Malvaviscus arboreus 'Rosa-flora Pendula' The next time you are in Hong Kong, go to the park in Kowloon to see the best specimen of this plant. Almost in the middle of the park, you will find a very elegant 10' shrub perpetually covered with 1/2" to 3" long, nodding, soft pink, "almost open" flowers amongst glossy, narrowish, jade green leaves. Truly a sight to behold. If you do find yourself in Hong Kong and you are headed to the park to see this plant, we advise you to leave your pruners and trench coat back at the hotel. The park is crawling with Hong Kong police, who take a very dim view of foreigners using their plants for propagation stock. With some pruning, his plant makes a very rewarding and easy potted plant for those of you who live in places where you can't grow it outside year-round. Zone 10.

Mukdenia rossii 'Crimson Fans' -- Shade-loving deciduous perennial groundcover with large, maple-like leaves that emerge bronze in spring and turn red for summer and fall. Showy clusters of bright white flowers with maroon centers, early in spring. Zone 5.

Musa basjoo is an ornamental species that produces inedible, fibrous fruit, giving it the name Japanese Fiber Banana. The amazing trait of this plant is its ability to withstand cold. Though it dies to the ground in freezing temperatures, it will resprout in the spring, if thoroughly mulched, after withstanding temperatures as low as -20°F. Thus you can grow banana plants in Des Moines and Schenectady. Grows to 12-18', depending on climate (gets a late start in the coldest climates, and stays smaller, and ceases growth at around 40°F). An overlooked feature of this plant is its attractive flowering stalk. Also works as an indoor container plant. Ryuku Islands, Japan. We will cut back the leaves/trunk for shipping.

Myrsine africana -- Cape Myrtle -- An evergreen shrub to 10' with small pinkish flowers and pink fruit. Zone 9. S. Africa.