Posts Tagged ‘Perennials’

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

Posted in Perennials

Tags: grasses Perennials tropical-looking

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

Posted in Perennials

Tags: Perennials tropical-looking vines

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

Posted in Perennials

Tags: ferns Perennials tropical-looking

Tropical-Looking Groundcovers & Flowering Perennials

September 29th, 2007

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

Belamcanda chinensis (Blackberry lily, Leopard flower) : Zone 5-11

Photo courtesy Tom Murphy VII

Posted in Perennials

Tags: flowers groundcovers Perennials tropical-looking