Canary Tree. Sometimes listed as Bakeridesia integerrima, Canary Tree is a showy and handsome small tree growing about 10 ft tall, with evergreen, broadly heart-shaped leaves. They are pubescent with stellate hairs and are rough to the touch on the upper surface. The flowers are 2-3" across and resemble those of a hibiscus. The five petals are bright yellow, each with a reddish blotch at the base. It is an excellent tree for container culture or for a small garden, doing best with full sun and good drainage. It has a long winter span, and blooms are attractive to bees and butterflies.

Also known as A. x hybridum Fireball, and Abutilon Biltmore Ballgown, this is one of the many lovely hybrids between A. darwinii and A. striatum, with maple-like leaves and bell-flowers whose petals are recurved, turning in slightly at the bottom. Flowers are fiery red, as one would imagine, with prominent red veins accenting the surface. Happy plants can reach 8-10 ft tall, though pruning easily adjusts the size. Best with plentiful summer water and fertilizer. Less hardy than many, preferring temperatures that only occasionally drop into the 20s F, USDA zone 9. Placement out of wind with overhead protection and plentiful mulch help in less than balmy climates.

Fast growing but rather compact shrub with velvety leaves and stems. Bright yellow flowers. Ethnomedical plant. Easy to grow and not picky about conditions. Full sun and regular water is all it needs.

Brazilian Bell-flower is a fun and easy-to-grow hummingbird magnet for the perennial border. In the garden or in a hanging container, it spreads to several feet wide in a single season. In the wild, Abutilon megapotamicum reaches 8' tall, but in cultivation arely exceeds 5' tall, and less when grown as a potted plant. During warm months, the plants are laden with cool 2" hanging lantern-like flowers composed of red calyces above the yellow petals, ending with its bright red privates dangling beneath... all carefully arranged between the thumb-sized green leaves.

Abutilon pictum is a fast-growing tropical flowering shrub is prized for its speckled, maple-shaped leaves and showy, coral-orange flowers. A beautiful accent or border shrub in frost-free areas, with an upright form that is easily espaliered against a wall. A showy container accent in bright patio or indoor locations, fun and easy-to-grow hummingbird magnet for the perennial border.
Thompsonii is a showy variety with golden leaf variegation and peach colored flowers with red veins. Great container specimen.

Sweet Mimosa. One of the most useful tropical plants that is very cold tolerant, blooms all winter through spring with honey-fragrant flowers - canary yellow powder puffs, attracting bees and butterflies. This is a large size, multi-stem thorny shrub 15x15 ft that requires some space. It is very fast growing, can be used as a good screen plant. It will bring you joy with pretty flowers and sweet fragrance even during freeze snaps when other trees lose leaves and suffer. This one will continue blooming and stays evergreen - a real survivor! Tolerates poor soils and drought too. Provide regular water to establish quicker.

Yellow Aphelandra. Yellow flowers emerge out of long orange stalks in the fall time. Pretty and unusual! A tall, shrubby perennial with very long terminal inflorescences that are very unique and showy, with yellow flowers protruding from orange calyces in succession over many days. Grows nicely in full sun in south Florida, but it will also tolerate quite shady conditions.

Aphelandra scabra (panamensis). This is a new introduction, quite unique flowering plant from S America. Like all aphelandras, it has showy flowers that are loved by hummingbirds. The flowers of this variety are bright pink, up to 2 inch long, and tubular. They are 2-lipped, fuzzy and they bloom for one day before wilting. The A. scabra inflorescence is candle-like and the prepubescent flower spikes can grow up to 6 inch in height. The inflorescence has overlapping green bracts that are tinged with yellow and orange and they have extrafloral nectaries. Each day only one or two flowers open along the inflorescence to prevent self-pollination.
It is a great addition to a collectible tropical butterfly garden. Can grow into 4-5" tall bushy specimen. Blooms sporadically during warm season. Tolerates both full sun or filtered light.

Panama Queen - a very rare plant with extremely tropical look, fragrant flowers of unusual color combination: orange and pink.

This is a rare hybrid possibly with A. scabra (panamensis) that has bright red flowers, quite unique flowering plant from S America. Like all aphelandras, it has showy flowers that are loved by hummingbirds. The flower up to 2 inch long, tubular. They are 2-lipped, fuzzy and they bloom for one day before wilting. Inflorescence is candle-like and the prepubescent flower spikes can grow up to 6 inch in height. The inflorescence has overlapping green bracts that are tinged with yellow and orange and they have extrafloral nectaries. Each day only one or two flowers open along the inflorescence to prevent self-pollination.
It is a great addition to a collectible tropical butterfly garden. Can grow into 4-5" tall bushy specimen. Blooms sporadically during warm season. Tolerates both full sun or filtered light.

Pelican flower - large flower variety. One of the most popular ornamental vines. Brown flower is very unusual-looking. Very fast-growing and vigorous, can cover a fence just in one season.
The Aristolochia gigantea will inspire a sense of marvel to anyone who gazes upon it. This truly spectacular blossom produces a pouch that in some cultivars is almost 2 feet long and more than a foot across. Ivory veins network across a burgundy velvet background as the flower unfurls. Heart-shaped, light green leaves, about 6 inches in length, adorn this easy-to-grow vine. The plant blooms at a young age and grows in full sun or partial shade.
In some sources, Aristolochia gigantea is considered as Aristolochia grandiflora var. Hookeri. The cultivation of Aristolochias is undemanding. Sun lovers that appreciate some shade in hotter inland areas, they adapt to any soil that drains well. Any pruning necessary to contain or shape the plants should be done in late winter or early spring. Cultivation is easy, and growth can be tamed.

Butterfly weed - great butterfly attractor! Drought tolerant, tough plant.
This plant is very attractive to butterflies. Long bloom period from late spring throughout the summer. Flowers are a nectar source for many butterflies and leaves are a food source for monarch butterfly larvae (caterpillars).

Yellow Butterfly weed - great butterfly attractor! Drought tolerant, tough plant.
This plant is very attractive to butterflies. Long bloom period from late spring throughout the summer. Flowers are a nectar source for many butterflies and leaves are a food source for monarch butterfly larvae (caterpillars).

Super butterfly attractor! Clusters of pure white flowers with a darker eye may be born throughout summer. One of the few shade tolerant Milkweeds and it is generally a fairly reliable perennial.The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer (or sometimes later), lasting about 1-2 months. The flowers are mildly fragrant.

Variegated Purple Primrose, Chinese Violet. The brightly variegated leaves of yellow and dark green, make a great contrast with the flowers. It thrives in sun or partial shade and can tolerant dry conditions, heat, humidity, salty air, and poor nutrient soils. Give this easy growing plant good drainage and medium moisture for optimum growth.
Can be used as a mass planting under large trees and borders in full sun, semi-shade or full shade. It is also a good container plant. Leaves have been eaten as spinach in India.
This ground cover thrives in semi-shade and will also grow in sunny spots if it receives adequate moisture. It can be planted in any soil in the garden, but will do better if plenty of compost is added.

Hophead Philippine Violet. Medicinal plant from India with showy striped leaves, yellow flowers and thorns. Attracts butterflies. Red-brown branches, flowers bloom in clusters. Traditional and therapeutic use is anti-inflammatory for insect bites, herpes simplex use by its fresh leaves, and roots for anti-inflammatory centipede bites.

Pride of De Kaap, Nasturtium Bauhinia - compact shrub with large red orchid-like flowers.

Fast-growing cross-vine with deep red buds in spring, which open to reveal a cheery yellow inside. Tubular flowers appear in late spring. Very cold hardy, easy to grow.
See picture of the plants.

Jamaican Rain Tree. Rare slow growing plant, can be grown as bonsai or small specimen tree. Very showy flowers.

Yellow Bird of Paradise (dwarf poinciana)- a showy flowering small tree for a small yard or patio. Drought tolerant.

Pride of Barbados, Dwarf Poinciana, Peacock flower, Flower Fence - bright pink/red flowers, national flower of Barbados. Showy flowers almost year round. Dormant in winter. Peacock flower - perfect color accent for a small yard or patio. Eye-stopper!

Rose cascade, Blood Red Tassel Flower. Bushy small tree or large round shrub with 2-3 inches flowers, big red puffs, in winter and spring. Nice landscape plant, very fast growing.

Very rare white powder-puff. Large bushy shrub with spectacular white flowers during spring-summer. Thge plant is relatively cold hardy. Fast growing.

Dwarf calliandra - great for bonsai. See picture of the 3 y.o. bonsai. If grown without training, the plant will make a nice bushy little tree.