A plants database with articles written on tropical plants which include images or macro flower pics with some plant info and related links for that something extra! It’s arranged according to the posting dates, starting with the latest.
However, for plant search, it’s easier to refer to the A-Z categories situated at the top left side of window.
Solanum pseudocapsicum (Jerusalem Cherry, Christmas/Winter Cherry)
It is an excellent plant addition, especially for container gardening, whether indoors as a houseplant or outdoors in the garden. Such a decorative evergreen plant with brilliant orange-red cherries to enjoy! Meaning, simply to see, touch and feel but never to consume as they are inedible and poisonous to humans [...]
Orthosiphon aristatus (Cat’s Whiskers, Java Tea, Misai Kuching)
Absolutely a beautiful and extraordinary ornamental shrub to add interest and contrast to any garden. And, in the darkness of the night, its stunning white pagoda-shaped flower clusters will sparkle and light up the garden! How lovely!
Growing in our garden is the fabulous white variety, Orthosiphon stamineus ‘White’. [...]
Solenostemon scutellarioides (Coleus, Flame/Painted Nettle, Painted Leaves)
Dazzling! Dramatic! Decorative!
These are but a few of the many adjectives used to describe the amazingly colorful display of its variegated leaves.
S. scutellarioides, a species of the genus Solenostemon and formerly known as Coleus, are well-known for their ornamental foliage that come in a wide range of impressive coloration [...]
Aglaonema (Chinese Evergreen)
Without doubt, foliage plants are as treasured as flowering plants in our tropical garden. More so if they have variegated leaves and air-purifying properties!
Lantana camara (Largeleaf Lantana, Shrub Verbena, Red/Yellow//Wild Sage)
Simply adore these plants that are such prolific bloomers all year round in our tropical sun and high humidity. Flowers come in such a diverse range of marvelous colors and shades that are so exciting and captivating, making their slightly unpleasant scent seem so distant and tolerable.
Platycerium (Staghorn/Elkhorn Ferns)
Platycerium are epiphytes, growing naturally on branches and trunks of trees in the tropical and subtropical jungles and rainforests of Southeast Asia, Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, New Guinea, Madagascar, Africa and South America (only one species, P. andinum that is native to Peru and Bolivia). There are popularly cultivated worldwide for their fascinating antler-like [...]
IXORA (Jungle Flame/Geranium, Flame of the Woods, Needle Flower)
A beautiful and attractive tropical flowering shrub that blooms all year round in our country, Malaysia.
A hardy plant that comes in varying shapes, sizes and vibrant colors. It has been and continues to be an all time favorite with home gardeners and landscapers in the tropical [...]
Hippeastrum (Amaryllis, Hippeastrums, Hippies, Barbados Lily)
Rhapis excelsa (Lady Palm) -
Another impressive palm that adds a touch of elegance to our tropical paradise.
We love that it is not only strikingly attractive, but relatively small and slow-growing, just perfect to be grown in containers to suit our small garden which is mostly paved.
Furthermore, Rhapis excelsa is included in the list of air-cleaning [...]
Veitchia merrillii (Manila Palm, Christmas Palm) -
These palms are popularly grown in our tropical country, Malaysia - in urban areas and countryside alike, as well as along coastal regions. Enchanted by its smallness and neat umbrella-like appearance with delightful symmetry, we added a young tree to our garden in mid 2005. Having limited ground space, [...]
Agapanthus (African Lily, Blue Lily, Lily of the Nile) -
A fascinating bluish-purple variety of Agapanthus joined our garden family in early January this year. Just found out that this beauty loves to be pot bound. Aargh…we’re already planted it into a large terracotta pot, too late now to be repotting to a smaller size, [...]
Adiantum trapeziforme (Diamond/Giant Maidenhair) -
How wonderful! These tropical green beauties are found self-sown in every nook and corner, sort of. Like the Torenia fournieri and other ferns, they’re seen growing on mossy bricks, sharing ground or pot spaces, on crevices of walls and pavement, along the sides of drain and even sprouting from the drainage [...]
Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Siver Hahnii’ (Silver Birdnest Sansevieria) -
A very elegant birdnest cultivar of S. trifasciata that is perfect as a potted houseplant or grown outdoors as groundcover.
Such a petite plant with exquisite variegation on their leaves and arranged in symmetrical rosette that is absolutely captivating!
Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Golden Hahnii’ (Golden Birdnest Sansevieria) -
Plumbago auriculata (Cape Leadwort, Blue Plumbago -
If you love blue flowers and butterflies, this easy-to-care Blue Plumbago plant is then a must in your garden. It is a vigorous grower and a non-stop bloomer, profusely flowering spectacularly all year round especially in the tropics. Early February this year, we came across a huge scrambling Plumbago [...]
Firecracker Flower (Crossandra infundibuliformis) -
It is such an interesting and fascinating shrub, that blooms almost unceasingly throughtout the year.
This lovely cultivar, Crossandra infundibuliformis ‘Lutea’ or Yellow Crossandra with deep rich yellow flowers, glowing above its lustrous deep green foliage is simply stunning to say the least.
When Bauhinia Kockiana blooms, which it does year round in our tropical climate, it’s absolutely a sight to behold
What a stunner Oxalis triangularis is! We’re absolutely captivated by their uniquely colored leaves of deep maroon-purple and unusual trifoliolate foliage! Small clusters of light pink to lavender flowers borne above the lovely foliage display a wonderful contrast too. It is truly impressive!
We’ve reintroduced a hanging pot of this plant to our tropical garden [...]
Guzmania lingulata var. minor (Orange/Scarlet Star)
This image was captured in December, 2005 showcasing the impressive blooms of Guzmania lingulata var. minor, grown in our garden border. I just love seeing their strikingly beautiful orange-scarlet bracts sitting atop their rosette of fresh-green leaves.
We started with a pot of three young plants, presented to us by [...]
Tradescantia bermudensis ‘Variegata’ (Variegated Oyster/Boat Plant) -
Wrightia antidysenterica (Snowflake, Milky Way, Arctic Snow) -
Evolvulus glomeratus (Blue Daze, Hawaiian Blue Eyes) -
This is one charming and attractive plant that has been in and out of our garden since 2004! It’s like a love and hate relationship with us. When it dies unexpectedly, it is removed and forgotten! But, absence makes hearts grow fonder - when we chance on it [...]
Chlorophytum comosum (Spider Plant) -
Portulaca grandiflora (Moss Rose, Rose Moss, Sun Plant) -
Euphorbia milii (Crown of Thorns, Christ Plant/Crown)
We simply adore the Crown of Thorns! One of our top favorites that blooms all year round in our tropical garden, never ceasing to brighten each day with its striking and brilliant red clustered bracts. We have grown them since year 2002. Amazing plant, so hardy and very [...]
Melampodium divaricatum (Butter daisy, Star Daisy)
Don’t you agree that Melampodium divaricatum has such delightfully cheerful faces? It is one of the most prolific summer bloomers and gaining much popularity, similar to the Marigolds and Zinnias.
Attractive buttery yellow flowers, cheering all year round in our tropical heat, bringing sunshine even on rainy days! It is [...]
Mussaenda luteola (Dwarf Yellow Mussaenda, White Wing) -
Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Laurentii’ (Goldband Sansevieria)
Presented as a gift by my sister, this beautifully structured S. trifasciata ‘Laurentii’ has been in our garden since early year 2005! But of course it was scanty then and less than a foot high. Needing the least care, it has grown remarkably well through the years, adding so [...]
Mussaenda erythrophylla (Ashanti Blood, Red Flag Bush, Tropical Dogwood)
Wow! What a stunning beauty!
Just look at that vibrant red flower clusters, how fabulously attractive they are…a sight for sore eyes, a cheerleader and definitely a traffic stopper!
We’re so excited with this new baby that joined our garden family two weeks ago on November 4, 2007! [...]
Pithecellobium dulce ‘Variegated’ (Variegated Madras Thorn, Manila Tamarind)
The foliage of Variegated Madras Thorn is so attractive, with its captivating mix of pink, white and green. It is definitely an ornamental beauty to brighten any dullness in gardens and landscapes.
We especially love this gorgeous shrub that stands out beautifully amidst the greenery in our garden. Besides, [...]
Podocarpus macrophyllus var. Maki
Japanese Yew was added to our garden in early 2003, given by a neighborhood friend! About a foot tall then, it is now almost 4 feet in the same pot we first planted it in! It would have been much taller if I had not trained its single trunk to grow in [...]
Heliconia species
Heliconias, one of the world’s most spectacular tropical plants! Dramatic and magnificent, the inflorescences of the Heliconia are widely sought by many, from the simple gardeners to the commercial growers catering for the cut flower industry, hybridists and so on, all captivated by its bold and exotic beauty!
Christia vespertilionis (Mariposa, Red Butterfly Wing)
Another fabulous plant to add to one’s garden.
Our first Christia vespertilionis seedling arrived in our garden in December 2004 and its descendants are still scattering their seeds all over our garden till today, like the pretty Torenia fournieri!
How wonderful!…and for only a couple of Malaysian Ringgit, mind you! Its [...]
Caladium lindenii ‘Magnificum’ (Angel’s Wing, Indian Kale)
A highly recommended foliage plant if you love variegated leaves! We do!
Caladium lindenii ‘Magnificum’ with its striking feature of almost deep bluish green against its silvery white venation is definitely a wonderful addition to our garden! Besides, it is quite hardy and so easy to grow and [...]
Pteris ensiformis cv. Evergemiensis (Silver Lace Fern, Slender Brake Fern)
This remarkable fern with its beautiful variegated splendour is another of our highly admired beauty among the foliage plants that thrive in our garden.
How blessed we are to have a tropical climate of hot and sunny, humid and wet weather throughout the year! Just perfect for [...]
Homalomena Rubescens (Roxb.) Kunth
Adiantum capillus-veneris (Southern Maidenhair Fern, Venus Hairfern)
Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Endless Summer’ (Mophead/Bigleaf Hydrangea, Hortensia)
Abutilon megapotamicum/vexillarium (Flowering Maple, Chinese Lantern)
Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum ‘Burgundy’ (Chinese Fringe Flower, Chinese Witch Hazel)
Ruellia brittoniana ‘Katie’ (Katie Dwarf Ruellia, Dwarf Purple Ruellia, Dwarf Mexican/False Petunia)
Calliandra emarginata (Dwarf Powder Puff, Powderpuff Plant)
Asplendium nidus (Bird’s Nest Fern, Crow’s Nest Fern)
Codiaeum variegatum (Croton, Variegated/Garden Croton, Variegated Laurel)
Codiaeum variegatum is definitely a must for our tropical garden. We love autumn colors and Crotons easily satisfy our cravings as they splash their fabulous autumn colors year round.
Torenia fournieri (Bluewings, Wishbone Flower, Torenia)
Zephyranthes species (Rain Lily, Zephyr Lily, Fairy Lily)
Mussaenda philippica ‘Aurorae’ (White Mussaenda, Tropical Dogwood, Virgin Tree)
Clerodendrum thomsoniae (Bleeding Heart Vine, Glory Bower, Clerodendron)
Cuphea hyssopifolia (Mexican Heather, False/Hawaiian Heather)
We love these Mexican False Heather! It’s dirt cheap and so easy to grow, requires the barest effort but delivers the best results with their non-stop flowering and evergreen foliage! Once you grow them, it seems to be forever as it self-sows or just give it an occasional hair-cut and [...]
Syzygium samarangense/javanicum (Wax Jambu, Java/Rose/Water Apple)
Brunfelsia calycina / pauciflora (Yesterday-today-tomorrow)
This lovely dramatic bush with its tri-colored array of heavenly-scented flowers has been a wonderful addition to our front yard since year 2003.
It was first grown in a container and later transplanted on the ground when we noticed that it’ll be an impressive bush for the landscape with its spreading open [...]
Duranta erecta/repens ‘Sweet Memories’ (Pigeon Berry, Golden Dewdrop)
Pandanus amaryllifolius/odorus (Fragrant Pandan/Screwpine, Pandan Leaf/Leaves)
Botanical Name: Dieffenbachia species.
Common Name: Dumb Cane, Spotted Dumbcane, Leopard Lily
Bougainvillea species (Paper Flower)
I’ve always been enchanted by bougainvilleas from young! They flourish practically everywhere around our tropical country, whether in the urban, rural or coastal areas.
They’re truly a sight to behold, especially when their colourful bracts far outnumber their foliage and these are often seen planted along our coastal roads where the sun can [...]
Alpinia Purpurata (Red Ginger, Red Ginger Lily, Jungle King/Queen)
Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng. (Curry Leaf/Leaves, Curry Leaf Tree)
Dahlia ‘Suffolk Punch’ (Garden Dahlia)
Nerium Oleander
Nolina recurvata (Ponytail Plant, Ponytail/Bottle Palm, Elephant’s Foot)
This impressive palm-like succulent plant had been in our garden for about 5 years now.
Among all its common names, we love ‘Ponytail’ best as it fits it beautifully, with its bluish-green leaves ‘tied together’ and cascading down giving an appearance of a pony tail!
I’m glad that we’ve planted [...]
Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Bantel’s Sensation’ (White Sansevieria, Good Luck/Snake Plant)
Annona squamosa (Sugar Apple, Sweetsop)
Vanda Orchids
Dendrobium phalaenopsis (Dendrobium Orchid)
Orchids are such elegant and exotic beauties, highly prized, cultured and grown worldwide! And it’s definitely unsurprising that they’re treasured in our tropical garden, ranking topmost as our favorite flowers! We’ve been growing orchids for more than 36 years now…ahem…that’s as long as our marriage! Our favorites are the dendrobium phalaenopsis [...]
Chrysothemis pulchella (Copper Leaf)
Allamanda blanchetii (Cherry/Purple Allamanda, Violet Allamanda)
Carphalea kirondron (Flaming Beauty)
Spathiphyllum species (Peace Lily, Spathe Flower, White Anthurium, White Sails)
Our beautiful garden is packed with so many lovely plants and flowers. Some new plants, some old and some have died but their sweetness linger on. As garden enthusiasts, we like to know the botanical or common name of our plants so as to source online for some extra information about them, and knowing a [...]