Archive for October, 2007

Tropical-Looking Grasses

October 10th, 2007

A dramatic, tropical-looking grass can make a great accent or mass planting in your garden.

  • Arundo donax (Giant reed) : Zone 6-10
  • Arundo donax ‘Variegata’ (Variegated giant reed) : Zone 6-10
  • Carex muskingumensis (Palm sedge) : Zone 4-9
  • Chasmanthium latifolium (Northern sea oats) : Zone 4-8
  • Erianthus ravennae (Plume grass, Hardy pampas grass) : 5-9
  • Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ (Japanese forest grass) : Zone 4-9
  • Liriope spicata, Liriope muscari (Lilyturf) : Zone 4-10
  • Miscanthus giganteus (Giant silver grass) : Zone 5-9
  • Miscanthus sinensis (Silver grass / Maiden grass) : Zone 5-9
  • Ophiopogon japonicus (Mondo grass) : Zone 6-10
  • Pennisetum alopecuroides (Fountain grass) : Zone 5-9
  • Saccharum arundinaceum (Hardy sugar cane) : Zone 6-10

Miscanthus sinensis

Tropical-Looking Vines

October 10th, 2007

Adding a backdrop of climbing vines will give your garden a lush, tropical rainforest look.

  • Actinidia kolomikta ‘Arctic Beauty’ (Hardy kiwi vine) : Zone 4-8
  • Akebia quinata (Chocolate vine) : Zone 4-9
  • Aristolochia macrophylla (Dutchman’s pipe) : Zone 4-8
  • Bignonia capreolata : Zone 6-9
  • Campsis radicans (Trumpet creeper) : Zone 5-9
  • Clematis x hybrida (Clematis): Zone 4-8
  • Humulus lupulus ‘Aurea’ (Golden hops) : Zone 4-8
  • Hydrangea petiolaris (Climbing hydrangea) : Zone 5-7
  • Lonicera sempervirens (Coral honeysuckle / Trumpet honeysuckle) : Zone 4-9
  • Passiflora incarnata (Passionflower / Maypop) : Zone 6-9
  • Wisteria spp. (Wisteria): Zone 5-9

Akebia quinata

Tropical-Looking Ferns

October 5th, 2007

Cold-hardy ferns, especially the larger varieties, can add a tropical look to your garden.

  • Adiantum pedatum (Maidenhair fern) : Zone 2-8
  • Athyrium filix-femina (Lady fern) : Zone 2-9
  • Athyrium niponicum (Japanese painted fern) : Zone 5-8
  • Dennstaedtia punctilobula (Hayscented fern) : Zone 3-8
  • Dryopteris filix-mas (Male fern) : Zone 4-8
  • Matteuccia struthiopteris (Ostrich fern) : Zone 2-6
  • Osmunda regalis (Royal fern) : Zone 2-10

Dryopteris filix-mas (Male fern) : Zone 4-8