers and a faint cinnamon scent. It is extremely easy to take care of and only needs full sun and moderate water to thrive. They do very well in USDA Zones 9-11.

When grown in cold regions, the Phylica plumosa (Flannel Flower) is best grown in containers and should be placed in a warm, sheltered area where wind and frost will not affect them too strongly. The containers should be well draining to ensure that the roots are not sitting in water and that the soil is not too soggy. These plants are not winter-hardy and should be brought inside for the winter season, making sure to keep the soil evenly moist. With the right care, Flannel Flower can make for a beautiful and vibrant addition to your home or garden!

Calathea lutea can grow to a height of 2.5 m and produces cigar-shaped bracts. The paddle-shaped leaves have reflective silver undersides. The most common cultivar found locally produces brownish bracts.

In USDA zones below 10, grow as a houseplant or seasonal container specimen.

Growing to a height of about 4-5ft, this succulent plant is a member of the same family as Plumeria. Its swollen, often twisted trunk, is pale gray. The leaves are glossy and club-shaped. The flowers appear almost continuously, are trumpet-shaped, and range from white and bright pink to crimson red. They emit a highly toxic sap which in some places is used as a poison for arrows. Adeniums are not generally grown in moist tropical gardens, but are often seen as a decorative pot plants; they may also be used in rock gardens. They need full sun and well-drained potting mixture. Exotic multi-color varieties can be grafted onto the same plant. See other exotic species of Adenium, photo gallery of exotic varieties and Thai Adeniums - milti-colored, multi-grafted. More info...