There aren’t a lot of trees that bloom year round, but one that comes to mind is the Butterfly Orchid Tree (Bauhinia divaricata). This tree blooms year round with white wispy flowers that fade to pink, and is an excellent nectar source for butterflies, especially, the Giant Swallowtail. As a bonus, in the winter, the ruby-throated…
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A ground cover worth trying is Perennial Peanut. There are two species on the market. Arachis pintoi and Arachis glabrata. The former is a faster growing species with fleshier more tender leaves and rhizomes. This species will cover a large area in a relatively short period of time, but it is more tender and will…
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A very colorful Hibiscus for a sunny planter or decorative pot for the front porch or maybe near a pool. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘Red Hot’ has large bright red flowers surrounded by variegated leaves that take on different shades of red, green, and white depending on the light levels. Richard Lyons Nursery currently has this plant…
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Longan fruit is currently in season and available at Richard Lyons Nursery. Longan (Dimocarpus longan) is in the same family, Sapindaceae, as its better known relative, the Lychee Tree. Unlike the Lychee Tree, Longan is a more reliable fruit bearing tree as it does not require the cool night temperatures in winter as the Lychee…
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A look at Dragon Fruit or Pitahaya. The fruit is produced from a tropical vining epiphytic cactus, Hylocereus undatus, or more recently, Selenicereus. The cactus is grown for its fruit throughout the tropics. It originated in the America’s like all true cacti, but its exact origin is unknown. It is typically grown on a large…
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