Specialty Tropical Annual Plants

Sun/Shade: part sun-prefers afternoon shade Size: 8' tall by 4-5' wide Common Name: Mayan Mask taro Botanical Name: Alocasia 'Mayan Mask' PP#24391 Size: 8' tall by 4-5' wide USDA Hardiness Zone: 9-11 Soil: average garden soil, well drained Moisture: moist, but well drained and not too soggy Disease & Pests: none known Landscape Use: Foundation plantings, specimens, mass plantings, commercial landscapes, front or middle of the border, urban gardens, containers Market Appeal: A massively awesome specimen or mass planting with gigantic, glossy, puckered leaves painted grassy green on top and the color of molten, milk chocolate on the back.

Sun/Shade: part sun-prefers afternoon shade Transform your terrace or outdoor space into a tropical paradise with this statuesque, large-leaved foliage plant. Its sturdy, textural leaves are deep green blushed with dark purple and veined in lighter green. This Elephant Ears is relatively compact, and, in colder climates, plants can be wintered over indoors. Shipped in a 10" nursery pot.

Sun/Shade: Part sun, afternoon shade Size: 6-7' tall by 5-6' wide USDA Hardiness Zone: 8-11 This Alocasia Borneo X Odora is a large upright, green Alocasia that is faster and larger growing than others green leaf varieties. This multiple crossed hybrid has the vigor and cold hardiness of Odora but grows to massive proportions. Beautiful rippled leaves reach 4-5 feel in length at maturity.

Palm. 10-in. pot. Grown for its exotic and textured foliage. Adds a tropical flavour to your outdoor decor. Grow in morning sun or filtered afternoon sun

Showy, Cordyline australis 'Red Star' (Cabbage Palm) is a palm-like, sub-tropical with arching, sword-like, dark burgundy leaves. Can be used instead of a spike or grass in containers on the patio in summer

This banana has large paddle-shaped leaves, which range in color from deep claret brown to red-purple to pale green, produced from the center of the plant, with thick midribs bright red beneath. White flowers are borne in inflorescences 3 to 4 feet long. Can reach between 4 and 6' high, depending on conditions and pot size. Can also be planted into the ground. Full to part sun, out of excessive windy areas.

Bold and beautiful, Kimberly queen fern (also called sword fern because the fronds are straight and narrow) is easy to grow. The dark green fronds are perfect for adding tropical texture to shaded decks, patios, and other outdoor living areas. It's particularly striking in large containers as a specimen plant, but also plays well with other shade-loving tropicals including gingers, heliconias, and caladiums. Or, pair it with traditional shade-loving annuals such as New Guinea impatiens, golden sweet potato vine, or begonias. Low-maintenance Kimberly Queen fern grows well both in containers and planted in the ground. It grows 3 feet tall and the mature fronds develop attractive spots (spores) on the undersides of each leaf. Hardy from zones 9-11.

Macho fern comes by its name honestly. This big, brawny fern sports bright green fronds with bold, broad leaves and makes its relatives, Boston fern and Kimberly Queen fern, look little by comparison. Macho fern is ideal for large urns or planters where it has room to flex its graceful 3- to 4-foot-long fronds. It's ideal for decorating shaded or partly shaded front porches, patios, and other outdoor living areas. In the fall, you can bring your macho fern indoors and place it a bright spot out of direct sun to grow as a houseplant.

Oleander is a wonderful easy-care, rounded shrub or small tree, with long, ... 'Calypso' has single, cherry red flowers and is very hardy.

How to Care for Sago Palms Sago palms are easy to care for but do require special needs, such as bright light, although they will tolerate low-light conditions. What they will not tolerate, however, is too much moisture. Sago palms prefer to be situated in well-drained soil, and like other cycad plants, they do not respond well to overwatering. In fact, too much water can quickly lead to root rot and eventual death. Therefore, it’s best to allow the plant to dry out some between waterings.

How to Care for Sago Palms Sago palms are easy to care for but do require special needs, such as bright light, although they will tolerate low-light conditions. What they will not tolerate, however, is too much moisture. Sago palms prefer to be situated in well-drained soil, and like other cycad plants, they do not respond well to overwatering. In fact, too much water can quickly lead to root rot and eventual death. Therefore, it’s best to allow the plant to dry out some between waterings.

The Pony Tail Palm, or Beaucarnea recurvata, is native to Mexico and prefers bright light and periods of drought. This is a very easy plant to care for when placed in a Southern or Western exposure. Though slow growing, it is incredibly long-lived, with several 350 year old specimens registered in Mexico.