Pinecone Thistle.  Pretty cool 6"-12" tall plant from dry pine woods and wastelands in southern Europe and northern Africa.  The spineless gray-green, thistle-like leaves, are felted gray-white underneath and are a perfect accompaniment to the art project flowers.  Tufts of filamentous purplish flowers erupt from hefty cones of overlapping, feathered brown scales.

Riverine Tea Tree.  This uncommon to cultivation Tasmania endemic is often found along stream banks in its native setting so can take moister conditions than some other species.  White flowers on an evergreen shrub with good flaking bark and getting to 8'-10'.  Deer proof as well.

A very handsome hardy tuberous Begonia with orange flowers of which it is obviously very proud of as it is not shy about displaying them.  This makes a nice clump and can be left in the garden over winter.  Good in containers although I wouldn't let the pots freeze solid.  Increases well.

An awesome - and I don't use this word lightly - hardy Impatiens from Africa.  John Grimshaw in the UK speaks highly of this species.  To 6' tall in morning sun or light shade with awesome (there i go again) 3" wide flat-faced white flowers with a red throat.  Gorgeous.  Perennial big tuberous roots.  Not a seeding thug.

A seldom-encountered Dianthus from the mountains in South Africa.  Apparently the local indigenous use this in magic - we can attest we are transported briefly to another realm when this flowers.  Nice pink flowers on slowly spreading mats which is best suited for the rock garden.  Good drainage in full sun and hardy to zone 7 and possibly lower.

A dwarf Foxglove from Spain and North Africa and a Plant Select introduction for those hot and cold Rocky Moutain gardeners.  Bewitching spires of dark Baltic amber flowers in early summer, this perennial will form nice clumps with multiple flower stems.  Evergreen narrow leaves in less harsh winters, this is hardy to zone 4b.  Not too wet, don't overfeed.

Plant Addict Alert!  If you have problems coping with uncontrollable acquisition, step away from this plant.  Take a few minutes, walk through the garden and if you are still besotted, know that it is ok because this is totally cool!  Crazy Ethiopian species for a hot sunny spot with red flowers late summer into fall.

Andalusian Dutchman's Pipe.  Native to Portugal, Spain and hopping across Gibraltar to North Africa, this curious vine with its heart-shaped leaves always gives pause with its small mahogany-purple flowers shaped like trippy little saxophones.  We find it nigh unto impossible to walk by without stopping to admire the pixie quirkiness.  Comparatively large seed pods follow the flowers.