Common name: Tropical Hibiscus, Rose of China
Botanical name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is an evergreen shrub. It is one of the most flamboyant flowering shrubs. It can reach 30 ft. tall in Hawaii. Individual flowers only last one day, but the plant blooms continuously. Comes in many colors. Blooms attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. Use as a house plant in frost areas. It needs 5 hours of bright light and well draining soil. In frost free areas, plant in full sun as this plant does well in heat. It does best with fertile, well draining, moist soil. It tolerates salt spray and saline soil.

Common name: Catmint
Botanical name: Nepeta x faassenii

Nepeta faassenii makes soft, grey-green, undulating mounds to 1.5' high in bloom, spreading 3'-4' wide. The small leaves are attractive to cats. This perennial has lavender blue flowers in summer. Catmint can be planted in sun or shade and needs medium amount of water. Prune spent flowers to encourage more blooms.

Common name: Lamb's Ear
Botanical name: Stachys byzantina

This tiny shrub will grow less than 1' tall and has medium-size, greyish-green leaves with blue and lavender flowers that bloom in the spring. This shrub is grown more for its velvety leaves than the flowers. It is drought tolerant once it's established. Be careful not to overwater.

Common name: Southern Magnolia
Botanical name: Magnolia grandiflora

Its large, simple, leathery appearance makes the pyramidal Magnolia grandiflora perfect for either a street or lawn tree. Its leaves are 4"-8" long, and its powerfully fragrant blooms are carried throughout the summer. Reddish brown cone shaped fruit appear in the fall. If these plants are grafted, they are more predictable (may take 15 years to bloom). Ungrafted trees will take only 2-3 years. Restricted root areas or heavy soils will slow the growth process.

Common name: African Mallow, Cape Mallow
Botanical name: Anisodontea x hypomandarum

This shrub can reach 6' tall (or more, depending on conditions) and 4' wide. Foliage is evergreen, dark green and lobed. Pink flowers with streaks of magenta resembling cape mallow appear almost all year long and are 1.5" in diameter. This plant does best in full to part sun with loamy, well draining soil. It is drought tolerant once it's established but will appreciate occasional watering.