(Indian Mallow, Thompson's Flowering Maple)

This is one of the most popular flowering maples in cultivation. It is best known for its green maple-like leaves that are speckled with yellow. This ever-blooming, evergreen shrub is commonly grown as a bedding plant in temperate zones and also boasts lovely hibiscus-like flowers of salmon orange. ‘Thompsonii’ attains a more upright form than the parent species, which hails from Brazil.

This easy to cultivate plant grows best in sites with partial sun and rich, well-drained soil with even moisture....

(Butter and Cheese, Sweet Forest Abutilon)

Abutilon, commonly called flowering maple, embodies approximately 150 species and many more cultivated varieties. These may be annuals, perennials or shrubs and naturally exist in sub-tropical to tropical regions globally. Many perennial species and shrubs are grown as a tender perennial for containers and annual flower beds. Common hybrid forms arise from crosses between the two parent species, Abutilon darwinii and Abutilon pictum.

While growing conditions are favorable abutilons...

(Butter-print, Indian Mallow, Indian-hemp)

Abutilon, commonly called flowering maple, embodies approximately 150 species and many more cultivated varieties. These may be annuals, perennials or shrubs and naturally exist in sub-tropical to tropical regions globally. Many perennial species and shrubs are grown as a tender perennial for containers and annual flower beds. Common hybrid forms arise from crosses between the two parent species, Abutilon darwinii and Abutilon pictum.

While growing conditions are favorable abutilons...

(Mulga)

The mulga tree is tough yet delicate in appearance, especially when in bloom. It is ideally planted as a small pretty accent tree for residents in desert environments and originates from inland Australia. In its native habitat trees can live for centuries if not damaged by fire. This is unusual among the acacias, which tend to be short-lived.

The trees are evergreen, thornless and have variable and irregular crowns. The leaves are made up of long, linear, needle-like leaf stems that are blue-green....

(Leatherleaf Acacia)

This unusual acacia is a small tree or large shrub with unique foliage and flowers. It is adapted to dry heat, so it’s perfect for dry southwestern gardens. Leatherleaf acacia is native to the interior of Australia where the seasons are long and dry. It is an upright grower with evergreen spatula-shaped leathery blue green leaves that are much larger than those of other acacias.

This tree blooms from winter into spring with unique flowers held at the ends of the outer twigs. Single stems are...

(Bank Catclaw, Trailing Acacia)

This groundcover acacia has proven its value time and again as a first class slope coverage for hot dry banks. In the western United States it is commonly planted in tough locations adjacent to commercial sites and freeways.

Trailing acacia is a native of eastern Australia and is the most widely used prostrate species around the world. Plants bloom in spring with pea-sized yellow puff balls that are concentrated at the base of the leaves along the stems. Its leaves are blue-green, long and densely...

(Trailing Acacia)

Truly uniform growth make this low-growing, uniform clone far more reliable than standard Acacia redolens. In the western United States it is commonly planted in tough locations adjacent to commercial sites and freeways.

Trailing acacia is a native of eastern Australia and is the most widely used prostrate species around the world. Plants bloom in spring with pea-sized yellow puff balls that are concentrated at the base of the leaves along the stems. Its leaves are blue-green, long and...

(Cooba, Willow Acacia)

This acacia has a weeping habit and willow-like foliage, hence the common name. Like many acacias, it is adapted to hot, arid conditions and is very tough. It’s found across much of Eastern Australia in sunny thickets and open areas. In time it becomes a upright tree with a large dense canopy. It has a tendency to sucker, like willows do, which can be problematic in the landscape.

The leaves of willow acacia are long, thin and dark green. It bears clusters of pea-sized flowers that are fragrant,...

(Dalby Myall, Shoestring Acacia)

Shoestring acacia has proven its amenability to the harsh low desert where it grows as a graceful, wispy accent or shade tree. It is native across most of Australia, which explains its adaptability to a wide range of soil types and harsh climates.

Its very narrow, waxy green leaves are long and dangle, giving this tough, drought-tolerant tree an unusually delicate and graceful appearance. Its spring blooms are small, pea-sized and shaped, cream-colored and borne in drooping clusters. These are...

(Bear's Breeches, Summer Beauty Bear's Breeches)

The tall and stately Acanthus ‘Summer Beauty’ is a hybrid bear’s breeches that is tolerant of summer heat, if given regular moisture. Huge, glossy, semi-evergreen, lobed leaves with spines on the margins form a large, mounded rosette. Its tall flower stalks appear in late spring through midsummer with an abundance of widely-spaced, snapdragon-like blooms that are white with purple calyces (outer flower cover). The blooms are highly attractive to bees.

Acanthus prefers full to partial...