Cold Hardy Tropicals » Perennials

Akebia Quinata (Chocolate Vine)

admin — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 17:40:20 +0000

Akebia quinata is a twining woody vine and a vigorous climber. Its dense green foliage is divided into groups of five leaves. Its flowers, which appear in spring, are small and can be obscured by the foliage. They are chocolate-scented, hence the common name. The flowers of the species are purple, but can vary by cultivar. Akebia quinata ‘Shirobana’ has white flowers that are supposedly more fragrant than the species.

The chocolate vine is deciduous in cold climates, but can be semi-evergreen to evergreen in warmer areas. It is a good choice for a vertical foliage accent in moderately shaded locations.

Tropical-Looking Grasses

admin — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 09:10:01 +0000

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

Tropical-Looking Vines

admin — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 08:53:07 +0000

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

Tropical-Looking Ferns

admin — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 07:46:32 +0000

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

Tropical-Looking Groundcovers & Flowering Perennials

admin — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 06:50:39 +0000

These tropical-looking perennials are excellent for filling in your tropicalesque garden with low-maintenance areas.

Aspidistra elatior (Cast-iron plant) : Zone 6-10
Belamcanda chinensis (Blackberry lily, Leopard flower) : Zone 5-11
Bergenia cordifolia (Heartleaf bergenia) : Zone 3-8
Crocosmia (Montbretia) : Zone 6-10
Eucomis ‘Sparkling Burgundy’ (Purple Pineapple Lily) : Zone 6-9
Euphorbia epithymoides (Cushion spurge) : Zone 4-8
Helleborus (Hellebores) : Zone 4-9
Hemerocallis (Daylily) : Zone 3-9
Hibiscus moscheutos (Rose mallow) : Zone 5-9
Houttuynia cordata ‘Chameleon’ (Chameleon plant) : Zone 3-9
Iris ensata (Japanese iris) : Zone 4-10
Iris pseudacorus (Yellow flag iris) : Zone 5-8
Ligularia stenocephala (Ligularia): Zone 5-8
Lilium x hybridum (Lily) : Zone 4-8
Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal flower) : Zone 2-9
Persicaria microcephala ‘Red Dragon’ (Red Dragon Persicaria) : Zone 5-9
Petasites japonicus ‘Giganteus’ (Japanese Butterbur) : Zone 5-9
Rodgersia aesculifolia (Rodgersia) : Zone 3-9
Sedum ‘Matrona’ (Matrona sedum) : Zone 4-9

Photo courtesy Tom Murphy VII