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Aloysia virgata

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Aloysia virgata is very attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds. Native to Mexico and South America, Aloysia virgata (Sweet Almond Bush) is a large shrub that can reach heights of 5-10 feet tall. This plant prefers to be grown in full sun or semi-shade, with a moderate amount of water. Its fragrant, white to off-white flowers attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. It makes a great addition to any garden, with the bonus of a lovely scent.

Aloysia virgata is a fast-growing shrub, requiring very little care for best performance. In order to maintain its appearance and shape, it is important to prune it back periodically. It is also possible to grow it as a potted plant in cold regions, as long as the plant is given careful growing and care instructions.

For successfully growing Aloysia virgata in a pot in cold climates, the container must have good drainage to prevent waterlogging, and should be brought indoors when temperatures reach the mid 30s F. It is important to note that the pot should be large enough to accommodate the rate of growth of the plant. The soil must include compost or mulch for nutrients, and the soil should be kept consistently moist but not overly wet. During the winter, the soil needs to also be mulched to help ensure insulation from extreme cold temperatures.

Aloysia virgata is a beautiful and fragrant shrub that can provide near year-round beauty to any home garden. With proper care and maintenance, it can thrive in full sun or partial shade, and in a wide range of climates and soils.

Firmiana colorata, Sterculia colorata

Firmiana colorata, or Scarlet Sterculia, is a deciduous, small to medium-sized tree native to India and Thailand. It prefers organically-rich, sandy soil with plenty of moisture. This tree produces red flowers that hang down from the ends of its branches in short and dense panicles. The flowers are covered in a fine, downy hair, giving them a soft, velvety look. During its flowering period, Firmiana colorata presents a spectacular sight with its orange-red flowers against its leafless state.

Growing between 10-20 feet tall, its hardy to zone 10. This tree requires full sun and organically-rich, sandy loam soil with plenty of moisture, yet it does not handle overwatering well.

When in bloom, Firmiana colorata produces red and crimson flowers with a glossy, vinous hue. These flowers hang down from the ends of the tree's branches in short, dense panicles. They are covered in a fine downy hair, giving them a soft, velvety look. This flower is especially attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies, making it a popular choice for gardeners.

Young trees are often grown from a bulb or caudex and can even be grown as a bonsai plant. When planted in the ground, this tree grows into a large tree. During winter it often loses its leaves, and goes dormant. When flowering, it can be a stunning sight with its orange-red flowers against its bare branches.

Prunus dulcis, Prunus amygdalus, Amygdalus communis

Almond trees (Prunus dulcis) are known for their beautiful pink and white flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds in the spring. They are deciduous, meaning they lose their leaves in the winter, making them a popular choice for bonsai. Almond fruit, which is a drupe with a single pit inside a green, fleshy layer, is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and dietary fiber and provides numerous health benefits. Each tree can produce between five to eight pounds of almonds per year, with a mature tree in a warm climate potentially yielding up to twenty pounds. The tree can be grown in USDA Zones 7-10. In colder climates, almond trees can be grown in pots.

These trees prefer full sun but can also grow in semi-shade. They require moderate water and are able to withstand extended dry periods. Almonds are known to thrive in deep, loamy, well-drained soils but can also tolerate poor soils and drought during fruit development better than many other tree crops. In intensive orchards, the soil is managed similarly to other stone fruit trees, while in less intensive plantings in the Mediterranean region, almonds can be found growing on calcareous, rocky, and droughty soils. As with all Prunus species, almonds cannot tolerate wet, poorly drained soil.

Almonds are widely used in confectionery items such as candy bars, cakes, and toppings. A large portion of the almond crop is roasted and flavored or salted and sold in cans, while broken and small kernels are used in confectionery.

Prunus glandulosa, Prunus japonica, Cerasus glandulosa

Prunus glandulosa is commonly used as an ornamental tree and for cut flowers.

It has white or pink flowers - single or double varies with cultivar.

Prunus glandulosa can be shaped to create an interesting landscape feature and is ideal for container gardening.

Prunus webbii, Amygdalus webbii

Sterculia foetida

Large tree of Old World tropics having foul-smelling orange-red blossoms followed by red pods enclosing oil-rich seeds sometimes used as food. Roasted seeds are edible. Seeds are above-average for angiospermous plants for the amino acids. It has unisexual flowers with a single perianth whorl constituting a valvate calyx. Female flower has anthers of vestigial stamens around the base of the stalked ovary.

See article about Sterculia foetida.

Terminalia calamansanai

The seeds are eaten raw or cooked.

Terminalia catappa

The Tropical almond tree (Terminalia catappa) is a large deciduous tree that grows up to 100 feet tall and can survive in cold regions as long as temperatures do not drop below 30FF. It is native to USDA Zones 10-11 and grows best in full sun and with moderate water. In addition to being an ornamental tree, the tropical almond tree is also a valuable source of nutrition. Each tree can produce edible fruits, which are rich in proteins, vitamins, minerals, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants. The kernel of the fruit is particularly rich in proteins and fats, and has been shown to improve eye health, reduce inflammation, and strengthen teeth and bones.

In addition to its nutritional properties, the tropical almond tree has several other medicinal uses. In Taiwan, the fallen leaves of the tree are used as a herbal drug to treat liver diseases. The kernel of the fruit has been shown to have aphrodisiac properties. In Suriname's traditional medicine, a tea made from the leaves is used to treat dysentery and diarrhea.

The tropical almond tree is also known for its salt and drought tolerance, and can be grown in a container where its size can be controlled for many years.

Terminalia mantaly

Terminalia mantaly is a deciduous or evergreen tree with conspicuously layered branches. The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of dyes and tannins. It can be used in reforestation projects and is a good shade tree, often being grown as an ornamental and to provide shade along streets.

Terminalia muelleri

Terminalia muelleri (Australian almond) is an ideal choice for those seeking a full sun tree with moderate water needs that attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, and other wildlife. Growing to a maximum of around 30 feet tall, it is perfect for areas requiring a small tree, such as a street tree, small residential lot, or providing shade on a patio.

This Australian native tree is easy to care for and thrives in USDA Zones 9-11. It prefers a full-sun location, tolerates some wind, and should be sheltered from frost. It can grow in various soil types, including alkaline, acid, and salt, provided the soil is well-drained. If grown in a pot in a colder area, a soil-less potting medium is recommended, and it should be kept in a protected area from the wind.

Though the small white or off-white flowers are not particularly showy, they serve as an essential food source for butterflies and hummingbirds. The bright red foliage during winter adds visual interest, while the dark blue, small fruits that follow the flowers can be enjoyed by birds and other wildlife.

The tree features a symmetrical, horizontally-layered silhouette with an arrow-straight trunk. Its leathery, four-inch-long leaves turn an attractive red in autumn and winter before dropping. In spring, spikes of tiny greenish-white blossoms appear, followed by dark blue, small fruits. This versatile tree is well-suited for street tree planting or as a specimen tree for small residential lots, providing shade for patios or decks.