Chiococca alba (David's Milkberry)

This Florida native is a real treasure for gardeners who love unusual plants. Chiococca alba is an evergreen vine or scrambling shrub in the coffee family, and it's rare in collections. It carries clusters of small, fragrant flowers that look like tiny lily-of-the-valley bells, followed by bright white berries that almost glow against the green leaves. Birds love the fruit, while butterflies and pollinators visit the blooms.

In the garden, it can be trained on a trellis, allowed to sprawl as a groundcover, or shaped into a shrubby mass. It's tough and adaptable - happy in sun or part shade, and tolerant of both dry spells and salty breezes.

What makes it extra fascinating is its long history of use in traditional medicine across the Caribbean and Central America, where roots and leaves were brewed into tonics. Today, it s valued mainly for beauty and wildlife support. If you want something both ornamental and unusual, David's milkberry is a graceful, fragrant choice that adds a touch of the tropics to your landscape.