Malpigia glabra, commonly known as Barbados cherry, is a small tree or shrub that produces edible, cherry-like fruits. It is native to the Caribbean and Central and South America and is valued for its high vitamin C content. The tree has glossy leaves and small, pink flowers that bloom year-round. The fruit is red or yellow, juicy, and sour, and is often used in juices, jams, and desserts. The plant is also valued for its ornamental qualities and is often grown as a hedge or specimen plant.

Acerola Cherry

The fruit is red or yellow, juicy, and sour, and is often used in juices, jams, and desserts.

This palm is native to Madagascar and can grow to 39 ft in height. Although it is now a common house and ornamental plant, it was once an endangered species. It is also one of the best pollutant absorning plants in the world, removing NO2, formaldehyde, SO2, acetone, xylene, formaldehyde, and toluene. In Feng Shui, the areca palm plant is considered lucky as it brings peace and prosperity to the house, and removes negative energy and attracting positivity.

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Areca Palm

Native to the Caribbean, Clusia trees can grow to 40 ft and grow in rocky terrains near the shore. They are commonly cultivated as ornamental and display pink-to-white flowered petals. In the past, leaves were used to make playing cards. The tree is sometimes called an autograph tree as some sign their names on the leaves and watch them grow.

Autograph Tree

In the past, leaves were used to make playing cards.

Prunus serotina, commonly known as black cherry, is a deciduous tree native to North America. It is highly valued for its hard, durable wood and edible fruit, which is used in jams and pies. Black cherry trees can grow up to 80 feet tall and have a narrow, pyramidal crown. Its leaves turn yellow or red in the fall. Black cherry bark is dark and scaly, with prominent lenticels. The tree produces small, white flowers in the spring, followed by clusters of dark purple berries in late summer. The bark, leaves, and seeds contain toxic compounds and should not be consumed.

Black Cherry

The tree produces small, white flowers in the spring, followed by clusters of dark purple berries in late summer.

Piper nigrum is a perennial woody vine growing up to 13 ft. It is native to South Asia and Southeast Asia and cultivated for its fruit, known as a peppercorn which is usually dried and used as a spice.

Black Pepper

Piper nigrum is a perennial woody vine growing up to 13 ft.

Echeveria 'Black Prince' is a popular succulent plant that is native to Mexico. It is characterized by its rosette-shaped, dark purple or black leaves that are thick and fleshy. The plant produces pinkish-red flowers on tall stalks during the summer months. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun exposure, but can also tolerate partial shade. Echeveria 'Black Prince' is commonly grown as a houseplant or in rock gardens, and is a popular choice for succulent enthusiasts. It is low-maintenance and drought-tolerant, making it an ideal plant for beginners.

Black Prince Cactus

Echeveria 'Black Prince' is commonly grown as a houseplant or in rock gardens, and is a popular choice for succulent enthusiasts.

Juglans nigra, commonly known as black walnut, is a deciduous tree native to North America. It produces large, flavorful nuts that are popular in cooking and baking. The tree's wood is highly prized for furniture and flooring. Black walnut is also valued for its medicinal properties and has been used to treat a variety of ailments. However, the tree produces a toxin that can be harmful to some plants, so care must be taken when planting it near gardens or other vegetation.

Black Walnut

Black walnut is also valued for its medicinal properties and has been used to treat a variety of ailments.

Eucalyptus globulus, also known as blue gum, is a tall evergreen tree native to Australia. Its essential oil has a fresh, camphoraceous scent and is used in many products, including cough drops and cleaning products. It is a fast-growing tree that can reach up to 60 meters tall, and its wood is used for paper production, construction, and fuel. Its leaves are also used for medicinal purposes, particularly in the treatment of respiratory ailments. The tree is commonly planted in many parts of the world for its ornamental value and as a source of wood and essential oil.

Blue Gum

It is a fast-growing tree that can reach up to 60 meters tall, and its wood is used for paper production, construction, and fuel. Its leaves are also used for medicinal purposes, particularly in the treatment of respiratory ailments.

Eugenia brasiliensis, commonly known as grumixama, is a fruit-bearing tree native to Brazil. It can grow up to 10 meters tall and has glossy, dark green leaves and small, white, fragrant flowers that bloom in spring. The fruit is small, round, and purple-black when ripe, with a sweet, juicy pulp that is high in antioxidants. Grumixama trees are often cultivated for their fruit, which is used in juices, jams, and desserts. The tree is also valued for its ornamental beauty, making it a popular choice for landscaping and garden design.

Brazilian cherry

Grumixama trees are often cultivated for their fruit, which is used in juices, jams, and desserts.

This tree or vine can reach 20 feet and is native to Costa Rica, Panama, and Brazil. It is known for its massive burgundy velvet flowers, netted with distinctive ivory-white veins that can reach 6x12 inches. These flowers have a potent and slightly nauseating fragrance that the plant uses to attract its main pollinator: flies.

Brazilian Dutchman's pipe

It is known for its massive burgundy velvet flowers, netted with distinctive ivory-white veins that can reach 6x12 inches.

Combretum fruticosum, also known as the bushwillow, is a tree species native to Africa. It belongs to the family Combretaceae and produces green, oval-shaped leaves that are arranged in an opposite pattern. The tree also produces small, reddish-brown fruits containing one seed. The plant prefers well-drained soil and full sun exposure. It is often used for ornamental purposes in landscaping and as a traditional medicine for various ailments. The bark and leaves are rich in tannins and are used for their astringent properties, and the root is used as a remedy for snakebites. The tree is also an important source of firewood and is used for charcoal production.

Bush Willow

It belongs to the family Combretaceae and produces green, oval-shaped leaves that are arranged in an opposite pattern.

Calathea "cathedral plant" is a tropical indoor plant with striking foliage. Its long, lance-shaped leaves have dark green and light green stripes with a contrasting maroon underside. It prefers bright, indirect light and high humidity. It's a low-maintenance plant that can help purify the air and is non-toxic to pets.

Cathedral Plants

It prefers bright, indirect light and high humidity.

Agave Americana Blue is a slow-growing succulent that is characterized by its striking blue-gray leaves, which form a large rosette. It can grow up to 6-8 feet tall and wide and is drought tolerant. The plant requires full sun and well-drained soil to thrive. It is also used for its medicinal properties and the production of alcoholic beverages such as tequila. However, it should be handled with care as its sharp spines can cause injury.

Century Plant

It is also used for its medicinal properties and the production of alcoholic beverages such as tequila.

Ligustrum lucidum, commonly known as glossy privet, is an evergreen tree native to China and Korea. It is often planted as an ornamental tree or hedge due to its attractive glossy leaves and fragrant white flowers. However, it can also be invasive in some areas. The tree grows to a height of 20-40 feet and produces small blue-black berries that are toxic to humans. In traditional Chinese medicine, the leaves of the tree are used to treat a variety of ailments such as coughs, colds, and skin conditions.

Chinese Privet

n traditional Chinese medicine, the leaves of the tree are used to treat a variety of ailments such as coughs, colds, and skin conditions.

Phoenix dactylifera is an evergreen palm tree native to North Africa and the Middle East, cultivated for its edible sweet fruit that can reach up to 75 ft, and show a crown of over 100 feather-like fronds that can grow up to 16 ft in length. The species is widely cultivated and is naturalized in many tropical and subtropical regions worldwide.

Date Palm

Phoenix dactylifera is an evergreen palm tree native to North Africa and the Middle East.

The Monoon longifolium is a tropical tree with glossy, dark green leaves and fragrant white flowers. Its fruit is a large, green pod containing edible seeds that taste similar to almonds. The tree is also used for medicinal purposes in traditional medicine, with the bark, leaves, and roots having various health benefits. It is a popular ornamental tree, and can be grown in warm, humid climates with well-draining soil.

False Ashoka

The Monoon longifolium is a tropical tree with glossy, dark green leaves and fragrant white flowers.

Pennisetum villosum, also known as Feathertop grass, is a clump-forming ornamental grass that is native to Africa. It features long, narrow green leaves that arch gracefully, and in summer it produces large, fluffy, white or pinkish flowers that resemble feathers. This plant is drought tolerant, low maintenance, and deer resistant, making it a popular choice for water-wise gardens. It can be grown in various soil types and is often used in borders, rock gardens, and as a ground cover.

Feathertop Grass

This plant is drought tolerant, low maintenance, and deer resistant, making it a popular choice for water-wise gardens.

Pyrostegia venusta, commonly known as the flamevine, is a vigorous and fast-growing climbing plant that produces stunning, bright orange-red flowers in the winter and early spring. It is native to South America but is widely cultivated in many parts of the world. The plant has woody stems and can reach up to 30 feet tall. The trumpet-shaped flowers are arranged in large clusters, making a spectacular display when in bloom. Flame vine is often used to cover walls, trellises, and fences, and is also suitable for container planting. It requires full sun and well-drained soil and is generally easy to care for.

Flamevine

The trumpet-shaped flowers are arranged in large clusters, making a spectacular display when in bloom.

The garlic vine is a tropical, fast-growing plant that is known for its unique garlic-like fragrance. It produces showy clusters of white or pinkish-purple flowers, which bloom intermittently throughout the year. It can be grown as a vine or trained as a shrub or small tree. The plant is relatively easy to care for, requiring regular watering and occasional pruning. The leaves and flowers are used in traditional medicine for their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. The plant is also popular for its ornamental value, making it a great addition to any garden or indoor space.

Garlic Vine

The leaves and flowers are used in traditional medicine for their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Dvarapala, as they are known in the Sanskrit language, are door or gate guardians. They often have a fearsome look and are portrayed as warriors armed with a weapon, commonly a gada (mace). The Dvarapala statue is a common architectural element at Hindu temples. In Bali, they were in the past only found at entrances to temples and royal homes but today are quite commonly seen in front of a lot of homes. 

Part of the mission of Siva Ashram is to celebrate the Hindu diaspora and the entrance to the gardens and the first shrine is a celebration of Balinese Hinduism. In Bali, these guards are called Bedogol. There will be two guardians statues - one standing on either side of the Balinese Entrance Gateway. 

These statues are 1 meter in height and were carved specifically for Siva Ashram out of black Balinese stone. The carving is complete and both statues are awaiting shipment to Costa Rica.

Line drawing courtesy of Manish Prajapati, @artbymanish.

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Gate Guardians

Vriesea Imperialis is a striking bromeliad with vibrant red bracts and yellow flowers. It is native to South America and commonly grown as an ornamental plant. It prefers bright, indirect light and humid conditions. It can grow up to 3 feet tall and requires well-draining soil. It is an easy-to-care plant and can be propagated through offsets. It is non-toxic to humans and pets.

Giant Bromeliad

It prefers bright, indirect light and humid conditions.

Agave cabuya, also known as Giant Cabuya, is a species of agave that is native to southern Mexico and Central America. Its leaves are long and pointed, growing up to 2 meters in length, and it has a unique flowering structure with a tall spike bearing many small, white, or yellow flowers. It is known for its fiber, which is used for various purposes including rope, paper, and textiles, and its young flower stalks are edible. The plant is drought-tolerant and easy to grow, making it a popular ornamental plant in many parts of the world.

Giant Cabuya

It is known for its fiber, which is used for a variety of purposes including rope, paper, and textiles, and its young flower stalks are edible.

Echeveria Gigantea is a species of succulent plant that is native to Mexico. It is a slow-growing, evergreen rosette-forming plant that can reach up to 2 feet in diameter. The leaves are thick and fleshy and are arranged in a rosette pattern, with a blue-green coloration and a slightly waxy texture. In the summer, the plant produces a tall inflorescence of pinkish-red flowers on a long stem, which can reach up to 6 feet in height. Echeveria Gigantea is a popular ornamental plant, often used in drought-tolerant landscaping and container gardens. It prefers well-drained soil and partial to full sun exposure. It is easy to care for and can be propagated by leaf cuttings or offsets.

Giant Hens and Chick

The leaves are thick and fleshy and are arranged in a rosette pattern, with a blue-green coloration and a slightly waxy texture.

Aristolochia maxima, also known as the giant pelican flower, is a tropical vine that produces large, stunning flowers. Highlights include its unique and intricate flower structure, which is shaped like a pelican's beak and can grow up to a foot long. The flowers have a strong, unpleasant odor that attracts pollinating flies, but also deters other insects from feeding on the plant. The vine is also valued for its medicinal properties, particularly for its use in traditional medicine to treat snakebites and other ailments.

Giant Pelican Flower

The flowers have a strong, unpleasant odor that attracts pollinating flies, but also deters other insects from feeding on the plant.

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