Turnera subulata is a somewhat woody groundcover with unique flowers. They open in the early morning hours and close in the early afternoon. While they are open though, they attract an abundance of honeybees and skipper butterflies. While this plant is native to Central America and northern South America, it grows quite well in South…
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Asystasia gangetica is not a true violet, but rather in the family, Acanthaceae. It is native to India, China, and northern Australia. This plant makes an excellent groundcover in a sunny location in South Florida spreading very quickly. Its abundance of purple flowers throughout the year are a great pollen source for honeybees and it…
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Peacock Ginger (Kaempferia pulchra) is a very good ground cover for a moist shaded area. Peacock Ginger produce four-petaled lavender flowers throughout the summer, but their beautifully patterned foliage probably stands out the most. The oval leaves consist of a green background with an overlay of striking bronze or purple markings. It spreads via rhizomes…
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Spanish Shawl (Heterocentron elegans) is related to Tibouchina, and when you see the flower, it is quite apparent. Unlike Tibouchina, Spanish Shawl does quite well in South Florida’s alkaline soils. It is a low, fast growing free flowering ground cover that forms a very dense mat. It will easily meander and cover rocky areas. It…
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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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