Shade - Plant Encyclopedia Results

Blechnum Discolor has bright green, upright fronds forming a crown shape. With age, this variety forms a short trunk and establishes an increasing colony around it. Long, dark brown fertile fronds stand upright in the centre of the crown.

This fern is best suited to dappled light - although will tolerate a sunny situation provided the soil is kept moist. It will cope with a wide range of conditions, including dry, frosts, and full sun to shade. Fairly hardy but would need some protection from the cold where temperatures dip below -3C for a period of time.

Nautilocalyx ecuadoranus is endemic to Ecuador. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.

This Rubus species is similar to the Rubus fruticosus, but is distinguished by having all leaves divided into 3 leaflets (5-7 in R. fruticosus) and by having only a few individual drupelets in the fruit. The drupelets are covered with a pale 'bloom'.

Tree-ferns are the largest of the ferns and can provide a spectacular addition to most gardens. They grow in habitats ranging from tropical rain forests to temperate woodlands.

Grows into a shapely shrub with minimal pruning. The trumpet-shaped 2" long flowers openin in terminal clusters in November and continue into mid-December. This is an easy-to-grow shrub, about 3ft height, which can be used for a garden hedge or tightly clipped into geometrical shapes. On the most common variety, the tubular flowers are varying shades of mauve; there is also one with pure white flowers and another with flowers striped in mauve and white. Barleria involucrata is similar to B. cristata except that both leaves and blooms are larger and the flower color is blue-lilac. B. prionitis is a spiny bush with orange flowers. Barleria is easily propagated from cuttings planted in fall directly in the ground. It requires some sun to flower profusely and occasional pruning to promote bushy growth. See B. cristata var. Striped, var. blue-lilac.

Zebra Plant (Aphelandra squarrosa) is a beautiful ornamental foliage native to mountains in Central America and South America. Its small shrub - 2-5ft high - and groundcover varieties - low growing 2ft - feature large green leaves with white stripes, making it stand out in the garden. Zebra Plant has yellow and orange flowers and is grown in the USDA Zone 9-11. This plant needs semi-shade, regular water and bright light, but no direct sunlight. In colder regions, it can be grown in pots! High humidity is ideal for this plant, as it can survive at average home humidity. When watering it, soil should be dry to the touch, but not bone dry. In winter, water it less than in other periods. Zebra Plant needs a well lit area in order to be forced into bloom. Also, a winter rest period is necessary for the plant to flourish.

If you take good care of your Zebra Plant and provide it with correct light, water and humidity, you'll have this beautiful decorative plant in your garden for many years to come!

This anthurium has dramatic white or light green veins contrasting with dark green foliage. Flower spathes are light green with a reddish tinge. Likes partial shade or light shade. In winter, temperatures of not less than 65 degrees Fahrenheit are preferred. Likes a warm and humid atmosphere, so misting is beneficial. Reduce watering in the winter.

Chorizema cordatum is a bushy, evergreen shrub. The attractive and noticeable flowers are orange and red, 10 to 12 mm in diameter. The heart shaped (or narrower) leaves are 3 to 5 cm long with somewhat wavy edges. Different forms of the species are available, including a yellow-flowered form. Chorizema cordatum is best grown as an under storey plant where its thin, weak branches can be supported by other plants.

Heliconia caribea is one of the largest heliconias found commonly in the trade. If in reasonable conditions, it blooms all year. Many clones are available in a variety of flower colors.

Watering Needs: Moist, well drained soil.

Propagation: Clump division, or rhizome.

One of the most impressive hybrids Heliconia Caribaea x bihai Jacquini is the harder to get large growing variety. It has eyecatching bright red/orange bracts which have a thick golden border. Jacquinii is a natural hybrid that blooms prolifically in summer and autumn with spectacular huge upright bracts. A large, erect plant habit, with big broad tropical leaves. The bihais are quite tolerant of cooler conditions. Height growth varies 5-7 ft depending on the warmth of your climate. Grows well in partial shade to full sun.