(Ruby Grass, Zizka)

Savannah ruby grass is loved for the mauve-pink seed heads that weep above the thin, curling, pale blue-green leaves. It is a tufted, cold-tender perennial grass native to Madagascar and the grasslands of sub-Saharan Africa. In summer it produces shiny, wine-colored inflorescences (clusters of flowers along the stem tip) that fade slowly to pink and then finally to ivory as they mature. The leaves are blade-like, bluish gray-green, and gracefully curled. Small birds will eat the seeds.

'Savannah'...

(Pennyroyal)

This aromatic member of the mint family has long been known as fleabane because the its oils repel these age-old pests. It is a species native to the Old World from Europe to Iran where it grows in a wide range of conditions. It is a low-growing, spreading perennial with soft light-green leaves that are slightly hairy and serrated. When crushed they emit a peppermint-like fragrance. The plant is vigorous and once established may naturalize where conditions are right.

Pennyroyal blooms in summer...

('Ohi'a Lehua, Ohi'a, Vunga)

Behold one of the Hawaiian Islands' most magnificent native plants! Ohi'a is a highly variable broadleaf evergreen. Its habit varies depending on the environment; in arid mountainous habitats it grows as a low, prostrate shrub but in lush volcanic tropical rainforests is becomes a large, upright, rounded tree. The valuable wood of ohi'a was traditionally held sacred by the Hawaiian people and used to carve images of war gods and temple icons. Today, its bright red flowers are made into leis. Ohi'a...

('Ohi'a Lehua, Springfire Ohi'a, Vunga)

A shrubby ohi'a, 'Springfire' bears spectacular clusters of fiery red pompon-like flowers atop attractive, rounded plants. Though considered compact relative to standard ohi'a, it still becomes a sizable, upright shrub when mature.

Behold one of the Hawaiian Islands' most magnificent native plants! Ohi'a is a highly variable broadleaf evergreen. Its habit varies depending on the environment; in arid mountainous habitats it grows as a low, prostrate shrub but in lush volcanic tropical rainforests...

(New Zealand Christmas Tree, Pohutukawa)

With brilliant crimson blossoms in late spring and early summer, the pohutukawa, or New Zealand Christmas tree, is among the world's most beautiful flowering trees. Native to New Zealand, it blooms there in December, which is summertime in the southern hemisphere. This broadleaf evergreen tree develops an upright, rounded canopy. Its root system is extensive and problematic because the surface roots crack and lift sidewalks and patios if growing space is limited.

Young plants resemble shrubs...

(Dwarf Pohutukawa, Kermadec Pohutukawa)

A rare broadleaf evergreen tree from New Zealand, the Kermadec pohutukawa bears pompon-like scarlet flowers that look very much like those of the New Zealand Christmas tee (Metrosideros excelsa). Kermadec pohutukawa is native only to Raoul Island (in the Kermadec Islands group), from the coast to the highest elevations, in both arid and rainforest habitats. Usually it develops into a multi-trunked tree with a spreading, dome-like growth habit. The grayish brown bark is smooth to plated.

The...

(Dwarf Pohutukawa, Kermadec Pohutukawa, Tahiti Kermadec Pohutukawa)

The exceptionally small 'Tahiti' is a very compact form of this typically large tree. It blooms continuously, but most heavily from late winter to spring, producing clusters of pretty, puffy orange-red blooms.

A rare broadleaf evergreen tree from New Zealand, the Kermadec pohutukawa bears pompon-like scarlet flowers that look very much like those of the New Zealand Christmas tee (Metrosideros excelsa). Kermadec pohutukawa is native only to Raoul Island (in the Kermadec Islands group),...

(Dwarf Pohutukawa, Kermadec Pohutukawa, Variegated Kermadec Pohutukawa)

Variegated Kermadec pohutukawa is shrubby form of this typically large tree that offers attractive pale yellow and green variegated foliage year round. It blooms continuously, but most heavily from late winter to spring, producing clusters of pretty, puffy scarlet blooms.

A rare broadleaf evergreen tree from New Zealand, the Kermadec pohutukawa bears pompon-like scarlet flowers that look very much like those of the New Zealand Christmas tee (Metrosideros excelsa). Kermadec pohutukawa...

(Four O'Clocks)

Four o’clocks is a large, bushy, tender herbaceous perennial from tropical America. Fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers appear in abundance all summer in mixed shades of yellow, red, pink, magenta, or white, with several colors often occuring on one plant. Flowers open in late afternoon and last until morning. Small, black, ribbed, egg-shaped seed capsules follow the flowers. Large, paired, oval leaves densely clothe the upright stems, which are swollen at their joints. Where hardy, plants die back...

(Four O'Clocks, Marvel of Peru)

Four o’clocks is a bushy, tender herbaceous perennial native to tropical America. Fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers occur in abundance all summer in striped or marbled shades of yellow, red, pink, magenta, or white, typically opening in late afternoon and lasting until morning. The large oval leaves are pale green.

Four o’clocks do well in reasonably fertile, well-drained soil in full sun, where it often self-sows prolifically. It adds fragrance and color to borders or patio containers.