Subtropical plant - Plant Encyclopedia Results

Magnolia is a large, varied genus of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs. It was named after French botanist Pierre Magnol. Magnolias require deep, fertile, well-drained soil. The roots are fragile so the plant do not transplant readily.

See Article about Tropical Magnolias.

See also Plants with scents as heady as incense: Enchanted Magnolias - Joy in your life...

The flowers appear in the upper leaf axils and stem ends, 1-8 together in a short cyme; they are pendulous, white to pink, bell-shaped with a five-lobed corolla.

The species from warm climates are evergreen, and colder climate species deciduous.

The Guava is well known throughout the tropics, many people are familiar with it because of the large number of products made from this aromatic fruit. The plant is well distributed throughout the tropics and subtropics. This is a low growing tree up to 25 feet high and about the same spread. The bark is an attractive reddish brown and peels off revealing smooth gray bark beneath. The large coarse opposite leaves have prominent veins and young wood often is four-angled or winged. Trees flower and fruit throughout most of the year. Flowers are usually white and about an inch across with many stamens. Fruit size and shape is variable - from 2 to 4 inches across, from round to oblong and even pear-shaped. Guavas typically have very thin skins, easily bruised, so they have to be handled carefully when being shipped. In shape, size and other characteristics, the fruits of the numerous varieties are extremely variable. In color, the skin may be greenish white, yellowish, or pink. Flesh color inside ranges from light to dark pink or white with the pink-fleshed varieties having less acid than the white-fleshed. In flavor, varieties range from sweet to tart, all with the characteristic musky flavor and odor of the guava more or less pronounced. Most varieties bear many seeds embedded in the soft pulp of the center, there are a few varieties that are almost seedless.

Upon ripening, the fruit becomes soft and juicy. It may be eaten fresh, made into a juice or nectar contain fruit pulp, or made into preserves, jam, jelly, or paste. A distinctive, savory-fresh aroma of fruit is thermostable, thus survives processing. The guava is an excellent source of vitamins C and A.

Guava is a good tropical fruit tree not fussy on the soil quality, and produces fruit year after year. It is relatively cold hardy. Mature trees freeze at about 29 F, but young plants can be injured by light frost. Tropical Guava should be protected from extreme salt spray. Once established, it withstands drought well, but fruits better when watered on a regular schedule. The trees are rapid growers and start fruiting in 2-3 years from seed, however for specific varieties grafting is necessary as they don't come true from seed. Guavas are fast growers and heavy feeders, and benefit from regular applications of fertilizer.

Guava can make a nice container fruiting specimen, plants start blooming and producing fruit when they are as small as 1 gal pot size. It responds well to pruning and can be kept in compact bushy shape. In fact, Guava is probably the most popular container fruit tree among tropical plant growers.

Using SUNSHINE-Honey increases fruit production, fruit size and quality. On the photo below you can see Guava fruit without (left) and with SUNSHINE-Honey applications.

See Article about Guava Tree.

Garcinia intermedia, commonly known as Lemon Drop Mangosteen, is a small tropical fruit tree in the Clusiaceae family native to Central America. It typically grows 10 to 20 ft tall, forming a dense, rounded crown with glossy, dark green leaves. Small, white to pale yellow flowers are followed by bright yellow to orange fruits about 1 to 2 inches in diameter. The fruits are thin-skinned and contain soft, juicy pulp with a sweet-tart flavor often compared to citrus, making them suitable for fresh eating.

This species prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil with regular moisture. Growth rate is moderate in warm, humid conditions. Cold tolerance is limited, with damage likely below about 40F; best suited to USDA Zones 10 to 11. Garcinia intermedia is suitable for container growing when young and can be maintained in protected environments in cooler climates.Close related species -target=_blank>Garcinia livingstonei (Imbe).

Herbaceous perennial that forms tufted mounds; similar in appearance to Liriope, but the attraction here is the black foliage. Flowers are lavender, blue, pink or whitish; seed-bearing fruits are black.

Grow this novelty as a grasslike groundcover, for border edging, in a rock garden or in containers.

Full sun to partial shade is recommended, but part shade is probably the best place for it to hold its unique coloring. Soils should be kept moist and be of a sandy or loamy composition. An acidic or neutral soil pH is best.

Very popular small trees adorned through much of the spring and summer with large clusters of showy white flowers. It is indigenous to the chaparral areas of extreme southern Texas and well into Mexico. Preference for sandy, gravely, well drained soils. Requires ample water to become established, after which it is generally considered quite water efficient. Periodic, deep soakings through the hottest period of summer will aid in leaf retention and improved color. These plants don't like to be grown in pots, in spite of their small size, and usually don't look very happy in containers; however once planted in the ground,they grow faster and start thriving. Cold tolerant plant, takes some freeze.

Atraphaxis sp. is a large shrub native to Central Asia which grows to a height of 5-10 feet. It is a deciduous plant, meaning it will lose its leaves in the fall. This plant thrives best in full sun or semi-shade, and it prefers a moderate amount of water. This hardy plant is suitable for USDA Zone 5-9.

Atraphaxis sp. also produces edible fruits, which are small and round. The plant can produce up to 200 fruits per plant, each containing an abundance of healthy benefits. These fruits can be eaten fresh, dried, or even processed into jams and jellies. The fruits are known to be an excellent source of Vitamin C, as well as providing essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. These fruits have also been known to aid in digestion, help strengthen the immune system and even prevent cancer.

In colder climates, Atraphaxis sp. can be grown in pots and over-wintered indoors. The plants should be kept consistently moist, but not overly wet as this can lead to root rot. Additionally, make sure the pot has adequate drainage. Once the temperature consistently stays above freezing, the pot can be placed outside in the sun in a sheltered area. Make sure to water regularly to ensure the plant is getting enough water. Additionally, mulching the soil can help retain moisture and provide additional insulation during the winter months.

A fascinating terrestrial orchid that surprises many gardeners with how easy it is to grow, Chinese Crown Orchid produces tall, elegant spikes of unusual greenish-yellow to brownish miniature flowers with a striking purple lip, giving each bloom a delicate, exotic look. Unlike many orchids that cling to trees, this one grows in the ground from underground bulbs, forming attractive clumps of grassy foliage.

Native to Asia and now naturalized in parts of Florida, Eulophia graminea thrives in warm climates and adapts well to containers or garden beds. Flower spikes can rise 2-4 ft above the foliage in summer, creating a graceful display that looks almost wild and tropical at the same time. It enjoys bright light to partial shade and regular watering, and once established it proves surprisingly tough and easygoing.

An unusual orchid for collectors and tropical gardeners alike - perfect for adding something unexpected to your garden or patio collection.

Jasminum parkeri (Himalayian Bonsai) is a plant native to NW India and the Himalayas and is known for its perfect dwarf evergreen shrub form. It has densely crowded stems that only grow up to 10 inch high and are covered in tiny dark green leaves. Blooms with a mild fragrance appear from late fall into spring and feature captivating yellow and orange flowers that stand out against the bright green branches. This fragrant plant can be used for bonsai, groundcover, and can tolerate full sun or semi-shade environments.

While growing this plant, it is important to provide it with regular water, along with some extra water during dry or hot summer periods. For those who live in colder climates, this plant is still able to thrive if kept in a pot, however it is only cold hardy to temperatures of around 30s F and only for a short amount of time. Jasminum parkeri is usually grown in USDA Zones 7-10 and can be grown indoors and outdoors.

Small tropical tree, to 20 feet, leaves are compound with numerous pinnate leaflets. Fruits are borne in loose clusters, which hang from the tree trunk and main branches. Individual fruits are up to 0.75 inch in diameter, near globose and angled. Fruits are generally too tart for fresh eating but are esteemed for jellies, preserves and pastries. They ripen in midsummer. There are no commercial plantings; but trees are in home gardens, and fruit is harvested from naturalized trees.

Phyllanthus acidus is called Ari Nelli in Tamil, and the Phyllanthus emblica (Amlaki) is Muzhu Nelli in Tamil. Muzhu Nelli is even richer in Vitamin C etc.