Honey plants – hardiness zones compared (USDA, RHS, Canadian & Australian)

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All 274 honey plants in the catalogue, alphabetical by common name. Each links to a full page with its ratings across the USDA, RHS, Canadian and Australian systems.

Alfalfa (Lucerne) Medicago sativa – Globally important forage legume with a taproot that can reach 15 m. One of the most efficient nitrogen-fixers and a powerful dynamic accumulator from deep soil layers. USDA zones 3–10
Almond Prunus dulcis – Mediterranean fruit tree closely related to peach, grown for the seed inside the inedible hull. Pink-white spring blossom; needs hot dry summer. USDA zones 7–10
Alpine sea holly Eryngium alpinum – Alpine European sea holly with the largest and most spectacular flower heads of any Eryngium — domed steel-blue thimbles surrounded by elaborate finely cut feathery blue bracts. USDA zones 4–8
Alsike clover Trifolium hybridum – Short-lived perennial clover bridging white and red — pink-flushed flower heads, similar growth habit. Tolerates wet and acidic soils where other clovers fail. USDA zones 3–8
Angelica Angelica archangelica – Stately biennial or short-lived perennial with hollow stems that have long been candied as a confection. Aromatic root is a traditional digestive bitter. USDA zones 3–7
Anise hyssop Agastache foeniculum – North American prairie native perennial with upright spikes of lavender-blue flowers and aniseed-scented leaves. Outstanding bee plant and a fragrant tea herb. USDA zones 4–8
Apothecary’s rose Rosa gallica ‘Officinalis’ – Old garden rose with semi-double rich pink flowers and powerful damask fragrance in a single concentrated flush at midsummer. One of the oldest cultivated roses in Europe. USDA zones 3–8
Apple — Anna Malus domestica "Anna" – Israeli-bred low-chill apple, one of the few cultivars that fruits reliably in subtropical climates. USDA zones 5–11
Apple — Antonovka Malus domestica "Antonovka" – Russian heritage apple of exceptional cold hardiness. Large yellow-green fruit, primarily culinary; also a common rootstock for cold-climate orchards. USDA zones 2–6
Apple — Bramley's Seedling Malus domestica "Bramley's Seedling" – Definitive UK culinary apple. Large, heavy fruit, sharply acidic, holds shape well when cooked. USDA zones 5–8
Apple — Calville Blanc d'Hiver Malus domestica "Calville Blanc d'Hiver" – French heritage culinary apple dating to the 1500s — irregular ribbed shape, intensely aromatic, the classic apple for tarte aux pommes. USDA zones 5–8
Apple — Cox's Orange Pippin Malus domestica "Cox's Orange Pippin" – UK heritage dessert apple regarded as the flavour benchmark for English apples. Aromatic, complex flesh; demanding to grow. USDA zones 5–8
Apple — Cox's Pomona Malus domestica "Cox's Pomona" – Large UK heritage culinary apple raised by Richard Cox in the 1820s — sister seedling of the famous Cox's Orange Pippin but used for cooking. USDA zones 5–8
Apple — Dabinett Malus domestica "Dabinett" – Traditional bittersweet cider apple from Somerset, England. Late-season, low-acid, high-tannin — an essential blender for English-style ciders. USDA zones 5–8
Apple — Fuji Malus domestica "Fuji" – Japanese-bred late-season dessert apple. Sweet, dense flesh and excellent storage; a strong choice for warmer apple-growing regions. USDA zones 6–9
Apple — Golden Delicious Malus domestica "Golden Delicious" – Mid-season yellow-skinned dessert apple, widely adapted across temperate climates. Reliable pollinator for many other apple varieties. USDA zones 5–8
Apple — Granny Smith Malus domestica "Granny Smith" – Late-season green apple originating in Australia. Tart and crisp, an excellent keeper and cooking apple as well as a popular dessert variety. USDA zones 6–9
Apple — Gravenstein Malus domestica "Gravenstein" – Early-season heritage apple, equally good for fresh eating, cooking, and traditional cider. USDA zones 4–8
Apple — Kingston Black Malus domestica "Kingston Black" – Highly regarded UK bittersweet cider apple, capable of producing a balanced single-variety "vintage" cider — rare among cider apples. USDA zones 5–8
Apple — Monty's Surprise Malus domestica "Monty's Surprise" – New Zealand heritage cultivar with extraordinarily high phytonutrient content — among the most-studied apples for nutritional medicine. USDA zones 6–9
Apple — Orleans Reinette Malus domestica "Orleans Reinette" – French heritage dessert apple from the early 18th century. Flat russeted golden fruit with intensely rich, almost nutty flavour. USDA zones 5–8
Apple — Pink Lady (Cripps Pink) Malus domestica "Cripps Pink" – Australian-bred late-season dessert apple — Lady Williams × Golden Delicious cross. Distinctive pink-blushed yellow skin and dense crunch. USDA zones 6–9
Apple — Roxbury Russet Malus domestica "Roxbury Russet" – Oldest documented American apple variety (Roxbury, Massachusetts, c. 1635). Russeted greenish skin, dense nutty flesh, exceptional keeper. USDA zones 3–7
Apple — Tropic Sweet Malus domestica "Tropic Sweet" – Florida-developed ultra-low-chill apple bred for subtropical climates where conventional apples fail to fruit. USDA zones 8–11
Apple — Yarlington Mill Malus domestica "Yarlington Mill" – West Country English cider apple — soft bittersweet character, mid-season. A reliable workhorse cultivar in commercial cider blends. USDA zones 5–8
Apple (domestic) Malus domestica – Deciduous fruit tree. Most varieties need cross-pollination from another apple cultivar. USDA zones 3–8
Apricot Prunus armeniaca – Small deciduous fruit tree producing soft golden-orange fruit in midsummer. Demanding because of its early flowering. USDA zones 5–9
Apricot — Goldcot Prunus armeniaca "Goldcot" – Cold-hardy Michigan-bred apricot — one of the few cultivars that fruits reliably in zone 4 and short-season climates. USDA zones 4–8
Apricot — Hunter Prunus armeniaca "Hunter" – Australian-bred apricot tolerant of warmer and more humid summers than most apricots. Suited to the New South Wales Hunter Valley region and similar climates. USDA zones 6–9
Apricot — Moorpark Prunus armeniaca "Moorpark" – Heritage UK apricot from the late 1700s — large, deep orange fruit with rich, full-flavoured flesh. The benchmark variety. USDA zones 5–9
Apricot — Tomcot Prunus armeniaca "Tomcot" – Early-season apricot ripening 2–3 weeks before Moorpark. Large orange fruit with red blush. USDA zones 6–9
Apricot — Trevatt Prunus armeniaca "Trevatt" – South Australian heritage apricot — the standard commercial variety in the Riverland for canning, drying, and fresh fruit. USDA zones 7–10
Asian pear — Hosui Pyrus pyrifolia "Hosui" – Bronze-skinned Asian pear with rich, complex flavour and high juice content. The reference variety for Asian pear quality. USDA zones 5–9
Asian pear — Nijisseiki (20th Century) Pyrus pyrifolia "Nijisseiki" – Most widely planted Asian pear cultivar in Japan and Australia. Pale yellow-green skin, crisp aromatic flesh eaten while still firm. USDA zones 5–9
Asian pear (Nashi) Pyrus pyrifolia – Round, crisp, juicy pear eaten fresh while still firm. More fire-blight resistant than European pears. USDA zones 5–9
Autumn sage Salvia greggii – Compact shrubby Texas and northeastern Mexican native salvia with masses of small hooded flowers in red, pink, salmon, coral, or white, blooming from late spring through autumn. USDA zones 7–10
Avocado — Bacon Persea americana "Bacon" – Mexican-origin avocado with smooth green skin and lighter, more watery flesh than Hass. Considerably more cold-tolerant. USDA zones 8–11
Avocado — Hass Persea americana "Hass" – The dominant commercial avocado worldwide — pebbly black-purple skin when ripe, dense buttery flesh with a high oil content. USDA zones 9–11
Banksia Banksia integrifolia – Australian native tree or large shrub with bottlebrush-like flower spikes attractive to nectar feeders. USDA zones 9–11
Bird cherry Prunus padus – Small native cherry of damp woodland, flowering in long fragrant white racemes after the leaves are out. Bitter black fruits are quickly stripped by birds. USDA zones 3–7
Bird's foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus – Sprawling European perennial with bright yellow pea-flowers fading to orange and seed pods arranged like a bird's claws. A meadow staple supporting many butterfly species. USDA zones 3–8
Black cherry (timber) Prunus serotina – Eastern North American native cherry, reaching 25 m, with rich red-brown heartwood that ages to deep mahogany. The principal North American cabinetry timber after walnut, prized for Shaker and Arts-and-Crafts furniture. USDA zones 3–9
Black locust Robinia pseudoacacia – Fast-growing North American leguminous tree. Wood is one of the most rot-resistant timbers in temperate climates — fence posts last 50+ years. Heavy nitrogen fixer. USDA zones 3–8
Black medic Medicago lupulina – Low-growing annual or short-lived perennial in the alfalfa genus. Often turns up uninvited in lawns — usefully so, since it tolerates compacted soil and adds nitrogen. USDA zones 3–9
Black tupelo (Black gum) Nyssa sylvatica – Eastern North American native tree with glossy leaves that turn brilliant scarlet, orange and yellow in mid-autumn — often considered the single most spectacular native tree for autumn colour. USDA zones 4–9
Black wattle Acacia mearnsii – Fast-growing Australian wattle widely planted as a commercial tannin source. The bark contains the highest commercially viable tannin concentration of any common species (28–40%). USDA zones 8–11
Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta – North American native daisy with rich golden-yellow petals around a dark chocolate central cone. Peak bloom from midsummer well into autumn. USDA zones 3–9
Blackberry Rubus fruticosus – Vigorous cane fruit with sprawling, often thorny growth. Modern thornless cultivars (Loch Ness, Triple Crown) make cultivation far easier. USDA zones 5–10
Blackcurrant Ribes nigrum – Deciduous shrub bearing intensely flavoured black berries packed with vitamin C. Cool-summer plant — declines quickly in hot dry climates. USDA zones 3–7
Blanket flower Gaillardia × grandiflora – Hybrid prairie perennial with bold daisy flowers in fiery combinations of red, orange, and yellow, often with a contrasting central button. Flowers continuously from early summer through autumn. USDA zones 3–10
Blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum – Compact deciduous shrub with edible berries and good autumn colour. Needs strongly acidic soil. USDA zones 4–7
Blueberry — Rabbiteye Vaccinium virgatum – Southeastern US native blueberry — taller, more heat-tolerant, and lower-chill than highbush types. USDA zones 7–9
Blueberry — Southern Highbush Vaccinium corymbosum hybrid – Modern hybrid blueberries bred to fruit reliably in low-chill climates. The mainstay of commercial blueberry production in southern Australia. USDA zones 7–10
Borage Borago officinalis – Bristly annual herb with brilliant blue star-shaped flowers. Once sown, returns yearly from self-set seed. USDA zones 2–11
Boysenberry Rubus ursinus × idaeus – Raspberry-loganberry-blackberry hybrid developed in California and refined commercially in New Zealand. Large, deep purple, intensely flavoured fruit. USDA zones 5–9
Broad bean (Fava) Vicia faba – Cool-season legume sown autumn through early spring. Nitrogen-fixing roots make it a useful cover crop and follow-on partner. USDA zones 3–9
Bronze fennel Foeniculum vulgare ‘Purpureum’ – Tall perennial fennel with the same anise-scented foliage and yellow umbel flowers as the green form, but with smoky purple-bronze new growth. USDA zones 4–9
Buckwheat Fagopyrum esculentum – Fast-growing warm-season grain — flowers six to eight weeks from sowing. Exceptional phosphorus scavenger and an outstanding bee plant during its short flowering window. USDA zones 2–10
Burdock Arctium lappa – Tall biennial with heart-shaped leaves and the famous bristly seed burrs that inspired Velcro. Roots are the Japanese vegetable gobo and a traditional blood-purifying medicinal. USDA zones 2–9
Calendula (Pot marigold) Calendula officinalis – Cheerful orange or yellow daisy-flowered annual that self-seeds reliably and flowers from late spring until hard frost. A traditional companion plant in vegetable gardens. USDA zones 2–11
Caradonna sage Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’ – Selected cultivar of woodland sage with distinctive near-black flower stems carrying dense spikes of deep violet flowers in early summer. The signature ornamental sage of modern naturalistic planting design. USDA zones 4–8
Carob Ceratonia siliqua – Long-lived Mediterranean tree producing leathery dark pods used as a chocolate substitute and as livestock feed. Drought-tolerant; nitrogen-fixing roots. USDA zones 9–11
Caryopteris (Blue mist shrub) Caryopteris × clandonensis – Compact deciduous shrub with grey-green aromatic foliage and clouds of bright blue flowers from late summer into autumn. USDA zones 5–9
Catmint Nepeta × faassenii – Hardy hybrid perennial with grey-green aromatic foliage and long flushes of small lavender-blue flowers from late spring to early autumn. USDA zones 3–8
Catnip Nepeta cataria – Mint-family perennial with grey-green leaves and small white flowers. Famously stimulating to most domestic cats. USDA zones 3–9
Cherry — Compact Stella Prunus avium "Compact Stella" – Naturally dwarf form of Stella, reaching only 2–3 m. Ideal for small gardens, large containers, and patio cultivation. USDA zones 5–8
Cherry — Lapins Prunus avium "Lapins" – Self-fertile sweet cherry with crack-resistant skin — a major advantage in climates with summer rain at harvest time. USDA zones 5–8
Cherry — Montmorency Prunus cerasus "Montmorency" – The benchmark North American sour cherry — the basis of nearly all commercial pie cherries, dried tart cherries, and cherry juice. USDA zones 4–8
Cherry — Morello Prunus cerasus "Morello" – Acid cherry traditionally trained against north-facing walls in walled English gardens. The only cherry that fruits reliably in part shade. USDA zones 3–8
Cherry — Sour (Morello) Prunus cerasus – Smaller, more tolerant cousin of sweet cherry. Tart fruit for cooking, preserving, and liqueurs; a far more reliable garden tree. USDA zones 3–8
Cherry — Stella Prunus avium "Stella" – The first commercially successful self-fertile sweet cherry, bred in British Columbia. Black-red dessert fruit; reliable cropper. USDA zones 5–8
Cherry — Sunburst Prunus avium "Sunburst" – Large dark-red self-fertile sweet cherry — Stella × Van cross from British Columbia. Heavy cropper. USDA zones 5–8
Cherry — Sweet Prunus avium – Tall deciduous tree producing dessert cherries. Demanding — needs winter chill, low humidity at flowering, and protection from birds at harvest. USDA zones 4–8
Chestnut — Chinese Castanea mollissima – Smaller, more compact chestnut species with high natural resistance to chestnut blight. The standard nut chestnut for North American gardens. USDA zones 4–8
Chestnut — Sweet (European) Castanea sativa – Long-lived large deciduous tree producing edible nuts in spiny husks. Valued for both timber and food across southern Europe. USDA zones 5–9
Chicory Cichorium intybus – Versatile perennial used for forced blanched chicons (witloof), open-headed leaves (radicchio), or roasted root coffee substitute. USDA zones 3–9
Comfrey Symphytum officinale – Coarse-leaved perennial with deep taproot. A workhorse of permaculture gardens for compost activator, mulch, and chop-and-drop fertility. USDA zones 3–9
Common knapweed (Black knapweed) Centaurea nigra – Tough native meadow perennial with thistle-like rose-purple flower heads on wiry stems. One of the top native plants for pollinator diversity. USDA zones 3–8
Common sugarbush Protea repens – Cape fynbos shrub of South Africa with grey-green narrow leaves and large cup-shaped flower heads in white, pink, or deep red, dripping sugary nectar — the original "sugarbush" of early Cape settlers. USDA zones 9–11
Common vetch Vicia sativa – Fast-growing annual legume — the standard small-scale green manure across much of Europe. Autumn-sown in mild climates, spring-sown in cold. USDA zones 3–9
Cootamundra wattle Acacia baileyana – Fast-growing southern NSW endemic wattle to 8 m with fine silvery-blue ferny foliage and abundant fragrant golden ball flowers in late winter. Outside its small native range, a notorious invader. USDA zones 8–10
Coriander (Cilantro) Coriandrum sativum – Fast-growing annual umbellifer producing fresh leafy growth and then white flower umbels and aromatic round seeds. USDA zones 2–11
Cornflower Centaurea cyanus – Brilliant blue annual once common in cornfields, now almost extinct in the wild. Easy to grow from seed and indispensable for pollinator-friendly annual displays. USDA zones 2–10
Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus – Slender annual with feathery foliage and continuous open daisy flowers in pinks and whites. One of the easiest and most productive bee plants for the cutting garden. USDA zones 2–11
Crab apple ‘Evereste’ Malus ‘Evereste’ – Compact ornamental crab apple with profuse white spring blossom from pink buds and persistent small orange-red fruits that hang on the tree deep into winter. USDA zones 4–8
Crab apple ‘John Downie’ Malus ‘John Downie’ – Small ornamental crab apple with white spring blossom and abundant orange-red conical fruits in autumn. Among the best crab apples for both eating and wildlife. USDA zones 4–8
Cranberry Vaccinium macrocarpon – Low-growing North American native producing red autumn berries on damp acidic ground. Outside its native bog habitat, a difficult plant. USDA zones 2–6
Crimson bottlebrush Callistemon citrinus – Medium shrub or small tree with narrow lemon-scented leaves and iconic bright red bottlebrush flower spikes that draw honeyeaters and lorikeets in numbers. USDA zones 8–11
Crimson clover Trifolium incarnatum – Tall annual clover with deep crimson flower heads — striking enough to be ornamental as well as agricultural. A staple winter cover crop in orchards. USDA zones 5–9
Damask rose Rosa × damascena – Old garden rose with loose semi-double pale pink flowers and supremely intense fragrance, in a single midsummer flush. The source of most commercially distilled rose oil. USDA zones 4–9
Dandelion Taraxacum officinale – Familiar lawn weed and traditional liver and kidney tonic. Every part is edible — leaves in salads, roots roasted as coffee substitute, flowers in syrups and wines. USDA zones 2–10
Desert lime Citrus glauca – Thorny native Australian citrus of arid inland regions. Small green fruit has exceptionally high vitamin C and a sharp distinctive flavour. USDA zones 8–12
Devil’s bit scabious Succisa pratensis – Native damp-meadow perennial with rounded violet-blue flower heads in late summer. Sole larval food plant of the rare marsh fritillary butterfly. USDA zones 3–8
Dill Anethum graveolens – Annual umbellifer with feathery blue-green foliage and flat-topped yellow flower umbels. A classic culinary herb and a top companion plant for biological pest control. USDA zones 2–11
Dong quai (Chinese angelica) Angelica sinensis – Cool-climate Chinese cousin of European angelica. Roots are one of the most prescribed female-reproductive herbs in traditional Chinese medicine. USDA zones 4–7
Dyer’s coreopsis (Plains coreopsis) Coreopsis tinctoria – Native annual prairie wildflower of central North America with abundant small yellow-and-red daisy flowers. Long used by the prairie peoples for orange-to-red dyes and now a popular natural-dyer’s annual. USDA zones 2–11
Echinacea (Coneflower) Echinacea purpurea – North American prairie native with bold pink-purple coneflowers through summer. Strong bee and butterfly plant. USDA zones 3–9
Elderberry Sambucus nigra – Vigorous deciduous shrub or small tree. Creamy summer flower heads (cordials, wine) followed by clusters of dark berries (syrups, traditional medicine). USDA zones 3–9
English lavender Lavandula angustifolia – Compact aromatic Mediterranean shrub. Thrives in poor, well-drained soil and full sun. USDA zones 5–9
Eucalyptus — Blue gum Eucalyptus globulus – Large fast-growing Australian eucalyptus, widely planted globally. Essential oil from the leaves is a traditional respiratory and decongestant remedy. USDA zones 8–11
Eucalyptus — Lemon-scented Corymbia citriodora – Tall eucalyptus with smooth pale bark and lemon-fragrant leaves. Essential oil is dominated by citronellal — a recognised insect repellent. USDA zones 9–11
Fennel Foeniculum vulgare – Tall feathery anise-scented perennial. Valued for foliage, seeds, swollen stem bases (Florence fennel), and as host plant. USDA zones 4–9
Fenugreek Trigonella foenum-graecum – Fast-growing annual legume — Indian culinary herb (methi), a galactagogue medicinal, and an excellent warm-season green manure with a distinctive maple-syrup scent. USDA zones 2–11
Fernleaf yarrow Achillea filipendulina – Tall perennial yarrow with feathery grey-green foliage and broad flat heads of bright yellow flowers held well above the leaves. USDA zones 3–8
Field scabious Knautia arvensis – Native meadow perennial with flat lilac pincushion flower heads on tall slender stems. A reliable bee and butterfly plant for chalk and dry soils. USDA zones 3–8
Finger lime Citrus australasica – Australian rainforest native producing finger-shaped fruit filled with caviar-like vesicles that pop when bitten. Cherished by chefs worldwide. USDA zones 9–12
Fire heath Erica cerinthoides – Cape fynbos and grassland heath with narrow needle-like grey-green leaves and clusters of slender tubular bright red flowers. One of the more widespread South African Erica species. USDA zones 9–11
Firewood banksia Banksia menziesii – Western Australian small tree to 10 m with rough corky bark, blue-grey toothed leaves, and large acorn-shaped flower spikes in red, orange, pink, or yellow through autumn and winter. USDA zones 9–10
Flat sea holly Eryngium planum – Eastern European native sea holly with branched stems of small steel-blue thimble flowers in summer, the stems and upper foliage equally steel-blue. The principal commercial cut-flower sea holly. USDA zones 4–9
French lavender Lavandula dentata – Aromatic Mediterranean lavender with toothed grey foliage, often blooming nearly year-round in mild climates. USDA zones 8–10
Gippsland waratah Telopea oreades – Tall Gippsland and eastern Victorian endemic waratah forming a slender tree to 10 m, with leathery narrow leaves and dome-shaped scarlet flower heads in spring. Distinct from the Sydney waratah in the database. USDA zones 9–10
Goldenrod Solidago spp. – Tall North American native perennials with arching plumes of intensely yellow flowers in late summer and autumn. One of the single most important late-season nectar sources. USDA zones 3–9
Gooseberry Ribes uva-crispa – Compact thorny European shrub with translucent green or red dessert fruit. Once a major British garden crop, now uncommon. USDA zones 3–8
Grapefruit Citrus × paradisi – Large evergreen citrus tree producing pink, red, or white-fleshed fruit. Of all citrus, the most demanding of summer heat to develop sweetness. USDA zones 9–12
Greater knapweed Centaurea scabiosa – Larger-flowered chalk-grassland relative of common knapweed, with deeply divided leaves and showy rose-pink flower heads. USDA zones 3–8
Grevillea Grevillea robusta – Australian native with feathery foliage and curious spider-like flowers. USDA zones 9–11
Grevillea ‘Robyn Gordon’ Grevillea ‘Robyn Gordon’ – Compact mounding hybrid grevillea with finely divided foliage and continuous deep-red brush-like flowers throughout the year. USDA zones 9–11
Hairpin banksia Banksia spinulosa – Compact eastern Australian banksia with narrow spiny leaves and golden cylindrical flower spikes through autumn and winter. USDA zones 8–11
Hairy vetch Vicia villosa – Winter-hardy annual or biennial vetch — the cover crop of choice for no-dig systems. When crimped at flowering, creates a dense mulch mat that the next crop is planted directly into. USDA zones 3–9
Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna – Thorny hedgerow tree with white spring blossom and red autumn haws. Backbone of British and Irish hedgerow ecology — supports hundreds of insect species. USDA zones 4–8
Heath banksia Banksia ericifolia – Eastern Australian native banksia with fine needle-like heath-like leaves and tall cylindrical orange-red flower spikes in autumn through winter. One of the most widely planted banksias in cultivation. USDA zones 8–11
Heather Calluna vulgaris – Low evergreen shrub of acid moorland across northern Europe, with masses of small mauve, pink, or white bell flowers in late summer. Aerial parts produce yellow to greenish-yellow textile dye. USDA zones 4–7
Holy basil (Tulsi) Ocimum tenuiflorum – Sacred plant in Hindu tradition and a major Ayurvedic adaptogen. Distinct from culinary basil — clove-scented foliage, small purple flower spikes. USDA zones 9–12
Honey locust Gleditsia triacanthos – Large North American legume with feathery foliage, sweet edible pods, and dappled shade — popular as a street tree because grass grows beneath it. USDA zones 3–9
Hyssop Hyssopus officinalis – Compact woody Mediterranean herb with deep blue flower spikes and pungent leaves. Underused in modern gardens. USDA zones 3–9
Jarrah Eucalyptus marginata – Tall hardwood eucalypt of southwestern Western Australia, reaching 40 m, with the dense red heartwood that is the iconic timber of WA construction — flooring, joinery, structural beams, and railway sleepers. USDA zones 9–11
Jerusalem artichoke (Sunchoke) Helianthus tuberosus – Tall sunflower relative grown for knobbly underground tubers. Cheerful late-summer yellow flowers; productive on poor ground. USDA zones 3–9
Joe Pye weed Eutrochium purpureum – Tall (2–3 m) clump-forming perennial with mauve-pink flower heads. Traditional urinary tonic; one of the most important late-season nectar plants of the eastern North American garden. USDA zones 4–9
Jostaberry Ribes × nidigrolaria – Thornless gooseberry × blackcurrant hybrid bred for disease resistance. Larger fruit than gooseberry, milder than blackcurrant. USDA zones 3–8
Karri Eucalyptus diversicolor – Among the tallest hardwoods in the world, reaching 90 m, with smooth shedding bark mottled cream and pink. Pale, strong, dense timber used for structural beams, flooring, and panelling. USDA zones 9–11
Korean mint (Hisop) Agastache rugosa – East Asian relative of anise hyssop with violet-blue flower spikes and aromatic leaves with a complex mint-anise-licorice flavour. A traditional Korean and Chinese tea and seasoning herb. USDA zones 5–9
Kumquat Fortunella spp. – The most cold-tolerant edible citrus. Small evergreen shrub with thumb-sized fruit eaten whole, peel and all. USDA zones 8–11
Lavandin Lavandula × intermedia – Vigorous hybrid lavender (English lavender × spike lavender) with longer flower spikes, taller habit and later flowering than English lavender. The lavender of the great Provence fields. USDA zones 5–9
Lemon Citrus × limon – Evergreen fruit tree producing year-round in warm climates. USDA zones 9–11
Lemon — Eureka Citrus × limon "Eureka" – The standard commercial lemon. Heavy-cropping evergreen tree producing fruit nearly year-round in warm climates. USDA zones 9–11
Lemon — Eureka Variegated Pink Citrus × limon "Variegated Pink" – Striking ornamental-and-edible lemon — green-and-cream variegated foliage and pink-fleshed fruit with green-and-yellow striped skin. USDA zones 9–11
Lemon — Lisbon Citrus × limon "Lisbon" – Thorny vigorous lemon, slightly more cold-tolerant than Eureka. The lemon of choice for hotter and drier inland Australian climates. USDA zones 9–11
Lemon — Meyer Citrus × meyeri – Lemon-mandarin hybrid with a thinner skin and sweeter, less acidic flesh. The most cold-tolerant of the lemons; popular as a backyard tree. USDA zones 8–11
Lemon balm Melissa officinalis – Soft-leaved mint relative with strong lemon scent. Used in herbal teas and as a calming traditional medicinal. USDA zones 3–9
Lemon-scented tea tree Leptospermum petersonii – Eastern Australian native tea tree with fine narrow leaves that release a strong lemon fragrance when brushed, and small white flowers in spring and summer. The standard commercial lemon-tea-tree-oil species. USDA zones 9–11
Lime — Makrut (Kaffir) Citrus hystrix – Grown primarily for its fragrant double-lobed leaves, an essential aromatic in Thai, Cambodian, and Indonesian cooking. USDA zones 9–12
Lime — Tahitian (Persian) Citrus × latifolia – The standard commercial lime — large, seedless, juicy, less acidic than the Mexican (Key) lime. USDA zones 9–12
Linden (Lime tree) Tilia cordata – Large long-lived European tree (the British "lime", unrelated to citrus). Flowers are a classic European nervine tea — calming and mildly sleep-promoting. USDA zones 3–8
Lingonberry Vaccinium vitis-idaea – Low evergreen ground-cover with small tart red berries — a staple of Scandinavian, Russian, and Baltic cooking. USDA zones 2–6
Loganberry Rubus × loganobaccus – Original Californian raspberry × blackberry cross from 1881. Large dark-red, tart fruit — exceptional for cooking, jams, and country wines. USDA zones 5–9
Loquat Eriobotrya japonica – Evergreen tree with leathery dark leaves, fragrant autumn flowers, and orange fruit ripening in late winter — a rare fruit tree in season at that time. USDA zones 8–11
Lovage Levisticum officinale – Tall perennial herb with strong celery flavour. One of the larger herbs — a single mature plant occupies a square metre. USDA zones 3–8
Lungwort Pulmonaria saccharata – Central European woodland perennial with rough silver-spotted oblong leaves and small clusters of flowers that open pink and age to blue, often with both colours on the same stem in mid-spring. USDA zones 4–8
Macadamia Macadamia integrifolia – Subtropical Australian native rainforest tree producing the familiar macadamia nut. Slow to mature but extremely long-lived. USDA zones 9–11
Mandarin (Clementine) Citrus reticulata – Easy-peeling dessert citrus. Smaller and slightly more cold-hardy than orange, with a wide range of cultivars. USDA zones 8–11
Manna gum (Ribbon gum) Eucalyptus viminalis – Tall southeastern Australian eucalypt reaching 50 m, with bark that shreds in long ribbons and sweet manna-like sap exudates that solidify on the bark. The principal food tree of the koala across its southern range. USDA zones 7–10
Manuka Leptospermum scoparium – New Zealand and southeastern Australian native shrub with masses of small white or pink flowers. Source of the famous manuka honey and a strong antimicrobial essential oil. USDA zones 8–10
Marionberry Rubus × "Marion" – Oregon State University cross widely considered the finest-flavoured blackberry. Glossy, juicy, complex flavour balancing sweet and tart. USDA zones 6–9
May Night sage Salvia × sylvestris ‘Mainacht’ – Long-flowering hybrid woodland sage with dense spikes of deep indigo-violet flowers from late spring through early summer. Perennial Plant of the Year (USA) 1997 and a benchmark naturalistic-style perennial. USDA zones 4–8
Meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria – Damp-meadow perennial with frothy creamy flower heads carrying salicylates — the natural precursor that gave aspirin its name (from the old genus Spiraea). USDA zones 3–8
Medlar Mespilus germanica – Small ancient European fruit tree, near-extinct in commerce but still grown by enthusiasts. Picked hard, eaten only after bletting (controlled softening). USDA zones 5–9
Mexican tarragon (Winter tarragon) Tagetes lucida – Compact Mexican marigold relative with small bright yellow flowers in autumn and aniseed-scented narrow leaves. Used as a heat-tolerant substitute for true French tarragon in cooking. USDA zones 8–11
Michaelmas daisy Symphyotrichum spp. – Tall North American native perennials with sprays of small daisy flowers in lilac, pink, and white. The last major nectar source of the gardening year. USDA zones 3–8
Midland hawthorn Crataegus laevigata – Native small tree of ancient woodland and old hedgerows, very similar to common hawthorn but more shade-tolerant and slightly earlier flowering. USDA zones 4–8
Milk thistle Silybum marianum – Tall biennial or annual thistle with marbled leaves and pink-purple flower heads. Seeds yield silymarin, the most studied plant compound for liver support. USDA zones 5–9
Mint — Peppermint Mentha × piperita – Sterile hybrid mint with very high menthol content. Primary use is medicinal and as flavouring rather than culinary. USDA zones 3–11
Mint — Spearmint Mentha spicata – The standard culinary mint — sweet, mild, ubiquitous in Middle Eastern, North African and South Asian cooking. USDA zones 3–11
Miss Willmott’s ghost Eryngium giganteum – Biennial sea holly with silver-white spiny bracts surrounding pale steely-blue thimble-shaped flower heads. Whole plant takes on a ghostly luminous quality in midsummer. USDA zones 4–8
Monarda (Bee balm) Monarda didyma – Showy mint-family perennial with red, pink, or purple flower heads. Traditional Native American antimicrobial and respiratory herb; the source of "Oswego tea". USDA zones 3–9
Motherwort Leonurus cardiaca – Tall mint-family perennial with pink-purple flower whorls. Traditionally used as a cardiac tonic and for menstrual symptom support. USDA zones 3–8
Nectarine Prunus persica var. nucipersica – Smooth-skinned variant of peach — same species, sweeter and more aromatic flesh. Slightly more tender than peach. USDA zones 6–9
Nectarine — Arctic Star Prunus persica var. nucipersica "Arctic Star" – White-fleshed low-acid nectarine. Sub-acid sweetness that some find too mild; others rate it the finest backyard nectarine available. USDA zones 6–9
Nectarine — Fantasia Prunus persica var. nucipersica "Fantasia" – Large freestone yellow-fleshed nectarine — the dominant supermarket nectarine globally for many years and still reliable in home orchards. USDA zones 6–9
Oleander-leaf protea Protea neriifolia – Upright Cape fynbos shrub with narrow oleander-like leaves and distinctive goblet-shaped flower heads ringed by furry dark-tipped bracts. Among the most reliable proteas for warm-temperate gardens. USDA zones 9–11
Orange — Blood (Moro) Citrus sinensis "Moro" – Mediterranean-origin orange whose flesh develops a deep red to maroon colour during cold winter nights. USDA zones 8–11
Orange — Navel Citrus sinensis "Navel" – Seedless winter-ripening orange — the dominant fresh-eating orange in many warm-temperate regions. USDA zones 9–11
Orange — Valencia Citrus sinensis "Valencia" – Late-season juice orange — the global standard for orange juice. Holds on the tree for months, allowing extended harvest. USDA zones 9–11
Orange — Washington Navel Citrus sinensis "Washington Navel" – Brazilian-origin seedless winter-ripening orange. The dominant fresh-eating navel variety and the parent of most other navel cultivars. USDA zones 9–11
Oregano Origanum vulgare – Spreading perennial herb with intense flavour developed best in hot dry conditions. USDA zones 4–10
Oregon grape Mahonia aquifolium – Evergreen shrub with glossy holly-like leaves, fragrant yellow winter flower clusters and clusters of grape-like blue-black berries in summer. USDA zones 5–8
Ornamental cherry Prunus serrulata – Small spring-flowering deciduous tree; many cultivars from white to deep pink. USDA zones 5–8
Oval-leaved privet Ligustrum ovalifolium – Japanese semi-evergreen shrub with broad oval leaves and a vigorous upright habit. The standard garden privet hedge of late 19th and 20th century British and North American suburbia. USDA zones 5–8
Oxeye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare – Tall white-and-yellow daisy of native flower meadows. The visual signature of midsummer grassland and a workhorse of meadow pollinator support. USDA zones 3–8
Peach Prunus persica – Short-lived deciduous fruit tree (15–20 years) with showy pink spring blossom and fuzzy summer fruit. Fastest-fruiting of the major orchard trees from planting. USDA zones 5–9
Peach — Anzac Prunus persica "Anzac" – Australian heritage peach — large, white-fleshed, intensely fragrant. The standard backyard peach across mainland southeastern Australia for decades. USDA zones 7–10
Peach — Contender Prunus persica "Contender" – Cold-hardy peach from North Carolina with notably late blossom — significantly reducing crop loss to spring frost. USDA zones 4–8
Peach — Flordaprince Prunus persica "Flordaprince" – Florida-bred ultra-low-chill peach — fruits reliably in subtropical climates where conventional peaches need too much winter cold. USDA zones 8–11
Peach — Reliance Prunus persica "Reliance" – Most cold-hardy peach cultivar in commercial cultivation. Bred in New Hampshire specifically for short-season cold climates. USDA zones 4–8
Pear — Beurre Bosc Pyrus communis "Beurre Bosc" – Late-season russeted pear with dense buttery flesh, well suited to cooking and baking as well as fresh use. USDA zones 5–8
Pear — Beurré Hardy Pyrus communis "Beurré Hardy" – French heritage pear notable for cold-climate hardiness. Large rosy-russeted fruit with slight rosewater character. USDA zones 4–8
Pear — Concorde Pyrus communis "Concorde" – UK-bred Conference × Doyenné du Comice cross combining the reliability of Conference with the eating quality of Comice. USDA zones 5–8
Pear — Conference Pyrus communis "Conference" – The benchmark UK garden pear — long, slim, russet-skinned fruit with sweet juicy flesh. Reliable in cooler maritime climates. USDA zones 5–8
Pear — Doyenné du Comice Pyrus communis "Doyenné du Comice" – French heritage dessert pear regarded as the flavour benchmark for European pears. Demanding but exceptional. USDA zones 5–8
Pear — European Pyrus communis – Long-lived deciduous fruit tree of European origin. Most varieties need cross-pollination and a long, cool autumn to ripen well. USDA zones 4–9
Pear — Josephine de Malines Pyrus communis "Josephine de Malines" – Late-season Belgian heritage pear — small, pink-fleshed, intensely aromatic when ripened off the tree in winter. USDA zones 5–8
Pear — Packham's Triumph Pyrus communis "Packham's Triumph" – Australian-bred green pear, the dominant commercial variety in the Southern Hemisphere. USDA zones 6–9
Pear — Williams Bon Chrétien (Bartlett) Pyrus communis "Williams Bon Chrétien" – The classic dual-purpose pear — eaten fresh, canned, or distilled into Poire Williams brandy. USDA zones 5–8
Persimmon — American Diospyros virginiana – North American native, far more cold hardy than Asian persimmon but with smaller, more astringent fruit. USDA zones 4–9
Persimmon — Asian Diospyros kaki – Small deciduous tree with dramatic orange autumn fruit that hangs after leaf-fall. Stunning seasonal display in cool subtropical climates. USDA zones 7–10
Phacelia Phacelia tanacetifolia – Fern-leaved Californian native cover crop with curling lavender-blue flower heads — among the highest-nectar plants per unit area of any cover crop. USDA zones 2–10
Pincushion Leucospermum cordifolium – Rounded Cape fynbos shrub of South Africa with grey-green leathery leaves and brilliant orange-red pincushion-like flower heads with long protruding styles in spring. The most widely grown pincushion in cultivation. USDA zones 9–11
Pincushion hakea Hakea laurina – Western Australian shrub or small tree to 6 m with leathery laurel-like leaves and spectacular ball-shaped flower heads of red-and-cream protruding styles, like crimson pincushions, in autumn and winter. USDA zones 9–10
Plum — Czar Prunus domestica "Czar" – Cold-hardy UK culinary plum. Dark blue-purple fruit, primarily for cooking and preserving rather than fresh eating. USDA zones 4–8
Plum — Damson Prunus insititia – Small, tart, dusky-blue plums almost exclusively used for cooking and preserving. Hardy, tough, and reliable. USDA zones 4–8
Plum — European Prunus domestica – Includes greengages, prunes, and dual-purpose plums. Generally hardier and later-flowering than Japanese types. USDA zones 4–9
Plum — Greengage (Reine Claude) Prunus domestica "Reine Claude Verte" – French heritage plum widely regarded as the finest-flavoured plum cultivated. Small, round, golden-green fruit with intensely sweet honey flavour. USDA zones 5–8
Plum — Japanese Prunus salicina – Large, juicy dessert plums with red, purple, or yellow skin. Lower chill requirement than European plums; more suited to warm climates. USDA zones 5–10
Plum — Mariposa Prunus salicina "Mariposa" – Japanese-type "blood plum" with deep red flesh and crimson skin. Sweet, rich, low chill — popular across southern Australia and California. USDA zones 6–9
Plum — Mirabelle de Nancy Prunus domestica subsp. syriaca "Mirabelle de Nancy" – Small golden plum from Lorraine, France. Almost exclusively used for jam, tart fillings, and the eau de vie that bears its name. USDA zones 4–8
Plum — Santa Rosa Prunus salicina "Santa Rosa" – Japanese-type plum bred by Luther Burbank in California. Crimson skin, amber flesh blushed pink at the stone — a benchmark dessert plum. USDA zones 5–9
Plum — Victoria Prunus domestica "Victoria" – The most widely grown plum in the UK. Reddish-purple dual-purpose fruit — equally good for fresh eating, cooking, and preserving. USDA zones 5–8
Pohutukawa (NZ Christmas tree) Metrosideros excelsa – Iconic New Zealand coastal tree with leathery dark green leaves, silver undersides, and brilliant crimson brush-like flowers at midsummer. USDA zones 9–11
Pomegranate Punica granatum – Multi-stemmed deciduous shrub or small tree with brilliant orange-red flowers and leathery-skinned fruit packed with jewelled arils. USDA zones 7–12
Pomelo Citrus maxima – The largest of all citrus — basketball-sized fruit with thick pith and segments eaten fresh or in salads. Ancestor of grapefruit. USDA zones 9–12
Pride of Madeira Echium candicans – Tender evergreen shrub from the Canary Islands with rosettes of grey-green leaves and giant blue-violet flower spikes a metre or more tall. USDA zones 9–11
Protea Protea cynaroides – Striking South African shrub with large architectural flower heads. USDA zones 9–11
Purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria – Tall native wetland perennial with spectacular spires of magenta flowers in late summer. Outstanding bee plant in its native range. USDA zones 3–9
Purple top vervain Verbena bonariensis – Tall airy South American perennial with sparse wiry stems carrying small clusters of bright lilac-purple flowers. Sees-through quality lets it dominate borders without blocking the view. USDA zones 7–11
Pyracantha (Firethorn) Pyracantha coccinea – Evergreen thorny shrub with white spring flowers followed by dense clusters of orange or red autumn berries that persist into winter. USDA zones 5–9
Quince Cydonia oblonga – Small deciduous tree with woolly golden fruit. Inedible raw; transforms into pink, intensely fragrant preserves and quince paste. USDA zones 5–9
Raspberry — Autumn-fruiting (Primocane) Rubus idaeus – Cane fruit producing on the current year's growth — fruits late summer to autumn. USDA zones 3–9
Raspberry — Summer-fruiting (Floricane) Rubus idaeus – Cane fruit producing a single heavy crop in early to midsummer on the previous year's growth. USDA zones 3–9
Red clover Trifolium pratense – Pink-purple flowering legume long used as a forage crop, nitrogen-fixing cover crop, and herbal source of phytoestrogenic isoflavones. USDA zones 3–9
Red flowering gum Corymbia ficifolia – Spectacular small Western Australian eucalypt to 10 m with broad rounded crown and massive terminal clusters of brilliant scarlet (or pink, orange, white) flowers in summer. The most widely planted ornamental eucalypt worldwide. USDA zones 9–11
Redcurrant Ribes rubrum – Small deciduous shrub producing translucent ruby strigs of tart fruit on the previous year's wood. USDA zones 3–8
Rocket pincushion Leucospermum reflexum – Tall narrow Cape fynbos shrub with silvery foliage and pendant rocket-shaped pincushion flowers, the long styles curving backwards as if launched. Striking architectural form for warm-temperate borders. USDA zones 9–11
Rosehip (Dog rose) Rosa canina – Wild European hedgerow rose. Bright red autumn hips carry exceptionally high vitamin C and were the basis of wartime UK rosehip syrup. USDA zones 3–8
Rosemary Salvia rosmarinus – Woody Mediterranean herb with needle-like aromatic leaves. Needs full sun and excellent drainage. USDA zones 7–11
Rosemary grevillea Grevillea rosmarinifolia – Bushy upright grevillea with rosemary-like needle leaves and showy red and cream spider-like flowers from late winter through spring. USDA zones 8–10
Russian sage Salvia yangii – Tall airy subshrub from the steppe of central Asia, with silver-grey aromatic foliage and clouds of small lavender-blue flowers on white-stemmed branched spires through late summer and autumn. USDA zones 4–9
Safflower Carthamus tinctorius – Thistle-like annual with spiny leaves and golden-orange flower heads. One of the oldest cultivated crops, grown for both red and yellow dye (from the flowers) and for safflower seed oil. USDA zones 4–11
Sage — Common Salvia officinalis – Aromatic Mediterranean evergreen sub-shrub with grey-green felted leaves. Strong bee forage when in flower. USDA zones 4–9
Sage — Pineapple Salvia elegans – Mexican origin tender salvia with bright pineapple-scented leaves and brilliant scarlet autumn flower spikes. USDA zones 8–11
Sainfoin Onobrychis viciifolia – Pink-flowered chalk-loving European legume. The non-bloating clover alternative for ruminants and the source of one of the world's most prized monofloral honeys. USDA zones 3–8
Salvia (ornamental) Salvia nemorosa – Long-flowering perennial with whorled flower spikes; many species and cultivars. USDA zones 4–9
Savory of Crete Satureja thymbra – Pungent, thyme-scented Mediterranean subshrub used as a culinary herb and a major bee plant. USDA zones 8–10
Scarlet banksia Banksia coccinea – Western Australian shrub or small tree with broad oblong toothed leaves and brilliant short scarlet-and-grey cylindrical flower spikes through winter. Among the most spectacular of the banksias. USDA zones 9–10
Scarlet willow Salix alba var. vitellina ‘Britzensis’ – Selected cultivar of the white willow, with brilliant orange-red young winter stems that glow particularly intensely in low winter sun. Pollarded annually it becomes a winter exclamation point in the landscape. USDA zones 2–8
Sea holly Eryngium maritimum – Coastal native perennial with steely-blue spiny leaves and architectural blue thistle-like flower heads. A signature plant of British shingle beaches. USDA zones 5–9
Selfheal Prunella vulgaris – Low creeping perennial with short violet flower spikes. Tough enough to flower in a mown lawn and a reliable forage plant for short-tongued bees. USDA zones 3–8
Showy coneflower (Goldsturm) Rudbeckia fulgida – Eastern North American native perennial with golden-yellow daisy flowers around a prominent dark chocolate central cone. Cultivar ‘Goldsturm’ is the most widely planted perennial Rudbeckia in temperate gardens. USDA zones 3–9
Silver dollar gum Eucalyptus cinerea – Smaller eucalypt with juvenile silver-grey rounded leaves clasping the stem, often kept in juvenile leaf form by hard pruning for the florist trade. Leaves produce a strong range of orange, yellow, and rust dyes. USDA zones 8–11
Silver princess gum Eucalyptus caesia – Small Western Australian weeping eucalypt to 6 m with smooth red bark shedding to reveal pale cream beneath, silvered branchlets, and large pendant pink or red flowers with grey buds in winter and spring. USDA zones 9–10
Silver wattle Acacia dealbata – Tall fast-growing Australian acacia with feathery silver foliage and intensely fragrant yellow ball flowers — sold in European florists as "mimosa". USDA zones 8–10
Sloe (Blackthorn) Prunus spinosa – Suckering thorny shrub of European hedgerows. White flowers smother the bare branches before leaves emerge — a reliable late-winter signal. USDA zones 4–8
Small globe thistle Echinops ritro – Architectural southern European perennial with deeply cut spiny grey-green leaves and steel-blue spherical flower heads on tall stems in midsummer. USDA zones 3–9
Sneezeweed Helenium autumnale – North American prairie native perennial with daisy flowers in fiery orange, red, and yellow tones around a prominent round central cone. The signature late-summer prairie perennial. USDA zones 3–8
Sourwood Oxydendrum arboreum – Slow-growing eastern North American native tree with pendant sprays of small white bell flowers in midsummer and brilliant crimson autumn colour. The dual-season indicator of southern Appalachian forests. USDA zones 5–9
Spanish lavender (French lavender) Lavandula stoechas – Compact Mediterranean lavender with stubby flower heads topped by showy purple bracts like rabbit ears. Earlier flowering, more compact, and more architectural than English lavender, but less hardy. USDA zones 7–10
Staghorn sumac Rhus typhina – Suckering eastern North American small tree with velvety young stems suggesting deer antlers, pinnate leaves turning brilliant orange and scarlet in autumn, and persistent red fuzzy fruit clusters through winter. USDA zones 3–8
Stonecrop (Ice plant) Hylotelephium spectabile – Clump-forming succulent perennial with fleshy grey-green leaves and broad flat heads of pink flowers in late summer that age to copper-bronze. USDA zones 3–9
Sunflower Helianthus annuus – Tall annual with massive single yellow flower heads tracking the sun. The seeds feed bees, songbirds and humans alike. USDA zones 2–11
Sweet alyssum Lobularia maritima – Low-spreading honey-scented annual or short-lived perennial covered in dense clusters of small white, pink or purple flowers from spring until frost. USDA zones 5–9
Sweet clover — White Melilotus albus – Tall biennial legume with intensely fragrant white flower spikes. A major honey plant and one of the deepest-rooted dynamic accumulators of any cover crop. USDA zones 3–9
Sweet clover — Yellow Melilotus officinalis – Yellow-flowered counterpart of white sweet clover with similar habits. Historically used as a wound herb in European folk medicine; same intense vanilla-coumarin scent when dried. USDA zones 3–9
Sycamore maple Acer pseudoplatanus – Vigorous European maple with five-lobed leaves and pale, hard, fine-grained timber prized for joinery, kitchen utensils, dance floors, and violin backs. Tolerates exposure, salt wind, and pollution exceptionally well. USDA zones 4–7
Tanner’s sumac (Sicilian sumac) Rhus coriaria – Mediterranean shrub with pinnate leaves and dense panicles of small dull-red fruits, dried and ground to produce the lemon-tart sumac spice of Levantine cuisine. Leaves are the source of one of the highest tannin contents of any plant. USDA zones 8–10
Tayberry Rubus × "Tayberry" – Scottish-bred blackberry × raspberry cross with large, deep purple, intensely flavoured fruit. Sweeter than loganberry, larger than either parent. USDA zones 5–9
Threadleaf coreopsis Coreopsis verticillata – Eastern North American prairie native with feathery thread-like foliage and abundant small bright yellow daisy flowers throughout summer. Cultivar ‘Moonbeam’ is the classic pale-yellow form widely planted. USDA zones 3–9
Thyme — Common Thymus vulgaris – Low-growing Mediterranean sub-shrub. Powerfully aromatic — culinary, medicinal, and a strong bee plant. USDA zones 4–9
Thyme — Lemon Thymus × citriodorus – Lemon-scented thyme hybrid; smaller and slightly less hardy than common thyme. Excellent in fish dishes and roasted vegetables. USDA zones 5–9
Tibetan cherry Prunus serrula – Small ornamental cherry with polished mahogany-coloured bark that flakes in horizontal bands to reveal coppery new bark beneath. Grown almost entirely for the bark — the small white spring flowers are a minor feature. USDA zones 5–8
Tulip tree (Yellow poplar) Liriodendron tulipifera – Fast-growing tall eastern North American tree with distinctive four-lobed leaves and tulip-shaped greenish-orange flowers high in the canopy. USDA zones 4–9
Ulmo Eucryphia cordifolia – Tall evergreen Chilean Valdivian forest tree reaching 40 m, with leathery dark leaves and abundant fragrant pure-white cup flowers in late summer. The most important honey tree of southern Chile. USDA zones 8–9
Viper’s bugloss Echium vulgare – Striking biennial with intensely blue funnel-shaped flowers on bristly upright spikes. One of the most productive nectar plants in the British native flora. USDA zones 3–8
Wall cotoneaster Cotoneaster horizontalis – Low spreading semi-evergreen shrub with distinctive herringbone branch pattern. Pink-tinged white flowers in spring give way to bright red berries through winter. USDA zones 4–8
Waratah Telopea speciosissima – Iconic NSW shrub with leathery dark leaves and spectacular dome-shaped scarlet flower heads in spring. The floral emblem of New South Wales. USDA zones 8–10
Water mint Mentha aquatica – Aromatic native pond-margin mint with rounded purple-pink flower heads in late summer. One parent of cultivated peppermint. USDA zones 3–9
White clover Trifolium repens – The standard low-growing clover of lawns and pastures across temperate regions. Tolerates mowing, fixes nitrogen, and feeds bees — the original "lawn clover" before postwar herbicides erased it. USDA zones 3–10
White mustard Sinapis alba – Fastest-establishing green manure — germinates in 3–4 days. Glucosinolates released when the green mass is incorporated act as a natural soil biofumigant. USDA zones 2–10
Whitecurrant Ribes rubrum (white-fruited) – Mild-flavoured albino form of redcurrant. Produces translucent ivory strigs of berries; less acidic than redcurrant, exceptional for clear jellies. USDA zones 3–8
Wild bergamot Monarda fistulosa – Lavender-pink flowering monarda of the prairies, more drought-tolerant than its cousin M. didyma. Same medicinal use; better choice for dry gardens. USDA zones 3–9
Wild privet Ligustrum vulgare – Semi-evergreen native hedgerow shrub with fragrant white flower panicles and small black berries. Far better for wildlife than the more commonly planted Japanese privet. USDA zones 4–8
Willow — Pussy (Goat willow) Salix caprea – Smaller willow with silver catkins — the "pussy willow" of late winter. Same medicinal salicin content as white willow, on a more garden-friendly plant. USDA zones 4–8
Willow — White Salix alba – Large riparian European tree. Bark is the natural source of salicin — the precursor compound that led to the synthesis of aspirin. USDA zones 2–8
Woolly pod vetch Vicia villosa subsp. dasycarpa – Heat-tolerant subspecies of hairy vetch suited to Mediterranean and Australian climates. Same nitrogen-fixing benefits with better summer survival. USDA zones 5–10
Yarrow Achillea millefolium – Resilient perennial with finely divided leaves and flat clusters of small flowers in midsummer. Native across both Europe and North America. USDA zones 2–9
Yellow box Eucalyptus melliodora – Tall southeastern Australian native eucalypt reaching 30 m with grey-yellow fissured bark on the lower trunk and smooth above, narrow grey-green leaves, and abundant honey-scented cream flowers in spring. USDA zones 8–10
Yuzu Citrus junos – The most cold-hardy citrus of culinary significance — a Japanese mandarin × Ichang papeda hybrid with intensely fragrant zest used in ponzu and Japanese cuisine. USDA zones 7–10

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