Regions: Central India

A thorny slow tree of dry country with a hard-shelled sour fruit.

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

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

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

Host plant for tiger butterflies — plant one and the caterpillars arrive.

The desert milkweed, smaller than gigantea and even tougher.

A relentless nectar plant — and an invasive that must be kept in a pot.

Yellow chandeliers in May, when the city most needs something to look at.

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

The garden chrysanthemum of the north-Indian winter, sold by the crate at Diwali.