Spiraea japonica

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Spiraea japonica is a small deciduous shrub, native to Japan, China, and Korea, that can achieve a height of 2-5 feet and width of 3-5 feet when mature. This plant should be grown in full sun to semi-shade and in well-drained soils. It will tolerate regular water or moderate water, but cannot handle too much water, as it is not tolerant of saturated soils. It is an attractive plant, with tiny pink flowers in flat-topped clusters that arrive in summertime. It is a popular plant amongst butterfly and hummingbird enthusiasts as it will attract both of these species when grown in a garden.

For growers in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9, Spiraea japonica can be grown in pots, either indoors or outdoors. For those who live in colder regions, this plant should be kept indoors during the winter. For the best care, Spiraea japonica should be mulched and watered regularly. Pruning should not be necessary if the plant is grown in an area with ample sunlight.

Spiraea sp.

This genus consists of 80 species of deciduous or semi-evergreen shrubs, mostly from Europe, Asia and North America to Mexico.

Spireas are adaptable plants that thrive under most garden condition in temperate climates.

Spiranthes odorata

Spiranthes odorata, also known as Marsh Lady's Tresses, is a small plant native to southeastern North America. It can reach heights between two and five feet, and thrives in full sun or semi-shade. In addition to its attractive white or off-white flowers, it is also known for its very pleasant and lingering scent.

This graceful little beauty will bloom reliably in USDA Zones 5-9 and can be grown in a bog or aquatic conditions, provided that it is kept sufficiently moist. It can be used to great effect in moist woodland gardens or wooded slopes, or may be planted near the edge of a pond, stream or water garden to add a special charm.

For those living in colder climes, it can still be grown in pots. It will then need to be brought indoors for overwintering and stored in a cool, bright location against a north facing wall. Fertilizing it once a month with a diluted liquid fertilizer should keep it in good health.

All in all, Spiranthes odorata is a beautiful and low maintenance addition to the home garden, adding a delightful scent and delicate charm.

Spondias dulcis, Spondias cytherea

This exciting fruit tree plant will amaze you with its ability to flower and fruit at a young age. It fruits in winter and holds the fruit up to 6-8 months, long after the leaves have dropped. The fruit appears in pairs and will turn a brushed-golden color as it ripens. Its feel and juiciness resembles that of a mango but with completely different flavor. The Golden apple is used both in sweet and savory dishes depending on its ripeness. When green, the fruit is commonly eaten as is (with or without skin just like green mangoes) with salt and other salty/spicy dips, made into salsas, chutneys, and into juices and smoothies. When fully ripe, the Golden Apple will be deep yellowish-orange in color. When yellow, the fruit is eaten just like an apple or stewed with sugar to make an applesauce-like dessert.

The fruit has a single sharp, rather large, spiny seed. Young leaves can be used in salad.

Very prolific, it can fruit itself to death. May lose its leaves in winter. Dwarf variety has become popular for limited spaces

See VIDEO: Ambarella - Delicious June Plum.

Spondias mombin, Spondias purpurea var. lutea

Mombin is fast growing, spreading tree with thick branches. Compound leaves to 15. Showy, fragrant flowers appear from dormant, leafless branches in red, purple or yellow indicating the color of the fruit to come. Fruit oval to round, 1 - 2 1/2. This is heavy producing tree. The pleasant smell of the fruit can be noted many feet away. The 1 to 2 inch long oval or oblong fruits have a fairly large sigle seed. The skin is waxy and thin and the juicy flesh is aromatic with a plum-like flavor that is acid to subacid. The fruit can be eaten fresh or stewed with sugar as a dessert or can be used to make a very good jam or pickled green in East Indian cooking. Mombin butter, using an apple butter recipe, is exceptionally tasty. The tree is deciduous, fast growing, and may produce fruit before leafing out in the spring. The young leaves can be eaten cooked but they have a sour flavor. The tree grows well in a wide variety of soils. They can be propagated easily by putting large cuttings in the ground and they make a good living fence. It bears May through July.

Spondias purpurea

Mombin is fast growing, spreading tree with thick branches. Compound leaves to 15. Showy, fragrant flowers appear from dormant, leafless branches in red, purple or yellow indicating the color of the fruit to come. Fruit oval to round, 1 - 2 1/2. This is heavy producing tree. The pleasant smell of the fruit can be noted many feet away. The 1 to 2 inch long oval or oblong fruits have a fairly large sigle seed. The skin is waxy and thin and the juicy flesh is aromatic with a plum-like flavor that is acid to subacid. The fruit can be eaten fresh or stewed with sugar as a dessert or can be used to make a very good jam or pickled green in East Indian cooking. Mombin butter, using an apple butter recipe, is exceptionally tasty. The tree is deciduous, fast growing, and may produce fruit before leafing out in the spring. The young leaves can be eaten cooked but they have a sour flavor. The tree grows well in a wide variety of soils. They can be propagated easily by putting large cuttings in the ground and they make a good living fence. It bears May through July.

Spondias tuberosa, Spondias cirouella

Spondias tuberosa (Imbuzeiro) is a small tree that grows best in full sun, requires moderate water in the growing season and becomes fairly drought tolerant in dry climates. It prefers USDA climate zone from 9-11 and can reach up to 10-20 ft in height. It produces beautiful white and off-white flowers and edible fruit. The plant has a shallow system of soft, tuberous roots called cunca, which store water.

The fruit has a greenish-yellow tough skin and tender, melting pulp and sweet flavor when ripe. Its single stone is adherent to the fruit. The roots and the fruit of Spondias tuberosa are edible and have many health benefits. For example, the juice of the fruit is often blended with boiled milk and sugar or used to make ice cream or jelly and it is also used as a tonic due to its high vitamin C content. The roots can be consumed in emergency as they readily yield potable water and can help you stay hydrated.

Growing in pots in cold regions is possible, however, they do require a sheltered position and protection from strong winter winds, so prior to the cold season make sure you mulch your potted plant and move it away from frost pockets. If you are growing it indoors, make sure to provide it with adequate light, regular water and fertilizing. Also, it is important to note that good drainage is necessary to keep the soil from becoming saturated.

Sprekelia formosissima

The brilliant scarlet or crimson flowers are bilaterally symmetrical, like an orchid.

Stachytarpheta sanguinea

Stachytarpheta sanguinea or False Vervain is a member of the Verbenaceae family, and is a hardy shrub that typically grows from 2 to 5 feet high. It bears small, red flowers and has deeply-serrated, dark green leaves that are favored by butterflies. Native to most parts of tropical America, False Vervain is sometimes cultivated as an ornamental plant for its beautiful blooms.

This plant is relatively easy to care for and tolerates diverse growing conditions. It prefers full sunlight or semi-shade and thrives with regular watering, though it can remain somewhat drought-tolerant. Its flowers produce plenty of nectar, bringing plenty of hummingbirds and butterflies to any garden - plus, they can be cut back after they wilt, to help keep the plant blooming through the warmer months.

For colder climates, False Vervain is best grown in a pot. To keep them healthy through the winter months, select a high-quality potting soil and apply mulch to help trap in moisture and keep the root system warm. Regular, consistent watering is also essential, as the soil can quickly dry out in cold weather, and the pot should be brought inside when temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Moving the pot in and out of warmer regions as needed will help to keep the plant blooming continuously.

Overall, False Vervain is a reliable, low maintenance plant that makes a dramatic impact with its unique foliage and vibrant flowers. With just a few simple steps of care, it can bear plenty of delicious seeds and bring beautiful blooms and plenty of hummingbirds and butterflies to any garden.

Stachytarpheta sp.

Brazilian Tea is a weedy annual (and sometimes perennial) herbaceous plant that grows 60-120 cm tall. It bears small reddish-purple to deep blue flowers that grow along tall bracts that are favored by butterflies. It is indigenous to most parts of tropical America and, although some consider it a semi-invasive weed, it is sometimes cultivated as an ornamental plant for its blue flowers and deeply-serrated, dark green leaves. Brazilian Tea belongs to the large Verbenaceae family, which comprises about 100 genera and 2,600 species (including the common vervain and verbena plants). It is often referred to as Bastard Vervain or Wild Verbena. Two very similar species of Stachytarpheta grow in the tropics and are used interchangeably (and share the same common names) in many countries' herbal medicine systems - S. cayennensis and S. jamaicensis.

Species:

Stachytarpheta jamaicensis

Stachytarpheta sanguinea

Stachytarpheta urticifolia