Quisqualis vine - Rangoon Creeper - Flamingo pink and fruity fragrance in one!
Who said utility areas have to be ugly? Our Quisqualis indica - Rangoon Creeper - turned the roof of our water system into a wall of flowers! This shrubby vine covers itself in clusters of pink, crimson, and white blooms that change color as they age.
The fragrance is sweet, fruity, and absolutely unforgettable. Every time we walk by, we can’t help but stop and smell the... creeper!
Got a fence, trellis, or an eyesore to hide? This is your plant!
What spice comes from the small dried flower buds of a tropical tree? A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.
What spice comes from the small dried flower buds of a tropical tree?
Clove - Syzygium aromaticum
Clove - Syzygium aromaticum
Clove - Syzygium aromaticum
Allspice - Pimenta dioica, Jamaica pepper tree
Allspice - Pimenta dioica, Jamaica pepper tree
🌿 What spice comes from the small dried flower buds of a tropical tree?
🌿 That would be Clove, from the tropical tree Syzygium aromaticum. The spice is actually the dried, unopened flower buds. They turn from pink to brown as they dry and release that powerful, warm aroma we associate with baking and holiday dishes. Cloves are native to the Moluccas, or Spice Islands of Indonesia, and are still grown widely across the tropics. The clove tree is ultra-tropical and very challenging to grow outside the true tropics, which is why it’s so rare in plant collections.
📸 Photos 1-3.
🌿 Another spice with a similar story is Allspice, from Pimenta dioica, also known as the Jamaica pepper tree. Unlike clove, it comes from dried unripe berries, not flower buds, but it earned its name because its flavor tastes like a mix of cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg all in one! The Allspice tree is much easier to grow, as it isn’t as fussy as the clove tree - though still frost-sensitive. It's compact and easy to keep in a container. This tree brings joy to your life and spice to your kitchen right away, so you don’t need to wait for years for the fruit of your labor! 📸 Photos 4-5.
The diva of tropical trees. Huge red-orange flowers blanket the branches
from late winter through summer. If you’ve ever seen one in full
bloom, you know — it stops traffic.
Best in large yards or open spaces, but young ones do great in big pots for
a few years.
🛒 Shop Tatiana: “If you want a tree that makes
people
say ‘wow,’ this is it.”
Tabebuia chrysotricha – Dwarf Golden Tabebuia
Small tree, big drama. It turns solid gold just before new leaves
appear.
Blooms while completely bare — a stunning contrast of yellow on brown
wood.
Perfect for patios, courtyards, and containers. Handles cool nights down to
the mid-20s F.
Bright, cheerful, and forgiving — the kind of tree that always looks
like it’s celebrating. 🛒
Shop
The Florida “cherry blossom.” Pink-lavender flowers smother
the branches each winter, often before any leaves return.
Thrives in sandy soil, tolerates drought, and grows beautifully in large
planters or pots indoors near a sunny window.
Ideal for seasonal residents or anyone who wants color when everything else
is asleep. 🛒
Shop
Jacaranda mimosifolia
If color had music, this would be jazz.
Soft, fern-like leaves and cascades of violet-blue trumpet flowers —
airy, elegant, unforgettable.
Outdoors, it makes a graceful shade tree; in containers, it stays compact
with regular pruning.
Jacarandas reward patience — they bloom bigger each year. 🛒
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Koelreuteria paniculata – Golden Rain Tree
A favorite for its surprises — golden blooms in summer, pink paper
lantern pods in fall, and bronze leaves before rest.
Fast-growing, tough, and easy. Loves full sun and moderate water.
Great for open lawns or patio tubs. The kind of tree that gives you
something new to look at every month. 🛒
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Callistemon citrinus – Bottlebrush Tree
The hummingbird magnet.
Bright red, brush-shaped flowers bloom several times a year —
sometimes even in cool weather.
The dwarf form, ‘Little John,’ stays about 4 feet tall, perfect
for pots or small borders.
Trim lightly after flowering to keep it compact and colorful. 🛒
Shop Tatiana: “If you’ve never grown a
tropical tree before — start here. It’s the friendliest
one.”
Bauhinia variegata – Pink Butterfly Tree
Graceful, fragrant, and forgiving.
Its pink-lavender orchid-like flowers open from late winter through spring,
filling the garden with color and pollinators.
It’s fast-growing, drought-tolerant, and excellent for both ground
and pots.
Even the buds are edible — a fun bonus for adventurous gardeners. 🛒
Shop
Bauhinia blakeana – Hong Kong Orchid Tree
The queen of them all.
Huge magenta-purple blooms that last for months, from fall through spring.
Fragrant, clean (no messy seed pods), and perfect for patios or large
decorative containers.
Give it sun, a little water, and it will reward you with bloom after bloom.
🛒 Shop Tatiana: “It’s the one tree that never lets winter
win.”
A note on grafted Hong Kong Orchid Trees:
Most Hong Kong Orchid Trees are grafted, and that’s actually a big
advantage.
Because they don’t grow from seed, grafted plants mature faster and
begin blooming while still small — sometimes within the first year.
That makes them perfect for patio pots or small gardens where space is
limited.
Bringing the Tropics Home
Whether your garden faces the Gulf or your window faces the snow, these
trees let you live in color year-round.
Plant them outdoors in warm zones or grow them in pots indoors — they
adapt, they bloom, they brighten every corner.
Gardening isn’t about waiting for spring — it’s about
finding joy in every season.
And when a tree blooms in January, that joy feels twice as sweet.
Yes! Smaller species like Bottlebrush ‘Little John,’ Dwarf
Tabebuias,
and many
Bauhinias bloom beautifully in pots with bright light or grow lamps.
Q: Do they lose their leaves in winter?
Some, like Tabebuias
and Jacarandas,
drop leaves right before blooming — it’s normal
and part of their charm. Others, like Bottlebrush,
stay evergreen.
Q: What fertilizer works best?
We use Sunshine
Boosters — gentle, balanced, and perfect for tropicals.
Feed every 2–3 weeks during active growth.
Q: How do I know when to water?
Touch the soil! If it’s dry an inch or two down, water deeply.
Overwatering is the main mistake with tropicals.
Q: Can they handle frost?
A quick dip into the upper 20s F is fine for most mature trees. Cover
young ones or move containers under shelter if colder.
Q: Which are best for beginners?
Start with Bottlebrush ‘Little John’ or Golden Tabebuia
— compact, colorful, and nearly foolproof.
Q: When will they bloom?
Usually within few years if they get enough sun and warmth. Grafted
plants blooms much sooner
Q: Which of these trees are best for pot
growing?
For patios, balconies, or indoor sunrooms, choose the compact or grafted
types:
When northern gardens fade into gray, our tropicals wake up. Winter is
color season here - and even if you live up north, you can still enjoy these
same flowering trees indoors or on a sunny patio.
From the fiery Royal
Poinciana to the golden Tabebuia and
violet Jacaranda,
these eight trees prove that winter can bloom anywhere
How to Care for Winter-Flowering Trees
We're often asked, at Top Tropicals, “Can I really grow tropical
trees in winter?”
Yes — with the right light and care, you can.
Here’s what works best both outdoors and indoors, according to our
expert, Tatiana Anderson.
🌡️ Fall Planting Guide
Let’s talk about timing, because that’s the part most people
get nervous about.
Everyone asks: “Isn’t it too cool to plant now?” —
and the answer is no!
Fall and early winter are actually the best months for tropicals in Zones 9
to 11.
Here’s why: the air has cooled off, but the soil is still warm.
Roots love that combination. They quietly spread underground while the rest
of
the plant takes a break.
By spring, those roots are ready to feed a burst of new growth — and
that’s when you’ll see the first big flush of flowers.
Pick a sunny spot that gets plenty of light — six to eight hours
if you can.
Loosen the soil and mix in compost or pine bark so it drains well.
Dig a hole about twice as wide as the pot and just as deep.
Set the plant level with the ground, backfill, and water it deeply to
settle everything in.
Then add mulch — two or three inches is plenty — but keep it
away from the trunk so it can breathe.
Tatiana’s tip: “Fall planting builds roots while everyone
else is resting. By spring, your tree wakes up ready to grow.”
🌳 Outdoor Care (Warm Climates Zones 9–11)
Now, let’s talk about what happens after planting — because
real gardening starts once the plant is yours. Tropical trees thrive on
routine: steady sunlight, deep watering, and just a bit of attention.
Water them about once a week when the weather is mild, more often if
it’s dry or windy.
Always check the soil first — if it feels dry two inches down, go
ahead and water.
Mulch helps more than most people realize — it keeps roots cool in
summer and warm in winter, and it saves you from watering as often.
Now, for those of you in Zone 9, here’s the truth: your trees can
take a chill, but they don’t love surprises.
A quick night in the upper 20s F won’t hurt mature plants, but young
ones appreciate a little help — a frost cloth or being planted at the
south side.
And don’t underestimate the wind. Cold, dry gusts can burn leaves
faster than frost.
Use fences, hedges, or taller shrubs as windbreaks, and take advantage of
microclimates — those warm pockets next to the house, brick patios, or
corners that get extra afternoon sun.
Tatiana’s tip: “A tropical garden in Zone 9 isn’t
about fighting nature — it’s about cooperating with it. Find the
warm corners, protect from the cold wind, and your trees will thank you with
flowers all winter.”
🏚️ Indoor & Patio Care (Cooler Climates)
For our northern friends — yes, you can grow tropicals indoors!
You just need good light, warm air, and a little attention.
Pick a large pot, with drainage holes and a light tropical soil mix.
Place it in a bright window — south or southwest if you can —
or under grow lights for about 12–14 hours a day.
Keep temperatures between 65 and 85 F, and water when the top inch of soil
dries out.
Misting helps keep leaves clean and adds humidity.
Rotate the pot every couple of weeks so all sides get sun. In summer, move
your plant outdoors gradually so it can enjoy real sunlight — then
bring it back in before nights drop below 40 F.
Tatiana’s tip: “Don’t be afraid of growing trees in
pots. They adapt beautifully — just select the right trees and pay
attention to their needs.”
The hot Guyanese secret to perfect skin. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.
The hot Guyanese secret to perfect skin
Biquinho Pepper (Capsicum annuum x chinense) and Wiri Wiri Pepper (Capsicum frutescens)
❗️ The hot Guyanese secret to perfect skin 💥
🌶 Who said Peppers can't be cute? These two little fireballs prove otherwise! They might look small, but they’re full of personality, flavor, and heat.
This heart-shaped hottie is an ancient hybrid between bird pepper and habanero is as beautiful as it is flavorful. Each tiny 1-inch red pepper packs a fruity, tangy punch with just enough heat to make your taste buds dance. Perfect for container gardens, Biquinho peppers decorate the plant like tiny red ornaments – and they’re just as tasty in pickles, salsas, or fresh salads.
From the kitchens of Guyana comes a true legend - the Wiri Wiri pepper. These little berry-shaped peppers turn from green to orange to bright red, bursting with intense heat and flavor. Guyanese chefs swear by it - it's the secret behind their famously spicy, flavorful dishes. Locals even say it’s the reason they live long, have glowing skin, and look amazing… it's not just spice, it's magic!
🌶 Fun facts:
· Both peppers belong to the same botanical family as potatoes, tomatoes and eggplants.
· What makes them special isn't just the heat - it's the flavor!
· True pepper lovers know that great peppers are about depth, aroma, and the fruity fire they bring to every meal.
🌶 Growing tips:
Feed your peppers with Sunshine C-Cibus plant booster for abundant crops and extra flavorful fruits. These compact plants thrive in containers and bring tropical flair to patios, balconies, or edible gardens.
💥 These two peppers are a must for spice lovers - intense fruity habanero flavor packs quite a bang!
Extremely showy, these ornamental peppers have culinary benefits and are great for container garden.
How to Care for Winter-Flowering Trees
