Berkheya cirsiifolia

Sometimes wicked is beautiful. Take, for instance, this plant – which at once yells at you to go away (Ow! Spikes) and lures you in with its showy flowers and striking countenance. This Berkheya species is totally new to cultivation, totally mean and in our opinion, totally hot! We’re impressed both with its prickle and its pristine and classy flowers, which are oh-so bold atop 3’ stems in Summer. South Africa is home to this tough-as-nails perennial. Drought tolerant, heat tolerant and who’s betting that deer are going to touch this one? Takes many soil types and dies back to roots in the Winter.

Sun. Avg./Low water. Perennial.
USDA Zones 8-11

Dais cotinifolia
“Pink Pompon Tree”

Fabulously fragrant and fast growing, this tree is worth growing even if it does take a few years to flower. Fairly drought and frost tolerant once established (give it a few years of babying first), it makes a lovely smallish tree that is transformed into a soft pink Daphne-scented mass in mid-Summer. Sweet! Prefers slightly acidic soil and regular feeding. Grows between 10' - 20' tall with a rounded crown. This tree does not like Winter wet, so you may need to amend your soil to improve drainage. It may sound like a lot to ask, but people do crazier things to get Daphne and Gardenias established in their gardens, right?

Sun. Average Water. Perennial.
USDA zones 9-11

Erythrina lysistemon
“Common Coral Tree”

There’s nothing common about this stunning royal beauty of a tree. When its scarlet flowers appear over the smooth grey (naked!) branches in earliest Spring, it’s the kind of sight that stops traffic! I can’t imagine why I haven’t seen this tree around the Bay Area more. Although it is easily grown in Southern California, we can pull it off here, although it does end up a bit shorter (to about 20’ tall and about as wide?). All the better for street planting! The red flowers are irresistible to birds, bees and other creatures. Drought and heat tolerant, this unusual South African tree can take frost only once established and would be best planted against a warm wall or in a hot spot.

Full Sun. Avg/Low Water. Perennial.
USDA Zones 9b-11

Ruellia macrantha
“Brazilian Rose”
“Christmas Glory”

We so seldom have this plant in any quantity! Growing to 5’ tall, with a 2-3’ spread, this very upright and tender shrub blooms in Winter with such tropical gusto you will immediately forget how cold it is and be transported to the other side of the calendar. The tubular magenta flowers are an immense 3-4” long with a distinctive, almost quilted texture. It often blooms around Christmas time, hence the common name. Rich soil with regular water and good drainage is best. If cut down by extreme cold it will often re-emerge from roots. Grows as a houseplant, too!

Part Sun/Shade. Regular water. Perennial.
USDA Zones 9-11

Tecoma x alata
‘Flaming Belles’

Bomb-proof, elegant and long blooming, this deciduous shrub has so many winning features it’s hard to find anything unlikeable about it (unless you are averse to the color orange, in which case maybe you might like Tecoma stans). The form is fountainesque, 8’ tall by 6’ wide and the large 5” clusters of hot orange tubular flowers appear all Summer long and are frequented by hummingbirds. With its informal habit, no pruning is necessary, and did I mention that it endures heat and drought with no fuss? Fabulous!

Full Sun/Light Shade. Avg./Low Water. Perennial
USDA zones 7-11