Welcome to our Mediterranean garden !

Palms and cycas

Brahea armata - Erythea armata

Blue hesper palm, Mexican blue palm, blue palm, sweet brahea palm, palma blanca
Family: Arecacea / Palmae (palm Family). Blue hesper palm grows naturally in desert canyons and cliffs on rocky limestone soils in northwestern Mexico (Baja California and Sonora) at low to medium altitudes.
Blue hesper palm may grow -50 ft (12 m) tall and 16 ft (4.9 m) in width. The blue hesper palm trunk is slightly swollen at the base and grows up to 1.5 ft (0.5 m) in diameter. It usually has persistent scars from the bases of petioles (leaf stems) that have since dropped off or been removed.
It is drought tolerant (although occasional deep irrigation is recommended), can handle both partial shade and full sun, and temperatures down to -12 degrees C. The inflorescence of the blue hesper palm is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful among all the palms.
The genus name honors the Danish Astronomer, Tycho Brahe (1546-1601). The species part of the name comes from the Latin word meaning "armed".

Chamaerops humilis

European fan palm
Family : Arecacea/Palmae (palm Family). Chamaerops humilis is native to the hot dry hills and mountains of the Mediterranean Sea basin. Its native range extends from Africa's Atlas Mountains in Morocco to Spain and France and eastward to Turkey.
The European fan palm forms clumps than can grow up to 15 ft (4.5 m) in height.
Small, bright yellow flowers held close to the trunk are hidden behind the leaf stems which are armed with very sharp teeth. The flowers are followed in the fall by fruits which are dark yellow, orange or brown, and about 0.5 in (1 cm) in diameter.
Hardiness : USDA Zones 8-10. It can survive temperatures down to 10° F (-12° C).

Neodypsis decaryi - Dypsis decaryi

Triangle Palm, Madagascar three-sided palm
Family : Arecacea/Palmae (palm Family). Habitat : Madagascan rainforest
Size : Slowly up to 20 feet (6 m). 20 feet in diameter (4.5 m). Min. Temperature : 29°F (-4°C)
Water Requirements : Regular water. Sun Requirements : Light shade to shade. Origin : Madagascar
Leaf : Pinnate, Gray green leaves, upright, bending at the end., 15 feet long. Trunk : circular, 12 inches. short
Flower : Flower stalk coming from among the leaves
Hardiness : USDA Zones 10B-11. Although can tolerate cooler temps once established.
Tiangle palm is easy to grow, unique in form and striking in appearance.

Phoenix canariensis

Canary island date palm
Palmae Family. Range/Origin : Canary Islands, the Atlantic coast of north Africa
Form : palm with feather fronds, tall with stout trunk. Seasonality : evergreen
Size : 40-60ft (20 m) with frond spread of 20-40ft, slow growing reaching 10ft in 15 years
Leaves : pinnate feather-like fronds, arching at top, 15ft long, green, long-lived, toothed petioles
Flowers : dioecious; brush-like stalks to 6ft long bearing small off-white flowers
Fruit : on female trees, round yellow-orange fruit, ½ in across; not edible. Stems/Trunks: trunk more massive than P. dactylifera, to 4ft across (including frond sheath); often pruned to pineapple shape. Hardiness : damaged at 20°F (-10 °C).

Phoenix roebelinii

Miniature date palm, pygmy date palm, dwarf date palm
Family : Arecacea/Palmae (palm Family). Name Derivation : G: the Greek name; S: after M. Roebelin who collected the plant
Native to southeastern Asia from southwestern China (Yunnan) to northern Laos and northern Vietnam.
This delightful little palm is a favorite landscape item in areas where it is hardy. It is just as likely to be encountered as a popular indoor container plant often used in shopping mallscapes and other commercial plantings. Pygmy date palm grow slowly reaching heights of 8-10 ft (2.4-3.1 m). The stem is covered with old leaf bases and is topped with a dense head of bright green pinnate leaves that grow to about 4 ft (1.2 m) in length. Delicate leaflets, arranged neatly along the upper length of the gently arched leaf stem lend the plant a very graceful aspect. Lower leaflets are modified into sharp pointed 2-3 in (5-8 cm) spines. Hardiness: USDA Zones 9-11. May be cold damaged at temperatures below 30ºF (-3ºC).

Ravenea rivularis

Majesty palm. Family : Arecacea / Palmae (palm Family). Origin : Madagascar river fronts
This is a beautiful feather-leafed palm whose symmetrical form and smooth, flared trunk combine to create living sculpture for the landscape. Growth Habits: Palm tree to 40 feet tall (12 m) trunks to 12 inches in diameter (30 cm)
USDA : 9b-11. Frost Tolerance : Semi hardy in Phoenix, to -5°C. Heat Tolerance : Resistant
In order to grow rapidly, Majesty Palms require plenty of water and fertilizer.

Washingtonia robusta

Mexican fan palm or mexican washingtonia
Native to northwestern Mexico. It grows to 25 m tall, rarely up to 30 m. The leaves have a petiole up to 1 m long, and a palmate fan of leaflets up to 1 m long. The inflorescence is up to 3 m long. It can survive temperatures down to -5° C.
The name Washingtonia filifera var. robusta (H. Wendland) Parish is nomenclaturally a synonym of W. robusta, although it was applied by S. B. Parish to palms now known as W. filifera. Hence, Parish's variety has been included erroneously by L. H. Bailey (1936) and others in synonymy under W. filifera.

Cycas revolutas

King sago palm, sago palm
Family : Cycadaceae. Plant native to Pacific Rim regions from Southern Japan to Java.
This very symmetrical plant supports a crown of shiny, dark green leaves on a thick shaggy trunk that is typically about 20 cm (8 in.) in diameter, sometimes wider. The trunk is very low to subterranean in young plants, but lengthens above ground with age. It can grow into very old specimens with 6 m (over 20 feet) of trunk; however, the plant is very slow-growing and requires about 50-100 years to achieve this height. Trunks can branch multiple times, thus producing multiple heads of leaves.
Frond damage can occur at temperatures below -5 °C.
A rugged trunk, topped with whorled feathery leaves has lead to the common name "Sago Palm", however it is actually related to conifer and Ginko trees - all cone bearing plants which trace their origins back to the ancient flora of the early Mesozoic era. Often called "living fossils", Cycads have changed very little in the last 200 million years.

Zamia Furfuracea

Cardboard palm, cardboard cycad, cardboard plant, cardboard sago, jamaican sago and mexican cycad
The plant's binomial name comes from the Latin zamia, for "pine nut", and furfuracea, meaning "mealy" or "scurfy".
Family : Zamiaceae (coontie Family). Cardboard palm is native to the warm sandy coastal plains of Mexico. This is another of our "living fossil" plants, its kind surviving on earth since the time of the dinosaurs.
Cardboard palm has leaves 3-4 ft (0.9-1.2 m) long that emerge from a central point forming a rosette. When grown in bright sunlight the rosette becomes a 3 foot high clump of tightly overlapping leaves that will slowly grow to 6 ft (1.8 m) in diameter.
Hardiness : USDA Zones 9-11. Sustains leaf damage at 28ºF (-2ºC).

Succulent

Agave Americana Variegata

American century plant
Family : Agavaceae. Classification : Monocotyledon. Origin : Eastern Mexico. Folliage tyle : Evergreen. Max. height : 1,5 m
Agave americana Variegata is a striking succulent with green and cream striped leaves, each ending in a strong sharp spine. This eye catching plant is ideal for patio pots, topped off with gravel or pebbles. It will tolerates short periods of light frost.
USDA Zone : 9-11. Bloom : After 15+ years with the inflorescence growing up to 9m.

Carpobrotus acinaciformis (L.) L.Bolus - Abryanthemum acinaciforme (L.) Rothm. - Mesembryanthemum acinaciforme L.

Hottentot Fig, red hottentot-fig, sally-my-handsome
Family : Aizoaceae. Origin : South Africa. Folliage tyle : Evergreen. Approx. Height : 0.2 m. Approx. Width : 2 m
Flowers: brilliant magenta-pink, Pink, yellow, orange. Flowering Period: March, April, May, June, July
Habitat: Mediterranean strand - requires a well-drained sandy soil in a sunny position - plants can be grown on dry walls or in the flower border. Requires a well-drained sandy soil in a sunny position. Established plants are very drought resistant
Very resistant to wind and salt spray. Frost Tolerance: Hardy to 23°F (-5°C)

Aptenia cordifolia - Litocarpus cordifolia - Mesembryanthemum cordifolium - Tetracoilanthus cordifolius

Heartleaf iceplant and baby sun rose, red apple
Family : Aizoaceae. Origin : South Africa (eastern coastal deserts)
Red apple (Aptenia cordifolia) is a perennial herb, spreading over ground and neighboring vegetation, with small, heart-shaped, dark green succulent leaves interspersed with small, axillary, many-petaled, bright pink to purple flowers. Flower season : Spring/Summer. Sun Exposure : Full sun to light shade
Approx. Height : 0.1 m.Approx. Width : 0.8 m. USDA : 9-11. Frost tolerance: hardy to 23°F (-5°C).

Trees

Bambusa Textilis Gracilis

Graceful Bamboo, Gracilis, Slender Weavers Bamboo, Small Weavers Bamboo
Dense tight vertical clump. Nodding tops. Great for large hedge due to tight clump. The name graceful is right for this one. Fast grower with many canes. For those who like the look of B. textillis but don't quite have the space.
Bambusa Texlilis "Gracilis" is a non-invasive clumping bamboo (sympodial or pachymorph). Origin : China
Hardiness : USDA Zone 8b - 11 : to -9.4 °C (15 °F) above 4.5 °C (40 °F).
Height : 15-20 ft. (4.7-6 m) - 20-30 ft. (6-9 m). Sun Exposure : full Sun - sun to partial shade - light shade
Foliage : evergreen. Other details : average water needs; water regularly; do not overwater.

Brachychiton populneus - Sterculia diversifolia - Poecilodermis populnea - Brachychiton diversifolius

Bottle tree, kurrajong, lacebark kurrajong
Sterculiaceae Family. Range/Origin : Austra in a diversity of habitats from wetter coastal districts to semi-arid interiors of Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. Derivation of Name : Brachychiton...from Greek, brachys, short and chiton, a tunic, a reference to the coating on the seed. Populneus...like a poplar, from the shape of the leaves.
Form : pyramidal when young, overall narrow shape growing wider with age; dense foliage. Seasonality : evergreen
Size : 30-50ft (15 m); rapid growth rate
Leaves : simple; often lancolate but has large variation in margin type, sometimes lobed ; 2-3in long; glossy green; attractive glittery effect in wind. Flowers : small white or off-white bell shape with pinkish dots; bloom in early summer.
Fruit : distinctive brown hard woody boat-shaped pod containing round seeds; Stems/Trunks : distinctive trunk shape, trunk tapers like bottle, buttressed wider at base, most obvious when young, losing bottle shape when older; trunk and stems green when young growing more brown with age.
Hardiness : high to mid teens. Recommended temperature : USDA Zone 9b-11. Frost tolerance : hardy to 20°F (-7°C).

Citrofortunella Mitis - Citrus mitis - Citrofortunella microcarpa - Citrus madurensis

Calamondin orange, Panama orange, calamansi, China Orange, musk lime, Panama orange, Philippine orange, to-kumquat
Family Rutaceae. In many Latin countries, the calamondin plant is found in backyards, and the fruit is called "agri-dulce" (sweet and sour). It is known by the botanical name of Citrus mitis Blanco or Citrofortunella mitis and is considered a good remedy for the "grippe" (cold). Horticulturists believe that the Calamondin is a hybrid of lime and mandarin, or lime and kumquat, or kumquat and mandarin.
Calamondin halves or quarters may be served with iced tea, seafood and meats, to be squeezed for the acid juice. They were commonly so used in Florida before limes became plentiful. Some people boil the sliced fruits with cranberries to make a tart sauce. Calamondins are also preserved whole in sugar syrup, or made into sweet pickles, or marmalade. A superior marmalade is made by using equal quantities of calamondins and kumquats.
In Hawaii, calamondin-papaya marmalade is popular.
In Malaya, the calamondin is an ingredient in chutney. Whole fruits, fried in coconut oil with various seasonings, are eaten with curry. The preserved peel is added as flavoring to other fruits stewed or preserved.
The juice is primarily valued for making acid beverages. It is often employed like lime or lemon juice to make gelatin salads or desserts, custard pie or chiffon pie.
In the Philippines, the extracted juice, with the addition of gum tragacanth as an emulsifier, is pasteurized and bottled commercially. This product must be stored at low temperature to keep well. Pectin is recovered from the peel as a by-product of juice production. Size : 6 m. Hardiness : to -12°C.

Citrus Fortunella japonica

Kumquats or cumquats
Family : Rutaceae. Kumquats originated in China (they are noted in literature dating to the 12th century), and have long been cultivated there and in Japan. They are slow-growing, evergreen shrubs or small trees, from 2.5 to 5 metres tall, with dense branches, sometimes bearing small thorns. The leaves are dark glossy green, and the flowers pure white, similar to other citrus flowers, borne singly or clustered in the leaf-axils. The kumquat tree produces 80 to 100 fruit each year. The tree can be hydrophytic, and fruit is often found floating near the shore during the kumquat season.
The kumquat fruit resembles a miniature oval orange, 3 to 5 centimetres (1.2 to 2.0 in) long.
Kumquat can withstand frost down to about -10 °C (14 °F) without injury. Culinary uses include: candying and kumquat preserves, marmalade, and jelly. They can also be sliced and added to salads. A liqueur can also be made by macerating kumquats in vodka or other clear spirit. In Taiwan, kumquats are a popular addition to both hot and iced tea.

Citrus limon

Lemon
Family : Rutaceae. Origin : Southeast Asia or Italy
Growth Habits : Evergreen tree, up to 20 feet tall (6 m), up to 15 feet in spread (4.5 m)
Sun Exposure : Full sun Recommended Temperature Zone : USDA : 9b-11 (-1°,-2°C).

Cupressus sempervirens

Italian cypress, tuscan cypress, or graveyard cypress or pencil pine, mediterranean cypress
Cupressaceae Family. Native to the eastern Mediterranean region, in northeast Libya, southeast Greece (Crete, Rhodes), southern Turkey, Cyprus, western Syria, Lebanon, Israel and western Jordan, and also a disjunct population in Iran.
Form : columnar, tall, extremely narrow dense pyramidal tree. Seasonality : evergreen
Size : 40-90ft (20-30 m), spread of only 10ft or less. Leaves : gray-green scale, immature growth more needle-like
Flowers : inconspicuous. Fruit : small rounded cone about the size of a quarter, not ornamental
Stems/Trunks : single trunk, gray. Range/Origin : southern Europe and Asia, now widely distributed. Hardiness : to -20°C.
Cypress used to be used in distilleries as staves to hold mash ferments to make alcohol before the invention of stainless steel.

Olea Europaea

Olive
Family : Oleaceae. Native to the coastal areas of the eastern Mediterranean region, from Lebanon, Syria and the maritime parts of Asia Minor and northern Iran at the south end of the Caspian Sea.
Its fruit, the olive, is of major agricultural importance in the Mediterranean region as the source of olive oil. The Olive tree is an evergreen tree or shrub native to the Mediterranean, Asia and parts of Africa. It is short and squat, and rarely exceeds 8-15 meters in height. The silvery green leaves are oblong in shape, measuring 4-10 cm long and 1-3 cm wide. The trunk is typically gnarled and twisted.
Olives are harvested at the green stage or left to ripen to a rich purple colour (black olive). Canned black olives may contain chemicals that turn them black artificially. A tree located in Santu Baltolu di Carana in Sardinia, Italy, named with respect as the Ozzastru by the inhabitants of the region, is claimed to be 3000 to 4000 years old according to different studies.
Damage can occur at temperatures below -12 °C.

Shrubs, bushes, plants

Callistemon viminalis 'Little John' (Sol. ex Gaertn.) G. Don ex Loudon

Dwarf Bottlebrush
Family: Myrtaceae. Origin: Australia. Folliage tyle : evergreen mounding shrub. The leaves are narrow, an unusual blue-green and crowded on the stems.
Flower season : Spring/Summer. The flower spikes are dark red - The flowers have giant stamens resembling bottlebrushes.
Max. height: 1.2 m. Max. width: 1 m. Grow in full sun and warm climates. Hardiness: Tolerant to -8°C.

Cestrum 'Newellii'- Cestrum fasiculatum 'Newellii'- Meyenia fasciculata Schlechtendal - Habrothamnus fasciculatus (Schlechtendal) Endl. ex Walp.

Early flowering jessamine, red cestrum
Family : Solanaceae. This Cestrum is large and lush and makes and excellent fast-growing shrub that nearly always has flowers on it, that is if you live in a mild enough climate. The clusters of red tubular flowers grow at the end of pendent branches, and are often visited by hummingbirds. These flowers are followed by showy clusters of magenta fruits.
Eventually growing 2-3 m tall or more, it prefers a spot in full sun or part shade sheltered from dry or cool prevailing winds, and well-drained, rich soil. With a reported hardiness of -10ºC, it will only flower year round in mostly frost-free climates.

Chlorophytum comosum « Variegatum »

Spider plant
Family : Liliaceae. Classification : Monocotyledon. Folliage tyle : Evergreen
Max. height : 0.5 m / 1.6 ft. Max. width : 1 m / 3.3 ft
Evergreen perennial with long, linear, bicoloured, white leaves with an olive-green margin.
Plant Form or Habit : curved cascading. Flower Color : white. Blooming Period : spring summer fall
Spider plants have also been shown to reduce indoor air pollution.

Euonymus japonicus aurea-variegata

Family : Celastraceae. Native to Japan, China. Tolerances : deer, pollution, seashore, slope. The Evergreen Euonymus is one of the most durable landscape plants. Able to resist drought, it even stands up to seaside winds and salt spray.
Leaves splotched with yellow. Light : Full sun or partial shade. Height : 30 cm. USDA Hardiness Zone : 6 to 9 : - 15°C.

Gazania Pavonia - Gazania krebsiana Less. - Gazania arctotoides Less. - Gazania serrulata DC.

Terracotta gazania - Eng.; gousblom, botterblom, rooi gazania - Afr.
Family : Asteraceae (daisy family) . Category : perennials
Gazania krebsiana, previously known as Gazania pavonia, must be one of Namaqualand 's most well known and striking perennial plants. This flamboyant, variable and versatile plant is the trademark of the unique country landscapes in Namaqualand (the wild flower region in South Africa's western extremities) and the pride of the flower route in South Africa.
The generic name Gazania, was given in honour of Theodor of Gaza (1398-1478). He was responsible for the translation of the botanical works of Theophrastus from Greek into Latin. Another possibility is that gaza is Greek for riches and could refer to the richness in colour, variety and abundance of the plant. The Afrikaans common name botterblom (butter flower), owes its name to the fact that the ray florets are supposed to taste like butter when chewed. The English common name, terracotta gazania, refers to the terracotta colour of the flowers. It forms a low mound of glossy dark-green leaves, bearing fluorescent-orange daisies from spring to late fall.
Planting position : full sun. Max. height : 20 cm. This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds. Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping. Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater. USDA zones : 8-10 (-5°C).

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

Hibiscus, rose of China, China rose and shoe flower
Family : Malvaceae. Hibiscus is an evergreen flowering shrub native to East Asia.
Growth : Slow growing to 3 - 5 m. Form : Upright, loose unless pruned
Flowers : Single or double, 6 inch, 5 petalled flowers in many colors
Exposure : Full sun or part shade (especially inland). Hardiness : USDA Zones 9b and 10; needs protection in colder areas
This is a tropical shrub that is valued for its spectacular flowers. They come in white, pink, red, orange, apricot and yellow - including some with two colors. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is the national flower of Malaysia. Hibiscus flower preparations are used for hair care. The flowers themselves are edible and used in salads in the Pacific Islands. The flowers are used to shine shoes in parts of India, as well as for the worship of Devi. In Indonesia, these flowers are called "Kembang Sepatu", which literally means "Flower of Shoes".

Lavendula dentata

French lavender, rabbit ears, papillon, butterfly lavender
Family : Labiatae. It is a very popular landscaping plant worldwide and it is considered an evergreen shrub. This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds. Flowers are fragrant
Height : 24-36 in. (60-100 cm). Spacing: 24-36 in. (60-90 cm). Hardiness : USDA Zone 9b-11 : to -7 °C
Full Sun. Bloom Color : Purple. Flower season : Spring to Autumn. Foliage : Aromatic
Culinary uses : add flower buds sparingly to salads for added colour and taste. Instead of Rosemary, add a few twigs off lavender when preparing chicken. Flowers can be crystallized to decorate dessert and confectionery. Add flower buds to honey, scones etc
- Parts Used : Flower spikes.
- Pick throughout the growing season.
Medicinal uses : it is said that :
- Will treat nervous exhaustion, tension headaches, during labour, colic and indigestion.
- A weak infusion ( 25% of normal strength) can be given for colic, irritability and excitement. It will help you sleep.
Other uses :Burn lavender stalks/flowers to disinfect/deodorize/perfume the room. It has a calming and soothing effect.
Insect repellent : it is a good mosquito, midge, and fly repellent. Rub lavender onto kitchen counters to discourage flies. Sprinkle a few drops of oil on bed linen to repel mosquitoes. Place cachets of dried flowers and leaves with clothes to deter moths.

Metrosideros excelsa Soland - Metrosideros tomentosa A.Rich.

Pohutukawa, or New Zealand christmas tree
Endemic to New Zealand. They are evergreen shrubs growing to 3 m tall or trees (20 m).
Red flowers in summer. Medicinal Uses. Hardiness : to -2°C.

Myrtus Communis

Myrtle, true myrtle
Family : Myrtaceae. Native to southern Europe and north Africa. They are evergreen shrubs or small trees, growing to 3 m tall.
Myrtle is cultivated as an ornamental garden shrub, particularly for its numerous flowers in later summer. It may be clipped to form a hedge. It is used in the islands of Sardinia and Corsica to produce an aromatic liqueur called "Mirto"' by macerating it in alcohol. It is known as one of the national drinks of Sardinia. Hardiness : to -10°C.

Nerium Oleander

Oleander, adelfa, alheli extranjero, baladre, espirradeira, flor de São Jose, laurel de jardín, laurel rosa, laurier rose, flourier rose, olean, aiwa, rosa francesca, rosa laurel, and rose-bay (Inchem 2005), leandru (Romanian), zakum, zakkum, zakhum (Turkish), zaqqum (Arabic)
Family : Apocynaceae (dogbane Family)
Nerium oleander is native to northern Africa, the eastern Mediterranean basin and southeast Asia.
This fast growing evergreen shrub can reach up to 6 m tall but is usually seen trimmed at 3 m). It forms a rounded mound to about 3 m) wide. It is a tough, versatile plant with showy summertime flowers in white, red, pink, salmon and light yellow.
Oleander prefers dry, warm climates and may naturalize in such areas. Hardiness : USDA Zones 8-10 (-6°,-10°C).

Pelargonium zonale

Geraniums, garden geranium
Family : Geraniaceae. Species of Pelargonium are indigenous to Southern Africa and are drought and heat tolerant, and can tolerate only minor frosts. Bloom in : V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X. Height : 120 cm. Hardiness : to -2°C
The flowers of this strikingly beautiful species range from rose pink to all shades of red including pure white. Combined with its decorative rounded foliage, long flowering period and ease in cultivation, it is one of the most rewarding shrubs for the garden.

Rosmarinus officinalis 'Prostratus'

Rosemary
Family : Lamiaceae. It is native to the Mediterranean region.
Rosemary is an attractive evergreen shrub with pine needle-like leaves. It's trusses of blue flowers last through spring and summer in a warm, humid environment. It will grow to a height of 1 m.
The botanical name Rosmarinus is derived form the old Latin for 'dew of the sea', a reference to its pale blue dew-like flowers and the fact that it is often grown near the sea. It is a symbol or remembrance and friendship, and is often carried by wedding couples as a sign of love and fidelity.
Tradition says that rosemary will grow for thirty-three years, until it reaches the height of Christ when he was crucified, then it will die. Sprigs of rosemary were placed under pillows at night to ward off evil spirits and bad dreams. The wood was used to make lutes and other musical instruments.
We continue to use rosemary in many of the same ways that our ancestors did: in potpourris to freshen the air, and in cosmetics, disinfectants and shampoos. The fresh and dried leaves are used frequently in traditional Mediterranean cuisine as a herb. Rosemary is extremely high in iron, calcium, and Vitamin B6.

Salvia farinacea 'Victoria' blue sage

Victoria Blue Sage, mealycup sage
Family : Lamiaceae / Labiatae (mint Family). Salvia farinacea is originally from Mexico
Salvia farinacea is a herbaceous perennial. Several cultivars are available ranging in height from 12 in (30.5 cm) to about 4 ft (1.2 m). Mealycup sage, as this plant is commonly called, bears multiple spikes of blue flowers over a long season starting in spring. Leaves are long and toothed, soft and light green tending to silver, especially the undersides.
Blooms continuously in warm weather, and survives light freezes.
Light: If planted early in the season, can usually withstand full sun. Afternoon shade is appreciated in very hot areas, and prolongs the life of the plant which may last several years. Water as needed during dry spells. Hardiness : Zones 8-10.
Grown in other zones as a warm weather annual, but survives light freezes without damage (-5°C). In ideal conditions, plants may last up to 5 years. S. farinacea is a hardier plant than its cousin, S. splendens.

Santolina chamaecyparissus

Cotton Lavender or Gray Santolina Bakuk (Croat), Cameciparisso (Italian), Ciprez prava (Croat), Crespolina di Marchi (Italian), Grå helgonört (Swedish), Mirisni svetolin (Croat), Pelin mirisni zenski (Croat), Pustena svetolina (Croatfamily Asteraceae)
Origin: Spain, Morocco. Sun Exposure: Full sun
Growth Habits: Evergreen subshrub up to 2 feet tall (60 cm), 3 feet in diameter (90 cm).
It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The scented flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects. We rate it 2 out of 5 for usefulness.
USDA : 7-10. Frost Tolerance: Hardy to 0°F ( -18°C)
The aromatic leaves are used as a flavouring for broths, sauces, grain dishes etc. The leaves and flowering tops are antispasmodic, disinfectant, emmenagogue, stimulant and vermifuge.
Cotton lavender is rarely used medicinally, though it is sometimes used internally as a vermifuge for children and to treat poor digestion and menstrual problems. When finely ground and applied to insect stings or bites, the plant will immediately ease the pain. Applied to surface wounds, it will hasten the healing process by encouraging the formation of scar tissue. The leaves and flowering stems are harvested in the summer and dried for later use. The leaves are strewn amongst clothes to repel moths etc. The growing plant repels various insect pests, especially cabbage moths. The dried leaves are used in pot-pourri.
An essential oil from the leaves is used in perfumery, the oil is also obtained from the flowers.

Solanum rantonnetii - Lycianthes rantonnetii

Blue solanum shrub, Paraguay nightshade, potato bush, purple nightshade
Family : Solanaceae. Native to : Paraguay
Beautiful ever-blooming shrub. Tolerates dry conditions and extreme heat. Very fast-growing. Produces masses of deep purple, yellow centred flowers. Flowering is most prolific during the warmer months. Suited to most garden styles and situations. Ideal for creating an attractive and permanent backdrop for smaller shrubs and perennials. Adds year round color to the garden with its golden foliage. A full sun location is preferred although will grow in light shade.
USDA zones : 8-10 (-5°C). Max. height : 1.50 m - 2 m.

Strelitzia Reginae

Crane flower, bird of paradise flower, geel piesang
Strelitzia reginae is, however, indigenous to South Africa where it grows wild in the eastern Cape. Here the strelitzias grow between other shrubs along the riverbanks and clearing in the coastal bush.
Strelitzia reginae from Flowering Plants of Africatrelitzia reginae is a bold structural plant, which forms large evergreen clumps of stiff leaves growing up from the base. The grey-green banana-like leaves grow about 1,5 m in height and the flowers stand above the foliage at the tips of long stalks. The flowers, which emerge one at a time from the spathe, consist of three brilliant orange sepals and three purplish-blue petals. Mature plants are very floriferous with flowers in autumn, winter and spring.
USDA : 9b-10 (2°C).

Thymus vulgaris - Thymus serpyllum

Thyme, common thyme, common garden thyme, english thyme, farigola, folia thymi, french thyme, garden thyme, gartenthymian, herba thymi, herba timi, mother of thyme, red thyme, rubbed thyme, serpyllium, shepherd's thyme, spanish thyme, ten, thick leaf thyme, time, timo, thym, thyme aetheroleum, thyme oil, thymi herba, thymian
Family : Lamiaceae
Thyme is widely cultivated for its strong flavour, which is due to its content of thymol. Thyme is best cultivated in a hot sunny location with well drained soil. It is generally planted in the spring and thereafter grows as a perennial. Thyme is a good source of iron and is used widely in cooking.
Thyme, while flavourful, does not overpower and blends well with other herbs and spices. In French cuisine, along with bay and parsley it is a common component of the bouquet garni, and of herbes de Provence. In some Levantine countries, the condiment za'atar (Arabic for thyme) contains thyme as a vital ingredient.
The essential oil of common thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is made up of 20-55% thymol. Thymol, an antiseptic, is the main active ingredient in Listerine mouthwash. Before the advent of modern antibiotics, it was used to medicate bandages. It has also been shown to be effective against the fungus that commonly infects toenails.

Trachelospermum Jasminoides - Rhynchospermum jasminoides

Star jasmine, confederate jasmine
Apacynaceae Family. Native to eastern and southeastern Asia, in Japan, Korea, southern China, and Vietnam.
Form : ground cover, low twining vine; not strong climber. Seasonality : evergreen. Size : 12 m
Leaves : opposite, oval, thick and leathery, 2in long, dark green on top, lighter underneath
Flowers : distinctive white 4-petaled flower, fragrant, early summer
Range/Origin: China. Hardiness : to -15°C. Use Confederate jasmine to cover fences and pergolas or to clamber up tree trunks. Use to soften concrete and brick walls and absorb heat in urban landscapes.