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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This Heliconia is referred to as the Parrot’s Beak Heliconia. It is a small heliconia with very narrow leaves and relatively small flowers compared to some of the other Heliconias. There are 2 cultivars commonly grown in South Florida, ‘Lady Di’ and ‘Choconiana’. ‘Lady Di’ can attain a height of 6-8′ tall with pinkish bracts…
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Colocasia esculenta ‘Tropical Storm’ is a very compact quick clumping elephant ear forming a dense mass of foliage which is purple black with a creamy white center. It is very attractive and would make a nice border for a shade garden or maybe a nice clump in the middle of a garden. Richard Lyons Nursery…
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Two Florida natives that are categorized as small trees or large shrubs which can be grown in full sun or shaded locations. Marlberry (Ardisia escallonioides), can attain a height of 10-16′ and is found throughout central and southern Florida. It has clusters of white flowers and blooms heaviest in spring and fall, followed by clusters…
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If you have a moist shady area in your yard, and want a nice tropical look, two Philodendrons come to mind. One is the Tree Philodendron (Philodendron selloum) and the other is the Giant Philodendron (Philodendron subincisum). The Tree Philodendron has a vertical trunk like a tree, with a nice pattern created by petiole scars…
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