Fuchsia microphylla

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Fuchsia microphylla is a shrubby, vining plant native to Central America and Mexico. Also known as 'Fuchsia' or 'Little-leaved Fuchsia', Fuchsia microphylla is an evergreen, groundcover or small shrub. It produces vibrant, red and crimson, vinous flowers that are attractive to hummingbirds.

Fuchsia microphylla is a drought-tolerant plant, but does best when regularly watered. It does best in semi-shaded spots with good air circulation, although it can handle full-sun if watered more often. This plant is hardy in USDA Zone 8-10.

Fuchsia microphylla produces edible fruits. These fruits contain high levels of vitamin C and other minerals. They can be used as a citrus substitute in condiments, sauces and as a flavoring.

The fruit of Fuchsia microphylla is abundant in vitamins and minerals, making it a healthy addition to the diet. Vitamin C can help strengthen the immune system and build up resistance to diseases. It is also a great source of fiber, which helps with digestion. The fruits can also be dried and preserved for later use.

Fuchsia microphylla, the plant is relatively easy to cultivate and propagate. The plant needs regular water, although it can handle dry conditions in the summer months. It should also be protected from extreme cold in colder climates, and can be grown in pots for additional protection.

Houttuynia cordata

Houttuynia cordata, commonly referred to as chameleon plant, is a small deciduous shrub native to Japan, South to Nepal, and the Mountains of Java. With a mature height ranging from 2-5 feet, it has become a popular ornamental foliage choice for landscape designs.

To ensure optimal growth and flower production, the chameleon plant does best when exposed to full sun to semi-shade and given moderate water. It can grow in a range of soils as long as they remain moist, however, it is not drought tolerant. The chameleon plant has oval to heart-shaped deep green leaves with a citrus fragrance when crushed. Its tiny yellow flowers are produced on a 5-inch spike and are accompanied by four white bracts. Popular cultivars include the Plena with bronzy green leaves and Chameleon with yellow, green, pale green, gray, cream and scarlet leaves.

The Houttuynia cordata plant has various ethnomedical uses. For example, it is used to treat fungal diseases, while its external use is beneficial for curing skin diseases. The whole plant can also be used as a diuretic and genito-urinary antiseptic.

Grows in SUDA Zones 5-10. In colder regions, the Houttuynia cordata can be grown in pots and brought indoors to protect it from the frost. To ensure successful winter care for the plant, make sure to provide it with plenty of light, water, and keep it away from cold drafts. It is important not to water the soil too often, as it can cause root rot. It is also recommended to fertilize the plant twice a month. With the right growing conditions, chameleon plant can be a beautiful addition to any garden.

Hoya odorata

The leaves are thin and beautifully copper colored when young and the stems tend to have an upright habit until they begin to flex as they grow longer. Flowers are wonderfully fragrant, have a crisp, clean, waxy appearance. Fragrance is somewhat citrus-like but sweet. Unusually for Hoyas, the flowers seem to be very seasonal, forming in the autumn. This plant has moderate to slow growth.

Lansium domesticum

The tree is erect with slender or spreading branches. It has irregular or systematical crowns and can reach 30-90ft in height. The leaves are pinnate with 5 to 7 leaflets. The flowers are small, white or pale-yellow and mostly bisexual. The fruits are oval, oval-oblong or nearly round and borne in cluster of 2 to 30. The fruit skin is greyish-yellow to pale brownish or pink, leathery, thin or thick and may contain milky latex. The fruits contain 5 or more segment of aromatic, translucent, juicy flesh with sweet to acid taste. Lansium is commonly propagated from seeds. The seedlings are generally fairly uniform. They can also be vegetatively propagated by grafting. This will shorten the juvenile phase. The seeds have a short viability period and must be sown within a few days after removed from the fruit. The growth rate of the seedlings are extremely slow, it takes two to three years before the seedlings are ready for planting. Shade must be provided for the young seedlings and wind-breaker should be available in windy area. Constant water supply is essential during the first two years of planting. Mulching is recommended. Lansium responds positively to irrigation particularly during the immature stage and fruiting period. In Southeast Asia it is sais that the langsats are planted not for oneself, nor for ones children, but for ones grandchildren. They are that slow to produce fruit when grown from seed. By grafting superior selections, we hope in this lifetime to enjoy the tart citrus flavor of the delectable, crisp flesh.

Leptospermum coriaceum

Leptospermum is a lovely tree, with flowers which resemble tiny wild roses and spiky little evergreen leaves. It is distributed in Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia. This genus was first recognized by Johann Reinhold Forster in 1776, and comprises 86 species, 83 occurring in Australia, all but two endemic.

The common name of Tea Tree derives from the practice of early Australian settlers who soaked the leaves in boiling water to make a herbal tea rich in Vitamin C. It is said that Captain Cook brewed tea of Leptospermum leaves to prevent scurvy amongst his crews. The nectar from the flowers is harvested by bees; this is used to make Manuka honey which has strong antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.

Leptospermum makes a desirable garden plant, valued for its fine texture, pleasant citrus-like scent of foliage and attractive flowers. It is also great for container and bonsai culture.

In the ground, it can be planted as a single specimen tree or as several plants close together for a terrific wind-breaking thicket. Cultivation is pretty easy as most adapt well to a variety of soil types, preferring slightly acid. Give young trees plenty of water to establish deep roots - this enhances their natural drought tolerance in later years. Shape a single-trunk tree in its early years by cutting off any stems that sprout near the base. Look for the trunk to gnarl and grow "hair" in a few years - it's an outstanding feature of older trees.

When grown in container, Leptospermum requires a bit more attention. Lack of water is the easiest way to kill this plant: it won't wilt, but will go from healthy to dead in a matter of hours. Soil must be kept uniformly moist; the plant can tolerate poor drainage, however excessive water may cause root rot. Water when the soil dries slightly on the top. Leptospermum needs lots of light; if kept indoors, requires a very bright location. Tip pruning after flowering improves the vigor and tends to avoid the woody appearance.

Some species (for example, L. scoparium) are hardy to lover 20's; others are sensitive to frost. Leptospermum prefers it to be a bit cool in winter (below 55 degrees).

Leptospermum scoparium

Leptospermum is a lovely tree, with flowers which resemble tiny wild roses and spiky little evergreen leaves. It is distributed in Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia. This genus was first recognized by Johann Reinhold Forster in 1776, and comprises 86 species, 83 occurring in Australia, all but two endemic.

The common name of Tea Tree derives from the practice of early Australian settlers who soaked the leaves in boiling water to make a herbal tea rich in Vitamin C. It is said that Captain Cook brewed tea of Leptospermum leaves to prevent scurvy amongst his crews. The nectar from the flowers is harvested by bees; this is used to make Manuka honey which has strong antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.

Leptospermum makes a desirable garden plant, valued for its fine texture, pleasant citrus-like scent of foliage and attractive flowers. It is also great for container and bonsai culture.

In the ground, it can be planted as a single specimen tree or as several plants close together for a terrific wind-breaking thicket. Cultivation is pretty easy as most adapt well to a variety of soil types, preferring slightly acid. Give young trees plenty of water to establish deep roots - this enhances their natural drought tolerance in later years. Shape a single-trunk tree in its early years by cutting off any stems that sprout near the base. Look for the trunk to gnarl and grow "hair" in a few years - it's an outstanding feature of older trees.

When grown in container, Leptospermum requires a bit more attention. Lack of water is the easiest way to kill this plant: it won't wilt, but will go from healthy to dead in a matter of hours. Soil must be kept uniformly moist; the plant can tolerate poor drainage, however excessive water may cause root rot. Water when the soil dries slightly on the top. Leptospermum needs lots of light; if kept indoors, requires a very bright location. Tip pruning after flowering improves the vigor and tends to avoid the woody appearance.

Some species (for example, L. scoparium) are hardy to lover 20's; others are sensitive to frost. Leptospermum prefers it to be a bit cool in winter (below 55 degrees).

Leptospermum sp.

Leptospermum is a lovely tree, with flowers which resemble tiny wild roses and spiky little evergreen leaves. It is distributed in Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia. This genus was first recognized by Johann Reinhold Forster in 1776, and comprises 86 species, 83 occurring in Australia, all but two endemic.

The common name of Tea Tree derives from the practice of early Australian settlers who soaked the leaves in boiling water to make a herbal tea rich in Vitamin C. It is said that Captain Cook brewed tea of Leptospermum leaves to prevent scurvy amongst his crews. The nectar from the flowers is harvested by bees; this is used to make Manuka honey which has strong antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.

Leptospermum makes a desirable garden plant, valued for its fine texture, pleasant citrus-like scent of foliage and attractive flowers. It is also great for container and bonsai culture.

In the ground, it can be planted as a single specimen tree or as several plants close together for a terrific wind-breaking thicket. Cultivation is pretty easy as most adapt well to a variety of soil types, preferring slightly acid. Give young trees plenty of water to establish deep roots - this enhances their natural drought tolerance in later years. Shape a single-trunk tree in its early years by cutting off any stems that sprout near the base. Look for the trunk to gnarl and grow "hair" in a few years - it's an outstanding feature of older trees.

When grown in container, Leptospermum requires a bit more attention. Lack of water is the easiest way to kill this plant: it won't wilt, but will go from healthy to dead in a matter of hours. Soil must be kept uniformly moist; the plant can tolerate poor drainage, however excessive water may cause root rot. Water when the soil dries slightly on the top. Leptospermum needs lots of light; if kept indoors, requires a very bright location. Tip pruning after flowering improves the vigor and tends to avoid the woody appearance.

Some species (for example, L. scoparium) are hardy to lover 20's; others are sensitive to frost. Leptospermum prefers it to be a bit cool in winter (below 55 degrees).

Species:

Leptospermum coriaceum

Leptospermum macrocarpum

Leptospermum polygalifolium

Leptospermum scoparium

Licuala grandis

Licuala grandis (Ruffled Fan Palm), a large shrub or small tree endemic to the Solomon and Vanuatu Islands, is best known for its impressive, undivided circular leaves with a full crown. Growing 5-10 feet tall and wide, this semi-shady tropical and subtropical plant loves regular watering, put on a semi-shade location and tolerates salt in the soil and at seaside locations. This eye-catching palm makes an ideal specimen for a pot, as well as a gorgeous addition to any garden.

This majestic plant is best suited to USDA Zone 9-11 and Hardiness Zones 10-11. When young, Licuala grandis prefers a shade location and will tolerate full sun once established. It's a drought tolerant plant and fertilization, 3 times a year should be sufficient.

When growing in a container, in cold regions, bring the pot indoors and limit watering during winter. Feed once or twice a month, finding a balanced fertilizer suitable for palms or citrus. Once spring arrives, Licuala grandis can move to a sheltered, sunny location and enjoy regular, thorough watering once every week.

A beautiful plant to cultivate, the Ruffled Fan Palm adds an exotic touch to any garden or balcony with its striking fan-like appearance. Make sure it's planted in a site with semi-shade and protected from strong winds to ensure its longevity. Such an eye-catching specimen requires some patience to grow as its slow-growing habit makes it well worth the wait.

Limonia acidissima, Feronia elephantum, Feronia limonia

This slow growing tree is native in the Indomalaya ecozone to Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and in Indochinese ecoregion east to Java and the Malesia ecoregion. In some parts of the world, this fruit is called elephant apple because it's a favorite food of elephants, while in other areas, it gets the name wood apple because of its hard wooden shell. It is actually considered sacred by Hindus, and is widely cultivated and eaten in India.

It is erect, with a few upward-reaching branches bending outward near the summit where they are subdivided into slender branchlets drooping at the tips. It has rough, spiny bark. It can be grown in a pot as a small specimen or used as a bonsai. The leaves have a citrus-scent when crushed.

The edible fruit is technically a berry 2-3" in diameter, sweet and sour. It has a very hard rind which can be difficult to crack open, and contains sticky brown pulp and small white seeds. The fruit looks similar in appearance to fruit of Bael (Aegle marmelos).

The pulp can be eaten raw, but it is popularly scooped out and frozen, or made into jam. It can also be mixed with coconut milk for a delicious, health beverage, or frozen into ice cream. The ripe bel fruit is sweet and can also be used for making a tasty drink known as wood apple milk. The ripe fruit is consumed as custard with sugar or honey in certain cultures. The raw bel fruit is sour to taste and is used to make chutney, while the leaves of the bel fruit tree are used as salad ingredients. The vast array of health benefits that are attributed to wood apples are mainly due to their nutrients, vitamins, and organic compounds, including their tannins, calcium, phosphorous, fiber, protein, and iron.

It is a commonly known herb in Indian system of medicine to treat various disorders including diabetes. The fruit pulp extract is used in folk medicine against gastric ulcers.

Bel fruit is great for digestion, and a remedy for digestive disorders. The trunk and branches of bel trees contain a gum-like substance called Feronia Gum. Bel leaves contain tannin, which is known to reduce inflammation, and has antifungal and antiparisitic activities.

Bel fruit juice mixed with warm water and sugar is used for blood purification and the removal of toxins. It is effective for ear aches. High level of vitamin C in Bel fruit increases the strength and potency of the immune system.

The Feronia gum, contained in the trunk and branches of the bel tree, counteracts diabetes by reducing the severity of the condition and helps to manage the flow, secretion, and balance of sugars in the bloodstream. Leaves of the Bel fruit tree supposedly help people avoid chronic or recurring colds and related respiratory conditions. They also help in curing sore throat and treating chronic cough due to its function as an expectorant. The fruit is used as an energy food thanks to its high protein content.

Considering the detoxifying powers of wood apples, the kidney and liver can be protected if the correct organic compounds from wood apples are kept at healthy levels.

Liver Health: As a good source of beta-carotene, wood apples also cure liver problems. They contain thiamine and riboflavin, both of which are known as liver health boosters, this fruit also functions as an ingredient in cardiac tonics.

Nashia inaguensis

Nashia inaguensis, also known as Moujean Tea, is an evergreen shrub that is native to the eastern Caribbean islands, particularly the island of Inagua in the Bahamas, where it crawls along sunny, rocky outcroppings that are semi-protected from steady high winds. The plant has a low-growing habit of 2 feet, but can grow up to 5 feet when mature.

The shrub prefers full sun, warmth, and high humidity, and cannot tolerate even brief spells of dryness. Its aromatic leaves have fragrant scents of pineapple, citrus, and vanilla, which can be used as a spice or herbal tea. Tiny white flowers are borne in clusters during summer, which are followed by reddish orange berries. The ornamental foliage and fragrance of Nashia inaguensis make it a popular choice for bonsai, groundcover, and topiary.

In cold regions, Nashia inaguensis should be grown in a pot indoors, where it can be kept in temperatures between 65-75 degrees F during the day and at least 55 degrees F at night. The plant must be kept consistently moist to wet, and temperatures below 30 degrees F can be dangerous for it. During spring and summer, the plant should be fertilized regularly to ensure optimal growth and health.

Nashia inaguensis is often used as a bonsai plant due to its miniaturized features, and it is a good choice for a small topiary or bonsai.