Uncommon Plants

Another beauty is Moses-in-a-cradle. A single small pink flower at the ends of the stems attracts bees by the busload. This is an annual in most parts of the country. It's often used as a specimen, both in a mixed border or in a basket, as well as in mass plantings.

Southern gardeners are probably familiar with the annual Mexican firebush because it's native to Florida. The pale-green leaves are a real standout, but it's the cluster of red flowers at the ends of the main stems that make this plant come alive. Hummingbirds also love this flower.

One of James' favorite annuals is the pineapple sage. "I've been growing it for years," he says. "When it's in bloom it puts on a dazzling display of trumpet-shaped, magenta-colored flowers. But what makes this plant unusual, as its name suggests, is that its foliage smells just like pineapple and can be used to flavor teas as well as various baked goods."

Lemon grass is grown all over Southeast Asia, and it's used extensively in a variety of dishes. Here in the States, it grows well from early spring to early fall. Lemon grass needs full sun and lots of moisture. Although it isn't hardy, it will grow to about 4 feet. The portion of the plant used in cooking is the stem, which is usually cut into small sections or sliced.

Another plant that's harvested for use in Asian cooking is garlic chives, and what makes it an unusual plant is that it freely flowers in the heat of August, a time when most plants are struggling to survive. The leaves are best eaten fresh or quickly stir-fried, and the flowers are edible too. One word of caution, however. Garlic chives self-sow all over the place, so make sure you cut the faded flowers before they have a chance to set seed.

Arugula is another green that's great in salads, and it too has a pungent, peppery flavor. One variety is Italian rustic arugula, an heirloom whose flavor is a bit more powerful.

Another interesting-flavored plant is an annual herb called epazote or Mexican bean herb or Mexican tea, and it wakes up foods with a spicy, pungent flavor, especially bean dishes. Epazote should be used fresh, and just a little sprig goes a long way. It also self-sows readily, so make sure you keep it contained.

Many gardeners grow an ornamental plant called Joseph's Coat. One of its relatives, amaranth, is not only ornamental but edible, too. The leaves can be harvested for use in salads and stir-fry dishes, and the seeds can be harvested, dried, and converted into a nutrient-rich grain. Amaranth is available in several sizes and colors, and it's easy to grow from seed provided it gets plenty of sun and moisture.

Last but not least, James suggests an old favorite--banana. "It's a lot cheaper than a trip to the islands," James says. The young dwarf variety is ideal for growing in containers, but a lot of folks grow full-sized banana trees in their landscape.