You know you’re a hardcore gardener when you dream about moving to the tropics–not for the beaches and tiki drinks–but because that would enable you to grow so many more cool plants. In this episode we discuss tropical plants we wish we could grow in our cooler climates, or even ones that we are looking forward to trying to grow in the future (and overwintering them like our agaves). There are some selections you’ll recognize, but there are also a couple plants we are 99% sure you’ve never heard of before. So, grab your grass skirt (and a glass of rum punch) and meet us South of the equator for this tropical themed chat.
Expert testimony: Jim Kincannon is a horticulturist who previously worked at the Indianapolis Museum of Art (now called Newfields) gardens.
Danielle’s Plants
Butterfly stripe plant (Christia obcordata, Zones 11-12)
Porcupine tomato (Solanum pyracanthum, Zones 9-11)
Black cotton (Gossypium herbaceum ‘Nigra’, Zones 10-11)
Coral plant (Russelia equisetiformis, Zones 9-11)
Steve’s Plants
Gold vein plant (Sanchezia speciosa, Zones 9-11)
Angel’s trumpets (Brugmansia spp. and cvs., Zones 7b-11)
‘Thailand Giant’ elephants’ ears (Leucocasia gigantea ‘Thailand Giant’, Zones 8-10)
Gunnera (Gunnera manicata, Zones 8-11)
Expert Plants
Jim Kincannon is a horticulturist who previously worked at the Indianapolis Museum of Art (now called Newfields) gardens.
Golden lotus banana (Musella lasiocarpa, Zones 7-10)
Pineapple lily (Eucomis spp. and cvs., Zones 7-10)
Candle bush (Senna alata, Zones 9-11)
Mauritius hemp (Furcraea foetida ‘Mediopicta’, Zones 9-11)