Freesia
Iridaceae
Perennials
South African native perennials prized for the rich perfume of their flowers. In spring, wiry, 1 to 1 1/2-ft. stems bear spikes of tubular flowers that reach 2 in. long, flare to 2 in. wide. Each stem bends at nearly a right angle just beneath the lowest bud. Narrow, sword-shaped leaves to 1 ft. tall grow in iris-like fans.
These hybrids (Dutch and Tecolote hybrids represent the majority of those sold) have larger, single or double blossoms in yellow, orange, red, pink, lavender, purple, blue, and white. They're sold mixed or in single-color varieties. Volunteers tend to revert to cream marked with purple and yellow. These newer hybrid freesias are generally not as fragrant as the old-fashioned type. Plant Freesia corms in fall for bloom in spring.
Acacia smallii
Desert Southwest native often sold as A. farnesiana, which is cold tender. Plant A. smallii where fros...
Cocculus laurifolius
Himalayan native useful as screen, background plant. Grows slowly at first, then moderately fast to 25...
Grevillea hybrid 'Neollii' ('Noell')
To 4 ft. tall, 4 to 5 ft. wide. Densely clad with narrow, 1-in.-long, glossy medium green leaves. Clus...
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