The vibrant colors and graceful shape of hardy fuchsia makes it a perfect choice to grace your garden. The hardy fuchsia is less sensitive to cold than other types of fuchsias, which means that this plant can go from containers or window boxes to permanent plantings along borders or as shrubs.

Slender goldshower (Galphimia gracilis) is a flowering plant native to Mexico. Slender goldshower has many common names and is also known as the shower-of-gold and the gold shower. Slender goldshower can be differentiated from other common species Galphimia glauca and Galphimia brasiliensis by their flowers.

The song of india has distinctive leaves that stay green year-round. The plant's unique appearance and low-maintenance nature make it popular as a houseplant. The song of india is native to Indian Ocean islands including Madagascar, though not, oddly, to India itself.

Mexican tea (Dysphania ambrosioides) is native to tropical parts of the Americas. Both the leaves and stems have tiny glands that give off a bad-smelling odor. It’s a weed that grows along the sides of roads and stream beds.

River red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) is a flowering tree that is iconic and widespread in Australia. River red gum is native and endemic to Australia. This species provides shade from the intense heat in Australia, and is planted alongside bodies of water throughout the continent. River red gum is named for its red-colored wood, which is rot-resistant and popularly used as firewood.

Persea americana, widely known as the avocado plant, is an evergreen tree (semi-deciduous in cooler climates) that is native to Central America. It is cultivated all over the world for its nutritious fruits. Avocado has become an important plant in many cuisines due to its high nutrient and fat content, creamy texture, and distinct taste.

Coppery mesemb (Malephora crocea) is a flowering perennial herb native to Africa. The coppery mesemb is an ice plant that has been introduced in California in the United States and is considered a noxious weed there. In Arizona, the coppery mesemb is planted in landscaping due to its low maintenance needs and drought tolerance. In California, it is used as ground cover in areas that often see wildfires because coppery mesemb has very low flammability.

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.

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.

Lobularia maritima, commonly known as sweet alyssum, is an annual flowering plant that grows very low and has a tendency to spread its branches over the soil, creating a mat. That is why this lovely ornamental is an excellent choice for a groundcover or a bedding plant.

Bleeding-heart vine (Clerodendrum thomsoniae) is a bushy, evergreen vine with shiny green leaves and tropical-looking flowers. It grows well on a trellis and can grow to 4.5 m long. Clusters of rich red and white blossoms bloom year-round but most prominently in summer. It prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade.

The mother of thousands is a succulent plant native to Madagascar. Its unusually-shaped leaves have granted it other monikers like "alligator plant" and "devil's backbone." It reproduces via the "plantlets" that grow along the periphery of its leaves. Though enjoyed for its decorative value, mother of thousands can be invasive in arid environments.

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.

Tropical almond is grown commonly as an ornamental tree. It is prized for its ability to provide shade with its large leaves. These leaves are commonly used in aquariums by fish breeders for their ability to lower the pH and heavy metal content of the water. Although the fruit of the tropical almond is edible, the taste is slightly acidic.

Red orchid cactus (Disocactus ackermannii) is a cactus species native to Mexican tropical forests. Red orchid cactus is sometimes confused with Disocactus × hybridus, which is a similarly cultivated hybrid of two different Disocactus species. This species is often planted as a houseplant. Red orchid cactus grows best in indirect sunlight in well-drained soil. Its roots should be kept moist and not be allowed to dry out.

Arrowhead plant (Syngonium podophyllum) is a beautiful foliage plant, one of the most popular species of the Araceae family. Due to its air purifying qualities and good looks, arrowhead plant is often cultivated as a houseplant. Every part of this plant is toxic, so it's best to keep it away from kids and pets.

Aztec lily (Sprekelia formos) was named after the German gardener Johann Heinrich von Spreckelse. This herbaceous plant has blooms of crimson red, and its specific epithet, formosissima, means "beautiful." The flowers show themselves in the early summer, but they are short-lived. It takes up to seven years before this plant can start flowering.

Boston ivy is not ivy at all but is a member of the Vitaceae family. This means that it is less damaging than traditional ivy; its tendrils do not exploit weaknesses in masonry but attach to structures via sticky pads. The leaves of boston ivy are glossy and green in summer and mature to beautiful scarlet or crimson in the fall.

Common comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is a perennial flowering plant native to Europe. It is most commonly found in Ireland and Britain and can grow in a variety of environments, from moist soil to areas affected by drought. Interestingly, it can grow even after being removed if even a small piece of root is left in the soil. The common comfrey is toxic if ingested.

While the tree of heaven has a lovely name, it has a bad reputation in many areas of the US. Several states consider it an invasive species because of its aggressive growth, rapid reproduction, and ability to thrive in poor conditions. The root system of this tree routinely damages sidewalks, sewer systems and other structures.