(Turk's-cap)

This huge, fast-growing red-flowered shrub offers a unique form of hibiscus blossom that never completely opens, hanging instead like a tiny lantern. For that reason it is commonly known as sleeping hibiscus. This is a native from Mexico south into Brazil and Peru, but has also naturalized in parts of Texas and Florida. It is capable of withstanding periodic drought but thrives on regular water too. This shrub produces masses of unbranched stems bearing soft, velvety yellow green leaves all the...

(Drummond's Wax Mallow, Texas Mallow, Turk's-cap)

This huge, fast-growing, red flowered shrub offers a unique form of hibiscus blossom that never opens completely. Its curling, clasped petals give it one of its common names, Turk’s-cap. For the same reason, another common name for it is sleepy hibiscus. This is a native from subtropical Mexico south into Brazil and Peru, but has also naturalized in parts of Texas and Florida. It is an evergreen in frost-free regions, deciduous in cool climates. This shrub makes a forest of upright, unbranched stems...

(Showy Medinilla)

Resembling grape clusters or an elegant pink chandelier, the pendent flowers of the showy medinilla contrast dramatically with the large, coarse, green leaves of this tropical shrub. Considered an evergreen epiphyte (having no roots in the ground and growing on another plant or support), it is native to the Philippines in the western Pacific. Its large, leathery, oval leaves are glossy dark green with light green veins. New leaves emerge a dull, gray-purple, unfurl, and turn green. The stems are...

(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...

(Banana Shrub)

Banana shrub is a broadleaf evergreen with lovely, fragrant springtime flowers. The foliage itself is reason enough to grow this shrub. The new leaves of this China native are soft, fuzzy and brown, then mature to an attractive green. From mid-spring until early summer, cup-shaped, tan flowers with maroon edges bloom, releasing a banana-like scent. The fragrance is most intense on warm, windless days. Flowering can recur sporadically in summer.

Plant banana shrub in a rich, acidic soil that is...

(Banana Shrub)

This showy shrub, with its lovely fragrant springtime flowers, is a great broadleaf evergreen for part-shade exposures. And, unlike other banana shrubs ‘Port Wine’ has burgundy-hued flowers.

The foliage itself is reason enough to grow banana shrub. The new leaves of this Chinese native emerge soft, fuzzy and brown and mature to a rich green. From mid-spring until early summer, cup-shaped, burgundy-colored flowers open, releasing a banana-like scent. The fragrance is most intense on warm, windless...

(Banana Shrub)

Skinner's banana shrub, with alluringly scented springtime flowers, is a worthwhile broadleaf evergreen shrub, arguably superior to the common banana shrub (M. figo). The foliage itself is reason enough to grow this shrub, as the new leaves on this Chinese native plant are soft, fuzzy and brown and mature to an attractive green. In mid-spring, cup-shaped creamy-yellow colored flowers with maroon edges open, releasing a banana-like scent. Flowering continues well into summer, and a few blossoms...

(Sprawling Wirevine)

This prostrate, sprawling deciduous shrub is native to rocky areas of southeastern Australia and New Zealand. The brown stems normally root at nodes as they come in contact with the soil.

The tiny, rounded leaves are dark green with a lighter green or yellow-green edge. The leaves also are glossy and have a notch or simple wave. In late summer to fall, tiny, fragrant, white to yellow-green flowers appear from the bases of the leaves. The fruits that follow are translucent white with the dark seed...

(Orange Jasmine)

A mass of dark-green foliage year around, orange jasmine is most noticed when the fragrant, citrusy white flowers dot the shrub most heavily during the warm months. A large evergreen shrub from southern Asia that has become naturalized throughout southeastern Asia and Australia, it is commonly used as a hedge because of its upright yet rounded habit.

The leaves are compound--made up of five to seven small, oval leaflets that are glossy dark green. At branch tips anytime of year, when warm enough,...