(Treebine, Variegated Grape )

Pretty and glossy deep green leaves occur on this vine that inhabits rainforests from India and Bhutan southward all the way to northernmost Australia. A treebine, sometimes called variegated grape, develops a gray-barked trunk with herbaceous stems that clasp with tendrils.

The leaves are shiny and green, shaped like poplar leaves. Another way to describe them is as shallow-based hearts. Leaf margins have sparse, tiny teeth. Tendrils, if present, rise opposite the foliage on the stems. Emerging...

(Ivy of Paraguay)

At first glance, you may mistake the ivy of Paraguay as a miniaturized Virginia creeper. The small, leathery, green leaves on this tropical evergreen vine -- native from southern Brazil westward to northern Chile -- comprise three or five leaflets.

The medium green leaves on this fast-growing and slender vine are accompanied by tendrils. In summertime, tiny green flowers occur in clusters opposite the leaves. Glossy oval berries ensue. The leaves and fruits contrast the reddish stems nicely.

Grow...

(Marine Ivy, Mexican Grape Ivy, Mexican Sorrelvine)

Known as marine ivy or Mexican sorrelvine, this mostly herbaceous vine that grows from a woody stem base hails from arid northern Mexico. Naturally inhabiting salt marshes, chaparral and open woodlands, both its leaves and fruits provide ornamentation to the dry garden.

Simple or forked tendrils help the stems clasp onto trees or climb over shrubs. Evergreen only when frosts don't occur, marine ivy's leaves are smooth and dark green and dry green and papery thin. Typically each leathery and fleshy...

(Common Gum Rockrose)

A relatively large rockrose that is also notable for its aromatic foliage and large flowers, this native of Southwest Europe and Northwest Africa bears its palm-sized white blooms in late spring and early summer. It may produce a few blossoms at other seasons. Each of the five crinkled petals has a maroon blotch at its base. A ruff of yellow stamens adorns the flower's center. The lance-shaped, fragrant, sticky leaves are dark green above and gray beneath. They are borne on erect stems that eventually...

(Common Gum Rockrose, Frank Birch Rockrose)

A relatively large rockrose that is also notable for its aromatic foliage and palm-sized white flowers, Cistus ladanifer is native to Southwest Europe and Northwest Africa. The flowers of the cultivar 'Frank Birch' lack the purple basal blotches typical of the species. The crinkled, five-petaled blooms appear in late spring and early summer, and sporadically at other seasons. A ruff of yellow stamens adorns each flower's center. The lance-shaped, fragrant, sticky leaves are dark green above...

(Sageleaf Rockrose, White Rockrose)

This rockrose isn’t a true rose but a drought- adapted, large-flowered shrub from the Old World. It is found along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea and further inland where winters are mild and rainy followed by a long, dry summer. The leaves are small, rough and gray-green, typical of many plants adapted to drought. They are are rich in potent oils once extracted as a substitute for the ancient perfumer’s ambergris.

These evergreen shrubs do their growing during the moist winter months. In...

(Hybrid Rockrose)

This snow-white flowered rockrose is a small enough shrub to fit into almost dry garden where its spring blossoms will literally glow under the moonlight. This hybrid is the result of crossing Cistus parviflorus with the smaller Cistus salvifolius to yield a modest-sized plant. Both parent species are native to southern Europe and adapted to the Mediterranean climate there. The mild wet winters combine with very long, dry summers to produce some of our most attractive drought-resistant...

(Rockrose)

A dense low evergreen shrub with handsome foliage and vivid flowers, this hybrid of two western Mediterranean rockroses is an excellent choice for dryland gardens. Masses of luminous magenta-red blooms cover the plant in late spring and early summer. The unblotched, five-petaled blooms have a tuft of orange stamens at their center. Narrowly oval sage-green leaves are paired along the spreading branches.

This sun-loving shrub likes well drained soil and needs relatively dry summers. It resents...

(Purple Rockrose)

The under-used and appreciated purple rockrose is a compact, shrubby perennial with narrow, soft green leaves. In spring and early summer, single papery lavender-pink flowers appear. These are rose-like and graced with large maroon blotches at the base of each petal.

Drought and heat-tolerant, this showy hybrid does best in full sun and average soil with good drainage. Prune plants in spring to remove damaged branches and control their growth and shape. Purple rockrose is perfect for dry rock...

(Watermelon, Wild Watermelon)

Nothing celebrates summertime like a sweet slice of watermelon! A native of the southern regions of Africa, the watermelon is a tender annual vine that needs a long warm growing season to produce its famous fruits. The vines become quite large and cling using tendrils but are best left grounded. The sheer weight and size of melons precludes fence or trellis training.

Warm weather is necessary for flower and fruit development. This popular fruit produces separate male and female flowers on the...