For a plant that spills over the edges of pots like a waterfall of colour, Ivy Geranium is hard to beat. Also known as Cascading Geranium or Klimopmalva, this scrambling evergreen perennial has smooth, somewhat succulent trailing stems that can grow up to 2 metres long, clothed in distinctive, fleshy, ivy-shaped leaves that are glossy, bright green, and often have five-pointed lobes. From spring through autumn (and often year-round in milder coastal gardens), it produces an abundance of beautiful, five-petalled flowers in shades of pale pink to mauve, often with darker streaks in the centre.

Step into a shaded border, and let this plant’s cream-striped blades catch your eye. Variegated Tasmanian Flax Lily forms a dense, upright clump of broad, arching, strap-like leaves—each a rich, dark green dramatically edged with bright creamy-white to pale yellow stripes. From spring through summer, delicate, branched sprays of small, star-shaped flowers in soft blue to lavender appear, each with prominent bright yellow stamens. Then come the surprises: glossy, metallic-blue berries that add a further layer of ornamental interest and attract birds.

You don’t get much more proudly South African than this. Bird of Paradise, also known as Crane Flower or simply Strelitzia, is a clump-forming evergreen perennial with serious visual impact. Its large, oblong, grey-green leaves resemble banana foliage, rising on sturdy stems to form a dense, handsome clump. Then come the unforgettable flowers: rigid, beak-like spathes of deep purple-blue, from which fan a brilliant crest of orange and bright blue petals. It genuinely looks like a tropical bird in flight, with blooms appearing mainly from autumn through spring.

If you’re looking for a shrub that delivers bold, tropical-looking blooms with a lush, textured presence, Drakensberg Mallow is a showstopper. Also known as Mountain Mallow or Bergroos, this fast-growing, evergreen beauty is grown for its spectacular, hibiscus-like flowers that reach up to 4cm across—larger and more vibrant than its Cape cousin. From early summer through autumn, it produces an abundance of deep pink to rich purple blooms, each with striking, darker veining radiating from the centre like the spokes of a wheel. But the flowers aren’t the only draw: the large, velvety, maple-like leaves with 3 to 7 lobes give this plant a lush, dense, almost tropical feel that’s rare in water-wise gardens.

Pluck a fresh leaf, toss it into a simmering pot of soup, and you’ll taste why this tree has earned its place in kitchens for centuries. Bay Leaf, also known as Bay Laurel, Sweet Bay, or True Laurel, is a slow-growing, aromatic evergreen tree treasured for its glossy, fragrant foliage and its stately, conical form. It features dense, pyramidal growth clothed in leathery, oblong, pointed leaves of a deep, lustrous green. Those highly aromatic leaves are the very same bay leaves used in soups, stews, and braises around the world, releasing their savoury essence when cooked. In spring, inconspicuous clusters of small, creamy-yellow flowers may appear, followed on female plants by small, dark purple, oval berries.

In a world of green gardens, this plant dares to be different. Black Mondo, also known as Black Lilyturf or Black Dragon, is a stunning, evergreen perennial treasured for its striking, near-black foliage and its dramatic, ground-covering habit. It forms dense, low-growing tufts of arching, strap-like leaves that mature to a deep, rich purple-black, appearing almost jet black in certain light. That incredible, dark foliage creates a dramatic, textural carpet that provides the ultimate contrast. In summer, short spikes of small, bell-shaped flowers in soft lilac or pinkish-white appear, followed in autumn by glossy, pea-sized, ornamental jet-black berries.

Watch a Fuchsia bloom sway in the breeze, and you’ll understand its enduring appeal. Fuchsia magellanica, also known as Hardy Fuchsia or Magellan Fuchsia, is a slender, upright, deciduous shrub with an elegant, arching form. It has small, ovate to lance-shaped leaves in soft mid- to dark green, sometimes with a subtle bronze tint. From summer through autumn (December to May), it produces an abundance of exquisite, pendulous flowers. Each delicate, dancer-like bloom consists of a slender, tubular pink or red tube flaring into pointed sepals, opening to reveal a shorter, frilly inner skirt of rich, vibrant purple petals. In mild, frost-free areas, small, oval, purplish-black berries may follow.

Step into a moonlight garden, and you’ll understand why Cushion Bush is so beloved. Also known as Silver Bush, this dwarf evergreen shrub has striking, metallic silver-white stems that form a dense, rounded, almost coral-like mound. The intricately tangled, wiry branchlets are covered in soft, woolly hairs, creating a remarkable silvery glow. The tiny, scale-like leaves hug the stems so closely they’re barely visible, giving the plant an otherworldly, textural quality. In late spring and summer (December to February in its native Australia), small, button-like flower heads in pale creamy-yellow add a subtle, charming contrast.