By Ralph E. Mitchell Although associated with Memorial Day up north, garden centers are now full of geraniums and it is time to plant them here in Southwest Florida. Have you heard of ‘Red Express’,… Read More
By Ralph E. Mitchell Most of us recognize sunflowers for their height and massive flowers. Take that image of a sunflower, miniaturize it and turn it into a groundcover, and you have something special! One… Read More
By Ralph E. Mitchell While some can struggle with growing hibiscus due to nematodes, bud midges and nutrient deficiencies, an easy-to-grow relative, the sleeping hibiscus, is a charming shrub in full bloom right now. Don’t… Read More
By Ralph E. Mitchell Of all of the holiday plants available, amaryllis bulbs often appear first and are now for sale in many local garden centers – in fact, I just bought one! With flowers… Read More
By Ralph E. Mitchell While there are many “tried and true” flowering shrubs for our area, there is one that stands out as an almost “foolproof” selection. The shrub/small tree known as Jatropha integerrima, or… Read More
By Ralph E. Mitchell When I was a child, I remember buying a tiny three-inch tall plant selected from a tray of succulents at a five-and-dime store – circa 1970. I was thrilled with this… Read More
By Ralph E. Mitchell A plant called Mecardonia or Baby Jump Up is in my sights this week. My wife and I spotted this plant a few weeks ago at a local family-run nursery. I… Read More
By Ralph E. Mitchell Before you start pruning any palms, please read ahead and consider the research-based, unbiased information offered. While there is really no mystery involved in properly pruning palms, I am still seeing… Read More
By Ralph E. Mitchell Pickerelweed is a perennial aquatic plant that is common in our area waters. Beautiful purple-blue flower spikes rise above the dark-green lance-like, heart-shaped foliage. If you do not have a pond… Read More
By Ralph E. Mitchell Have you read about the reed orchid? This orchid may be more common than you think. A very affordable type of ground or terrestrial orchid, this little beauty is sometimes seen… Read More
