Lonchocarpus violaceus – The Lilac Tree smells as good as it looks. This moderate- to fast-growing tree matures in the 25-35 ft. range and features a dense, broad canopy. In the late summer and fall it produces showy lavender flowers scented much like those of northern lilacs. It is a butterfly and bee attractant. Native to the West Indies and northern South…
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Mimosa strigillosa (Powderpuff or Sensitive Plant) is a wonderful groundcover which is relatively drought tolerant. It is native to Miami-Dade County and most of the counties north of Lake Okeechobee. The name ‘powderpuff’ is derived from the shape of its pink flowers resembling a powderpuff. The ‘sensitive plant’ comes from the fact its fern-like leaves…
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A tropical vine not seen very often in the landscape is a member of the Euphorbiaceae or Spurge Family. This family is best known for Poinsettias and succulents of South Africa. However, there is a tropical vine, Dalechampia dioscoreifolia or commonly called, Winged Beauty or sometimes the Costa Rican Butterfly Vine. The flowers are comprised…
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Two native Sennas to consider if you want to attract the Cloudless Sulphur Butterfly (Phoebis sennae) to your garden. The first naturally occurs in 19 Florida counties including Miami-Dade and the Florida Keys. This would be Senna ligustrina or the Privet Senna. It flowers periodically throughout the year and has an upright growth habit up…
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Hedychium coronarium (White Butterfly Ginger) is a fragrant ginger whose flowers resemble the shape of a butterfly. The plant spreads by underground rhizomes forming large clumps over time. Filtered sun to partial shade in the garden is ideal for this ginger. Richard Lyons Nursery currently has this ginger in stock.