Common name:Rainbow Warrior N.Z. Flax
Botanical name:Phormium 'Rainbow Warrior'

New Zealand Flax is an excellent accent plant for the garden. Evergreen leaves are long, narrow, and grow upright. Clusters of red orange flowers grow on spikes above the foliage in late spring and summer. 'Rainbow Warrior' grows 3'-4' tall and 5'-6' wide. Leaves are darker salmon, turning cream as they age. Foliage turns deep red in winter.

Common name:Hybrid Tea Rose cultivar
Botanical name:Rosa Hybrid Tea selection

Hybrid tea roses are the traditional classic roses; buds are used for boutonnieres. These roses have long stems with a single rose at the end, which may or may not be fragrant. Blooms typically start in spring until fall. Many colors now available. Roses prefer full to part sun with well draining, rich soil. It needs fertilizer after each bloom period. It prefers medium watering and more in hot summer areas. Mulch well. Prune in winter. It usually grows 2'-6' tall.

Common name:Japanese Viburnum
Botanical name:Viburnum japonicum

This reliable evergreen shrub can reach 6'-20' tall and wide, depending on how much water it receives. It has dark green, glossy, oval leaves, about 6" long. White fragrant flowers appear in summer, followed by red oval fruit. It can be planted in full to part sun, with medium amount of watering, and more during hot summer months. This shrub is used for hedges and screens.

Common name:Crape Myrtle
Botanical name:Lagerstroemia indica

The new leaves of this species are 2" long, bright green, and tinged with bronze. Some cultivars have spectacular fall color. When it has a bare outline, its rounded seed capsules add interest. Its delicate flowers bloom in 6"-12" long clusters. The flower colors could be shades of red, rose, pink, purple, and white, blooming in summer. It thrives on heat, and new cultivars have been created that resist mildew. This tree prefers full sun and has low watering needs once it's established.