CAT BREEDS:
European Shorthair - a cat that came from the wild...
By Alex Butova, the Witch of Herbs and Cats
Q: I saw your beautiful cats in your garden and now I know you are not only plant experts, but also cat experts. Do you now what is the classic color of European shorthair cat?
A: You are right, here at Top Tropicals we have a whole PeopleCats garden with all sorts of cats, and we can tell stories about each breed and personality! In fact, our cat expert Alex Boutova just started a series about cat breeds.
With European shorthair cat breed, there is a twist! Sometimes, people get confused because European shorthair covers lots of different cats found all over Europe. It's not just one type of cat, but a whole bunch! You've got cats with two colors, including bicolor cats (including tuxedo cats), multicolor cats, and even cats with just one solid color like black, grey, ginger, or tabby...
Q: Our anniversary is on the 4th of July. Do you
have anything that might be a good gift? Maybe something flowering that has
red, white and blue flowers... I know that is a lot to ask but maybe you have
an idea?
A: We appreciate your intriguing question and
extend our heartfelt congratulations on your approaching anniversary. Numerous
tropical plants lend themselves beautifully to a captivating blend of red,
blue, and white hues.
Here are our top recommendations for the most delightful combination:
Quisqualis
Indica - Rangoon Creeper. Spectacular bloom, flowers change color from white
to pink to red. Sweet fragrance. Very fast growing, perfect for covering a
fence or pagoda.
In the summertime, Elderberry bushes transform into small, bushy trees
adorned with sizable umbels of white flowers. As late summer approaches, the tree produces an abundance of dark purple
berry clusters. Elderberry is known for its ability to withstand cold weather and can
thrive in a variety of soils in either full or partial sun. While it typically grows to a height of 10 feet, its spreading can be managed through
pruning.
This dense shrub is beloved by nesting birds, who are not the only
creatures that appreciate its fruit. People also prize Elderberry for its
delicious uses in winemaking, cocktails, and jellies. Elderberry syrup or cordial can
be used to create flavorful fruity drinks and cocktails, like the Elderberry Kir Royale. Alternatively, the
berries can be left to infuse their flavor into spirits, with Elderberry gin being a particularly delightful option.
Elderberry Cordial
When it comes to combating various strains of the flu virus, Elderberry
Cordial ranks among the top natural remedies. Whether sipped in small servings or drizzled over a delectable dessert, Elderberry Cordial is a guilt-free way to fortify your immune system against colds and flus.
Add all ingredients in a jar and cover with a lid. Set aside in a cool,
dark place for 3-4 weeks. When ready to decant, strain and squeeze through
cheesecloth. For every 1 cup of liquid retained, add 1/2 cup honey. Mix thoroughly.
Pour the cordial into a decorative bottle for storage, or gift giving.
Elderberry Kir Royale Cocktail
5 oz white wine, sparkling wine or champagne
2 oz Elderberry cordial
Rocks
Mint leaves (optional)
Pour the Champagne in a flute glass. Add the Elderberry Cordial slowly.
Party time!
We thank everyone who made a purchase in the past few days, you
made a big difference! We continue clearing debris and rebuilding our
greenhouses. Thanks to your support, we will be able to get our plants ready for
winter! This is what we are doing this month:
rebuilding woodframes for greenhouses
installing new shade cloth and plastic
cutting fallen trees
getting new equipment that suffered from flood
adding rock in the nursery to be ready for the Fall Festival
You help us - we help you!
Ask for more RE-LEAF specials when you visit our Garden Center!
Hurricane Ian re-leaf discount
extended
For 10% off your entire order, use this code:
IANRELEAF
Use this code on top of our fantastic deals and make it a
super deal: As low as $5
sale of selected items Secret
Garden - 50% off
...We already know that most fortunate "green thumbs" have Air signs -
Gemini, Libra and Aquarius - and between them, the "greenest" thumb belongs to
Libra. The light of a distant greenish star Zuben-el-Shamali, which controls
not only the stability of the Universe, but also gives to people born under
this sign the opportunity to make our world better and more beautiful by
growing of all kinds of plants. This is the main purpose of Libra.
...Under Libra's green thumb, everything they touch grows and blooms. The
plants with large light-colored flowers and a delicious fragrance will be most
beloved by Libra... CONTINUE READING >>
"...Until you dig a hole, you plant a tree, you water
it and make it survive, you haven't done a thing. You are just talking..." - Wangari Maathai -
This is the story of the little mango tree that could. From the
beginning, it has been a fighter and has come through its latest battle with a few
scars, but it is still going...
...On January 30, the unthinkable happened. Cold weather was coming. We had
a low of under 25F on that Sunday morning...
...Then, on April 4, 2022 we had a very bad hail storm... Hail stones up to
3" fell for 20 minutes... Learn more about what happened and see this mango tree today... What
helped it to survive and also what will help it to grow back into a beautiful
tree?
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!
Grains of Paradise and Pink Cone Ginger: Just add Spice and Color!
Saving on your favorite plants is Easy.
Easy like Sunday Morning...
It's time for our favorite day and another Easy stroll
through Top Tropicals Garden with savings of
up to 50% and MORE!
This week let's add a little Spice and Color to your garden collection!
Start with Grains of Paradise, to spice up your meal and naturally improve
your health. Then add lots of vibrant color with the Hawaiian Pink Cone Ginger,
one of the most desirable symbols of the Tropics.
Aframomum melegueta - Grains of Paradise, African Cardamom. Seeds of this
rare Ginger are similar in flavor to cardamom and used as a pungent spice. This
Ginger has many bioactives, great for digestive and intestinal health. The
plant has many other medicinal values: anti-diabetic and anti-obese
mechanisms, aphrodisiac and testosterone boosting properties. Aframomum melegueta may
be promising for a spice to add to a diet in hopes of body recomposition.
Studies show this spice increases sexual behavior.
The plants are large and developed, in 2 gal pots,
regularly $42.95, on Easy Sunday sale for only
$21.48!
One of the most desirable symbols of Tropics, Alpinia purpurata, also called Ostrich Plume or Pink Cone Ginger, is
native Malaysian plant with showy flowers on long brightly colored pink bracts.
Grows in Hawaii and Central America including Belize. It can be grown as a
houseplant; its cut flowers last very long and are perfect for
arrangements.
The plants are well-developed, in 2 gal pots,
regularly $37.95, on Easy Sunday sale for only $18.98
!
Combine the two for maximum affection and save even
more!
Only $34.95 for both, savings $46 on both!
September is a great month to plant. The soil is warm and the air
is beginning to get cooler which helps to encourage new roots to grow. For
much of the Country, September typically brings more opportunity for
additional rain and moisture, allowing you to water less. Take advantage of this time
of year to establish new plants in your gardens!
Meet PeopleCats of TopTropicals. Cat of the Day: Weasley the Immigrant
Weasley came from the neighborhood cat community (our neighbor takes
care of at least a dozen of cats). Whether TopTropicals dry food tastes better
than neighbor's, or simply he is such an enthusiast of tropical gardening, he
hangs out with us all the time.
When you see him in our Garden
Center drinking milk or chilling right on the walkway with other
PeopleCats, don't get him confused with other two ginger cats we have: Barcy and Snitch... as well as the Russian Blue cat with a similar name Wesley...
Although Weasley currently has a status of a legal immigrant, he feels
pretty confident around our greenhouses and will be happy to give you a tour. He
is still a volunteer here but has already applied for a permanent residence
and a full time position, so his food needs are being added to our cat
payroll.
When visiting TopTropicals nursery, feel free to add your donation to a Cat
Jar located in our office by customer's computer. We appreciate everybody's
help - every penny goes to PeopleCat's needs.
