(Mayten)

The mayten tree is an exquisite small evergreen accent tree with a habit quite similar to that of a weeping willow. It is a small, slow-growing tree, well-suited for small spaces. This is a native of regions in Chile where conditions are warm and dry, so it is grown warmer regions where its natural drought resistance is appreciated. The tree bears beautiful,dark bark and a straight trunk that supports a strong network of branches. The twigs are long and pendulous, lined with abundant small dark-green...

(Alfalfa)

An important forage plant and a common introduced weed throughout most of the world's temperate zones, this lax-stemmed perennial originated in western Asia and the Caucasus. It is sometimes grown as an annual crop.

Hairy, blue-green, compound leaves with three leaflets alternate along alfalfa's upright to sprawling, calf- to waist-high stems. The leaflets have toothed tips. Small, rounded to cylindrical clusters of blue to violet pea-flowers are produced from late spring to summer. Butterflies...

(Cajeput Tree, Paperbark Tree, Punk Tree)

Perhaps the most famous tropical paperbark tree, punk tree's whitish tan bark peels and flakes in large sheets. A broadleaf evergreen tree from the eastern coast of Australia and eastern New Guinea, it typically attains an upright, open-branching form although specimens can become beautifully billowing and rounded.

The flat, oval, leathery leaves are deep green and may blush purple in the frosts of winter. Newly emerging leaves are shiny and pale green with soft hairs. In late summer but primarily...

(Butter Daisy, Melampodium)

A tried and true annual for hot weather, butter daisy will produce a colorful show of small golden daisies through the worst heat of summer into fall. This bushy annual originates from Central America where it has become adapted to hot, humid summer conditions. Established plants will also withstand periods of drought. Little to no deadheading is required to keep plants looking good.

The dense, well-branched stems of butter daisy are lined with opposite green leaves that are slightly fuzzy and...

(Butter Daisy, Million Gold Melampodium)

The compact and carefree 'Million Gold' has bright green foliage and produces a wealth of golden flowers that stand up to rain, high heat and even light frost. A tried and true annual for hot weather, butter daisy will produce a colorful show of small golden daisies through the worst heat of summer into fall. This bushy annual originates from Central America where it has become adapted to hot, humid summer conditions. Established plants will also withstand periods of drought. Little to no deadheading...

(Butter Daisy)

The compact 'Showstar' has lush green foliage and produces lots of larger-than-normal golden flowers that stand up to rain, high heat and even light frost. A tried and true annual for hot weather, butter daisy will produce a colorful show of small golden daisies through the worst heat of summer into fall. This bushy annual originates from Central America where it has become adapted to hot, humid summer conditions. Established plants will also withstand periods of drought. Little to no deadheading...

(Plains Blackfoot)

A beautifully low spreading perennial that heavily produces white daisy flowers, the plains blackfoot blossoms are also fragrant. Native to the rocky, drier soils of the American Southwest and northern Mexico, it can be relatively short-lived if fertile soil and water are too abundant. Typically evergreen, with narrow leaves that are gray-green, the plant is a clumping but sprawling perennial. Atop the the stems will be small white petaled flowers surrounding a yellow disc center. In mild winter...

(Chinaberry Tree)

Thousands of tiny, lilac-pink, star-shaped flowers followed by golden yellow fruits make Chinaberry tree a showy ornamental. However, it has proven to be invasive and should be planted only after consulting local experts. A rounded, deciduous tree with grayish brown bark, it is native to China and northern India.

The foliage is beautiful. Leaves are doubly pinnate: a large petiole (leaf stem) branches into secondary stems that bear the many, glossy dark-green leaflets. In mid-spring the tips of...

(Ruby Grass, Zizka)

Ruby grass is loved for the rosy-beige seedheads that elegantly dance above the thin, weeping blue-green leaves. It is a tufted, tender perennial grass native to Madagascar and the grasslands of sub-Saharan Africa. In summer it produces shiny, mauve-purple inflorescences (clusters of flowers along the stem tip) that slowly fade to pink and then finally to white as they mature. Foliage is blade-like, bluish gray-green and gracefully curled. Small songbirds will eat the seeds.

Ruby grass is best...

(Pink Crystals Ruby Grass, Ruby Grass, Zizka)

The rose-hued grassy plumes of ‘Pink Crystals’ make this tough ruby grass extra pretty in summer. Ruby grass is a cold-tender evergreen perennial is native to Madagascar and the grasslands of sub-Saharan Africa. It is quite tolerant of heat and drought and well-suited to western and southwestern landscapes.

In summer ‘Pink Crystals’ produces shiny, deep dusty rose plumes that slowly fade to pink and then finally to white as they age. The attractive seedheads gently weep above neat tufted...