One of the most vexing problems for gardeners everywhere is how to deal with the areas of their property in which there is not enough light for turfgrass to grow. In the southern U.S., St. Augustine grass outperforms other turfgrasses in terms of shade tolerance, but eventually it, too, becomes sparse as lighting decreases. Rather…
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White Bird of Paradise Tree (Strelitzia nicolai) and Orange Bird of Paradise Plant (Strelitzia reginae) are this weeks highlighted plants. I think most people are familiar with the 3-4′ clumping orange bird of paradise plant. However, its close relative, the white bird of paradise tree, probably is not as well known. The white bird of…
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There are many species in the Genus Costus. These are commonly referred to as New World Gingers, Spiral Gingers, Crepe Gingers, Button Gingers, and even Step Ladder Gingers. They aren’t related to the Old World Gingers of which a few species give us the edible ginger root which we use in cooking. They do give…
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Golden Plume (Schauria flavicoma), a relatively new inventory item for Richard Lyons Nursery, is a small plant which used to be classified as Justicia. It can attain a height of 2-3 feet, and blooms from fall until spring. It’s aptly named as its flower is yellow and shaped like a plume. While it can be…
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Do you have a place in your yard that gets full sun, no irrigation, very well drained, the grass is always full of weeds, and simply looks bad? May I suggest a small project, such as making a rock garden in this area. South Florida as ample pieces of limestone rock just below the surface…
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