Since announcing our fall offering of All Things Wicked & Wonderful, much of the focus has been on the opening of our first-ever Spider Pavilion. And while we are thrilled for its opening, there’s a lot more happening this fall than just spiders.
All Things Wicked & Wonderful also includes our Diabolical and Misunderstood plantings in our Garden Graveyard. These plants have sordid reputations, but not always for good reason. This area, along with the geometric beds nearby, Courtyard and Palm Circle, will include some VERY cool plants that we’ve never had in the Garden before. If you’re interested in learning more, take a look below. We’ve called out the plants below and also identified what trait it is that makes them so misunderstood.
Diabolical and Misunderstood Featured Plants
Agave titanota ‘Black and Blue’
Common name: chalk agave
Family: Asparagaceae
Trait: physical armament
Ajuga reptans
Common name: hybrid bugleweed
Family: Lamiaceae
Trait: decorative
Aristolochia californica
Common name: California pipeline
Family: Aristolochiaceae
Trait: chemical defense
Canna ‘Australia’
Common name: hybrid canna
Family: Cannaceae
Trait: decorative
Catharanthus roseus
Common name: hybrid Madagascar periwinkle
Family: Apocynaceae
Trait: chemical defense
Cereus peruvianus ‘Monstrosa’
Common name: monstrose Peruvian apple cactus
Family: Cactaceae
Trait: physical armament
Colocasia esculenta
Common name: taro
Family: Araceae
Trait: chemical defense
Dahlia MYSTIC®
Common name: hybrid dahlia
Family: Asteraceae
Trait: decorative
Datura wrightii
Common name: sacred datura
Family: Solanaceae
Trait: chemical defense
Dionaea muscipula
Common name: Venus flytrap
Family: Droseraceae
Trait: carnivorous
Drosera binata
Common name: fork-leaved sundew
Family: Droseraceae
Trait: carnivorous
Echeveria ‘Black Knight’
Common name: hybrid echeveria
Family: Crassulaceae
Trait: decorative
Euphorbia characias
Common name: Mediterranean spurge
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Trait: chemical defense
Euphorbia cotinifolia
Common name: smoketree spurge
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Trait: chemical defense
Euphorbia tirucalli
Common name: sticks on fire
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Trait: chemical defense
Heuchera ‘Black Forest Cake’
Common name: hybrid coral bells
Family: Saxifragaceae
Trait: decorative
Hibiscus acesotella ‘Mahogany Splendor’
Common name: cranberry hibiscus
Family: Malvaceae
Trait: decorative
Impatiens hawkeri SUNPATIENS® ‘Compact Deep Rose’
Common name: hybrid New Guinea impatiens
Family: Balsaminaceae
Trait: decorative
Ipomoea batatas ‘Blackie’
Common name: sweet potato
Family: Convolvulaceae
Trait: chemical defense
Mahonia aquifolium
Common name: Oregon grape
Family: Berberidaceae
Trait: physical armament
Mandragora autumnalis
Common name: autumn mandrake
Family: Solanaceae
Trait: chemical defense
Monstera adansonii
Common name: Adanson’s monserta
Family: Araceae
Trait: chemical defense
Nepenthes spp.
Common name: hybrid tropical pitcher plants
Family: Nepenthaceae
Trait: carnivorous
Nerium oleander ‘Petite Salmon’
Common name: oleander
Family: Apocynaceae
Trait: chemical defense
Ocimum basilicum ‘Dark Opal’
Common name: hybrid basil
Family: Lamiaceae
Trait: chemical defense
Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Kokuryu’
Common name: black mondo grass
Family: Asparagaceae
Trait: decorative
Opuntia erinacea var. ursine ‘Wooly Pads’
Common name: snow prickly pear
Family: Cactaceae
Trait: physical armament
Opuntia polyacantha ‘Dark Knight’
Common name: plains prickly pear
Family: Cactaceae
Trait: physical armament
Petunia CRAZYTUNIA® ‘Black Mamba’
Common name: hybrid petunia
Family: Solanaceae
Trait: chemical defense
Plumeria rubra hybrid
Common name: hybrid plumeria
Family: Apocynaceae
Trait: chemical defense
Rosa woodsii
Common name: Woods’ rose
Family: Rosaceae
Trait: physical armament
Sarracenia flava
Common name: yellow pitcher plant
Family: Sarraceniaceae
Trait: carnivorous
Solanum lycopersicum
Common name: tomato
Family: Solanaceae
Trait: chemical defense
Solanum melongena
Common name: eggplant
Family: Solanaceae
Trait: chemical defense
Stapelia grandiflora
Common name: carrion plant
Family: Apocynaceae
Trait: chemical defense
Urtica dioica
Common name: stinging nettle
Family: Urticaceae
Trait: chemical defense/physical armament
Artemisia arborescens ‘Porquerolles’
Common name: tree wormwood
Family: Asteraceae
Trait: chemical defense
Vriesea splendens
Common name: flame sword bromeliad
Family: Bromeliaceae
Trait: decorative
Alocasia ‘Serendipity’
Common name: hybrid elephant’s ear
Family: Araceae
Trait: chemical defense
Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelii’
Common name: Abyssinian banana
Family: Musaceae
Trait: decorative
Heuchera ‘Obsidian’
Common name: hybrid coral bells
Family: Saxifragaceae
Trait: decorative
Ficus elastica ‘Black Prince’
Common name: hybrid rubber tree
Family: Moraceae
Trait: chemical defense
Cordyline fruticosa ‘Red Sister’
Common name: hybrid ti plant
Family: Asparagaceae
Trait: decorative
Alocasia x amazonica ‘Polly’
Common name: hybrid elephant’s ear
Family: Araceae
Trait: chemical defense
Alocasia ‘Regal Shield’
Common name: hybrid elephant’s ear
Family: Araceae
Trait: chemical defense
Strobilanthes dyeriana
Common name: Persian shield
Family: Acanthaceae
Trait: decorative
Capsicum chinense ‘Trinidad Moruga Scorpion’
Common name: Trinidad Moruga scorpion chili
Family: Solanaceae
Trait: chemical defense
Anthurium ‘Black Queen’
Common name: hybrid flamingo flower
Family: Araceae
Trait: chemical defense
