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Botanical name: Abelia grandiflora

Common name: Glossy Abelia

Family: Caprifoliaceae

Origin: China

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

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Abelia is a popular evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub with a rounded, fountain-like growth habit. It is fast-growing, growing up to 4-8 feet tall and 4-6 feet wide. Its leaves are fine-textured, glossy, oval, and dark green, usually 2 inches long, and the new growth has a bronze color. Abelia produces small, white and pink tubular flowers in clusters at the end of its stems, from summer to fall. The flowers are barely one inch long, but they are slightly fragrant - which attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.

This shrub is a great choice for planting near a pool, as it loves both full sun and semi-shade exposure. When watering it, allow the soil to dry out between waterings. It is mostly pest- and disease-free. Mature Abelias can withstand temperatures as low as 30 degrees Fahrenheit for a limited time.

Hyperacanthus amoenus is another popular evergreen shrub. It has pinkish red flowers with off-white petals that are fragrant, followed by green fruits that turn brown when ripe. This shrub is easy to grow, needing only full sun and regular watering - though it should be in USDA Zones 8 -9 for full protection from cold weather. For areas with colder climates, it is recommended to keep the plant in a pot and move it indoors in winter. In such a case, extra care should be taken to make sure it has enough water, light and fertilizer. Pruning may also be necessary to ensure the plant remains within the size desired.

Botanical name: Abelia sp.

Common name: Abelia

Family: Caprifoliaceae

The flowers appear in the upper leaf axils and stem ends, 1-8 together in a short cyme; they are pendulous, white to pink, bell-shaped with a five-lobed corolla.

The species from warm climates are evergreen, and colder climate species deciduous.

Botanical names: Abelmoschus esculentus, Hibiscus esculentus

Common names: Okra, Bamia, Gombo

Family: Malvaceae

Origin: Africa

Abelmoschus esculentus, commonly known as okra, is a flowering plant that is native to Africa. It is a large, fast-growing shrub, growing 5-10 ft tall and producing beautiful white, off-white, and yellow-orange flowers. This plant runs on a shorter lifecycle than most other shrubs, taking only 120-165 days to mature.

Okra does best when grown in warm climates, where it can receive strong direct sunlight, and regular watering. It has adapted over time to thrive in USDA hardiness zones 9-11. As it is a climacteric crop, it benefits greatly from warm, humid days and cool nights.

Regular water needs will depend on the local climate, but okra requires moderate regular watering, even during seasonal to periodical droughts. Soil with a high drainage level and well-aerated conditions will help the plant thrive and reach its full potential.

The plant produces striking large edible seeds within green, finger-like pods. Young, tender okra can be used in stir-fry or soups either blanched or pickled, and raw okra is often used in cold salads. When cooked, it is similar to asparagus. In terms of taste, some describe it to be similar to a combination of mushrooms and eggplant.

Okra is packed with nutrients, including vitamin C, calcium, and potassium. It also contains a healthy amount of dietary fibers, which can help maintain healthy digestion. Health benefits of okra also includes its ability to strengthen the immune system, lower stress, and improve skin and hair health.

In terms of yield, the plant can produce up to few hundred pods per plant, depending on the variety and local climate conditions. Therefore, okra is a great choice whether you are looking to have some fresh fruits in your household.

Botanical names: Abelmoschus moschatus, Hibiscus abelmoschus

Common name: Musk Mallow

Family: Malvaceae

Origin: South East Asia

Valued as an ornamental plant, due to its colorful and attractive flowers. The leaves are alternate, rough, hairy, heart-shaped or 3-5 lobed with serrated margins. Flowers are Hibiscus-like.

Cultivated for aromatic oil from seeds. Young leaves, shoots, and unripe seedpods are cooked as a vegetable.

Botanical name: Abrus precatorius

Common names: Buddhist rosary bead, Rosary pea vine, Carolina muida, Deadly crab's eye, Lucky bean, Prayer beads, Weather plant, Wild liquorice

Family: Fabaceae

Subfamily: Faboideae

Origin: India, Sri Lanka, Thailand

Abrus precatorius has small pretty purple flowers located at the end of the stalks. Fruits are short, inflated pods, splitting open when mature to reveal the round; hard and shiny seeds which are scarlet, but black at the base. Seeds contain abrin, one of the most toxic plant poisons known.

Botanical names: Abutilon grandifolium, Sida grandifolia

Common names: Hairy Indian Mallow, Hairy Abutilon

Family: Malvaceae

Origin: South America

Botanical names: Abutilon indicum, Sida indica, Abutilon hirtum

Common name: Indian mallow

Family: Malvaceae

Origin: Southeast Asia

Mostly used as an indoor houseplant, the flowering maple is a good alternative for those in climates that aren't suitable for maples to grow naturally. The trunk is somewhat woody, with two to three inch leaves which are quite similar to maple leaves. So far, rarely used as bonsai, but they are readily available and have 2 inch bell-shaped flowers which bloom year-round to recommend them. Shape is usually maintained through pruning, however wiring should work as long as care was taken to protect the branches. These plants do fine in ordinary potting soil.

Abutilon indicum var. hirtum (Abutilon hirtum) is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of fibre, medicines and food.

Botanical names: Abutilon vitifolium, Corynabutilon vitifolium

Common names: Vine-leaved Abutilon, Flowering Maple, Indian Mallow

Family: Malvaceae

Origin: Chile

It usually grows to be anywhere between 5-10 feet tall, depending on the conditions in which it is grown and the amount of care it receives. If kept well mulched on the ground, it can easily reach its maximum of 10 feet. Full sun and semi-shade are both equally suitable for this species, but with regular water, the best of the blooms can be expected. The vines produce hanging buds of either a cheery pink or a more dainty, off white, depending on variety.

When mature, Abutilon vitifolium is cold hardy down to at least 30 degrees Fahrenheit for a short time, as determined by USDA Zone 8-11. If planted in colder regions, be sure to take extra care that the shrub is well potted and situated in an area protected from the winter weather. Mulch can also be helpful in keeping its roots warm and the shrub topped up with the right amount of water.

This large shrub is ideal for garden pathways or any border area in the garden, admired for its trumpeting petals of varying shades of pink, white and off-white. When in full bloom, it can even be seen through hedges or used as a specimen in moonlight gardens. With its height, hardiness and a little care, it can make a beautiful addition to any outdoor home.

Botanical name: Acacia adoxa

Common name: Acacia

Family: Fabaceae

Subfamily: Mimosoideae

Origin: Australia

Botanical name: Acacia auriculiformis

Common names: Darwin Black Wattle, Ear Pod Wattle

Family: Fabaceae

Subfamily: Mimosoideae

Origin: Australia, New Guinea

Very fast growing, undemanding ornamental and shade tree. Honey-sweet, showy yellow flowers attract bees and butterflies. The plant is amazing in its ability to recolonize waste. Hard to kill. Can grow as much as 6-8 ft per season. Mature trees are medium sized. If you are looking for a fast result, this shade tree is for you. The plant is amazing in its ability to recolonize waste, paper mill sludge; even uranium spoils. This is the only tree found on a 20-year old uranium spoil. Cold hardy to some freeze.