(Fatsia japonica)
This evergreen shrub is rapid-growing with large (12”)tropical looking dark green deeply lobed, leaves. It can reach 5’-12’ high and wide. Hardy in Zones 8-10. Great for shaded entryways or patios with partial sun. Perfect for containers. It is grown for its foliage, but gets a stalk with a cluster of white flowers followed by small, black fruit. The Aralia is a low maintenance plant in moist, well-drained soil.
Globe Artichokes are thistle-like members of the Asteraceae family and have large gray-green arched stalks lined with deeply cut triangular foliage. Pretty purplish thistle-like fringy flowers develop in mid-summer, but the large flower buds are the edible portion. Each plant produces 4-6 artichokes. The flowers attract bees, and a variety of insects. The Japanese beetle may be a problem, fertilization is a must, and drip irrigation is a must. Allow a 6 foot area in a well-drained bed prepared with really good, acidic soil (compost or manure must be added.) Can be grown from seed sown in March. Grows 4-6’ x 4-6’ and needs 6 hours of full sun. Self sows, so deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings the next year. They can also be a snail magnet.
(Cuphea lanceolata ‘Starfire’)
Often called Cigar Plant, but also Batface, this is a heat-loving shrub to 4 ft. tall w/ deep green, bronze-tinged leaves; flowers are rosy-red tubes tipped by contrasting purple & white, tiny petal lobes; flowers spring to fall.
In the shade it seems to get scrawnier and scrawnier. This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds. Average water needs; water regularly; do not over-water. Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out
between waterings. Zones 8-10.
(Euphorbia ‘Diamond Frost’)
This white flowering annual by Proven Winners only made its debut in 2005 and has already proven to be a desirable choice. The white airy flowers, fine textured leaves and size of 12-18” tall and wide makes it a great ground cover or border plant. It’s nice for lining a walkway in partial shade. It’s a spurge, oozing a white, milky sap that can be irritating to the skin. It’s excellent for a container as it spills over the edge and fills in spaces. Hardy in Zones 9-10, it is heat and drought tolerant, does best in partial shade and will drop leaves and flowers when stressed.
(Eleaocarpus decipiens)
Evergreen tree with height of 30-60' and width of 20-30'; Moderate grower with rust-colored new leaves later turning bright green; old leaves turn red before dropping providing an ornamental effect; tiny white flowers in clusters form in the summer followed by blue-black fruit in the winter. The fruit will not stain patios or driveways. No pest problems. Likes rich, well-drained soil. Zone 8-9. They can be used as specimen, grove trees, large topiary, and privacy screens. There is also a cultivar named ‘MonProud’ which is a dwarf shrub that grows to 8-10’ tall and wide. It’s part of the Little Emperor™ Shogun® Series.
Kumquats are slow-growing, evergreen shrubs or trees, 8-15' tall, sometimes with small thorns. There has been debate as to if it should be included in the genus Fortunella or Citrus. Kumquats are hardier plants than oranges, and some varieties can withstand frost to 14 degrees. They may require several weeks of warm weather before beginning to blossom or put out new shoots. Kumquats are often eaten raw, sometimes the whole fruit for the contrast in the sweet rind and the sour and salty tasting center. Sometimes only the rind is eaten. Fruit is ripe when it is fully yellowish-orange and the last bit of green is gone. They are highly resistant to citrus canker, but are subject to most of the common citrus pests.
(Salvia leucantha)
Silver-gray foliage, reaching 3' in height and width, with velvety spikes of violet-purple and white flowers in summer and fall. Strengths in addition to its beauty: drought tolerance, pest resistance, adaptable to wide range of soils, and being reported as “deer proof.” Plant in full sun. Shear several times during the summer to promote frequent blooming, as well as a sturdier and more compact plant. Mexican Bush Sage has been a Texas Superstar Plant since 1997 and is evergreen for our area (Zone 9. )
(Carissa macrocarpa)
Natal Plum is a fast-growing evergreen shrub 2-7' tall with 7-10' spread (depending on variety), often with thorny stems and forked spines, and thick leathery oval leaves. Blooms are sweetly fragrant (like orange blossoms), 1-2" star-shaped, white or pink with waxy petals. It produces 2" long, edible egg-shaped red fruit in summer/fall, which can be used to make cranberry-like preserves. Natal Plums bloom all year and usually have both flowers and fruit. Plant in full sun or partial shade. It is drought tolerant. Zone 9B-10. Foliage is damaged at 28 degrees F.
(Dianella tasmanica ‘Variegata’)
This evergreen 1-2 foot tall variegated grass-like herb with bold white striped leaves, originated in Australia. Flowers, appearing in the spring, have small white pale violet sepals with white striped green petals. Flowers are followed by dark blue berries. Plant in light shade or morning sun in well-drained soil. Moderate water needs. It is winter hardy to approximately 20-25º F. It is clumping and can be divided for propagating. There are a number of different kinds of Flax and Flax Lilies desired in the garden.
