A woody plant native to East Asia, the japanese maple features hand-shaped leaves with five-pointed lobes that resemble the palm of a hand. It has been cultivated for millennia in Japan for bonsai creation. Extracts from the branches and leaves of this plant are used as medicine in Chinese traditional medicine.

Hibiscus syriacus is a deciduous shrub with trumpet-shaped pink, lavender, or white flowers. Although it was first collected by Western botanists from Syrian gardens, “rose of sharon” is native to south-central and southeastern China. Because of its hardiness and prolific blooming, it is cultivated all around the world. It is the national flower of South Korea, mentioned in its national anthem.

Ring-cupped oak (Quercus glauca) is an evergreen tree that can grow from 14 to 18 m tall. New foliage is a distinctive purple that turns green as the leaves mature. Blooms in spring with brownish catkin flowers. Produces acorns in summer and fall, providing food for small animals. Thrives in full sun to partial shade.

The japanese cherry tradition, called Hanami, where people have picnics and outdoor parties under these trees, is a popular attraction. The excellent spring colors of the Prunus serrulata tree attract butterflies like the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. Its showy pink and white flowers are in full bloom in early to mid-spring, and some are fragrant.

Camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora) is an evergreen tree that primarily comes from China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. Commercially, camphor tree is used in the production of camphor and timber. Camphor, a waxy substance, is used to make gunpowder, incense, and insect repellent.

Indian Laurel (Ficus microcarpa) is a fig tree originating in China. The indian Laurel attracts the fig wasp pollinator. In some east Asian cultures, it is believed the indian Laurel is a meeting place for spirits.

East Asian mallotus (Mallotus japonicus) is a deciduous shrub that will grow from 3.5 to 4.5 m tall. Blooms from spring to summer with creamy yellowish-white flowers. It thrives in full sun to partial shade. Seeded fruit ripens in summer. Also known as the food wrapper plant the large leaves were once used to wrap food.

Colloquially known as the money tree, this is a tropical species that's commonly cultivated in moist, warm climates. The name comes from an old tall tale, but it has led to the money tree being considered a talisman of good fortune. Bonsai versions are often trained during growth to develop braided trunks, which gives them a striking decorative appearance. Modern research suggests the nuts are potentially carcinogenic and should not be consumed.

Griffith's ash (Fraxinus griffithii) is a plant species that flowers from May to June. Griffith's ash is native to the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar, China, Bangladesh and India. This species is cultivated as an ornamental plant in Australia.

Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) is a small North American tree renowned for its wide canopy and plentiful spring blooms. Individual white or pink “flower” is actually a flower head that contains four oval bracts and a cluster of tiny yellow true flowers. Because of its decorative canopy, prolific spring blooming, and attractive red autumn leaves and berries, it is the most popular native tree in US gardens.

Kurogane holly (Ilex rotunda) is one of the most attractive hollies and is an evergreen that will grow to 15 m tall. Native to Japan it has been growing in the United States for some 200 years. It blooms in spring with bright red berries ripening in fall to winter offering a stunning display for winter.

Chinese tallow is a weedy tree native to China and Japan. It has been introduced to areas such as Puerto Rico, Sudan, and the southeast United States. It is considered highly invasive in India, Taiwan, Australia, and the United States. It displaces native plants by absorbing their nutrients and forming a monoculture. Control of this weed's prolific spread causes significant economic strains in eastern Texas, Louisiana, Florida, and Mississippi. Chinese tallow is poisonous to humans and cattle and may cause contact dermatitis. Nevertheless, it has been used for ornamental and cosmetic purposes. The weed can be controlled via mechanical removal and powerful herbicides.

Chinese tallow is a fast-growing shade tree native to China. It can tolerate urban areas well and helps to provide shade in mostly concrete areas and home to small animals that may live in cities. The nectar of chinese tallow is used by beekeepers to produce high quality honey. And although the oils derived from the tree can be toxic, they do have commercial purposes.

This deciduous tree, the chinese hackberry or Celtis sinensis, is a deciduous tree and a member of the hemp family. It can grow to about 18 m tall. It can be considered invasive.

The glossy privet can be grown as a shrub or tree. This hardy, drought-tolerant plant has attractive glossy leaves and appealing white flowers. The flowers of glossy privet have a strong odor, so before planting make sure you find the scent acceptable. The berries that they produce are toxic if consumed.

A unique feature of the confederate rose (Hibiscus mutabilis) is its color-changing flowers. This shrubby rose bush blooms starting as white in the morning, turn pink at midday, and end red by the end of the day. This is a common plant species and although it is native to Southeast China, it can now be found on every continent except Antarctica.

East asian eurya (Eurya japonica) is an evergreen shrub that will grow from 1.5 to 1.8 m tall and spread 1.2 to 1.5 m wide. It blooms from winter to spring with tiny creamy-white bell-shaped flowers. Dark blue berries ripen in fall on female plants if a male plant is close by.

The chinaberry tree is considered an invasive species in many areas because of its tendency to grow into impassable thickets and crowd out other plants. The entire chinaberry tree is poisonous to humans and many other animals, although cows and some birds have no problems eating the fruit.

Corn plant (Dracaena fragrans) is an evergreen, slow-growing perennial shrub native to tropical Africa. Also, it is a classic houseplant, grown in Europe since the 1800s. Its glossy green foliage that resembles corn leaves grow on top of a thick cane, which is why the plant is sometimes called “false palm tree.”

Sweet osmanthus (Osmanthus fragrans) is a large evergreen flowering shrub. Sweet osmanthus's small white and orange flowers smell like apricots. This species is also referred to as by the Fragrant Tea Olive.

Nerium oleander, colloquially known as oleander, is a shrub or a small tree, known for its majestic pink five-lobed flowers and deep green lanceolate leaves. Oleander is one of the most poisonous popular decorative garden plants, so it is advised to keep small children and pets away from it.