Eugenia reinwardtiana is native to Australia and like most species in the genus Eugenia produces edible fruit. It grows very well in South Florida as a shrub of maybe 3-6′ tall. it has tiny white flowers followed by small orange-red fruits when ripe. The fruits have a single seed and a very sweet soft flesh.…
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Tithonia diversifolia is a perennial in South Florida which can attain a height of 6-12 feet. This time of year, you cannot miss its large yellow flowers that resemble a sunflower. This plant would be excellent in the back corner of a butterfly garden as it attracts all of South Florida’s butterflies and honeybees. Richard…
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Stigmaphyllon littorale has two common names. One for the seed pods which resemble chartreuse colored butterflies before turning brown, and one for the flowers which resemble tiny orchids. The vine can reach 20′ on a fence or trellis. It blooms twice a year, spring and fall, in South Florida. Butterflies and bees are attracted to…
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Conanga odorata is the full-size Ylang-Ylang Tree and Conanga odorata var. fruticosa is a dwarf Ylang-Ylang Tree. They both have very fragrant flowers in the evening and early morning hours. The full-size tree can attain a height of 30+ feet in South Florida, while its dwarf cousin maybe only 12-15′. The flowers of both look…
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Clusia rosea in recent years has been mostly planted as a hedge plant to replace all of the Ficus benjamina hedges in South Florida that were decimated with white flies and thrips. However, as a stand-alone specimen tree in the landscape, as it naturally grows, it is far more spectacular. With its prop roots hanging…
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