Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 'Lollipop'

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 'Lollipop'

This is one of the small windmill style of Hibiscus flowers which characteristically hang down and twirl around in the breeze. 
It is an Australian Hibiscus bred by Brian Kerr and his comment below describes its origin and his suggestion for its use as a hedging variety.

This lovely curled flower with radiating dark red stripes from the centre and slight fringing and crimping on the petal edge are produced in abundance for most of the year.

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 'Grapette'

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 'Grapette'

Of the lavender/grey flowering Hibiscus, my favourite has to be 'Peggy Walton' which has a contrasting red 'eye' in the centre of the bloom which lifts the pale grey flower.

This is a prolific flowering variety however with medium sized blooms about 15cm across. on a strong upright bush.
'Grapette' is from Florida and was bred by Gordon and Evelyn Howard from 'Topaz Glory' x 'Tylene'.

Salvia splendens 'Dark Purple'

Salvia splendens Dark Purple 

Some flowers can be just too dark, am thinking of the all black Pansy for example, which can make them difficult to place in a garden. They need a bright companion, as shown here where they are planted with Tithonia 'Fiesta del Sol', to lift the mood from the sombre tone which they evoke.

Silver foliage plants make for a sophisticated match also, so this Salvia could look good surrounded by the old silver dust bush, a Senecio or Cineraria species. Salvia splendens have few pest or disease problems though snails are partial to young seedlings. They tolerate heat and dry well but need regular removal of spent flowers to keep blooming for months.

Salvia splendens 'Salmon'

Salvia splendens 'Salmon'

This is one from last summer which was a left over from plant sales and was lurking in the throw out pile. It redeemed itself by putting on a show of flowers to get my attention. 

The salmon orange calyxes clasp pale pink flowers which are made to appear more delicate from the more vibrant companion above.

Hardy? Yes This went through frost in the plant market and regrew from the base in spring.

Salvia splendens 'Salsa Plum'

Salvia splendens 'Salsa Plum'

Flowering for months, as I have been cutting back each batch of flowers when they finish and more are produced within no time. The flower colour varies from plum to maroon or cranberry, depending on the weather and light conditions. The individual flared trumpet shaped flowers below the papery calyx have an orange throat a bit like like a mango salsa combo. So an aptly named short lived perennial or annual summer bloomer. Seed is best sown in spring, though germination can be erratic and it is best to wait until days are consistently warm for success.

Capsicum annum 'Pusa Jwala'

Capsicum annum 'Pusa Jwala', Indian Chilli Variety

Oh to be in Hyderabad for "the defeat of monumental proportions in the second Test by an innings and 135 runs......." though larrikin Merv Hughes looked like he was having a great time in the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium. Loved to have been there under that blazing blue sky.

This is the most popular Indian chilli variety characterized by elongated curling pods which have a wrinkly puckered skin. Mine are still pale green though they will change to red over the coming months. The plant has an umbrella shape of loose open branches and is very prolific. This chilli dries well so is easy to store for later use. It makes a good container plant or decorative kitchen garden addition.

Capsicum pubescens 'Canario'

Capsicum pubescens 'Canario'

 It is the chilli ripening time of year and many of the varieties which I have had for years languish in pots in some odd corner awaiting garden space or spare time to nurture and plant out. Even these neglected ones still produce fruit and I look on in reverence knowing they go off the heat scale for me to even dare try, as I swear "siete caldos", hot enough to season seven soups or "caballo", because the heat of the pod kicks like a horse, when I pass them over for the milder 'lipstick' or 'bullet' types.

Capsicum pubescens has a history going back some 6000 years when it was domesticated by the Incas in the ancient capital of Cuzco in Peru. It is a high altitude species and forms a shrubby plant with arching branches to over a metre clothed in soft hairy leaves and conspicuous purple star shaped flowers. Cutting open a mature pod reveals many black seeds which is a way of distinguishing this species from other chilli. It will tolerate low winter temperatures and usually re-shoots after frost damage. Perfect to grow in a decorative pot in a courtyard or kitchen garden as they do in the highlands of Mexico and Peru.