Desert Rose (Adenium obesum) can make for a very interesting container plant. It is highly prized in S. Florida for its large caudex trunk which develops with age. Interestingly, it will only develop a caudex when grown from seed, so it takes several years to mature. When grown from cuttings, the swollen base never develops.…
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Most Gardenias only bloom once a year in the springtime. The exception to this is the Tahitian Gardenia (Gardenia taitensis). This Gardenia blooms on and off throughout the year. It is a sprawling plant, with dark shiny leaves similar to most Gardenias. It is fragrant like all of the Gardenias as well. Richard Lyons Nursery…
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A couple of months ago I wrote a short blurb about Red Firespike (odontonema strictum) as it was in full bloom. Well it is still in full bloom. There is nothing significant about that fact, but now its cousin, Purple Firespike (odontonema callistachyum), has joined Red Firespike in full bloom. The two together make a…
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Tropical Hydrangea is probably not a very good common name given the fact this plant is not related to Hydrangea at all. However, the flowers strikingly, do resemble the temperate species. I am referring to Dombeya wallichii. About a month ago I wrote about its cousin, Dombeya burgessiae ‘Seminole’. Dombeya wallichii also attracts an abundance…
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Mandarin Hat or China Hat Plant (Holmskioldia sanguinea) is well named due to the flower shape. It does in fact resemble a hat from the far east. This Asian shrub flowers most heavily between October and May. This is ideal for South Florida since this shrub is an excellent hummingbird nectar source and that…
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