Richard Lyons’ Nursery today presents the fifth installment of its survey of plants that are sometimes overlooked for their potential as ground covers. Native Pineland Croton, Croton linearis: This evergreen shrub is native from St. Lucie County south through the Florida peninsula and into the Bahamas, Cuba and Jamaica. Several butterfly species are attracted to…
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Carnation ‘Firewitch’, Dianthus gratianopolitanus ‘Firewitch’: If our weather forecast suddenly calls for a low of 35 below zero, you might not survive, but this plant will! Capable of growing in a vast range of temperatures, this Carnation cultivar produces bright purplish-pink flowers, as well as a clove-like fragrance. Even when not in flower, Firewitch’s blue-gray…
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Richard Lyons’ Nursery today continues its survey of plants that are sometimes overlooked in their capacity as ground covers. Beach Creeper, Ernodea littoralis: This beautiful Florida native is a long-lived perennial shrub that makes a very nice ground cover topping out at 3 ft. and under. It features reddish stems, pink to white flowers, and…
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Pentas, Pentas lanceolata: If you want a ground cover that attracts both butterflies and hummingbirds, this species makes a great candidate. We here at Richard Lyons’ Nursery grow only the old-fashioned red, an important consideration in light of the fact that hybrid Pentas are not butterfly attractants. We prefer this species because it enhances our extensive…
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One of the fascinating aspects of growing plants, either as a vocation or an avocation, is the discovery that many are capable of serving multiple roles. Here at Richard Lyons’ Nursery, there are a number of species fitting that description, and some are surprising in their versatility. Starting today, we are undertaking a multi-part survey of…
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