Regions: south

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

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

One plant on a sill supplies a household. Crops for two years if you keep picking.

A monsoon climber that will roof a terrace in eight weeks if you give it a frame.

Regrows from the root end of a shop-bought bunch — the cheapest crop in the house.

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

A pot by an open window does more for a summer evening than any air freshener.

Grows from a bare cutting pushed into dry soil; flowers scent a whole terrace.

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.