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.

Mexican marigold (Tagetes minuta) has become naturalized around the world ever since Spanish colonization. It needs full sun to flourish, and planting it around your garden will resist deer, yet attract butterflies and hummingbirds for you. People with sensitive skin should avoid touching it as its irritant sap can cause contact dermatitis.

Common sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) is an erect, perennial, herbaceous legume that blooms in spring and in fall. Clusters of spiked blossoms bloom along a stem. Striped pink flowers attract a variety of bees. Seed pods form and have small spikes that cling to animal fur and help to propagate the plants in new locations.

The chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus) is a flowering shrub that thrives in subtropical regions. While it prefers full sun, it can grow with partial shade and tolerate temperatures as low as -23 ℃. The chaste tree has been cultivated in Europe dating back to Ancient Greece. Modern use focuses on creating essential oils from the leaves and fruits.

Wild rue (Peganum harmala) is a perennial herbaceous shrub native to southeast Europe that can grow to 91 cm tall. It has fragile-looking succulent leaves and stalks. Small white flowers bloom from spring to fall, at varying times depending on location. It is considered a weed in some areas.

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.

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is a perennial flowering plant in the legume family of Fabaceae. The common name alfalfa is mainly used in North America. In the rest of the world, this crop is called "lucerne." This plant looks similar to clover due to its purple flowers.

Large pheasant's eye is a frost-hardy annual that is often grown for ornamental purposes due to its beautiful red flowers. This plant prefers calcareous soils. It derives its Latin name Adonis flammea from the myth about the red blood of the Greek god Adonis and the Latin word flammea, meaning flame-like, in reference to the color of this plant's flowers.

The garden croton is a showy tropical display that does well indoors or in warm climates. Known for its attractive foliage, this plant can have both color and structural variations in its leaves. Leaf colors can include orange, yellow, scarlet, white, and green, and many times all are present on one plant.

Painted-leaf begonia (Begonia rex) is a flowering perennial native to tropical climates in Central America and South America. Painted-leaf begonia is cultivated inside as a houseplant in temperate climates and grown outside in cooler climates.

Dwarf umbrella tree (*Schefflera arboricola*) is an evergreen, multi-stemmed shrub native to China. It is commonly grown as a houseplant or a garden plant in milder climates for its decorative palmate compound leaves. The leaves contain calcium oxalates, which can damage internal organs when ingested. It shouldn't be confused with the Australian umbrella tree, *Schefflera actinophylla*.

Maize (Zea mays) is a well known domesticated cereal grain first domesticated in Mexico. In much of the world it is also called corn. Worldwide cultivation of maize surpasses other prominent grains like wheat and rice. Maize must be planted in the spring due to its intolerance for cold weather.

Hottentot fig (Carpobrotus edulis) is a ground-creeper native to South Africa. Hottentot fig is also sometimes called the highway ice plant, the pigface, and the sour fig. This species is pollinated by honey bees, carpenter bees, and beetles. Antelope and baboons are fond of eating hottentot fig flowers. This species is considered invasive in California and Australia. Hottentot fig has edible leaves and fruit, which can be made into a tart jam.

Cape leadwort is a flowering plant native to South Africa. Its Latin name, Plumbago auriculata, is derived from the word auriculata meaning "with ears," referring to the shape of its leaves. The leaves serve as food for the caterpillar of the Hummingbird hawk-moth. The plant's sticky sepals, on the other hand, can grab animals as small as a housefly.

Grape Leaf Begonia can easily be cultivated and has decorative flowers. These flowers are the main reason why people cultivate this plant. It has succulent stems which enables it to store water for drought. It is distinct for having glossy features and symmetrical leaves.

Evergreen spindle(Euonymus japonicus) is a popular ornamental evergreen shrub with numerous cultivars. Due to its superb adaptability and decorative looks, evergreen spindle can be found in parks and gardens all over the world. Its flowers produce a lot of nectar, which makes this plant very attractive to bees.

Also known as Holy Herb or Herb of the Cross, common vervain is occasionally claimed to have been used on the wounds of Jesus Christ after His death. It can also claim prominent positions in ancient Egyptian and Greek mythology as well. A tall, spindly, perennial herb, common vervain is native to Eurasia but has been introduced to the Americas.

The garden phlox is a flowering plant that is native to the United States. The name, phlox, comes from the Latin for "flame," reflecting its bright colors. Garden phlox flowers can become important food sources for insects and hummingbirds.

Jerusalem thorn is a deciduous shrub native to the Mediterranean region. In the Bible, it is mentioned as the plant from which the crown of thorns was made that was placed on Jesus' head prior to his crucifixion. In the garden, it is often used as a hedge or border plant due to its thorny branches, which can help to deter animals and intruders. It is also a popular choice for xeriscaping, or landscaping in dry regions, as it is drought-tolerant and can thrive in poor soil conditions.

Western flax is a woody-based perennial wildflower naturally occurring in dry, rocky areas and open woodland. This sun-loving, springtime bloomer is often used as a carrier oil for the color pigment in oil paints. Western flax has been cultivated for xeriscaping.