Goals: biodiversity

The flame tree of Indian summers; fast, spectacular and shallow-rooted.

Orchid-like flowers in February, and buds that go into the north-Indian kitchen.

Huge red cups in February that feed every bird in the neighbourhood at once.

Scarlet flowers on bare branches in spring; grows from a stuck-in cutting.

The national flower — a big tub, full sun and patience is all it takes.

Flowers open white and turn crimson over three days; scents a whole verandah.

Blue butterfly pea — a light climber that fixes nitrogen and makes blue tea.

Passion flower — intricate blooms and the host plant of tawny coster butterflies.

The desert milkweed, smaller than gigantea and even tougher.

Opens at four in the afternoon and self-sows itself around the garden.