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Fargesia
rufa -- Mountain Bamboo -- This is a clumping, not running,
bamboo, so there's no danger of hostile action by your neighbors (so long
as they know it's clumping). The downside of that is that it's relatively
slow growing for a bamboo. It's also pretty small, to about 8-10' with
1/2" culm diameter. The leaf-laden stems arch gracefully, making a very
pretty specimen. It's among the cold-hardiest, surviving -20°F, zone 5.
However, it is a mountain bamboo that does not perform well in hot, humid
climates, and does best in filtered light/afternoon shade. Favored food
of the giant panda.
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Ferraria
crispa --
Spider Iris -- Seeing
is believing with this little South African Iris family winter grower
with a flower that looks as if it had been drawn with a fractal generator.
Plant stays 8-16" in height, with linear, stem-clasping leaves that
form progressively smaller sheaths around the stem. Synonymous with
F. undulata. Most sources say zone 9, but ours do so well in
our unheated zone 8 house that we wouldn't be surprised if they would
take zone 8 with very good drainage. No promises, though.
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Ficus
pumila minima -- Dwarf
Creeping Fig -- Ficus
comes in many forms, and this one is nothing at all like a tree. Tiny
climber/spreader slowly covers areas or climbs walls with its fingernail-sized,
heart-shaped leaves. A little charmer when trained onto a bonsai, stake,
trellis, or stalagmite. Zone 9.
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Fuchsia
'Chang' might be the closest we come to a "normal" Fuchsia,
with showy flowers and a habit suitable for hanging baskets. It is notable
for its heat tolerance; can be grown in full sun in mild, coastal climates,
in afternoon shade in hotter ones. Flower is orangey-red and bright
orange with green-tipped sepals. Sometimes referred to as the Chinese
Lantern Fuchsia, though Fuchsias do not originate in China, and there
is another variety of that name.
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Fuchsia
'Corallina' -- A
semi-prostrate variety forming a 2x3' dome. Elegant dark pink and purple
flowers in abundance from midsummer until frost.
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