The temperatures have heated up this May! We have lots of beautiful flowers blooming in the garden this month. Check out our red, white, and blue flowering plants featured at the UF/IFAS Extension Polk County Florida-Friendly Landscaping Demonstration Garden.
Red Flowers
Pentas (Pentas lanceolata)
Pentas (Pentas lanceolata) are flowering perennials that easily add color to any landscape bed. They can reach 2-4 feet in height and tolerate full sun to part shade. Flower color options include red, pink, and white. For more information on growing pentas check out http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/pentas.html
Jatropha (Jatropha integerrima)
Jatropha (Jatropha integerrima) is a large shrub or small tree that provides year-round flowers. Allow for space as this shrub can reach 8-15 feet in height and 5-10 feet in width. These red flower are a nectar source for butterflies in full sun to part shade. To learn more about Jatropha check out http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/shrubs/jatropha.html
Scarlet Sage (Salvia coccinea)
Tropcial or Scarlet Sage (Salvia coccinea) is a native perennial with beautiful red flowers that easily self-seeds. This plant is drought-tolerant and a nectar source for many pollinators including hummingbirds and butterflies.
White Flowers
Pineapple guava (Acca sellowiana)
Pineapple guava (Acca sellowiana) is a large shrub or small tree that reaches 8-15 feet in height and width. Produces both edible flowers and fruit. Prefers full sun, but can grow in partial shade. The leaves have a silvery underside for added ornamental interest. For more information on pineapple guava check out http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/shrubs/pineapple-guava.html
Sweet Almond Bush (Aloysia virgata)
Sweet Almond Bush (Aloysia virgata) is a large shrub that can reach 6-12 feet in height and just as wide. This is an excellent choice for pollinator gardens and the small white flower clusters provide a sweet smelling fragrance. Tolerates full sun is drought tolerant.
Scorpion Tail (Heliotropium angiospermum)
Scorpion Tail (Heliotropium angiospermum) is a native flowering perennial with tiny white flowers. The plant grows to around 1-2 feet in height and width. Very drought-tolerant and tolerates full sun to part shade.
Blue Flowers
Lily of the Nile (Agapanthus africanus)
Lily of the Nile (Agapanthus africanus) is a flowering perennial with bursts of bluish-purple blooms. This plant can reach 2-3 feet in height and tolerates full sun to part shade. For extra curb appeal plant agapanthus in large groupings. To learn more about agapanthus check out http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/agapanthus.html
Blue Sage (Salvia azurea)
Blue Sage (Salvia azurea) is a native flowering perennial with blue flowers that grows to 3 to 5 feet in height. Very drought tolerant and tolerates full sun. Great nectar source for bees.
Cassa Blue Flax Lily™ (Dianella caerulea)
Cassa Blue Flax Lily™ (Dianella caerulea) is an evergreen perennial with strap-like leaves and tiny blue flowers followed by small blue ornamental berries. You may be familiar with the more common variegated flax lily (Dianella tasmanica ‘Variegata’)with green leaves that have white margins or edges. Grows in clumps of 1-2 feet.
Have you visited the Florida-Friendly Landscaping Demonstration Garden in Bartow recently? If not, we invite you to stop by and check out the gardens.
UF/IFAS Extension Polk County
1702 Highway 17 South
Bartow, FL 33830
For more details and directions, call 863-519-1041.
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