Denise Testa

  Rajapuri Banana – Musa spp. Origin: India This banana’s well deserved nickname is “bullet proof”. It is the best plant to grow in areas where the grower doesn’t intend to put much care into it’s cultivation. I’ve also had…

Blue Hesper Palm – Brahea armata Origin: Mexico This native from the desert springs of Baja, California is one of the hardiest palms available. They can handle intense heat, drought, withstand considerable frost and tolerates at least down to 14…

Singapore Holly – Malpighia coccigera Origin: Asia This is a great plant to kick off the new year. Singapore Holly is an easy keeper, produces a cloud of lovely pink flowers, and the red berry-looking fruit is not only edible…

Madagascar Palm – Pachypodium lamerei Origin: Madagascar The island of Madagascar is known for it’s wide variety of unique flora (and fauna). Even though it has substantially less land mass, it has many more species of palms than the neighboring…

NOVEMBER Highbush Cranberry – Viburnum trilobum Origin: North America Since we are coming into the holiday season, I thought I would pick a plant that would capture the spirit of giving. The Highbush Cranberry is an easily grown native shrub…

SEPTEMBER Purira Chile Pepper Capsicum frutescens Origin: South America You’ve heard folks boast about how hot the Habanero is…well, this pepper has a burn that’s equal to or more. The Purira bears an abundant supply of sizzling hot fruits that…

Texas Hummingbird Sage Origin: South West USA & Mexico A member of the Lamiaceae or Mint family, this scarlet sage is a favorite of hummingbirds and butterflies. It is a perennial in warmer climates and an annual where winter’s low…

Kangaroo Paws – Anigozanthos flavidus, Anigozanthos manglesii Origin: Western Australia These fascinating plants produce a flower shaped like a kangaroo’s paw which emerges from a grassy tussock. The size, flower-stalk height and color of their flowers varies between species. The…

Japanese Fiber Banana – Musa basjoo Origin: Japan The claim to fame for this banana is the fact that it is cold hardy. It’s roots can handle down to –10 degrees F so it can be grown outdoors in a…

Waimanolo Papaya- Carica papaya Origin: Hawaii This fruiting papaya has a single slender trunk, which is patterned by the scars of shed leaves like a palm tree. From the top sprout large and very ornate leaves, making it a neat…

Silver Dollar Eucalyptus – Eucalyptus cineria Origin: Australia The Indo-Australia region is home to many unique looking evergreens in a variety of shapes and sizes. Many are part of the Myrtaceae family which includes Eucalyptus. These trees and shrubs provide…