Hedychium coccineum

Hedychium coccineum is one of the showiest species of ginger. Peak bloom occurs in early to mid-summer on the current year's growth, but a few blooms may appear in the late summer to fall months on late-emerging canes.

Each cane grows erect to a height of 6-7 feet and is topped by a spiky inflorescence. Each individual "spike" on the inflorescence produces several orange-red flowers, opening over a period of a few days. They are only faintly fragrant, but they do attract hummingbirds.

Even after the blossoms fade away, the inflorescence maintains a strong architectural appearance.

The canes are thick and sturdy, with a purplish-gray coloration when they first emerge.

Leaves are two-ranked and about a foot in length.

Hedychium coccineum is also known as orange gingerlily, scarlet gingerlily, and orange bottlebrush ginger. In addition, there are several named cultivars and hybrids that are commercially available. It is native to the eastern Himalayan region in Asia and grows in full sun to part shade. It is recommended for USDA Zones 7-10, being evergreen at the warm end of the range and grown as a deciduous perennial in colder zones.

In South Africa it's considered an invasive species due to its rapid spread by seed.

Odontonema callistachyum (purple firespike)

Odontonema callistachyum is a large tropical shrub with showy purple flower spikes all winter long. An inflorescence consisting of scores of tubular flowers develops at the tip of nearly every branch, providing an extended period of bloom. The flower spikes can reach nearly a foot long when fully developed. Hummingbirds and butterflies are attracted to the inch-long blooms if they are in residence at the time of year when flowers are open.

The stems are herbaceous, becoming slightly woody at the base. The plant grows up to 8 feet tall and wide but can be kept pruned to about half that size. The growth habit is somewhat sprawling, so a little trimming back is usually required anyway. Pruning also forces additional branching and therefore more flowers. I usually do a final pruning in late summer so that new growth has a chance to mature before the initiation of flower spikes.
The leaves are large and give a tropical look to the landscape even when the plant is not in bloom. Individual leaves grow up to 8 inches long and nearly as wide.

Odontonema callistachyum is native to Mexico and Central America. It is recommended for USDA Zones 9 to 11. In colder pockets of Zone 9 the flowering season is often cut short by frost or freeze. In these areas it can be grown as a perennial shrub. It will flower in containers, but requires diligent pruning to keep it from becoming tall and lanky.
Flowering is best in full or half-day sun, but the foliage looks best if given a little shade during the summer.
Related reading: Odontonema strictum

Chayote (Sechium edule)

Chayote (Sechium edule) is a perennial squash that will produce well for several years. The vines grow rapidly and can extend more than 50 feet from the base of the plant. This requires a strong support. A sturdy fence or horizontal trellis is ideal, as it keeps the fruit within reach and easy to pick. Other alternatives would be to plant on a vertical trellis or small tree. The vine attaches itself and climbs by means of tendrils that curl around whatever support is available.

Chayote will grow across the ground like other squash, but they take up a tremendous amount of space in the garden and you'll have to pick through the vines to find the mature fruits. Leaves are similar to most other cucurbits and grow to about 8 inches in diameter.

Chayote are native to a wide swath of Central America and have been cultivated there since pre-Columbian times. A long growing season is required, as the formation of flower buds isn't initiated until the days shorten in fall. It takes about another month for the flowers to develop and open, then an additional month for the fruit to grow and mature. It is recommended for USDA Zone 8 or higher.

Flowers grow on a stalk emerging from the leaf axils. They produce a lot of nectar and chayote is said to be one of the best honey plants. Hummingbirds are also attracted to the blossoms.

Female flowers are at the base of the stalk, one per stalk. The male flowers open in sequence on the elongating stalk. In frost-free areas, crops may be harvested nearly continuously for about 6 months, and older plants may yield several hundred fruits per year. I've harvested as many as 45 squash in a single day from one plant.
Individual fruits typically reach about 6 inches in diameter, but they are usually harvested at a smaller size for commercial production. Multiple varieties exist, some with deeply furrowed or very spiny skin. The base of the fruit is distinctively grooved or puckered.

The chayote squash is prepared by peeling and then boiling, steaming or baking. It's also possible to cook it first and then remove the skin, as is done with most winter squash. It may also be eaten raw or used like cucumber in salads. The skin of fruits picked before they reach full size is tender and edible like that of summer squash. As the fruit ages the skin becomes more tough and fibrous. Young raw fruits have a slightly sweeter taste than older ones.

The sap from the raw cut fruit can cause skin irritation or numbness in some individuals. This may vary from plant to plant. I have experienced some temporary reduced sensitivity in my fingertips after peeling a large quantity of raw fruit, but I find it less bothersome than wearing gloves.

The squash remains firm after cooking and has a mild, slightly buttery flavor. There is a large single seed at the center of each fruit that has a delectable nutty taste. The raw seed tastes something like raw English peas.

The tendrils and young shoots are edible when steamed, and unlike many "edible" shoots or vines, these have a pleasant taste.

The large tuberous roots can also be dug up and eaten as a vegetable after cooking. The tuberous portion of the plant is known as ichintal. Older roots can supposedly weigh up to 20 pounds. It may be possible to dig up a root and carefully remove it without affecting the health of the plant, but I think it would be difficult. I dug around the base of a 2-year old plant and exposed the top of the storage root. The ichintal is the large, fat root growing straight down directly from the base of the plant and you can see the lateral roots spreading out to the side.

I think it would be very difficult to dig the ichintal without seriously damaging the plant, so I'm leaving it alone for now. If we get a hard freeze some year and the plant dies back, I'll try and dig the root then.

The rest of the root system spreads out over a 12-foot diameter area, so give it plenty of room and only plant shallow-rooted plants within the root zone. A full sun location is best for fruit production. In regions where the top inch or so of soil freezes in the winter, a thick mulch applied in fall will protect the crown of the plant until growth resumes in the spring.

Excess harvest can be stored by wrapping the squash in newspaper and keeping it in a cool location. It can also be frozen for use during the off-season. The squash is a very good source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, zinc, copper and manganese, and it is also a good source of niacin, vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, magnesium and potassium. The green shoots are even more nutritious.

In some regions, the strong dried stems are woven into baskets and hats.

Chayote is propagated by planting the entire fruit, buried about halfway into the soil. New shoots and roots will quickly sprout from the base of the squash and start a new vine that will produce the following fall.

Odontonema strictum (Firespike)

Odontonema strictum is a great shrub for late summer through early winter blooms. The red tubular flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
Also known as firespike or cardinal's guard, this plant grows 3-5 feet tall in full sun to half shade. Blooms appear in clusters at the tips of the stems and the inflorescence continues to elongate throughout the flowering period.

Often, the flower spike will take on a crested form as the season progresses.

Firespike is classified as an herbaceous perennial, since it doesn't form woody stems. The broad green leaves are about 6 inches long, and deer are known to feed on the lush foliage.
Odontonema strictum is native to Central America and is recommended for USDA Zones 8-11. Frost will damage the foliage, but the plants quickly re-sprout from remaining green stems, or from the crown of the plant at soil level.

Plants are very drought-tolerant once established, but thrive in evenly moist soils.
O. strictum is considered to be synonymous with O. cuspidatum.

Related reading: Odontonema callistachyum

Jatropha integerrima

Jatropha integerrima (jat-ROE-fuh  in-teh-GAIR-rih-muh) is a nearly ever-blooming shrub for tropical and subtropical landscapes. The bright red flowers appear in clusters on the ends of the branches anytime new growth is taking place. Individual flowers are about one inch across. Butterflies and hummingbirds find the blooms attractive.
The growth habit is strongly upright, and the tips of the stems may need to be cut back if you want to force side branches. In gardens that experience brief periods of freezing weather, the cold will do the pruning for you. Even if frozen to the ground, plants quickly recover and will be blooming again by late spring. They'll reach 4-5 feet by the end of the growing season.
In frost-free areas, the plant can reach heights of 10 feet or more. Container-grown plants can easily be trained as single-trunk standards.
The leaves can vary from elliptic to deeply lobed. Leaves and stems contain a milky sap that can irritate sensitive skin. All parts of the plant are considered poisonous if ingested, and that may be why it is reported to be deer-resistant.

Jatropha integerrima is native to the West Indies. It is recommended for USDA Zones 10-11, but is freqently seen in warmer parts of  Zone 9b.
This species is drought-tolerant, and does best in full sun to part shade locations. It is supposedly also known as Peregrina or Spicy Jatropha, but I've never heard anyone use those names.

Campsis radicans (Trumpet creeper)

Campsis radicans is a woody vine that blooms throughout the warm months of the year. The large flowers are a showy addition to any landscape. Blooms appear in clusters on the tips of new growth. The individual orange-scarlet flowers are 2.5 inches to 3 inches long, and 1.5 inches wide. These blooms attract hummingbirds, and this plant is supposed to be one of the best to plant if you want hummingbirds in your garden.

Campsis radicans is native to the southeastern United States and grows well in USDA Zones 4-9. The foliage is deciduous, but the deeply furrowed bark provides some winter interest as well. It can grow 30 to 40 feet in height, but only if it has support. The vines will only grow as large as the structure they're attached to. I have some that bloom at a height of 3-4 feet if that is the height of their support. Horizontal vines growing across the ground will bloom also.

The vine attaches to supports by means of short aerial rootlets. They emerge all along the stem, making a firm grasp onto the supporting tree or structure. Leaves are pinnately compound, and the sap of the plant causes skin irritation in some sensitive people.

The plant spreads by root suckers, but these can be controlled by digging out or mowing off. It can be kept in containers, or planted in natural mixed buffer areas where its aggressive nature is less of a problem.

In the warmest parts of its range, Trumpet creeper starts blooming in mid spring and continues until fall. Full sun is required for best flowering.
There are cultivars with red, yellow, or purplish flowers, and also hybrid varieties.

Justicia carnea

Justicia carnea (juss-TISH-ee-uh KAR-nee-uh) is also widely known as Jacobinia, Flamingo Flower, and Brazilian Plume. This amazing plant will grow in sun or shade, and blooms every month of the year in the warmer parts of its range. The natural height is three to four feet, and pruning is not usually needed.
Buds form at the tip of new growth, and once the pink starts to show, it's only a few days until full bloom. Each flowering head lasts a week or so, and more continue to form whenever the plant is in active growth.

Justicia carnea is native to South America. It is recommended for USDA Zones 8 to 11. In Zone 8 they will freeze to the ground each winter, but come back in the spring. Most references indicate this plant prefers shade, but if adequately watered, the foliage gets firmer and more deeply veined in full sun.

White, red, orange, purple, and yellow color forms exist (mostly hybrids), but pink is the most common.

As an added bonus, hummingbirds are attracted to the flowers.

Aloe zebrina

Aloe zebrina is just one of the many species of spotted aloes. It is very similar in appearance to Aloe saponaria, with which it is often confused. The main difference is that the spots on the leaves in this species tend to be in rows. The pattern of spotting is variable, even on a single plant.

The plant grows to be fairly large, getting up to 2 1/2 feet across. Flowering occurs repeatedly during the year at any season. An established planting consisting of several plants will be in bloom nearly every day during the warm months of the year.
The flower spike emerges from between the leaves and grows up to three feet in height, branching near the top. The reddish tubular flowers barely open at the tip.

Even when not in bloom, the rosette of spotted leaves makes Aloe zebrina an attractive specimen in the landscape.

This native of southern Africa grows in a wide range of conditions in its natural habitat and there is considerable variation within the species. It is recommended for USDA Zones 9b to 11. The roots are a source of golden-yellow dye.

Hummingbirds love the flowers of Aloe zebrina and will make repeated visits to the blooms throughout the day.

Russelia equisetiformis

Russelia equisetiformis is a nearly everblooming shrub with arching green stems and bright red tubular flowers.  The stems remain herbaceous and arch over from the weight of the flowers.  The overall height is usually under three feet. Leaves are tiny and not noticeable.  The one-inch-long flowers appear on the ends of the thread-like stems.
Russelia will grow in sun or part shade.  It is a native of Mexico and is recommended for USDA Zones 9-12.  It likes moist soil but is fairly drought-tolerant once established.

The stems will root where they touch moist soil or mulch, and the plant also appears to spread by underground roots.  Russelia isn't particularly invasive, but it will expand over time to cover a large area if you allow it to roam freely.
Russelia equisetiformis is also sometimes known as Coral Plant, Fountain Plant, or Firecracker Plant.  There are cultivars with yellow, orange, or white flowers, but these are not as common.  The red flowers are attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies.

Tecomaria capensis (Cape Honeysuckle)

The bright, red-orange tubular flowers of Tecomaria capensis form in clusters on the tips of new growth during most of the year, with fewer blooms occurring during the hottest part of the summer.

The pinnately-compound leaves give the foliage a fern-like texture and the open flowers attract hummingbirds. Since it provides nectar during the winter months, hummingbirds may be encouraged to stay in your area year-round instead of migrating to Central America.

This is a very versatile plant that can be grown as a shrub, small tree, or scrambling vine, depending on how you care for it.  To grow as a shrub, periodically trim back long shoots to force branching.  As a small tree, keep excess shoots trimmed off as they emerge from the lower part of the plant.  If you prefer a vining habit, simply provide some sort of support and allow the long shoots to scramble up over it.  I have one that is about 25 feet tall, climbing up the trunk of an old papaya.  The two plants appear to have formed a symbiotic relationship, since I believe the thick growth of Tecomaria protected the papaya during the big freeze of January 2010.  The papaya still produces normal amounts of fruit within the protective foliage of the Tecomaria.

Established plants will send out horizontal runners from the base of the plant which will root and send up new plants from each node.  This is beneficial if you want a dense thicket or screening hedge, otherwise cut off the runners to keep the plant in bounds.

Tecomaria capensis is very drought-tolerant and is cold-hardy to the low 20°F range.  It is recommended for USDA Zones 9-11 and will reportedly survive Zone 8 as a perennial.  A full sun location is best for flowering, but it will also grow in light shade.  The plant tolerates salt-spray, and will grow in acid or alkaline soils.  It is also supposed to be deer-resistant.

This species is sometimes known as Cape Honeysuckle and is native to South Africa.  There are less-common cultivars with yellow, red, or salmon-colored flowers.
Traditional medicines use the powdered bark of this plant to treat pain and sleeplessness.  Disclaimer:  No medicinal claims are being made.  This is for informational purposes only.

Ceiba speciosa (Floss Silk Tree)

Fall is prime time for Ceiba speciosa (formerly known as Chorisia speciosa), as it covers itself with thousands of pink blooms just as it starts to drop its palmate leaves for the winter. This is a fast-growing tree with a distinctive swollen trunk covered in sharp spines. The trunk remains green for many years and allows the tree to photosynthesize even when dormant.

The trunk is fascinating but the flowers are the reason to grow this tree.  Every fall you'll be rewarded with a stunning display when not many other trees are in bloom.  The pattern of color and spotting varies from tree to tree.

Individual flowers are 4-5 inches across and fallen blooms can be brought inside and floated in a bowl of water.

Ceiba speciosa is also known as Floss Silk Tree because in spring the seed pods open to release masses of fluffy, white silk that carries seeds on the wind.  The silk has been used commercially for stuffing in place of feathers.

It is native to South America and is recommended for USDA Zones 9-ll.  That means it is hardy to about 20°F.  Hummingbirds and Tiger Swallowtail butterflies are attracted to the flowers and will make several visits a day to the blooms.

Clerodendrum speciosissimum (Glorybower)

Clerodendrum speciosissimum , or Glorybower as it is sometimes known, is probably my favorite out of the many species of Clerodendrum in cultivation. The flowers are a brilliant red and cover the plant for months at a time.

 Butterflies love this plant, and Swallowtails in particular can usually be seen hovering around the plant or feeding from the red flowers.  Hummingbirds also find the blooms attractive.  The leaves are large and heart-shaped, making for a nice tropical foliage effect.

Clerodendrum speciosissimum is native to Indonesia, but has become established in tropical regions around the world.  It generally grows to a height of 5-6 feet but can get much taller in ideal conditions.  The flower clusters form on the tip of each branch.

The plant grows in sun or light shade and is extremely drought-tolerant. It is recommended for USDA Zones 9b to ll.  In warm locations it will be evergreen.  In colder locations, the stems can die back to the ground during brief freezes, but quickly come back to bloom again. Although Clerodendrum speciosissimum will spread beyond where it was originally planted, it is not particularly invasive and can be controlled by pulling up stray stems.

In folk medicines, various plant parts are used to treat arthritis, eye problems, hemorrhoids, hernia, and insomnia.