Cup of Gold Vine, Golden Chalice Vine, Hawaiian Lily (Solandra maxima)

Solandra Maxima has up to 20cm large flowers and leather-like large leaves. Due to its fast growth, the decorative evergreen plant can be used well as a climbing if it is provided with a suitable climbing aid. The lumbering stems can train air roots to provide additional water absorption, typical are also numerous cork warts on the bark.

Solandra is rich in Tropanalkoide, some of which have a strong hallucinogenic effect. In Mexico, Solandra species are mainly used as a love potion and aphrodisiac.

Soil: They are good in almost every soil, but they have a high water and nutrient requirement.

If the plants are kept in pots, it should be fertilized twice a year with long-term fertilizer.

Light: thrives particularly well in warm, light-rich locations, tolerates full sun. High humidity

Aloe vera (Aloe vera)

Of the approximately 500 aloe species, Aloe vera is probably the most famous. Medicinal effects have both aloe vera and Aloe arborescens.

Aloe Vera is a part of many creams and cosmetic products and is now grown in a large scale.

Aloe can also be used very simply fresh by breaking the leaves and the gel juice directly on the affected skin areas

Uses: Sunburn, skin care products, lubricants

Jacaranda, blue jacaranda, fern tree (Jacaranda mimosifolia)

This tropical tree is originally from the plateau in South America, but because of its beautiful blue flowers and long flowering period it is currently spread throughout the world. It withstands temperatures up to -7.

African lily (Agapanthus africanus)

The African Lily also called in Spanish and German the Flower of Love, since it is the direct translation of its botanical name. Agapanthus comes from South Africa and there it is widespread as a wild plant. Its huge blooms with stems crowned with blue flowers reach a length of 50-150 cm. Although it is usually blue the, there are variety of agapanthus with white flowers.

Curiosity: Agapanthus grown in small pots flower more, but if the roots grow out of the pot it must be replanted after flowering to get beautiful flowers the next year. Agapanthus is frost resistant to -5

Bay laurel, sweet bay, bay tree (Laurus nobilis)

Laurel comes from the Middle East and spread throughout the Mediterranean a long time ago. It can reach a height of approx. 12 meters and is not resistant to frost. In areas of heavy frost (less than -8) it is best planted in pots. Bay leaves can be harvested throughout the year and due to its versatility this shrub can also be converted into a bonsai with the shape of a sphere, pyramid, etc. Bay leaf were once of great importance in Greek and Roman mythology. A laurel wreath was the prize for merit in sport as well as a symbol for knowledge and fame.

It is much stronger planted out, potted it needs to stay wetter. For the best growth the soil should be a mixture of sand (20-30%) and a good garden soil and always well drained. Prune it regularly and if possible fertilize it.

Laurel prefers rainwater to irrigation. Mealybugs are their insect enemies by nature.

Light: Full sun

Multiplication: by cuttings (10-15 cm) is successful (2/3 of the cutting free of leaves and put them deep in culture substrate (substrate Perlite and garden), root formation occurs at 20 ° C and takes about 1 month. Multiplication by seeds is also very simple, leave the seeds in water at room temperature for 2 days and then plant put in approx. 1 cm deep and the seeds should germinate in about 14-21 days.

In winter : Withstands temperature of up to 8 below zero. Potted plant to the 5ªC fresh and bright place and the leaves do not fall either have to water it regularly.

Uses:

In the kitchen: Fresh or dried whole Laurel leaves can be used in meat, fish and game, and marinades. The leaves are removed before serving. They also add to the flavor in the sauce for spaghetti bolognese. Vegetables and potatoes cooked with laurel have an interesting flavour.

In the Home: Dried bay leaves in the kitchen or in the pot of rice and flour keeps the bugs away.

Medicinal: menstruation regulator, appetite stimulant, anti-inflammatory, improves blood circulation, diuretic, bactericidal. Moreover, the oil has a healing power in skin rashes and blisters. Laurel should not be used during pregnancy, although no known contact allergies. Taken in excess can result in trance and unconscious.

Cape honeysuckle (Tecoma capensis)

From US and South Africa is an evergreen shrub there and also in the Mediterranean region.  In colder areas, however, he can lose the leaves in winter, but then drifts back in the spring. In Spain, Tecomaria capensis is a popular climbing plant because of its blossoms in autumn and winter.

Temperatures around the freezing point to-3 degrees are tolerated. In Germany,  probably only possible in pots.

After flowering, a good back cut is an advantage.

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Pride of Madeira Plant (Echium candicans)
 

As its name suggests this plant comes from Madeira. Due to its stunning blue flowers (20-30 cm) it is currently a very popular on the Mediterranean coast as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks. It flowers in Spain from April to May.

Multiplication by seed is quite simple. Echium candicans withstands temperatures around 0 ° C. it also withstands long periods of drought.

Location: a sunny place in the garden

Tritoma, Torck lilly, Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia uvaria)
 

The Kniphofia uvaria comes from South Africa and outside the plant is considered resistant up to -10 ° C. Its red, yellow and orange flowers are visited by bees and other pollinating insects. The kniphofia need one or two years to establish and form a spectacular plant, then it requires minimal attention.

Location: Full sun

Soil: Permeable

Cockspur coral tree (Erythrina crista-galli)

This beautiful tree comes from South America, and because of its sensitivity to cold in northern and central Europe can only be grown in pots. In southern Europe however it is often seen as an outside plant, withstanding temperatures of up to 5 ° C (although temporarily losing its leaves)

Location: Full sun, it needs regular watering and plenty of nutrients in soil.

Plant of Taro Eddo (Colocasia esculenta)

Characteristic of this plant (in German it is known as the " Water bread root ") is its rhizome with lots of starch which is used for the production of flour and a its preference for moistlocations. Taro was cultivated as food in the Malaysian peninsula over 7,000 years ago. It is not a cold-resistant plant and our experience is that it dies back in a cold winter, and even if it seems dead it sprouts again at the end of spring (especially if we protect it with dry leaves). It can also be grown indoors as an ornamental pot plant and it does not need any special care.