Each issue we ask five horticulture experts to list their favourite plant types on a selected theme.

Previously we would only ask for two favourites each to be listed, however, we have expanded their initial selection to five favourites from which they choose their top two to focus upon.

The decision can depend upon many factors such as soil, climate, drought tolerance, aesthetics or just plain personal preference!

Abutilon x hybridum – Chinese Lantern, Chinese Bell flower
Justicia brandegeeana – Shrimp Plant
Buddleja davidii – Butterfly Bush
Rotheca myricoides – Blue Butterfly Bush
Montanoa bipinnatifida – Mexican Tree Daisy

Alcantarea imperialis ‘Rubra’ – Red Alcantarea
Alocasia brisbanensis – Cunjevoi Lily
Alpinia caerulea ‘Red Back’ – Red Back Native Ginger
Costus barbatus – Red Tower Spiral Ginger
Heliconia ‘Hot Rio Nights’ – Hot Rio Nights Heliconia

Asplenium australasicum – Bird’s Nest Fern
Buckinghamia celsissima – Ivory Curl Flower
Syzygium australe – Brush Cherry
Zephyranthes rosea – Rosy Rain Lily
Wahlenbergia communis – Native Bluebell

Alpinia purpurata var. alba – Solomon Island Shell Ginger
Heliconia irrasa subsp. irrasa
Licuala ramsayi – Daintree Fan Palm
Tapeinochilos ananassae – Backscratcher Ginger
Warszewiczia coccinea – Jungle Poinsettia, Chaconier, Chaconia

Alcantarea brasiliana
Amorphophallus paeoniifolius – Corpse Lily, Snakeskin Lily
Brownea macrophylla – Panama Flame Tree
Kaempferia laotica – Jellybean Ginger
Tabernaemontana pachysiphon – Adam’s Apple, Giant Pinwheel Tree