​I love bold colors and the “Ti Plant” is one of my favorites plants for that particular reason. This plant is also known as the Hawaiian good-luck-plant. In frost-free regions, it's grown as a landscape shrub where it adds tons of color to yards and gardens all year long.
 
In spite of the fact that it suffers from bacterial, fungi and physical problems, I have never experienced any of these conditions within the past 13 years. I have it planted outdoors in my year-round warmer climate location. In the north or in cold areas; however, you must bring it indoors as soon as the temperature begins to drop. Overall, this is an amazingly beautiful plant that will enhance any area where you decide to plant it.
 
Plant Stats:
 
Perennial in warmer climates only: Yes
Hardiness: As a landscape shrub outdoors, it's hardy in Zones 10-11. Bring indoors in the fall in colder areas
Deer Resistant: No, but they may eat the tops; however, Ti is not their first choice.
Full Sun: Yes, somewhat, keep reading.
Partial Sun:  Yes, somewhat, keep reading.
Shade: Give it some shade from the hot afternoon sun         .
Bloom Color: Pale Pink, White/Near White
Bloom Time: Blooms all year in warmer climates.
Plant Color: Green, Pink, Purple, Red, Variegated, White.
Size:  10’ to 12 ‘
Water Needs: Keep the soil moist, but not wet for extended periods.
Good Companion Plants: In container gardens, it pairs wonderfully with impatiens, sweet potato vine, purple hearts, and other favorites. 

The Purple Heart Plant is mostly used in outdoor landscaping because of its beautiful purple color. It is also a ground cover specimen that can easily be used in hanging baskets. I only use it in hanging baskets and in the early fall, before temperatures begin to drop dangerously, I take cuttings and put them in water inside my home. The cuttings develop roots during winter and by late spring, when the temperatures don’t fall below 50 degrees, I get ready to plant them outdoors in my hanging baskets. I have been doing this for years, therefore, I don’t remember when was the last time that I purchased Purple Heart plants, smile. Love them!
  
Plant Stats:
 
Perennial: Only in warmer states and tropical areas, after planting it grows real fast.
Hardiness: To play it safe, do not keep it outdoors in temperatures under 40 degrees.
Deer Resistant: Yes.       
Full Sun: Yes
Partial Sun:  Could survive buy it should get at least 4-5 hours of full sun.
Shade: No
Bloom Time: Summer time, cute small flowers.         
Color: Deep purple foliage with pink flowers.
Size: Low growing and cascading, that’s why is so good for baskets and planters.      
Water Needs: Low water needs.
Good Companion Plants: In the ground, use any plant that grows taller as a backdrop such as Crotons, which incidentally are perennials. In hanging baskets or planters; however, use plants that grow straight up in the center, (such as Marigold’s), and then use Purple Hearts cascading from the edges. 

​I don’t get to see a lot of strong orange-red flowers, since it’s not a common/popular color. Take a quick look at my slide show to see why it’s so critical to have this color in the garden. Butterflies love to feed on them religiously every day. Their meal time is late morning when is sunny and super-hot. I have these visitors for lunch daily and I can’t get enough of them. I have gotten as close to a foot to photograph them, however, since their meal is so good, they don’t seem to be bothered, smile.
 
Plant Stats:
 
Annual /Perennial: No
Hardiness: It will die soon in the fall when the temperature drops below 50 degrees.
Deer Resistant: Deer avoid these flowers.
Full Sun: Yes
Partial Sun:  Full sun is recommended.
Shade: It will not flower in the shade.    
Bloom Time: Hot summer months.       
Color: Bright orange.
Size:  It can grow as tall as 6 feet.
Water Needs: Though it tolerates drought, is best to water it at least every other day.
Good Companion Plants: Other colorful and low grow plants like
 
Final Facts: Attracts birds, is a magnet for butterflies, is drought resistant, its height provides privacy to your property, can be planted in pot, and finally, they are great as cutting flowers.

About my cover photo: Special thanks to my friend Linda, who let me photograph her beautiful Bird of Paradise specimen overlooking the golf course. Unfortunately, it was dark to capture in a photo a 3-deer family who showed up for dinner, smile.
 
No question about it, this spectacular and exotic flower is called Bird of Paradise for its resemblance to actual birds. According to Wikipedia, the flower that I am posting today is one of five species of perennial plants native to South Africa, where is featured on the reverse of their 50 cent coin.
 
My slide show also includes the plant, which has a thick evergreen foliage that could be easily confused with a banana tree if the plant has no flowers at the time. I took these photos in Florida, where you can spot them everywhere.
 
Plant Stats:
 
Perennial: Only in climates where the temperatures are above 50 year-round. You can grow it in a pot to bring indoors when the temperature falls below 50.
 
Hardiness: 65-70 degrees, it is not hardy in temperatures below 50 degrees.          
Deer Resistant: Not necessarily their first choice, however, they can adapt to eat any
 
vegetation if there is nothing else available to eat.
 
Full Sun:  Yes
Partial Sun:  Just lightly, play it safe and plant in full sun.
Shade: No
Bloom Time: Basically all year long if you feed it, water it and keep it under full sun.   
Color: Purple-yellow-orange and it also comes in white.
Size:  4-5 feet tall with a 2-3 foot spread.
Water Needs: Water to establish the root system when first planted. Allow to dry between watering in fall and winter. Do not over water.
Good Companion Plants: Shrubs that are taller and in colors and don’t compete, for a spectacular backdrop allowing Birds of Paradise to be the show stoppers.