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43 plants
in our database have a scientific or common name that begin with "a" |
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Acorus gramineus
(Sweet flag)
A clump-forming grass-like plant related to arum lilies. A variegated form is particularly attractive.
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Aechmea chantinii
(Amazonian zebra plant)
Colourful bromeliad with striking foliage.
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Aechmea fasciata
(Silver vase, Urn plant)
A Brazilian plant with broad leaves that are densely grey-scaled with silver cross banding. The leaves form a funnel from which purple-blue flowers and pink bracts protrude.
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Agave americana
(Century plant, Maguey)
A succulent with sharply pointed leaves of that can grow up to 2m long, which are a grey-green and feel leathery to touch. A branched flower stem, which can grow to 8m long bears dense tapering spikes of bell-shaped creamy flowers.
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Agave americana 'variegata'
(Century plant, Maguey)
Architectural and spiky - it makes a bold statement wherever it is used. Ideal for cooler locations as this plant is quite hardy.
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Agave angustifolia
Small, spiky succulent with variegated leaves. The leaf tips are armed with very sharp spines.
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Agave filifera
(Thread agave)
Small, spiky succulent best displayed in groups. Ideal for feature beds but can look stunning in modern containers for that architectural look. |
Agave utahensis
A low maintenance foliage plant that has succulent, stem-less rosettes of grey-green leaves, that can grow up to 30 cm in length. Rounded tips bear hooked, marginal prickles. In the wild, it bears pale yellow flowers on a tall stalk.
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Aglaia odorata
(Chinese perfume tree, Chinese rice flower, Mock Lemon)
Attractive shrub from Southern China prized for its glossy foliage and fragrant flowers, which are sometimes used for flavouring tea and as a source of a natural insecticide.
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Aglaonema species and hybrids
(Chinese evergreen, Painted droptongue)
Small, green bushy plant with attractive variegated leaves. Many varieties available with a wide range of leaf patterns.
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Alocasia X amazonica
(A sanderiana X A lowii, Elephant-ear plant)
Small plant with striking foliage. Ideal for planting in groups in feature beds. Tolerates low light.
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Aloe aculeata
(Red hot poker aloe)
Compact succulent with a rosette of leaves, each armed with red-brown spines. The flower is bright red-orange, hence its common name.
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Aloe ferox
(Cape aloe)
Small, variegated aloe with sharp, spiny leaf tips. Excellent in feature beds, but beware of the spikes.
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Aloe vera
(Barbados aloe, Medicine plant, True aloe)
Aloe vera is renowned for its medicinal uses, its leaf containing 12 vitamins. The plant is a succulent which forms in clumps with short stems leading to compact rosettes of thick mottled green leaves. In the summer it forms yellow bell-shaped... |
Ananas comosus
(Ananas sativus, Ornamental pineapple, Pineapple)
Attractive bromeliad often used in groups in containers or in feature beds. A variegated form is especially attractive. Very easy to look after.
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Anthurium hybrids
(Oilcloth plant, Painter's palette, Tail flower)
Evergreen erect climbing or trailing perennials, some grown for the foliage others for their bright flower spathes.
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Anthurium scherzerianum
(Flamingo flower, Pigtail plant)
Colourful, flowering plant. Ideal for low light areas where a splash of colour would be welcome. |
Araucaria heterophylla
(Araucaria excelsa, Norfolk Island pine)
Upright conifer with spirally set, needle-like incurved fresh green leaves. Cones seldom form in cultivation.
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Archontophoenix alexandrae
(Alexandra palm, King Alexander palm, King palm)
Tall, solitary palm with distinctive rings on the trunk. |
Areca catechu
(Betel nut palm)
Attractive palm with lush fronds. Bushy in its juvenile form. |
Areca triandra
Elegant palm for use as a small specimen or in mixed planting arrangements.
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Arecastrum romanzoffianum
(Cocos plumosa, Queen palm, Syagrus romanzoffianum)
graceful palm that is often used in groups or as a solitary specimen in formal situations and in large containers.
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Arundinaria amabilis
(Lovely bamboo, Tonkin bamboo, Tonkin cane)
Attractive bamboo that can be used in containers or feature beds.
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Arundo donax
(False bamboo, Giant reed, Spanish reed)
An easy to maintain alternative to bamboo for interiors. Fast growing and with the potential to get very big.
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Arundo donax 'variegata'
(False bamboo, Giant reed, Variegated Spanish reed)
A tall stemmed plant with long, arching, alternate leaves that are longitudinally striped with white. It has the same architectural features as bamboo and is a useful alternative. It prefers higher light levels than the common... |
Asparagus densiflorus
(Asparagus fern, Asparagus sprengeri)
Small, bushy plant with attractive feathery foliage. Does best in good light. Prone to attack by two-spotted spider mites.
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Asparagus falcatus
(Sickle thorn)
This plant derives its name from its sickle-shaped ‘leaves’ and its climbing, 90 cm high prickly stems.
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Asparagus setaceus
(Asparagus plumosa, Fern asparagus)
A small, feathery trailing plant that resembles culinary asparagus, however it is completely inedible.
Flowers, when produced indoors, are white and grow in small clusters. Purple black berries may follow.
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Aspidistra elatior
(Cast iron plant)
The archetypal Victorian houseplant enjoying a resurgence in popularity due to its elegant and architectural shape. Almost indestructible.
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Asplenium antiquum
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Asplenium bulbiferum
(Mother fern)
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Asplenium nidus
(Bird's nest fern)
Fern with fronds that are glossy and apple green in colour. Very attractive and easy to look after.
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Aucuba japonica
(Gold dust tree, Gold-leaf bush)
Small, colourful shrub that is often used in cool or unheated spaces. Can be used out-of-doors.
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Chlorophytum comosum
(Anthericum comosum, Spider plant)
A clump-forming stemless perennial with fleshy roots. The leaves, which are variegated with white longitudinal stripes, resemble grass.
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Chrysalidocarpus lutescens
(Areca palm, Butterfly palm, Dypsis lutescens, Yellow butterfly palm)
Attractively named the Yellow Butterfly palm because of its yellow-green feathery willowy fronds branching from its ringed, bamboo-like trunk.
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Coffea arabica
(Arabian coffee, Coffee)
A compact, bushy shrub suitable for mixed beds or as a small specimen. It is best known as the source of most of the world’s coffee beans.
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Dizygotheca elegantissima
(Aralia elegantissima)
These are short bush like plants with leaves that change as they mature. In their juvenile state the leaves are slender and jagged, but as they mature they become much broader and turn a very dark green.
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Fatsia japonica
(Aralia japonica, Aralia sieboldii, False castor oil plant, Japanese aralia)
Jungly and exotic looking shrub that is fully hardy in much of Europe. A variegated form is also available.
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Ficus macrophylla
(Australian banyan, Moreton Bay fig)
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Ptychosperma elegans
(Alexander palm, Seaforthia elegans, Solitaire palm)
A tall, elegant palm used as a specimen in interior landscapes, feature beds and large containers.
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Sparmannia africana
(African hemp, African linden, House lime)
Unusual shrubby plant with large, soft, downy leaves. Small bright flowers are sometimes produced indoors.
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Veitchia merrillii
(Adonidia palm, Christmas palm, Manila palm)
Usually used as a large, solitary specimen. This elegant palm has grey-green foliage and an attractively banded trunk. Small specimens for containers have recently become available.
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Zamioculcas zamiifolia
('ZZ' plant, Aroid palm, Zu Zu plant)
Unusual succulent with shiny leaves and thick fleshy stems. Tolerates very low light and needs only small amounts of water. An excellent small specimen plant that is best displayed on its own.
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