Non-Carnivorous Plants
Ferns, flowering plants, freaks of nature; they may not eat insects but these plants are strange and beautiful enough in their own right!
*Remember: to order, please compile a list of items of interest and send it via the order form on the main sales page or the methods on the Contact page to confirm availability and finalize details. Please reference Shipping Terms and Conditions before ordering.
Companion Ferns -$6
Ferns are favored for their tropical looks, and often great ease of growth and tolerance to shady conditions. A wide variety of fern species have popped up over the years from various soils in the greenhouse and other places, and I have more than a few to offer. Most are variants of the maidenhair fern group, with delicate, highly branched fronds and can get quite large over time.
Amorphophallus variabilis -$15
As the name suggests, while the leaflets look fairly similar, the patterning and colors of this plant can vary immensely, with the thick petioles sporting anything from solid shades of green to blotches, to mottling, or even a mix of them all. Individual clones tend to retain particular appearances, but can vary some between seasons even. Though none of mine have yet matured enough to bloom, they will eventually produce spectacular flower stalks up to 4 feet tall with lengthy white or pinkish spadixes surrounded by similarly variable, slender spathes, and they are reported to smell something like ripe durians.
The following clones are available:
A 1 small 2" diameter tuber, 1 large tuber $25
C -small 1-2" diameter tubers
D -small 1-2" tubers
Epidendrum radicans -$10
An easy to grow, even weedy terrestrial to semi-epiphytic orchid in the right conditions; this plant develops clambering, branching stems that can grow 2-3 feet tall, with short solid leaves sprouting alternately up the stem. Long roots grow out the sides to anchor the plant on moist substrate, and once established each main branch will send up a tall stalk topped with potentially dozens of brilliant yellow and crimson red blooms, which give it the common name of "fire star orchid."
Available plants are rooted cuttings developing new growth points, between 4-6" in length.
Cynorkis fastigiata -$6
A perfect beginner's orchid with unusual flowers. Plants grow from underground tubers, producing a pair to three tapered green leaves up to almost a foot in length. From the center grows a tall, lanky stem that may hold up to a dozen or more blooms that look somewhat like a person wearing a hood, with two narrow bottom and two side lobes on the lower lip, and a pair of triangular projections on either side of the "hood" covering the reproductive organs. The whole bloom is washed in white to pale lavender and edged in deeper purple. In winter, the plants die back, resting in drier conditions as tubers.
Available plants are young seedlings with leaves up to 1.5" long.
Theobroma cacao 'Forastero' -$40
There are few trees more unusualand yet iconic than the one we get chocolate from. 'Forastero' is the most common genetic cluster in the species from which most chocolate is made. Trees can begin fruiting at under 10 feet tall, and be maintained pruned at 10-15 feet or can be allowed to grow to full size of 20-30 feet tall. They form huge, papery leaves and tiny white flowers along the trunks naturally pollinated by gnats, that then grow into pods up to a foot long filled with a citrus-fruity white pulp and the seeds that become cocoa.
This is a plant that expects warm temperatures and moderate humidity, year-round; it prefers semi-shade rather than direct sunlight, and will not tolerate temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit for any extended period.
Available plants are seedlings approx. 10 inches tall, with 6 inch leaves.
Theobroma cacao "white pod" -$60
There are many genetic and morphologic variations in Cacao trees, this one is a semi-mystery that may prove to be superior to the most common forms. These seeds came from a pod that was white rather than the usual yellow to reddish colors, and reported to be less tannin-rich so may make a smoother chocolate (or even be able to be eaten unprocessed more readily). It is likely to grow to similar sizes, 15-30 feet tall unless pruned, as the regular form, and expects similar constantly warm, humid, and moderately bright conditions.
Available plants are seedlings approx. 4 inches tall with leaves 2-5 inches long.
Inga edulis -$30
Referred to by the common name of "Ice cream bean," this is a tropical tree from the legume family (meaning it will fix nitrogen into the soil wherever it is planted). Adult trees can grow to more than 60 feet tall, though if heavily pruned can be maintained at 20 feet or less, and form branches covered in winged, multi-part glossy and fuzzy leaves. They are most famed for their fruits, bean pods up to 2 feet long (more commonly just over 1) filled with not only seeds that can be cooked and eaten but also a white fluffy pulp that surrounds them that is purported to taste like vanilla ice cream. This is a species that will tolerate light frosts briefly, but otherwise is tropical and expects warm, humid, and sunny conditions year round, best for a greenhouse.
Available plants are seedlings approx. 3-5 inches tall with 3 inch leaves.
Inga spectabilis -$50
This is a less common species than edulis, with similar growth habits (winged multi-part leaves on trees that can reach 60+ feet tall when mature), but the pods that carry edible pulp and seeds are different, being broader and curved with "sharper" edges, lending to it the nickname "Machete ice-cream bean." They can reach up to a foot long when mature, the pulp inside with a supposed vanilla ice cream flavor. Plants are mildly tolerant of light frost once established, but prefer constant warm, sunny conditions.
Available plants are seedlings approx. 5 inches tall, with 3-5 inch leaves.
Amorrphophallus konjac 'Nightstick' -$20
One of the easiest and perhaps most commonly grown species, A. konjac develops thick petioles of variable pattern up to 6 feet tall, and spreading deep green treetop-like leaflets nearly as wide when fully mature, and the tubers can mature at anywhere from barely a pound to well over 20 pounds in weight. This particular cultivar is sought after for its very deep green, sometimes nearly black solid-color petiole that medium to mature plants develop, and will once mature sport the same sort of blooms that other varieties have: on stalks 2-4 feet tall, with a broad, lance-shaped spathe with a cupped base up to 2 feet long and colored rich maroon surrounding a similarly colored tall spadix, and the smell of rotten meat to attract pollinators.
Available tubers are small offshoots 1-2" in diameter.
Sauromatum giganteum -$12
A relative of the better-known "Voodoo Lily" S. venosum, this species develops large, spade-shaped leaves rather similar to many Philodendrons or Alocasias, when mature at often more than a foot long, sometimes nearly 2 feet, on top of a thin petiole that can push the full height to nearly 3 feet. The flowers are similar to Amorphophallus with a cylindrical enclosed base and the broad roughly spade-shaped, ruffled red spathe opening out above, surrounding the slender spadix.
Available tubers are small offshoots around 1 inch long.
Viola lanceolata -$5
A very easy to grow bog companion plant that is beautiful in vegetation and in bloom. Lance-leaved violets produce arrowhead-shaped leaves of various length depending on lighting conditiosn (brighter will produce shorter, stouter leaves) that are broadest near the base and narrow toward the tip, and particularly in early to late spring or in shady conditions produces small but beautiful white flowers decorated with violet veins at the base of the lower petals. Hot conditions will trigger cleistogamous flower production, buds that skip the bloom and go straight to seedpod production; seeds are catapulted from dried seedpods and help spread the plants rapidly, alongside runners that plants will use to colonize their pots with.
Available plants are typically 1/4" or so in rhizome length; the underground portions are very small in this species.
Ugni molinae 'Burbank' -$10
Commonly known as Chilean Guava, this is not a true guava but in the same family. This evergreen plant hails from the country of its name, growing as a stocky bush typically between 1-4 feet tall and wide. Spring brings small delicate pink and white fragrant flowers that eventually develop into bright red grape-sized fruits with an exotic sweet flavor. Mildly frost hardy and does well in both containers as well as well-drained rich soils.
Available plant is a small rooted cutting, potted.
Citrus x microcarpa -$15
Known as the Calamansi or Calamondin, this hybrid citrus is a relatively dwarf plant growing 10-20 feet tall but can be kept pruned at much shorter sizes for container growth. Plants are somewhat spiny as most of their relatives are with thick waxy segmented leaves, and fragrant flowers that give way to small, greenish to orange fruits with thin, sweet rinds and very sour pulps. Great for use wherever citrus fruit might be called for, be it desserts, beverages, or seasonings and sauces.
Available plants are young seedlings, genetically unique, between 3-5 inches tall and wide. Can be shipped bare-root or potted.
Borago officinalis -$12
Borage is an annual European herb growing to 1-2 feet tall, with broad hairy leaves that are edible both raw and cooked and supposedly taste like cucumber; the flowers are equally beautiful and edible, star-shaped and soft to brilliant blue and useful both ornamentally as well as colorful additions to salads or desserts and savory dishes. Make sure to allow at least a few to go to seed to start the next generation once frost hits or the plants decline from blooming.
Available plants are between 3-6 inches tall, potted; 1-2 plants per pot.
Viola x wittrockiana 'Black Devil' -$6
Better known as the common pansy, this world favorite semi-annual herbaceous plant develops into lovely bushy rosettes of odd-shaped leaves that can sometimes develop a touch of purple within the otherwise deep green color if grown in high light. This particular cultivar produces nearly solid velvety black blooms with a single dot of purple-ringed yellow in the center, and best of all: if grown insecticide-free, the flowers are edible, able to be added for a unique dash of color onto salads or desserts immediately after picking.
Available plants are 2-3 inches tall, potted; 1-3 plants per pot on average.
Iris dichotoma "lavender form" -$9
A native of northeastern-central Asia, this iris is rather different from many other species in the genus, developing similar spikes of long spear-shaped leaves, but blooming in mid to late summer and producing branching stalks that bear numerous short-lived, heavily patterned blooms. This form develops lavender petals with darker mottled markings, and each flower will open in mid to late afternoon and last only into the night, but will be followed by other blooms along the stalk over consecutive several weeks. Prefers rich but well-drained, slightly acid soils.
Available plants are seedlings approx. 2-4 inches tall, in starter pots.