Puya berteroana
Perennials
Growing into a spectacular evergreen foliage clump up to 10 ft. across, this Chilean native is crowded with narrow, sharp-tipped, swordlike gray-green leaves to 2 ft. long; edges are sharply spined. Develops flower stalks that resemble giant asparagus spears; they reach 4–6 ft. tall during spring bloom, when they bear massive clusters of 2-in.-wide, bell-shaped blossoms in metallic blue-green and steely turquoise, accented with vivid orange anthers. Spiky branchlet ends protrude fromflower clusters. Use in largerock gardens or in big containers. Tolerates poor soil. Often mislabeled as P. alpestris.
Melaleuca thymifolia
Low, spreading bush2–4 ft. tall, 4–8 ft. wide. Barkis corky, flaking, grayish brown.Narrow blue-green ...
Livistona chinensis
From Japan, Taiwan. Very slow growing; eventually to 40 ft. tall, 15 ft. wide. Roundish, bright green,...
Hakea
Native to Australia. Especially good for seacoast. Tougher than many other Proteaceae family members; ...
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