By Ralph E. Mitchell I visited Bok Tower Gardens late last year and spotted a patch of exotic-looking flowering plants in a shady nook. These plants were about six-feet tall and formed clumps of similar… Read More
By Ralph E. Mitchell If you want a small “living” table-top Christmas tree for the Holidays, the Norfolk Island Pine will likely fit the bill. Easy to maintain for many years in a container, the… Read More
By Ralph E. Mitchell What seasonal plant better rings in the Holiday than the Poinsettia! Botanically known as the Eurphorbia pulcherrima, this holiday charmer has a rich history that equals its brilliant color. The Aztec’s… Read More
By Ralph E. Mitchell Many gardeners attempt to make roses a staple flowering shrub in their landscapes. The key to success is selection. Don’t get me wrong – roses can be challenging! However, if well… Read More
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
