Specialty Plant Collections

76 species with 16 subspecies or varieties, 4 undetermined, 64 nothospecies; 1240 clones

Agave is a genus of 287 species in the Asparagaceae, native to the Americas. At best, only 30 of those are winter hardy for us here in Zone 7b. Consequently, we started to hybridize agaves here to increase the potential garden diversity. We currently house the world's largest Zone 7 hardy agave collection and a large collection of variegated, non-winter hardy containerized specimens.

We have three agave photo galleries. The first is one of interspecific agave hybrids, many of which were created here at JLBG. The second photo gallery is of named cultivars of non-variegated century plants. The third agave photo gallery is of variegated century plants. This is the largest such compilation of photos in the world. Where known, we also add the originators of each clone. Since the International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants only allows for names to be used once in a genus, it is our hope that these galleries will prevent duplicate naming.  

52 species, 20 undetermined, 26 nothospecies; 569 clones

Amorphophallus is a genus of tuberous plants in the Araceae and contains 239 species at the end of 2023. Voodoo lilies or corpse-flowers as they are commonly known, are native to the Old World, specifically tropical and southern Africa, Madagascar, tropical and subtropical Asia to Northern Australia.

85 species (including subspecies and varieties), 2 undescribed, 13 undetermined, 24 nothospecies; 579 clones

Arisaema are mostly tuberous members of the Aroid family, native to both North America and much of Asia, with a few taxa in Northern Africa. Most species emerge in late winter or early spring and are summer dormant. Not only do we collect arisaemas, but we have made a number of interesting hybrids. There are currently 210 known species.

29 species (including subspecies and varieties), 10 undetermined, 7 nothospecies; 247 clones

Arum is another tuberous genus of Aroids but unlike Arisaema, they typically emerge in fall and go dormant in summer. Most arum are dryland plants, with the center of distribution in Europe. There are currently 26 known species.

92 species (including subspecies and varieties), 15 undetermined, 5 nothospecies, 1 undescribed; 613 clones

Asarum are woodland plants belonging to the Aristolochiaceae. Most are evergreen, while a few are deciduous. The flowering season for most species is winter to early spring. They are distributed in North America, Asia, and one species in Europe. There are 177 known species. We've been told that our collection is the most extensive in the world.

22 species (including subspecies and varieties), 3 undetermined, 1 nothospecies; 60 clones

Asparagus has a natural distribution in Asia, Africa, Australia, and Europe. They are used for food, ornamentals including hanging baskets, and for flower arranging. We feel that many more species are suitable as winter hardy ornamentals. There are currently 214 known species in the genus Asparagus.

46 species (including subspecies and varieties), 9 undetermined; 5 nothospecies, 3 undescribed; 246 clones

Aspidistra is a genus of woodland evergreen perennials in the Asparagaceae, all native to Southeastern Asia. Ornamentally, they have been grown for hundreds of years, primarily as house plants. When we began collecting aspidistra species in 1980, there were only 16 known species. There are currently 218 known species. We currently hold one of the most extensive collections in the world. To say interest in the genus has grown recently is a grand understatement.

7 species (including subspecies and varieties), 1 undetermined, 1 nothospecies; 146 clones

Aucuba is a small genus of only 11 species of evergreen shrubs in the Garryaceae, all native to Southeast Asia. Aucuba japonica is the most common species grown ornamentally around the world in warm temperate climates.

18 species (including subspecies and varieties), 4 nothospecies; 190 clones

Baptisia is a North American native genus in the Fabaceae. They are valued ornamentally for their floral show and tough constitution, but in the past, they were used as a source of indigo dye, where true indigo was not winter hardy. There are around 20 known species. JLBG has the world's most extensive living baptisia collection.

128 species (including subspecies and varieties), 1 undescribed, 18 undetermined and 4 nothospecies;257 clones

Carex is a worldwide genus of plants in the Cyperaceae, found naturally on every continent but Antarctica. There is an incredible array of species with ornamental value, which is our focus. We understand that our living collection is now probably the world's most extensive. There are currently 2061 known species.

7 species (including subspecies and varieties), 1 undetermined; 179 clones

Colocasia is a small genus of only 14 species in the Araceae, all Asian endemics. Colocasia are used both ornamentally and culinarily around the world, with the primary cultivated species being Colocasia esculenta.

28 species (including subspecies and varieties), 1 undescribed, 16 nothospecies; 408 clones

Crinum is a genus in the Amaryllidaceae with a wide natural distribution that includes the Americas, Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East. Crinums range from desert growers to wetland denizens, from dwarf to large. We currently have the world's most extensive living collection. There are currently 114 known species of Crinum.

8 species (including subspecies and varieties), 3 undetermined, 1 nothospecies, 2 undescribed; 70 clones

Disporopsis is a small genus of only 11 species of evergreen Solomon's seals in the Asparagaceae, all native to Asia. These woodland perennials make excellent shade garden plants.

12 species (including subspecies and varieties), 1 undetermined; 46 clones

Disporum is a genus of 24 species in the Colchicaceae, found naturally from Indo-China through the Russian Far East. Although appearing similar to Polygonatum, they are actually unrelated. In the garden, they are prized as woodland perennials.

4 species (including subspecies and varieties); 111 clones

Echinacea is a North American genus of only 9 species in the Asteraceae. Most echinaceas were seed grown prior to the 1990s, when breakthrough breeding work by the Chicago Botanic Garden's Jim Ault opened the doors for breeders around the world. Since that time, the number of clones has proliferated wildly.

51 species (including subspecies and varieties), 5 undescribed, 2 undetermined, 10 nothospecies; 343 clones

Epimedium is a genus of 64 species in the Berberidaceae. Its distribution is primarily Asia, with only a few from the region when Europe meets Northern Africa. Epimedium are prized for early spring flowering in the woodland garden. Medicinally, they are the active ingredient in many of the male enhancement products, being known as Horny Goat Weed in China. We hold one of the top 5 living collections in the world.

12 species (including subspecies and varieties), 1 undetermined, 1 nothospecies; 61 clones

Eucomis is an African native genus of 13 species in the Asparagaceae. Known in gardening circles as pineapple lilies, Eucomis are great dryland plants for full sun. Hybrids have expanded the range of foliage as well as flower color.

1 species with 3 varieties, 1 nothospecies; 123 clones

Farfugium is an Asian genus in the Asteraceae, consisting of 2 species, with Farfugium japonicum being best known as a garden plant for light shade which flowers in October and November. Japanese plant breeders have led the way in developing new cultivars, but this is also an area in which JLBG is currently engaged.

82 genera, 370 species (including subspecies and varieties), 29 undetermined, 30 nothospecies; 936 clones

Ferns are a huge group found worldwide, consisting of numerous genera. We currently have ferns and fern allies in 24 families. New taxonomic works are revising genera and relationships at an unparalleled rate. We currently maintain the world's most diverse living fern collection, thanks to our botanical travels around the world.

Habranthus (Rain Lily)
11 species, 3 nothospecies and 9 undetermined; 101 clones

Habranthus is a genus of 30 species of bulbous rain lilies in the Amaryllidaceae, native only to North, Central, and South America. Meerow merged the genus Habranthus into Zephyranthes, but we have not followed his lead. The flowering season for habranthus is late spring and through the summer, with plants flowering shortly after rain events.

Zephyranthes (Rain Lily)
27 species, 6 undetermined, 2 undescribed; 279 clones 

Zephyranthes is a genus of 150 species in the Amaryllidaceae, with a native distribution in the Americas. JLBG has one of the world's largest living collections. We do not follow Meerow's work in lumping Zephyranthes and Habranthus in a single genus.

JLBG maintains smaller collections of many hardy amaryllids, from Acis to Strumaria.

27 genera with one bigeneric cross and one unknown; 61 species and 4 unidentified;107 clones

The Gesneriaceae family consists of 152 genera and approximately 3,540 species, scattered around the world. While most species are tropical, our focus is those that have winter hardiness down to single digits F, in the ground.

JLBG maintains a significant collection of winter hardy orchids, comprising the genera: Bletilla, Calanthe, Calopogon, Cremastra, Cymbidium, Cypripedium, Dendrobium, Epipactis, Goodyera, Habenaria, Liparis, Neottia, Platanthera, Pleione, Spiranthes, Tipularia, and more.

19 species (including subspecies and varieties), 1 undescribed, 8 undetermined and 2 nothospecies; 92 clones

Hedychium is a genus of 142 species in the Zingiberaceae, mostly native from Indo-China through Southeast Asia. While much of the genus is tropical, we have found 15 species that thrive outdoors here in Zone 7b.

14 species (including subspecies and varieties), 13 nothospecies; 665 clones

Helleborus is a genus of 15 species of mostly evergreen perennials in the Ranunculaceae, native to Southern Europe, Northern Africa, and a disjunct population in China. Hellebores are all winter flowering species. Most of the wild species aren't particularly attractive, but the results of interspecific breeding have created some truly amazing garden plants.

16 species (including subspecies and varieties), 1 undetermined and 2 nothospecies. 261 clones

Hemerocallis is a genus of 16 species in the Asphodelaceae, native throughout most of temperate Asia. We have a relatively limited collection of cultivars compared to most daylily collections but have nearly all of the known species. Some species open nocturnally, while others open in the morning.

3 species (including subspecies and varieties), 2 undetermined; 99 clones

Heuchera is a genus of 44 known species in the Saxifragaceae, with most native to North America, with a disjunct population in the Russian Far East. Heucheras are not long-lived perennials, and most need exceptional drainage to thrive.

17 species (including subspecies and varieties), 1 undetermined; 170 clones

Hibiscus is a genus of 434 species in the Malvaceae, that are native throughout the warm temperate world. While much of the genus is tropical, our focus is on the winter hardy members of the family. Most of the hybrids in our collection are selections or hybrids of Hibiscus moscheutos.

22 species (including subspecies and varieties) and 2 undetermined; 947 clones

Hosta is an entirely Asian genus of 22 species in the Asparagaceae. It is due to extensive interspecific breeding that hostas are one of the top perennials in the world today. In the wild, most hostas grow in grassland prairies.

18 species (including subspecies and varieties) and 3 undetermined; 150 clones

Hydrangea is a genus of 86 species in the Hydrangeaceae, native to both the Americas and the Asian Far East. The majority of plants in the trade belong to either Hydrangea macrophylla, serrata, quercifolia, paniculata, or arborescens. We choose to recognize the genus Hydrangea in a somewhat broad sense, not combining other genera within the group including Schizophragma, Cardiandra, Dichroa, Decumaria, Pileostegia, Platycrater, and Deinanthe.

34 species (including subspecies and varieties), 37 hybrids and 42 undetermined; 268 clones

Hymenocallis is a genus of 65 species in the Amaryllidaceae. The genus is native to the Americas. Currently, JLBG has the world's most extensive living collection, much which was inherited from the late Victor Lambou.

67 species (including subspecies and varieties), 12 nothospecies, 6 unknowns; 505 clones

Iris is a large genus of 311 species in the Iridaceae, with a native distribution throughout the Northern Hemisphere, and into Northern Africa. Most gardeners only grow the Iris x germanica hybrids, but we feel there are so many other garden worthy species. Sometimes the genera Pardanthopsis and Belamcanda as well as the intergeneric hybrid between these genera, X Pardancanda, is listed within the genus Iris as broadly interpreted.

15 species (including subspecies and varieties), 2 unknown; 64 clones

Kniphofia is a genus of 77 species in the Asphodelaceae, with an almost exclusive distribution in Africa. These Sunbird pollinated perennials are primarily distributed in Southern Africa, but they have proven to be quite winter hardy even in Michigan.

9 species (including subspecies and varieties), 6 unknown and at least 1 new species; 114 clones

Liriope is a small genus of 8 species in the Asparagaceae, with a native range only in Southeastern Asia. We currently grow at least two species that have yet to be published. Virtually all of the plants in commerce belong to either Liriope muscari or Liriope spicata.

9 species with 5 varieties, 6 undetermined, 29 nothospecies; 1097 clones

Lycoris is a genus of 8 species in the Amaryllidaceae, with a distribution in Southeastern Asia. Despite authorities on-line listing 25 species, anything other than the 8 are hybrids, many of which have been re-named numerous times. We have the world's most extensive lycoris collection.

20 species (including subspecies and varieties), 6 undetermined, 4 nothospecies; 68 clones

Mahonia is a genus of 70 species in the Berberidaceae, native to North and Central America as well as Southeastern Asia. Some authorities incorrectly have tried for years to merge this with the genus Berberis, but it was found to be better treated as Berberis, Alloberberis, Moranothamnus and Mahonia as segregate genera. We are currently conducting an extensive mahonia breeding program.

92 named cultivars and 230 clones

A botanical curiosity as a bigeneric cross, these architectural plants are hybrids between Agave and Manfreda. As a member of the Asparagaceae, these plants really clue you into that fact when they send up their giant inflorescences as they mature, which look very similar to spears of Asparagus before they mature. 

19 species with 4 varieties, 29 undetermined: 124 clones

Ophiopogon is a genus of 82 species in the Asparagaceae, all native to Southeast Asia. While many species are tropical, our focus is on those which are winter hardy here in Zone 7b. Virtually everything in commerce is a selection of Ophiopogon japonicus.

12 species, 5 nothospecies and 26 other hybrids- 141 clones

We wouldn't have a woodland garden without adding this group of plants. Most Americans know this genus from our native species Podophyllum peltatum, the Mayapple. This group is more widespread in Asia, where the other members of this genus are sometimes listed in the other genera Sinopodophyllum and Dysosma. Some botanists who would like to lump all of these together also want to include the members of the genus Dyphylleia, the Umbrella-leafs. Podophyllum and Dysosma combined account for around 14 species, all from Southeast Asia. These bold foliaged members of the Berberidaceae are well known throughout the world for the statement their leaves make in the landscape. We have been doing a lot of hand crosses within the genus over the past few years and are really excited with some of the results so far.

57 species with 4 varieties, 3 nothospecies, 25 undetermined and 1 undescribed; 351 clones

Polygonatum is a genus of 76 species in the Asparagaceae, with a distribution throughout Europe, Asia, and North America. We currently have one of the largest collections in the world.

3 species, 5 undescribed, 29 clones

This interesting small genus in the Asparagaceae is commonly overlooked by even the most keen of plantspeople. We have amassed the largest collection from all the known collections. Most sources only list a single species, Reineckea carnea, lumping most of the other species within this. We feel this was done in error, and recognize 4 currently named species, and we feel there could be another species which have yet to be published.

10 species with 2 varieties, 6 undetermined, 1 nothospecies and 1 undescribed; 276 clones

Rohdea is a genus of 27 species in the Asparagaceae, with a distribution in Southeast Asia. Between species and named clones, we probably have the world's largest living collection.

2 genera, 6 species with 1 variety and 1 nothospecies; 64 clones

These Mediterranean Asparagaceae are interesting evergreen perennials whose "leaves" are actually modified stems called cladodes. 

47 species with 1 variety, 3 undetermined, 1 undescribed, 2 nothospecies; 275 clones

Salvia is a huge genus of 1018 species in the Lamiaceae, with a worldwide distribution. Our focus is on perennial species that are winter hardy in Zone 7b. A recent treatment lumped Rosmarinus and Perovskia within a broadly interpreted Salvia.

10 species with 2 varieties, 17 nothospecies; 277 clones

Sarracenia is a genus of 11 species in the Sarraceniaceae , with an entirely North American distribution. The genus are all bog denizens, which derive their food from digested prey.

4 species and 58 clones

Sauromatum is a genus of 11 species of tuberous Aroids from with an Old World Distribution Form China West to India, into the Arabian Peninsula and throughout most of Central and Southern Africa.

13 species with 1 variety, 2 undetermined: 150 clones

Tricyrtis is a genus of 23 species in the Liliaceae, with a distribution throughout Southeast Asia. These late summer to fall flowering woodland denizens light up the garden.

34 species with 4 varieties, 14 nothospecies, 10 undescribed, 8 undetermined; 1898 clones

Trillium is a genus of 55 species in the Trilliaceae family, sometimes lumped within a broad Melanthiaceae, with a distribution in both North America and Eastern Asia. JLBG currently has the largest living collection in the world of Southeastern subgenus Sessilium.

12 species, 3 unknown and one nothospecies; 21 clones

Typhonium is a genus in the Araceae, currently comprising 72 species. Typhonium are found in Eastern and Southern Asia, New Guinea, and Australia. In 2000, the genus Sauromatum and Typhonium was combined under a broad Typhonium interpretation, but in 2010, with the advent of better DNA testing, the two genera were once again separated. 

40 genera, 243 species with 85 varieties and subspecies, 26 nothospecies, 27 hybrids, 16 unknown, 713 clones

We find that most people don't think of the wet, humid summers and cold, wet winters of the Southeastern US would be good for what most people think are desert plants. We have found we have good luck with proper siting of cacti native to the Southwest US in our crevice and alpine beds, and plants from South America from Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina thrive in our climate. These are all members of the Cactaceae, known for their adaptation to dry climates by the reduction of their leaves and stems into spines.

29 species with 3 varieties, 4 undetermined, 1 undescribed, and 5 nothospecies; 327 clones

Yucca is a genus of 52 species in the Asparagaceae, with a distribution in both North and Central America. JLBG has what is most likely the world's most extensive collection.

8 genera, 10 species, 5 unknown; 43 clones

JLBG's hardy ginger collection includes the genera Alpinia, Amomum, Boesenbergia, Cautleya, Curcuma, Elettaria, and Zingiber, with a close cousin Costus included within this number. This does leave out our largest group, Hedychium, but it has its own gallery.