The “summer snapdragon”, better known as Angelonia, is a great warm-season flower that grows from one to three feet tall and produces three-quarters to almost one-inch wide white, blue, white, lavender, purple, and pink flowers arranged ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes
Over fifty years ago, I received a small mail-order Over fifty years ago, I received a small mail-order bougainvillea plant and grew it in on a windowsill indoors up north. I actually got it to bloom, and it brought color and tropical ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes
A few years ago, I was given a small Brazilian red cloak plant to try in my landscape. It grew vigorously to about eight-feet tall by the following year and became a stunning specimen in my front flower bed. At Christmas it was festooned ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes
Some plants have a number of uses across a broad spectrum – Bahia grass as an example where it is used both in pastures and as a landscape turf. Another crossover plant in the same vein is the turf alternative called perennial peanuts. ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Lawn
While orchids are not my specialty, I have dabbled with them from time to time. Perhaps the most success I have had is with cattleya orchids. Giant spectacular blooms, fairly easy to care for and somewhat forgiving of my occasional neglect, ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes
Scarlet sage (Salvia coccinea), also called red salvia, scarlet salvia, or tropical sage, is a blooming Florida native. Red, pink, or white flowers attract all kinds of pollinators, a few being hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. Keep reading ... READ MORE
Category: Crops, Home Landscapes
Why is the shrub known as “Golden Showers”, “Rain-of-gold”, or Thryallis considered a great Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ approved plant? Flowering almost all year round, this graceful shrub is a low-maintenance evergreen that ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes
Star anise (Illicium parviflorum), also known as Anise or Yellow Anisetree, is a low-maintenance, fragrant, native shrub that could be the perfect addition to your landscape. Origins of the Florida Star Anise The evergreen star anise is native ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Horticulture
Another plant that you have seen in so many garden centers that you may have become “plant blind” to them is the Plectranthus – especially one called ‘Mona Lavender’. ‘Mona Lavender’ is a cultivar that is commonly available ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes
You have probably seen this cheerful, radiant flower everywhere, but have you actually noticed it? Let's take a closer look at one of Florida's native treasures: the black-eyed Susan. This perennial blooming plant isn't just a pretty face; it's ... READ MORE
Category: Horticulture