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Handsome climbing vine on trees; lush, dark green, pendant leaves to 20 inches long, grow well in full sun but can tolerate and adapt to deep shade. Grows best in rich moisture-holding soil. Cannot tolerate high salt build up in its soil.

Small tree to 36 feet; evergreen oblong leathery leaves; small, white flowers followed by clusters of small, green to brown, pleasantly spicy pea-sized berries. Berries are picked green and dried. Called allspice because it seems to have combined flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves and is used for food seasoning. Plants grown from seed require avian help to ensure germination.

Tree 33 to 40 feet high; flowers located on tips of leafless branches. The trees were used to shade plantation crops such as coffee and cacao trees.  

Massive evergreen climbing vine; giant, beautifully lacquered, oval leaves with pale purple veins. Leaves up to 3 feet across.

Tropical trees native to S. America can grow to 60 feet. Typically, under-story trees or shrubs in tropical rain forests. This slow growing specimen will reach about 20 feet. The flowers contain numerous crimson, deep pink or purple tubular flowers. Flower heads can be up to 8 inches in diameter.

Heliconia is a genus of flowering tropical plants with 194 species, mostly native to tropical Americas. Common names include lobster-claws, toucan beak, false bird of paradise. This specimen typically grows above 4 feet, the upward facing flower acts as a cup and is a source of water for birds and insects.

Neoregelia Aechmea blanchetiana Neoregelia carolinae   Bromeliads are a family of plants (Bromeliaceae, the pineapple family) native to tropical North and South America.  There are about 2500 species and several thousand hybrids and cultivars.  Those species used as houseplants have some of the most colorful bracts, ranging from pink to deep purple. These plants form short, fairly flat rosettes of …