Dig into the joy of a life outdoors
Find peace and purpose by reconnecting with nature, creativity and the joy of making things in your own patch of paradise.
Discover extraordinary, unusual, and beautiful plants from around the world — each with growing and care tips to help you cultivate these weird and wonderful species in your own space.
Brassaiopsis hispida
Brassaiopsis
A rare, jungle-style evergreen with huge, deeply lobed, hand-shaped leaves on prickly stems.
- Partial shade
- 2–4.5 m (7–15 ft)
- H3 · Zone 9
Colocasia esculenta ‘Diamond Head’
Diamond Head elephant ear
A glossy, chocolate-black elephant ear from the Royal Hawaiian series, with slightly ruffled, heart-shaped leaves.
- Full sun, Partial shade
- 1–1.2 m (3–4 ft)
- H2 · Zone 9
Colocasia esculenta ‘Mojito’
Mojito elephant ear
A striking elephant ear with lime-green leaves randomly speckled and splashed with dark purple, so no…
- Full sun, Partial shade
- 1–1.5 m (3–5 ft)
- H2 · Zone 9
Colocasia esculenta ‘White Lava’
White Lava elephant ear
A variegated elephant ear whose dark green leaves are painted with a creamy-white central band and…
- Partial shade
- 0.9–1.2 m (3–4 ft)
- H2 · Zone 9
Sambucus nigra ‘Blue Sheen’
Elder, Black Elder, Elderberry
A compact form of black elder with attractive foliage, creamy summer flowers and dark berries loved…
- Full sun, Partial shade
- 3–4 m (10–13 ft)
- H6 · Zone 6
Magnolia grandiflora ‘Ferruginea’
Southern Magnolia 'Ferruginea', Bull Bay 'Ferruginea'
A handsome evergreen magnolia with glossy, rust-backed leaves and huge, fragrant creamy-white flowers from summer into…
- Full sun, Partial shade
- 8–15 m (26–49 ft)
- H5 · Zone 7
