(Barnsley Mallow, Mallow)

This romantic shrubby perennial of English cottage gardens is a busy version of the American hollyhock. It was raised by famed garden maker, Rosemary Verey, who introduced it in 1986, named for her Barnsley Gardens in England. 'Barnsley' descends from crosses of little known Lavatera olbiaLavatera thuringiaca. It is a large herbaceous perennial bearing many branches in a starburst pattern to create a rounded form overall. Stems and heart shaped leaves...

(Marsh Labrador Tea, Muskeg Tea, Wild Rosemary)

Circumboreal in origin, wild rosemary is a plant of the Northern latitudes, bringing white blossoms to rocky terrain normally cloaked in lichen and moss. More prostrate in habit with some upright but spreading stems, this small mounding shrub is native to lands around the North Pole, including northern Europe and Siberia, and Greenland, Canada and Alaska in North America. Plants are usually buried under snow in winter and grow and bloom in the short summer when snow has fully melted away.

The...

(Lion's Ear)

Lion's ear is an unique tender perennial with numerous fuzzy orange flowers in tufts along a tall flower spike. This is a South African native. The dark green leaves are scalloped and fragrant if crushed.

Lion's ear needs a full sun exposure with a well draining fertile soil. Allow the ground to dry before the next watering. When the flowering ceases, cut the long spikes down and allow the plant to regrow. This plant thrives in subtropical Mediterranean-type climates. In fact, it is nearly a...

(Broom Tea Tree, New Zealand Tea Tree, Tea Tree)

Few drought resistant shrubs can rival the color of a tea tree in full bloom. This large evergreen shrub or small tree has small, prickly, needle-like leaves and many thumbnail-sized blossoms. It is a native of New Zealand where it grows in a wide range of areas from peaty bogs to coastal and montane regions. So, it is surprisingly adaptable, especially to arid sites and soils.

Wild specimens are tree-like, highly variable and not suitable for coiffed formal gardens, but they develop a natural...

(Tea Tree)

Few drought resistant shrubs can rival the color of 'Burgundy Queen.' Everything about it is majestic and burgundy. Its profuse, fully double flowers are intense dark burgundy, and the fine foliage of this large shrub is also burgundy flushed. It originates from New Zealand where it grows in a wide range of areas from peaty bogs to coastal and montane regions. So, it is surprisingly adaptable, especially to arid sites and soils.

Tea tree is a large shrub to small tree that develops an untamed...

(Tea Tree)

The relatively compact ‘Crimson Glory’ offers lots of double rose-red flowers against deep green needle-like foliage. It originates from New Zealand where it grows in a wide range of areas from peaty bogs to coastal and montane regions. So, it is surprisingly adaptable, especially to arid sites and soils.

This rugged shrub develops a natural grace when allowed to maintain its naturally rounded, somewhat irregular form. Bloom time is variable. South of the equator it blooms from spring through...

(New Zealand Tea Tree, Tea Tree)

The large, vigrorous tea tree 'Helene Strybing' offers lots of pastel pink flowers against deep green needle-like foliage. It originates from New Zealand where it grows in a wide range of areas from peaty bogs to coastal and montane regions. So, it is surprisingly adaptable, especially to arid sites and soils.

This rugged small tree develops an untamed grace when allowed to maintain its naturally irregular form. Bloom time is variable. South of the equator it blooms from spring through to summer,...

(Tea Tree)

Luscious double pink blossoms make this tea tree stand out as a favorite for arid gardens. The blooms shine against the fine needle-like foliage of this tough plant. It originates from New Zealand where it grows in a wide range of areas from peaty bogs to coastal and montane regions. So, it is surprisingly adaptable, especially to arid sites and soils.

This rugged small tree develops an untamed grace when allowed to maintain its naturally irregular form. Bloom time is variable. South of the equator...

(Tea Tree)

The vivid double blooms of 'Martini' tea tree are delicious magenta pink. Their brazen color pops against the dark green needle-like foliage of the tough, compact shrub. It originates from New Zealand where it grows in a wide range of areas from peaty bogs to coastal and montane regions. So, it is surprisingly adaptable, especially to arid sites and soils.

This rugged shrub develops an untamed grace when allowed to maintain its naturally irregular form. Bloom time is variable. South of the equator...

(Tea Tree)

The bright red flowers of ‘Red Ensign’ glow against the fine, needle-like burgundy foliage of this exceptional landscape shrub. It originates from New Zealand where it grows in a wide range of areas from peaty bogs to coastal and montane regions. So, it is surprisingly adaptable, especially to arid sites and soils.

This rugged shrub develops an untamed grace when allowed to maintain its naturally irregular form. Bloom time is variable. South of the equator it blooms from spring through to...