The firecracker plant is a weeping shrub with a very unique look. The lanky, multi-stemmed, three- to four-foot-long branches are often covered in bright red tubular flowers from spring through early winter. Maybe you have a firecracker ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes
Did you know that we have a native prickly pear cactus here in Florida? This low-growing species has attractive yellow flowers and forms a spreading clump. Prickly pears or Opuntia, such as our native prickly pear, are classic cacti ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes
July 13th Punta Gorda Library Session 1 10:30am-11:30am Session 2 2:00pm-3:00pm July 20th Mid-County Public Library 2:00pm-3:00pm Join us for this free classroom workshop, and learn how to incorporate this showy plant into your ... READ MORE
Category: Events, Florida-Friendly Landscaping
The oleander is a very common landscape plant in Charlotte County. This evergreen plant does provide substantial blooming power and is a useful subject for hedges and as specimen plants. While you more often may see full-sized oleander ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes
A native vine that you may have never considered is a relative of other similar and more familiar landscape plants – the allamandas. Specifically, the wild allamanda (Urechites lutea aka Pentalinon luteum) is a vine-like shrub, very ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes
I like to highlight public places to see plants, and besides our own Master Gardener Volunteer Demonstration Garden on Harborview Road, and the Nature Park in Punta Gorda, the History Park is another place to enjoy a well-cultivated landscape. ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes
While many of our landscape plants are visually appealing with colorful foliage and flowers, there is another dimension to explore – aroma. One of the best plants to help with this is the sweet almond bush. This somewhat new but very ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes
Our long hot summers can be brutal on both people and plants! I am often asked what type of flowering bedding plant is suitable for our area at this time of year? To find a such a plant that can tolerate and even enjoy these conditions ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes
Riddle me this – when is an ornamental plant associated with a flavoring? When it is society garlic! This common perennial ornamental has a garlic scent when touched, but its main landscape feature is as an ornamental as it sports ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes,
It is fairly common for gardeners to send us photographs of unknown plants to identify which is always welcome. One plant we get more than once is often an uninvited guest. It is a native and may even fit nicely into your landscape - the ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes