Unusual Plants as Gifts -- Unusual Plants for Landscaping
Unusual plants aren't for everyone. Many stick with lawn grass, foundation plantings and specimen trees. But other landscaping enthusiasts enjoy experimentation and the offbeat (e.g., macabre landscapes). This section is for them, offering information on unusual plants that often aren't covered on gardening Web sites.
Unusual Plants: Bamboo
In many tropical and sub-tropical regions of the globe, the bamboos are hardly "unusual plants." But they are something of a novelty in cooler climes, where more and more people are becoming interested in bamboo. Learn more in this FAQ, including information about cold-hardy bamboo plants.
In many tropical and sub-tropical regions of the globe, the bamboos are hardly "unusual plants." But they are something of a novelty in cooler climes, where more and more people are becoming interested in bamboo. Learn more in this FAQ, including information about cold-hardy bamboo plants.
Elephant Ear Plants
Elephant ear plants are tropical but can be overwintered in cold climates if you bring their corms inside. These unusual plants provide exotic foliage and are suitable for plantings around water features.
Elephant ear plants are tropical but can be overwintered in cold climates if you bring their corms inside. These unusual plants provide exotic foliage and are suitable for plantings around water features.
Black Plants
Many gardeners and landscapers go to great lengths to find black plants to use in their yards. Some feel that these unusual plants with dark flowers or foliage express elegance. Others, with a sense for the macabre, aren't satisfied with just decorating for Halloween; they want Gothic landscaping year-round.
Many gardeners and landscapers go to great lengths to find black plants to use in their yards. Some feel that these unusual plants with dark flowers or foliage express elegance. Others, with a sense for the macabre, aren't satisfied with just decorating for Halloween; they want Gothic landscaping year-round.
"That Twisted Little Bush," Harry Lauder's Walking Stick
This very unusual plant twists every which way. It looks like the type of tree that the Addams family would grow in their yard! Nevertheless, it can serve a very important function in landscape design: namely, because of its interesting branching pattern, it can provide much-needed visual interest for the winter landscape.
This very unusual plant twists every which way. It looks like the type of tree that the Addams family would grow in their yard! Nevertheless, it can serve a very important function in landscape design: namely, because of its interesting branching pattern, it can provide much-needed visual interest for the winter landscape.
How to Make Unique Jack-O'-Lanterns Out of Hardshell Gourds
Pumpkin jack-o'-lanterns are nice but don't last long. Make a better jack-o'-lantern: use a "hardshell" gourd, instead. They're quite different from the so-called "ornamental" gourds that you're used to. And that only begins to suggest the creative projects made possible by these unusual plants, which come in all shapes and sizes.
Pumpkin jack-o'-lanterns are nice but don't last long. Make a better jack-o'-lantern: use a "hardshell" gourd, instead. They're quite different from the so-called "ornamental" gourds that you're used to. And that only begins to suggest the creative projects made possible by these unusual plants, which come in all shapes and sizes.
Weeping Trees
While weeping trees are wildly popular, it is precisely their status as "unusual plants" that has made sales skyrocket. Some can be rather "creepy" looking when their leaves have dropped. I consider weeping cherry, crabapple, mulberry, Japanese red maple, birch, pussy willow, blue cedar and, of course, weeping willow.
While weeping trees are wildly popular, it is precisely their status as "unusual plants" that has made sales skyrocket. Some can be rather "creepy" looking when their leaves have dropped. I consider weeping cherry, crabapple, mulberry, Japanese red maple, birch, pussy willow, blue cedar and, of course, weeping willow.
Moss -- Unusual Plants as an Alternative to Lawns
We all know the mosses -- they're not "unusual plants" in the sense of being unfamiliar. But this piece focuses on using moss in an unusual way: namely, as an alternative to lawn grass in shady spots, where grass refuses to grow. Considering how often moss grows in areas problematic for grass, it readily suggests itself as just such an alternative.
We all know the mosses -- they're not "unusual plants" in the sense of being unfamiliar. But this piece focuses on using moss in an unusual way: namely, as an alternative to lawn grass in shady spots, where grass refuses to grow. Considering how often moss grows in areas problematic for grass, it readily suggests itself as just such an alternative.
Shamrocks and Four-Leaf Clovers
Although often associated with each other at St. Patrick's Day, the shamrock tradition is quite distinct from the 4-leaf clover tradition. Find out more about these unusual plants in this article. Also discover why some regard clover as a low-maintenance alternative to lawn grass.
Although often associated with each other at St. Patrick's Day, the shamrock tradition is quite distinct from the 4-leaf clover tradition. Find out more about these unusual plants in this article. Also discover why some regard clover as a low-maintenance alternative to lawn grass.
Castor Beans -- Poisonous, Unusual Plants
Castor beans are unusual plants (in the North) that can make for striking specimens in a landscape design. But their seeds or "beans" are quite poisonous. Avoid planting castor beans altogether if you have small children. The poison, ricin is derived from castor beans (Ricinus communis).
Castor beans are unusual plants (in the North) that can make for striking specimens in a landscape design. But their seeds or "beans" are quite poisonous. Avoid planting castor beans altogether if you have small children. The poison, ricin is derived from castor beans (Ricinus communis).
Unusual Plants of the Holidays: Mistletoe
At Christmas we kiss under the mistletoe, then forget about these unusual plants for another year. There's more to mistletoe than kisses: Druids and Norse, diverse botany, medical controversy, literary fame. And how about the origin of the term? If nothing else, mistletoe qualifies as an unusual plant because it's parasitical.
At Christmas we kiss under the mistletoe, then forget about these unusual plants for another year. There's more to mistletoe than kisses: Druids and Norse, diverse botany, medical controversy, literary fame. And how about the origin of the term? If nothing else, mistletoe qualifies as an unusual plant because it's parasitical.
Tips on Care for Unusual Plants From RareFlora.com
Once you obtain your unusual plants, how should you care for them? Besides selling specimens, this site offers care tips, learned by trial and error.
Once you obtain your unusual plants, how should you care for them? Besides selling specimens, this site offers care tips, learned by trial and error.
Beautiful Carnivorous Plants
"Grow beautiful carnivorous plants for your home and garden. Choose from a large selection of indoor and outdoor plants. Complete growing instructions are included with all purchases of carnivorous plants." Grow the ultimate unusual plants: carnivorous plants. Choose from a large selection of indoor and outdoor carnivorous plants. Venus flytraps, pitcher plants, sundews and more.
"Grow beautiful carnivorous plants for your home and garden. Choose from a large selection of indoor and outdoor plants. Complete growing instructions are included with all purchases of carnivorous plants." Grow the ultimate unusual plants: carnivorous plants. Choose from a large selection of indoor and outdoor carnivorous plants. Venus flytraps, pitcher plants, sundews and more.
Bamboo Nursery ("jmbamboo")
Although bamboos are far from being "unusual plants" in many parts of the world, they do classify as such in most of North America. But hardy bamboos do exist, and landscapers are starting to discover their virtues (as privacy screens, for instance).
Although bamboos are far from being "unusual plants" in many parts of the world, they do classify as such in most of North America. But hardy bamboos do exist, and landscapers are starting to discover their virtues (as privacy screens, for instance).