A native wild shrub that has worked its way into the nursery trade - and our hearts - is the wild coffee. While it is a plant native to Florida, it is not coffee. However, it is an attractive shrub resembling the gardenia, a close relative. ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes
In some landscapes in Charlotte County, you may find a shrub-like plant called cassava or yuca which is the source of tapioca and other starch products. Once somewhat common in Florida backyard gardens, this plant produces swollen, edible ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes
There is a good reason why Charlotte County landscapes are full of Sweet Viburnum. Sweet Viburnum, a type of shrub and small tree, are very versatile in that they not only make a great hedge material, but can also be trained into small, ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes
The botanical name given to plants is always exacting in that no matter where you are in the world, the Latin name is used. Common names associated with plants often get in the way and can introduce confusion, but they also can bring descriptive ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture
So, you are interested in a hedge, but also a tree that is fairly wind-resistant? Perhaps you would like a Podocarpus which can be used either as a hedge, a screen or even as a tree. Read further for more information on this very popular ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes
What plant does just about every landscape in Charlotte County have that provides colorful flowers, tropical foliage and variety of size that makes this shrub so popular? This shrub is the ixora of course! However, with our predominately ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes
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
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
When you think of colorful foliage plants that you might add to your landscape, you may target crotons, coleus, or even caladiums. But what about the copperleaf? Copperleaf shrubs today come in a surprising array of colors and leaf shapes ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes
By Ralph E. Mitchell A common, but often underutilized plant, crossandra is an ideal companion for any landscape that offers part-sun and part-shade conditions. This native to India and Sri Lanka is a perennial evergreen shrub that provides ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture