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Index > Garden Blog

Date:

How to add flowering vines to the landscape

Urechites lutea (Pentalinon luteum) - Yellow Mandevilla

🔍 How to add flowering vines to the landscape
  • 🍀 Vines, by their nature, are almost always climbers. There are also some that make good hanging flower vines for your baskets hanging under trees or on the front porch.
  • 🍀 Some vines are also in the fruit category. The Passiflora is a beautiful perennial climbing vine that has very showy flowers and then a fruit that can be eaten off the vine or made into a wonderful juice. It would make a nice fast growing vine for a fence or trellis. The Barbados Gooseberry also falls into this category.
  • 🍀 One of the most popular fast growing flowering vines is the trumpet vine - Allamanda. It is an evergreen vine and will take some cold without damage, although it is still considered a tropical flowering vine. It can be grown as a large shrub or small tree and makes a beautiful focal point in the landscape.
  • 🍀 If you have some large trees in your yard, a great climbing vine for shade that also produces a usable product is the Pepper family. Yes, they flower and yes some of them produce pepper that you can use in your kitchen. If you like to know what is in your food, grow your own!
  • 🍀 Another perennial, fast growing and evergreen climbing vine is the Monstera. Monsteras will climb the side of a large tree and can produce an edible fruit after a few years. It is very tropical looking, but will take some cool nights as it is protected under the canopy of the tree.


🎥 Urechites lutea (Pentalinon luteum) - Yellow Mandevilla

🛒 Shop flowering vines

#Hedges_with_benefits #How_to

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Why do we love Ground Orchids?

Ground orchids collage

Q: I need your expert advice on a low growing perennial with pretty flowers that I can plant in semi-shade close to my house. What is your favorite perennial?

A: Our most favorite bright flowering perennials are ground orchids!

Ground orchids are the easiest and most rewarding flowers for a tropical garden. They thrive in regular garden soil or potting mix, tolerate both sun and shade, and bloom nearly year-round.

Their adaptability makes them a perfect choice for any spot in the garden, whether you need to fill a sunny patch or a shaded area under trees. And look at these colors! From vibrant purples to soft pinks and yellows, ground orchids bring a splash of tropical beauty with minimal effort. Their consistent blooming makes them a must-have for gardeners seeking color all year.

Kittens with Ground 
orchids

Ground orchids video

Date:

How to get Live Fireworks in Winter

Clerodendrum quadriloculare - Winter Starburst, Fireworks

Clerodendrum quadriloculare - Winter Starburst, Fireworks

Clerodendrum quadriloculare - Winter Starburst, Fireworks

Clerodendrum quadriloculare - Winter Starburst, Fireworks

🧨 How to get Live Fireworks in Winter
  • 🎆 Clerodendrum quadriloculare - Winter Starburst, Fireworks - is a large bush or small tree with showy dark green leaves with a striking purple underside, adding visual interest even when not in bloom.
  • 🎆 Spectacular winter blooms are slightly fragrant. Clusters of long, tubular flowers in shades of pink and white that resemble a burst of fireworks - spectacular show!
  • 🎆 Fast growing, grows well in full sun to partial shade and thrives in warm climates, reaching heights of 8-15 feet.


🛒 Order Winter Starburst

#Hedges_with_benefits #Trees

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Date:

How to choose the right flowering trees for your landscape

Phymosia umbellata - Cranberry Malva Aparasolada

🔍 How to choose the right flowering trees for your landscape
  • 🌷 There are so many flowering and blooming trees to choose from, where should you start? Well there are plenty of questions to ask and several answers for each.
  • 🌷 Are you looking for trees that bloom in winter or are you looking for summer flowering trees? Maybe you are looking for the fastest growing shade tree. The choices are endless. Depending on your answer, there may be several trees that meet your needs.
  • 🌷 One good place for beginners and even seasoned growers is to use the search features in our Top Tropicals Plant Encyclopedia. Here you can search by name, size, growth habit, light requirements, watering needs, color of bloom and cold hardiness.
  • 🌷 You will be able to search for trees that attract butterflies and even those that are salt tolerant if you live near the ocean.
  • 🌷 If you choose the small tree category, you will find small flowering trees and even dwarf flowering trees or bonsai starters.


🎥 Phymosia umbellata - Cranberry Malva Aparasolada

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#Trees #How_to

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We remember 9/11, and we always will

We remember 9/11, and we always will
🇺🇸 We remember 9/11, and we always will.

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." - Martin Luther King Jr.

💙 As this day approaches, the weight of its memories fills our hearts - honoring the lives lost, the bravery of the heroes, and the resilience that carried us through such a difficult time.

🩶 In our journey of healing, let us stand united, supporting one another with love, kindness, and understanding. In times like these, tolerance and mutual respect, regardless of our differences, become gifts we share with the world.

❤️ Take a moment to appreciate what we have today, the people who surround us, and the ones who love us. Cherish them while they are here - today. Give a hug to those you love while you have the chance.

🌱 Nature offers us healing power in its quiet way. Fragrant flowers calm the mind, young fruiting trees represent renewal, every plant reminds us of life's resilience. As we reflect, may the beauty and growth around us help us find peace, and remind us of the strength that comes from standing together!

#Quotes

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We remember 9/11, and we always will

Two kittens, black and white, with American Flag

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." - Martin Luther King Jr.

As this day approaches, the weight of its memories fills our hearts - honoring the lives lost, the bravery of the heroes, and the resilience that carried us through such a difficult time.

In our journey of healing, let us stand united, supporting one another with love, kindness, and understanding. In times like these, tolerance and mutual respect, regardless of our differences, become gifts we share with the world.

Take a moment to appreciate what we have today, the people who surround us, and the ones who love us. Cherish them while they are here - today. Give a hug to those you love while you have the chance.

Nature offers us healing power in its quiet way. Fragrant flowers calm the mind, young fruiting trees represent renewal, every plant reminds us of life's resilience. As we reflect, may the beauty and growth around us help us find peace, and remind us of the strength that comes from standing together.

Dichrostachys cinerea - Princess Earrings, Sickle bush

In the photo above: Dichrostachys cinerea - Princess Earrings, Sickle bush from West Africa is one of the most unusual and unforgettable flowers of cheerful color combination... Let them bring hope, joy and sunshine into your day.

Date:

Discover Coral Trees - Erythrinas
the brightest flowers of the Tropics

Coral Tree - Erythrina

Q: What tropical tree do you recommend that has a small size and bright showy flowers, specifically red? I love red flowers, they are the most beautiful!

A: Erythrinas are small trees with a legendary beauty and are often considered a symbol of exotic allure. They bring a touch of the extraordinary to a Southern landscape.

Vivid red blooms: striking, coral-red flowers that create a breathtaking visual display.

Eye-catching: makes a stunning focal point with its bold and vibrant floral clusters.

Fast-growing: quickly develops into a magnificent tree.

Unique branch structure: an interesting, sculptural form that adds architectural interest even when not in bloom.

Pollinator magnet: attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies, supporting local wildlife.

Drought tolerant: withstands dry conditions once established.

Adaptable: thrives in a range of soils, demonstrating versatility and hardiness.

Low maintenance: requires minimal care.

The Erythrina tree is a must-have for any tropical garden, with its stunning coral-red blooms and unique branch structure that add beauty year-round. Fast-growing, drought-tolerant, and low-maintenance, this eye-catching tree supports pollinators like hummingbirds and butterflies while thriving in a variety of conditions. It's the perfect addition for those seeking a vibrant, exotic touch to their landscape.

Coral Tree - Erythrina flowers

Date:

Top 10 fast-fruiting trees:

Peanut Butter Tree (Bunchosia argentea)

Peanut Butter Tree (Bunchosia argentea)

🥜 Top 10 fast-fruiting trees:
#10. Peanut Butter Tree (Bunchosia argentea)


🤎 Peanut Butter Tree, earns its name from its fleshy fruits that boast a delightful peanut butter flavor. Compact in size, small tree reaching only 10-15 ft or kept as a bush, it's a perfect choice for limited spaces. Can thrive indoors, starting to fruit within just 2-3 years from seed.

📚 Learn more from previous post:

🛒 Shop Peanut Butter Tree

#Food_Forest

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Top 10 fast-fruiting trees:

Blackberry Jam Fruit (Randia formosa)

Blackberry Jam Fruit (Randia formosa)

Top 10 fast-fruiting trees:
#9. Blackberry Jam Fruit (Randia formosa)


🖤 Blackberry Jam Fruit, Jasmin de Rosa is a curious small evergreen tree or bush that combines features of a fragrant flower and delicious dessert fruit which tastes like fresh Blackberry jam. Fragrant white flowers are similar to Gardenia.

📚 Learn more from previous posts:

🛒 Shop Blackberry Jam Fruit

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Top 10 fast-fruiting trees:

Carambola - Starfruit (Averrhoa carambola)

Carambola - Starfruit (Averrhoa carambola)

⭐️ Top 10 fast-fruiting trees:
#8. Carambola - Starfruit (Averrhoa carambola)


💛 Growing Carambola tree is a fun and rewarding way to enjoy this unique star-shaped delicious fruit right at home. It fruits on the 3d year from seed. The tree is easy to grow and reliable producer, providing wind protection.

📚 Learn more from previous post:

🛒 Shop Carambola varieties

#Food_Forest

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