Dig into the joy of a life outdoors
Find peace and purpose by reconnecting with nature, creativity and the joy of making things in your own patch of paradise.
Discover extraordinary, unusual, and beautiful plants from around the world — each with growing and care tips to help you cultivate these weird and wonderful species in your own space.
Rostrinucula dependens
Chinese rostrinucula
An arching deciduous shrub with felted grey-green leaves and drooping spikes of pink flowers in late…
- Full sun, Partial shade
- 1.5–2.5 m (5–8 ft)
- H4 · Zone 7
Kniphofia caulescens
Red hot poker
A statuesque evergreen red hot poker with broad glaucous leaves and coral-to-cream flower spikes.
- Full sun
- 1–1.5 m (3–5 ft)
- H6 · Zone 6
Arundo donax var. versicolor
Variegated giant reed
A tall, statuesque grass with broad cane-like stems and boldly cream-and-green striped leaves.
- Full sun, Partial shade
- 2–3.5 m (7–11 ft)
- H3 · Zone 7
Argyranthemum pinnatifidum
Marguerite daisy
A finely cut, silvery-leaved marguerite with a long summer display of white daisy flowers.
- Full sun, Partial shade
- 45–75 cm (18–30 in)
- H2 · Zone 9
Abutilon savitzii
Variegated abutilon
An arching evergreen shrub with cream-margined maple-like leaves and pendent orange bells.
- Full sun, Partial shade
- 1–1.8 m (3–6 ft)
- H3 · Zone 9
Acorus gramineus 'Ogon'
Golden Japanese sweet flag
A low, grass-like evergreen with bright gold and green striped foliage for pond edges and moist…
- Full sun, Partial shade
- 20–30 cm (8–12 in)
- H5 · Zone 6
