Osmanthus fragrans, is commonly known as Kwai-fah in Hawaii as well as sweet olive, tea olive and fragrant olive. It produces tiny flowers with an exquisite scent so profuse it has been said that one flower can scent an entire room. The scent is reminiscent of apricots. It blooms sporadically throughout the summer with heavier blooming during the cooler months. While it will grow in full sun, it thrives best with a little shade at least part of the day.  A side of the house under an open window is an ideal location as well as a potted plant on a lanai. It is our staff member Troy's picks as one of the exceptional plants we carry in our nursery.

Red Caribaea is an older variety heliconia but is still my favorite.  It's beautiful red flower bracks will last for months on the plant and it's form is a clean upright one. It's stalks get a white frost over the green adding an additional element of interest and beauty to this heliconia. Reaching an average height of 12-16 feet, it makes an excellent back drop to a tropical garden and an interesting focal point to a corner garden. It also makes a great tranquil view of tropical foliage outside a window where you many want to block a neighbor or street view yet still allows you to let light and breezes in your home. It blooms year round and, although it slows down during the winter months, it blooms vigorously the rest of the year. It is a staple in our nursery and Robin's pick for one of the exceptional plants we carry here at Sharon's Plants.