Author: Steve Turner

Rare & Unusual Tropical Trees & Plants, Flowering, Fruit, Native, Palm, Bamboo, Heliconia, Hummingbird, Butterfly

Etlingera elatior

There are many species of gingers in the nursery trade, but none more spectacular than the Torch Ginger. Botanical name, Etlingera elatior, the foliage is dark green with large wide leaves and canes that reach 6-9 feet. The flowers emerge from separate stalks and reach 3-4 feet in height and resemble a torch. Pink or…
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July 3, 2021 0

Japanese Honeysuckle

Consider a fragrant flowering vine for your fence or isolated trellis. Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) is such a vine. It flowers freely throughout the year in S. Florida. If you want the native Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) or commonly called coral or trumpet honeysuckle, that is also a good choice for a year round bloomer. It…
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June 27, 2021 0

Dypsis cabadae

Dypsis cabadae is a water-loving palm species that was almost unknown here 35 years ago. Its a very attractive clumping palm with dark green stems with white rings marking where fronds once were gives this palm a bamboo-like appearance.  It reaches 30-40 ft. at maturity and can be grown in light shade to sun. It…
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June 20, 2021 0

Rubus niveus

Rubus niveus, Mysore Tropical Black Raspberry. This raspberry is native to India, China, and SE Asia. It grows very well in South Florida unlike other raspberries from temperate growing zones. This species is well suited for zone 10. A fast grower that makes a nice natural barrier due to its thorny stems. Richard Lyons Nursery…
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June 13, 2021 0

Under The Jakfruit Tree

The Curry Leaf Tree is a small tree 6-15′ from India and Sri Lanka. It tends to sucker from its surface roots giving it a more shrubby look than a single trunk tree. Most people don’t realize it is a member of the Citrus Family (Rutaceae). It produces small clusters of fragrant white flowers which…
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June 6, 2021 0