By Ralph E. Mitchel l When you imagine the perfect small palm, you might think of one around ten feet tall, with deep-green, feather-like arching fronds about five feet long emerging from a bright green crownshaft on a… Read More
By Ralph E. Mitchell Crocosmia is one plant that I have always wanted to try. While I like to “Plan Before I Plant”, I am sometimes impulsive in my plant purchases. So, when I saw a bag of… Read More
By Ralph E. Mitchell The rains have finally returned to the relief of many including our plants. Rain often triggers growth and flowering as well. If you have seen rain lilies, you will know what I mean. Rain… Read More
By Ralph E. Mitchell I often wander through our Demonstration Garden at the East Port Environmental Campus on Harbor View Road in Port Charlotte to see what is blooming, producing fruit, or has a pest infestation. Our Natal… Read More
By Ralph E. Mitchell The plumeria are starting to bloom around Charlotte County, and in spite of our drought, they are thriving. I noticed the one in our Demonstration garden was producing a cluster of red and orange… Read More
By Ralph E. Mitchell While many palms are more or less tubular and rounded in structure, the triangle palm offers an angular three-sided shape unlike any other palms in our local landscapes. The fronds grow in three distinct… Read More
By Ralph E. Mitchell You may have never seen a blood lily, but to see one is enough to make you want one. At this time of year, the globular red flowerhead sneaks out in plain sight with… Read More
By Ralph E. Mitchell While periwinkles (aka vinca) are known for taking hot summers, they often don’t do well with too much moisture and resulting disease susceptibility. As a result, they often succumb to various foliar and root… Read More
By Ralph E. Mitchell The perfect organic mulch does not exist, but there are many suitable mulching materials that will take care of just about any landscape need that you have. Mulches made from a variety of organic… Read More
By Ralph E. Mitchell While there is an emphasis of using native plants in the landscape these days, the abundance of native saw palmetto is often taken for granted. Look at almost any vacant lot or parcel of… Read More
