[ American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) | Posted on April 3, 2019 ] When Hurricane Michael hit here in the Florida panhandle I was really scared that my huge sycamore would fall and destroy my house. It lost lots of large branches but the tree still stands straight and tall much to my joy! |
[ Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) | Posted on May 27, 2015 ] I've never really paid too much attention to this plant as the area where it is was very much overgrown. Today while taking pictures of it, I realized what the wonderful scent I've been smelling is: saw palmetto blooms. Bees were all over it, collecting nectar and pollen. |
[ Glossy Privet (Ligustrum lucidum) | Posted on April 25, 2015 ] This is in full bloom here right now...4/25/2015. I can't say that it has the greatest scent, but the bees don't seem to care as it is covered with them. |
[ Artillery Plant (Pilea microphylla) | Posted on September 2, 2013 ] Many people consider this plant VERY invasive. I have to admit I am constantly doing battle with it in my potted plants, but it thrives under the cedars where nothing else seems to want to grow. |
[ Rock Purslane (Cistanthe grandiflora) | Posted on June 12, 2013 ] Purslane works quite well as ground cover in a pot with plumeria. |
[ Hooker's Orchid Cactus (Epiphyllum hookeri) | Posted on June 8, 2013 ] I live in the Florida panhandle. We do get hard freezes in winter. Last year a leaf/branch was broken off the mother plant. I stuck it in the ground and left it over the winter. Although the part above ground died, I was very happy in spring to see that it had come back from the roots. |
[ Rough False Pennyroyal (Hedeoma hispida) | Posted on May 13, 2013 ] This is a very prolific wildflower...seen along roads and in fields. |
[ Plumeria (Plumeria rubra 'Muang Jack') | Posted on August 5, 2012 ] Although this is considered to be purple, to me it's more of a mauve. In any case, I love the color. |
[ Amaryllis (Hippeastrum 'Liberty') | Posted on August 5, 2012 ] I love the color of Liberty...such a pretty red. |
[ Crocosmia 'Lucifer' | Posted on August 5, 2012 ] The hummers love this plant. It is fun to watch them go to each and every bloom! |
[ Chalice Vine (Solandra grandiflora) | Posted on August 5, 2012 ] This thing can be a "wild child." Over the winter in my GH it grew in and around all of the neighboring plants. |
[ Japanese Camellia (Camellia japonica 'Professor Charles S. Sargent') | Posted on December 13, 2011 ] This camellia is a heritage plant. The blooms are anemone form. It usually blooms twice a year for me. |
[ Swamp Sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius) | Posted on December 9, 2011 ] This plant is a VERY prolific self sower! I would suggest planting it somewhere you won't mind if it tries to take over. Roots run deep. New plants are easiest to pull in the spring when they first appear. Otherwise, be prepared to dig. |
[ Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) | Posted on December 9, 2011 ] This is the most abundant native palm in Florida. Usually it grows as a shrub. The leaf stalks/stems are lined with sharp, rigid spines. |
[ Heavenly Bamboos (Nandina domestica) | Posted on December 9, 2011 ] I personally don't care for this plant in spite of the white flowers in spring and red berries in fall. For me it is invasive and very hard to get rid of. Although called Heavenly Bamboo it is actually a member of the barberry family. |
[ Mexican Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica 'Silky Deep Red') | Posted on December 9, 2011 ] The butterflies love this plant, as do I. I've also seen the hummers go to it. The seeds sprout fairly fast. So far I've had no problem with this plant, except for last summer when one, for some reason, became an aphid magnet. Strong blasts of water took care of them. |
[ Angel Trumpet (Brugmansia 'Tropical Sunset') | Posted on December 9, 2011 ] I have had much success with this brug. It is an older one and well worth having. Tropical sunset has been an "energized bunny" for me. The blooms are fairly large. The edges are a darker yellow. It seems to be more resistant to problems than some of the other yellows to oranges. |
[ Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) | Posted on December 9, 2011 ] I love the redbud!! It is usually the first tree to bloom here in the spring. They bloom about the same time as the dogwoods. The roads are so pretty bathed in the reddish flowers and white blooms of the dogwood. It is interesting as the flowers bloom before the heart shaped leaves appear. |
[ Angel's Trumpet (Brugmansia 'Miss Emily Mackenzie') | Posted on December 6, 2011 ] This is a large single pink. She rarely if ever accepts pollen and sets a pod. |
[ Angel's Trumpet (Brugmansia 'Sam') | Posted on December 6, 2011 ] This is one of the smaller double pinks, smaller then Peanut. For me it is also easier to root than Peanut. Both were hybridized by the same person and named for her dogs. |