False christmas cactus gets its name from its flowering season; producing red purple pink or white flowers from fall to winter. Native to a small coastal strip on the east of Brazil this cactus prefers the shade and humidity of jungle conditions. In the wild hummingbirds pollinate the flowers.

Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) is a woody perennial shrub that will grow to 4 m tall. Flowers attract butterflies and bees. Edible seeds, seedpods, stems and shoots. A nitrogen-fixer, it improves the quality of the soil where it is planted. Grows in full sun with moist, well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant and will grow in a variety of soil conditions.

Cardboard palm (Zamia furfuracea) is a tropical shrub that is not a true palm, but a cycad. Cardboard palm is an ancient plant that lived during the age of the dinosaur. It is often planted as a houseplant and needs moderate to bright light. The entire plant is poisonous, but the seeds are deadly and should be kept away from pets.

Wandering Jew has been introduced to North America where it is considered a noxious weed. It can be highly invasive - spreading across crops and pastures, outcompeting more desirable plants.

This tropical, evergreen shrub grows erect and blooms with bold dark blue or purple flowers through both summer and autumn, making it a lovely choice for hedges, borders, and walls. Though bush clockvine most commonly grows as a bush, it can be 'trained' to grow like a vine (as implied by the name).

Chinese mustard (*Brassica juncea*) is an annual herb that will grow from 30 to 46 cm tall. It can be invasive in some areas, but it's favored for its edible qualities in other locations. The leaves and flowers are edible and have a hot mustard taste. Young leaves are flavorful in salads, while older leaves are best as cooked greens. Seeds are harvested from summer to fall and provide a spicy mustard flavor to dishes.

Distinct for its gracefully weeping branches, sophora japonica 'Pendula' creates a unique landscape silhouette. Its cascading form is adorned with bright green, pinnate leaves, transitioning to a yellow hue in fall. Flourishing in full sun, sophora japonica 'Pendula' tolerates a range of soils, making it resilient in urban settings. Delicate clusters of creamy flowers emerge in late summer, inviting a myriad of pollinators.

Guava (*Psidium guajava*) is a fruit-producing evergreen shrub that grows natively in the Caribbean region and South America. Guava attracts the honey bee and other insects, and guava fruit is edible. Additionally, guava wood is used for smoking meat.

There are two thoughts on the origin of the sweet william name. The first is that it was named after the Duke of Cumberland, William Augustus. The second is that the name came from the writings of Thomas Tusser, an English poet. In either case, this old-fashioned garden plant (Dianthus barbatus) is a lovely addition to any space.

Lamb's-ear (Stachys byzantina) is an evergreen perennial with showy velvety leaves that look like the ear of a lamb. Pinkish purple flower spikes bloom from spring to summer. Flowers are fuzzy and make a nice focal point but can be trimmed off to promote better foliage growth. It is drought tolerant and requires well-drained soil. Thrives in full sun to partial shade and will grow from 30 to 46 cm tall when in bloom.

Sisal (Agave sisalana) is a succulent plant whose yellow flowers bloom along a stalk rising up to 9 m tall and have an unpleasant scent. The flowers, stalk, basal rosette and sap of this plant are edible. Plant in full sun outdoors or place in a bright, sunny location indoors.

The peace lily gets its scientific name Spathiphyllum wallisii from a combination of the two Greek words ‘spath’ and ‘phyl’, which means spoon and leaves, respectively. The large graceful white spathe of the peace lily resembles a white flag, which is an international symbol of truce or peace.

The bradford pear is native to China but is considered invasive in the U.S. and Australia. Although it does not self-pollinate, it can become invasive by hybridizing with other plants to create fertile fruits that may seed in natural areas. The bradford pear creates large populations of fruits that are spread by birds and animals, readily rooting in disturbed areas. It also forms thick colonies that may compete with other native species for natural resources. Alternative plants include the Trident Maple and the Serviceberry. The bradford pear can be controlled by manually pulling young plants, and a range of herbicides such as oil-based herbicides, foliar herbicides, and both basal bark and stump treatments. It is important to remove seed sources as the weed can reinvade areas where it has been previously removed.

Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana) is a perennial shrub species native to South America. This species has been cultivated by humans for a very long time, and can be traced to the Incan civilization. Cape gooseberry grows optimally in fertile, slightly acidic soil in full sun.

Commonly grown as an ornamental plant in gardens, the wax mallow is native to Central America. It’s cultivated in sunny or shady areas to attract hummingbirds and butterflies. The showy and bright red flowers remain close and resemble a Turkish Turban, hence its other name, Turk’s Cap. The individual blooms generally last for about two days but contain enough nectar to attract birds.

Rosemary is a herb with pale flowers and evergreen leaves. It gives off a distinctive scent and is used in cooking as well as in the making of scented perfumes, soaps, and candles. Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean region where evidence of its use by humans dates back at least 7000 years.

Royal poinciana (Delonix regia) is also known as the “peacock tree” or the “flamboyant tree.” It’s a Madagascar native and is known for its brilliant crimson or red-yellow flowers. It grows exceedingly fast, reaching its maximum height of around 12 m in a short amount of time.

Golden dewdrops (Duranta erecta) is an ornamental sprawling shrub commonly found in subtropical and tropical gardens all over the world. Its gentle purple blossoms are often visited by butterflies and hummingbirds. Golden dewdrops is considered a weed in Australia, South Africa and certain parts of East Asia.

Common myrtle (Myrtus communis) is an evergreen flowering shrub native to Europe, Africa, and Asia. Because of its attractive appearance, speedy growth, and easy care-taking requirements, common myrtle is often cultivated in gardens. The leaves and flowers can be used to flavor food and the wood is a good option for meat smokers. The plant is also an important part of Jewish festival traditions.

Firecracker flower (Crossandra infundibuliformis) is a flowering evergreen shrub native to India and Sri Lanka. Firecracker flower is a common houseplant often grown in containers or planters. It grows well in temperate climates and its flower have no scent.