Dusty miller (Senecio cineraria, syn. Jacobaea maritima) is an attractive bushy perennial flowering shrub with silvery gray, soft fuzzy lobed leaves. As a minimal care bedding plant, dusty miller plants are drought tolerant and withstand direct sunlight, drought, and frost. The only care the plant needs is to trim leggy dusty miller stems in the summer.

Caladium plants are beautiful tropical tender perennials with stunning, multicolored heart-shaped leaves. Caladium bicolor—also called Heart of Jesus—is the most popular species of the shade-loving leafy plant. Caladium leaves can be magnificent color combinations of pink, green, red, and white. Caladiums are easy to grow as summer annuals or spectacular houseplants.

Gayfeather (Liatris spicata) is a flowering perennial plant with tall spikes of showy purple or white flowers. Also called blazing star or prairie star, Liatris spicata grows in clumps and prefers moist, marshy ground. Blazing star flower spikes grow between 1 and 5 ft. (0.3 – 1.5 m) tall. The impressive gayfeather flowers mean the plant is ideal for planting individually or mass planting along borders in full sun.

Elephant ear plants are famous for their enormous heart-shaped and arrowhead leaves. Elephant ears are species of perennial tropical plants that thrive in warm, humid conditions, growing in moist soil. The large striking triangular leaves add a tropical touch to your summer garden or home’s interior. Elephant ear plant leaves grow at the end of thick stems from bulbs or tubers in the ground or pots.

Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) is a perennial herb with short purple flowering spikes and aromatic green leaves with aniseed scent. Also called the ‘blue giant hyssop,’ the anise hyssop plant is an excellent small bushy shrub to add color and aroma to garden borders, herb gardens, foundation plantings, or mixed beds. Anise hyssop purple flowers are also ideal for floral arrangements.

Purple flowering vines add dramatic color to many garden landscapes. Climbing vines with purple flowers are generally easy to grow and need little care. You can plant climbing plants in your garden to grow over trellises, arbors, pergolas, brick walls, or doorways. Their lilac, mauve, light violet, or purple colors provide plenty of interest in your yard when the climbing vines bloom.

Flowers play a vital role in Japanese culture, which is expressed in the language of Hanakotoba. Most flowers in Japan have a special symbolic meaning. Some of the most beautiful Japanese flowers are Sakura (cherry blossom), Tsubaki (camellia), Ume (flowering apricot tree), Sumire (violet), and Sakurasou (Japanese primrose). According to the Hanakotoba (Japanese “language of flowers”) – flowers contain secret messages and can communicate powerful messages.

Cockscomb flowers (Celosia) are some of the most spectacular and unusual flowers you will see growing on a plant. There are three types of celosia flowers—Celosia spicata with colorful spikes of feathery flowers, Celosia argentea that has vibrant flowers in a plume shape, and Celosia cristata with flowers that resemble a rooster’s comb. Celosia plants are easy to grow if you live in warm climates.

Hibiscus is a genus of sun-loving shrubs and small trees with tropical-looking showy flowers in shades such as pink, bright red, pastel orange, white, and yellow. Hibiscus flowers are easily recognizable with their funnel shape, large papery petals, and contrasting colorful centers. Individual hibiscus flowers may only bloom for a day or two, but the bushes produce blossoms throughout the summer.

Winter plants are perfect for keeping winter garden landscape green and full of life. Many types of hardy plants that grow in winter can survive freezing outdoor temperatures and never lose their leaves. Some perennial winter plants also produce flowers while the ground is still frozen or there is a blanket of snow.