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Luffa aegyptiaca
Luffa aegyptiaca is an annual climbing vine that produces a fibrous, sponge-like fruit commonly used in many bath and body products. These natural plant-fiber sponges are used in the bath or shower to...
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Chayote (Sechium edule)
Chayote (Sechium edule) is a perennial squash that will produce well for several years. The vines grow rapidly and can extend more than 50 feet from the base of the plant. This requires a strong...
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Carissa macrocarpa (natal plum)
Carissa macrocarpa (syn. C. grandiflora) is a very attractive shrub that bears edible fruits. It is sometimes called natal plum, but it is not a plum, belonging instead to the Apocynaceae family.Very...
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Aechmea kertesziae
Aechmea kertesziae is a colorful bromeliad that blooms en masse during the short days of winter. The plant grows about a foot tall and 12-18 inches wide. Multiple orange and yellow flower spikes emerge...
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Tetradenia riparia (Iboza)
Tetradenia riparia is a shrubby plant with highly fragrant foliage and spectacular winter flowers. The leaves are thick with a scalloped edge. Glandular hairs cover both sides of the leaf, giving it a...
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Aechmea weilbachii forma pendula
Aechmea weilbachii forma pendula is one of the few bromeliad species that has truly pendulous flower spikes. Many other species have lax or arching spikes, but these hang straight down far below the...
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Odontonema callistachyum (purple firespike)
Odontonema callistachyum is a large tropical shrub with showy purple flower spikes all winter long. An inflorescence consisting of scores of tubular flowers develops at the tip of nearly every branch,...
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Aechmea organensis
Aechmea organensis is a compact-growing species suitable for small places. The plant reaches an overall height and spread of about 8 inches.Blooming usually occurs in winter, when a red spike with...
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Billbergia 'El Jefe'
Billbergia 'El Jefe' is a nice medium-sized hybrid that usually blooms in late winter for me. When shade-grown, the plant has a rich chocolate-brown color with white spots.In higher light the foliage...
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Suessenguthia multisetosa
Suessenguthia multisetosa is a large, somewhat sprawling shrub that blooms throughout the winter and early spring.The large leaves (up to 18 inches long) lend a tropical look to the landscape when the...
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Aechmea comata
Aechmea comata is a spring-blooming species of bromeliad with reddish bracts, orange sepals and bright yellow flowers. The sturdy inflorescence is held well above the foliage so the color is visible...
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Clivia miniata
Clivia miniata is a spring-blooming perennial in sub-tropical regions, but also makes a durable houseplant in colder climates. The orange flowers open in a large cluster held just above the foliage....
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Allium canadense (wild onion)
Allium canadense is a small species of onion that grows wild over a large part of North America. In some areas it grow so prolifically it is considered a weed. In other areas it is listed as a...
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Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
Chives is a popular herb commonly grown in gardens around the world.Botanically, the plant is known as Allium schoenoprasum (AL-ee-um skoy-no-PRAY-sum).Plants grow a foot or more tall and produce...
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Hoja santa, Acuyo (Piper auritum)
Piper auritum is a tropical herb that is variously known as hoja santa, acuyo, pepperleaf , Vera cruz pepper, false kava and root beer plant.This species is very fast-growing to a height of 12 feet or...
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Longevity spinach (Gynura procumbens)
Longevity spinach (Gynura procumbens) is a leafy vegetable that was relatively unknown in the U.S. until recent years. It has rapidly gained in popularity as more people grow it and become familiar...
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Aechmea 'Burgundy'
Aechmea 'Burgundy' is a colorful bromeliad variety that thrives in sun or shade. The olive to burgundy-colored leaves are darker on the underside with a somewhat spiny edge.Plants multiply rapidly,...
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Hedychium coccineum
Hedychium coccineum is one of the showiest species of ginger. Peak bloom occurs in early to mid-summer on the current year's growth, but a few blooms may appear in the late summer to fall months on...
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Syzygium smithii (Lilly Pilly)
Syzygium smithii, also known as lilly pilly, is a multi-purpose tree with attractive foliage, showy flowers and edible fruit. New leafy growth is copper-colored...and matures to lush, dark green.The...
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Dichorisandra thyrsiflora (blue ginger)
Although Dichorisandra thyrsiflora is commonly referred to as blue ginger, it is not a ginger and is actually more closely related to our native spiderwort. The growth habit of the plant certainly...
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