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We seem to be acquiring a lot of variegated stuff lately, but this stands out as one of the best, rates a 10 on the eye-catching scale.

A cool new plant introduced from China in 1980, although Wilson found it back in 1907. Ornamental peeling Crepe Myrtle-like bark, fragrant white flowers in late summer in six flowered whorls terminated by a single flower (hence Heptocodium) followed by showy cherry red calyces surrounding the fruits, giving the impression of still being in flower in autumn when the leaves turn purple. We observed several large specimens trained as tree forms in Dale Deppe’s garden this fall and were blown away by the bark. Despite what Dirr says it seems to thrive in full sun, and struggles in the shade at least in the north.

Rates an 11 on the weird meter, a cornaceous shrub in which the flowers are born from the center of the leaves, actually they're not, it just looks that way but that's another story. More of a curiosity than an outstanding ornamental plant, it's great for playing stump the botanist, they'll never even guess the family; and if worst comes to worst you can always eat it, they do in Japan, (it'll never replace lettuce).