Plants That Are Rare

Alamo Beardtongue

• The Alamo beardtongue (Penstemom alamosensis) is listed as a rare plant by the New Mexico Rare Plant Technical Council. In addition to the mountainous southeastern areas of New Mexico, Alamo beardtongue grows in the wild in the Hueco Mountains near El Paso, Texas. Alamo beardtongue grows as a perennial with twisting spikes that reach a height of 1 to 3 feet. The flowers are a bright orange-red and bell-shaped and tubular. The plant can be propagated from seed and is hardy in zones 5 to 9. It prefers sandy garden soil and full sun. Alamo beardtongue is a favorite plant of hummingbirds.

Nancy's Revenge Elephant Ears

• Nancy's Revenge (Colocassia Nancyana) is rare in terms of its unusual characteristics as a cultivar. Many elephant ear plants have "serrated" leaves, but Nancy's leaves are scalloped. The leaves have a distinctive and unusual wide cream white mid-vein that trails in a spider-like flow into the 2-foot-long green leaves. The plant can grow outdoors in zones 8a to 11 or indoors as a container plant in colder areas. Soil should be kept moist and well-draining. Nancy's Revenge was discovered in the Caribbean and introduced in 2000 at the International Aroid Society meeting, where it was reported to have been the most "drooled upon plant." Nancy's Revenge makes a showy standout specimen to give a tropical look to landscapes for outdoor swimming pool areas and ponds.

Painted Trillium

• Painted trillium (Trillium undulatum) is a member of the liliaceae family. It grows as a wildflower in states from Kentucky in the south to Michigan in the north, and as far northeast as Connecticut. The plant grows naturally in bog environments and woodland areas that have acidic soil. Painted trillium is listed as a rare plant in Kentucky. Flowers are bright white with sketch-like pink markings at the base and bloom from April to June. The plant thrives best in acidic soils enriched with humus and is hardy in zones 3 to 8.

Imperial Banner Toad Lily

• The Imperial banner toad lily (Tricyrtis "Imperial Banner") is a rare toad lily that you don't often see in nurseries and garden centers. It is tall and elegant and resembles an orchid, growing up to 28 inches. The flowers are cream white with rich, dark lavender speckles, giving the plant a striking and wildly exotic appearance. Imperial banner grows as a perennial, is hardy in zones 6-8 and prefers well-draining moist soil at all times -- whether grown outdoors or inside in a container.