Plant of the Month: Hibiscus El Capitolio

Stevie's Pick: what's in bloom?

Our exotic plant grower Steven Gowdy will spotlight the most interesting plants he discovers and recommends today while working in TopTropicals greenhouses.

OMG! These plants are awesome. The flowers are stunning, ruffled, brightly colored. These are very unique double flowers about 5" long, with ruffled petals, followed by a sort of a stamen, than more ruffled petals... Wow. These are the perfect plants - they can be grown in a container or in-ground, in full sun. They are drought and disease resistant, ever-blooming, can be pruned into a standard weeping tree, or pruned into a bush... It's a convenient, dream plant! Prune frequently, because it blooms on new wood.
Hibiscus El Capitolio grows best in zones 9 through 11. In colder climates leave it in a container outside in the summer months, but bring inside in the winter months.
Remember - ever-blooming! You prune and they will flower all year long. These are fabulous plants that will satisfy any first-time or experienced gardener: you just can't go wrong El Capitolio! They will have you growing happiness... That's true.

Stevie with Kristi and Jamie celebrating his Happy Birthday. Check out Stevie's painting "TopTropicals Theme" at the beginning of this newsletter!

New video: Ground orchids.
All-summer colors for shady gardens

Did you know orchids can be grown in the ground?
Orchids have a mystique that seems to set them apart from most other flowers... they are elegant and almost unreal in their perfection... The symmetry of the flowers has led to the orchid being a symbol of a perfect beauty.
But not every gardener has luck growing traditional orchids. Some complain about their special maintenance: "Mount them on a tree, do not overwater... and all that hassle just for once-a-year flower?" Sounds familiar?
Terrestrial orchids (a.k.a. ground orchids) grow in regular garden soil instead of in the air on tree branches. And they bloom almost year round!...

Ground orchids are available from our store.

Stay updated with TopTropicals Videos by subscribing to our channel at YouTube.com/TopTropicals and get our latest video news of what is fruiting and blooming!

Remember to get plant food for your orchids and Ground orchids!
In the photo: Sunshine-Home, plant booster for tender house plants and orchids.