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.
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…
Read more
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…
Read more
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…
Read more
This week’s highlight is on 2 grasses that resemble bamboo, but are in fact true grasses. The first is Pogo Grass (Pogonatherum paniceum). This is a clumping grass with very delicate stalks forming an umbrella shape 2-3 feet tall. Pogon is greek for beard, which its fine dense appearance resembles. This grass can be used…
Read more