Regions: east

A small shady-forest shrub, historically important and now scarce in the wild.

The bitter herb of the monsoon — quick from seed and a reliable pot plant.

A cement tub of still water on a terrace becomes a dragonfly and frog habitat in one season.

Compact evergreen with flower heads butterflies work all morning.

A fast native shade tree with scented ball flowers, and a favourite of city birds.

A slow, tough native tree for a hot courtyard, with fruit that makes the summer sherbet.

The fastest useful tree there is — 3 m in a year, with edible leaves and pods.

Peppery leaves in five weeks, and yellow flowers for the bees if you let a few stalks run on.

The monsoon green that grows itself — heat-proof, rain-proof and ready in a month.

Summer staple for a sunny terrace; pick every second day or the pods turn woody.