Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

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National treasure of Thailand: Golden Shower Tree. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Cassia fistula - Golden Shower Tree

🌞 National treasure of Thailand: Golden Shower Tree
  • ☀️ Cassia fistula - Golden Shower Tree is known as the national flower of Thailand. It is one of the most spectacular flowering trees for tropical and subtropical gardens.
  • ☀️ From late spring through summer, it puts on a breathtaking display of golden-yellow flower clusters that hang in long, pendulous chains, often over a foot long. When in full bloom, the entire tree appears drenched in gold.
  • ☀️ This deciduous tree drops its leaves in the dry season, allowing the brilliant flowers to take center stage. The leaves re-emerge after flowering, followed by long, dark brown seed pods that can reach up to two feet.
  • ☀️ Cassia fistula is fast-growing, typically reaching 20-30 feet tall, and thrives in full sun with well-drained soil. It prefers a dry season to initiate heavy blooming and is tolerant of drought once established.
  • ☀️ Aside from its beauty, the tree has cultural and medicinal significance in Asia in Ayurvedic medicine.
  • ☀️ Fun facts:

▫️In Thailand, it’s called Ratchaphruek and symbolizes royal identity.
  • ▫️Its golden flowers are often used in local festivals and ceremonies.
  • ▫️It attracts bees and butterflies and provides seasonal shade.


🛒 Shop showy Cassia trees

📚 Learn more:
▫️Compact and showy flowering trees: Rainbow Cassias.

#Butterfly_Plants #Trees

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Top 20 plants for a Butterfly Haven. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Best plants for a Butterfly Haven Garden

Best plants for a Butterfly Haven Garden

Top 20 plants for a Butterfly Haven

🏆 The most spectacular butterfly plants for the previous post 👆

*️⃣Acacia farnesiana, Sweet Mimosa
*️⃣ Antigonon leptopus - Mexican Coral Vine
*️⃣ Aristolochia - Pelican Flower, Dutchmans Pipe
*️⃣ Caesalpinia - Dwarf Poinciana, Bird of Paradise
*️⃣ Calliandra - Powderpuff
*️⃣ Cassia (Senna) - especially yellow-flowered varieties
*️⃣ Clerodendrums - all varieties
*️⃣ Clitoria ternatea - Butterfly Pea
*️⃣ Dombeya - Tropical Hydrangea
*️⃣ Jatropha - Coral Plant
*️⃣ Justicia - Brazilian Plume
*️⃣ Lonchocarpus violaceus - Lilac Tree
*️⃣ Lonicera - Honeysuckle
*️⃣ Mansoa alliacea - Garlic Vine
*️⃣ Passiflora - Passion Vine
*️⃣ Petrea - Queens Wreath
*️⃣ Pyrostegia venusta - Flame Vine
*️⃣ Quisqualis Indica - single flower
*️⃣ Senecio confusus - Mexican flame vine
*️⃣ Tecoma and Tecomaria

🛒 Transform your yard into a Butterfly Haven with exotic plants

📚 Learn more:
#Butterfly_Plants
Five best butterfly attractors for a Southern garden

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Why all Floridians want Coffee Senna in their landscape and what it has to do with Coffee. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Cassia occidentalis - Coffee Senna, Fedegoso, Privet Cassia

Cassia occidentalis - Coffee Senna, Fedegoso, Privet Cassia

Cassia occidentalis - Coffee Senna, Fedegoso, Privet Cassia

Cassia occidentalis - Coffee Senna, Fedegoso, Privet Cassia

Cassia occidentalis - Coffee Senna, Fedegoso, Privet Cassia

Cassia occidentalis - Coffee Senna, Fedegoso, Privet Cassia

Cassia occidentalis - Coffee Senna, Fedegoso, Privet Cassia

Cassia occidentalis - Coffee Senna, Fedegoso, Privet Cassia

☀️ Why all Floridians want Coffee Senna in their landscape and what it has to do with Coffee
  • 🌼 Beauty without the hassle! Cassia occidentalis, commonly known as Coffee Senna, Fedegoso, or Privet Cassia, offers striking beauty and practical benefits, making it an excellent choice for low-maintenance landscapes and herbal medicinal garden.
  • 🌼 From spring to fall, this medium-sized shrub showcases clusters of orange-yellow flowers that look like little yellow hummingbirds from the distance and attract butterflies and bees.​ The large, red-veined leaves add ornamental value even when not in bloom.​
  • 🌼 Coffee Senna thrives in full sun to partial shade and is drought- and cold-tolerant once established. ​Requires minimal care, making it ideal for gardeners seeking beauty without the hassle.​ Its spreading habit can provide a natural hedge or privacy screen.​
  • 🌼 Coffee Senna gets its common name from the resemblance of its seeds to coffee beans. The seeds are dark and oval-shaped, much like coffee beans. Despite the name, the seeds are not related to the actual coffee plant (Coffea arabica). The "Senna" part of its name refers to its botanical Senna genus, which includes various species traditionally used for medicinal purposes.
  • 🌼 Health Benefits of Coffee Senna


Beyond its ornamental appeal, Coffee Senna has a history in traditional medicine:​
  • ✔️Digestive Aid: The seeds have mild laxative properties, aiding in constipation relief.​
  • ✔️Respiratory Support: Infusions of the root and dried flowers are used to treat gastrointestinal issues, colds, and flu .​
  • ✔️Skin Health: Poultices made from the roots and flowers are applied to treat skin disorders such as eczema .​
  • ✔️Nutritional Value: The seeds are rich in iron and other minerals, contributing to overall health .


🛒 Plant your own Coffee Senna

#Food_Forest #Butterfly_Plants #Hedges_with_benefits #Remedies #Discover

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How to Grow Your Own Cinnamon Tree Spice and Health Right by the Kitchen. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Cinnamon tree (Cinnamomum aromaticum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum), young leaves

Cinnamon tree (Cinnamomum aromaticum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum), young leaves

Cinnamon tree (Cinnamomum aromaticum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum), flowers

Cinnamon tree (Cinnamomum aromaticum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum), flowers

Cinnamon tree (Cinnamomum aromaticum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum)

Cinnamon tree (Cinnamomum aromaticum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum)

Cinnamon tree (Cinnamomum aromaticum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum), balk and leaves

Cinnamon tree (Cinnamomum aromaticum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum), balk and leaves

🏺 How to Grow Your Own Cinnamon Tree – Spice and Health Right by the Kitchen
  • 🌿 The Cinnamon tree (Cinnamomum aromaticum or zeylanicum), is an easy, fast-growing tropical plant that thrives in pots, making it perfect for patios, balconies, or even sunny indoor spaces.
  • 🌿 It naturally grows compact and bushy, so it's great for container gardeners - even those outside the tropics.
  • 🌿 You don't need to wait years for fruit - because cinnamon is the bark and the leaves!
  • 🌿 Once your tree is established, you can begin gently harvesting bark and fragrant leaves. Both parts of the plant are bursting with that signature warm aroma. Use the bark as a spice in baking, curries, or mulled drinks, and steep the leaves in teas or add them to savory dishes.
  • 🌿 Cinnamon has been treasured for over 4,000 years. Ancient Egyptians used it in rituals, and Roman emperors burned it at funerals to show wealth - it was once worth more than gold. Its value helped drive global trade and exploration.
  • 🌿 Today, cinnamon is celebrated not just for its flavor, but also its health benefits. It may help lower blood sugar, reduce inflammation, and fight bacteria and fungi. It's even linked to improved memory and brain function! The tree's powerful scent comes from cinnamaldehyde, a natural compound with medicinal properties.
  • 🌿 Two main types of cinnamon:

🟤 Cassia Cinnamon – stronger, spicier, and most common in supermarkets
🟤 Ceylon Cinnamon – milder and sweeter, often called "true cinnamon"

🌿 In short: With a cinnamon tree near your kitchen, you’re not just growing a plant - you're growing a spice, a medicine, a piece of world history, and a daily source of joy!

🛒Start growing yours today - fresh, homegrown cinnamon is truly the spice of life!

📚 Lean more from previous posts:

#Food_Forest #How_to #Remedies

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Did you know which two trees are behind the creation of Eggnog? A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Did you know which two trees are behind the creation of Eggnog? Nutmeg tree (Myristica fragrans)

Nutmeg tree (Myristica fragrans)

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum or Cinnamomum cassia).

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum or Cinnamomum cassia).

☕️ Did you know which two trees are behind the creation of Eggnog?

☕️ Eggnog is made from milk, cream, sugar, beaten eggs, and two spices: Nutmeg and Cinnamon. Both nutmeg and cinnamon come from spice trees:

Nutmeg is made from the seed of the Nutmeg tree (Myristica fragrans).

🔥Cinnamon comes from the bark of the Cinnamon tree (Cinnamomum verum or Cinnamomum cassia).

These spices add the classic, warming flavors that make eggnog so popular during the holiday season.

🛒 Shop Spice Trees

#Food_Forest #Recipes #Fun_facts

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What is an easy growing butterfly bush for a low maintenance landscape? A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

What is an easy growing butterfly bush for a low maintenance landscape?
🏖 What is an easy growing butterfly bush for a low maintenance landscape?

  • ☀️ Cassia bahamensis (Senna mexicana) - Bahama Senna is a fantastic addition to low-maintenance landscapes, especially in Southern gardens.

  • ☀️ This hardy, compact shrub is beloved for its dense, lush green foliage and abundant clusters of vibrant golden-yellow flowers that bloom from fall to early spring.

  • ☀️ The blooms are not only visually striking but also serve as an essential nectar source for butterflies, particularly the Cloudless Sulphur butterfly, making it a pollinator magnet.

  • ☀️ What makes Bahama Senna a landscaper's favorite is its remarkable resilience. It's highly drought-tolerant, thrives in full sun, and requires little water once established - perfect for areas with water restrictions or hot climates.

  • ☀️ Its low-growing, compact habit (typically under 5 feet) makes it ideal for small gardens, borders, or containers, where it adds a splash of color without overwhelming other plants.

  • ☀️ Additionally, its evergreen foliage provides year-round interest, and it requires minimal pruning to maintain its shape, making it truly low-maintenance.

  • ☀️ For those looking for a beautiful, easy-care shrub that attracts pollinators and brightens the garden with golden hues, Bahama Senna is an outstanding choice.


🛒 Plant Bahama Senna

#Butterfly_Plants #Hedges_with_benefits

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What is an easy growing butterfly bush for a low maintenance landscape? A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Cassia bahamensis (Senna mexicana) - Bahama Senna

Cassia bahamensis (Senna mexicana) - Bahama Senna

🏖 What is an easy growing butterfly bush for a low maintenance landscape?
  • ☀️ Cassia bahamensis (Senna mexicana) - Bahama Senna is a fantastic addition to low-maintenance landscapes, especially in Southern gardens.
  • ☀️ This hardy, compact shrub is beloved for its dense, lush green foliage and abundant clusters of vibrant golden-yellow flowers that bloom from fall to early spring.
  • ☀️ The blooms are not only visually striking but also serve as an essential nectar source for butterflies, particularly the Cloudless Sulphur butterfly, making it a pollinator magnet.
  • ☀️ What makes Bahama Senna a landscaper's favorite is its remarkable resilience. It's highly drought-tolerant, thrives in full sun, and requires little water once established - perfect for areas with water restrictions or hot climates.
  • ☀️ Its low-growing, compact habit (typically under 5 feet) makes it ideal for small gardens, borders, or containers, where it adds a splash of color without overwhelming other plants.
  • ☀️ Additionally, its evergreen foliage provides year-round interest, and it requires minimal pruning to maintain its shape, making it truly low-maintenance.
  • ☀️ For those looking for a beautiful, easy-care shrub that attracts pollinators and brightens the garden with golden hues, Bahama Senna is an outstanding choice.


🛒 Plant Bahama Senna

#Butterfly_Plants #Hedges_with_benefits

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Why some cassias are called "Rainbow"? A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Why some cassias are called Rainbow?

Rainbow cassia - Cassia Marginata

🌈 Why some cassias are called "Rainbow"?

Cassias, besides yellow, can be pink, red, or with a multi-color flower combination.

Rainbow cassias are hybrids between yellow and pink or red cassias.

Some of the most showy cassias are:
Cassia grandis - Red Cassia
Cassia javanica - Apple Blossom Tree
Cassia marginata - Rainbow Shower Tree
Cassia roxburghii - Ceylon Senna
Cassia x nodosa - Pink Shower, Appleblossom.

♦️ Cassia trees are compact, fast growing, tolerant to drought and poor soils, free-flowering and relatively cold hardy. Always a great choice!

❓ What cassias do you have in your garden?
Share photos in comments👇

📚 More about cassias from previous posts:
How to add color to your yard
Rainbow Cassias

🎥 Rainbow cassia - Cassia Marginata.

🛒 Shop showy Cassia trees

#Butterfly_Plants #Trees

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What is Cinnamon made of? A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Cinnamon tree, or Cassia Cinnamon, Cinnamomum aromaticum

Cinnamon tree, or Cassia Cinnamon, Cinnamomum aromaticum

Cinnamon tree, or Cassia Cinnamon, Cinnamomum aromaticum

Cinnamon tree, or Cassia Cinnamon, Cinnamomum aromaticum

🍀 What is Cinnamon made of?
  • Cinnamon tree, or Cassia Cinnamon, Cinnamomum aromaticum - this tree is the source of the famous Cinnamon! Cinnamon is a very popular culinary spice and is also used in candy, gum, incense, toothpaste and perfumes. The oil is used in medicine. Leaves are very fragrant and used as tea.
  • Ancient Origins: Cinnamon has been used for over 4,000 years, with its earliest references found in ancient Egyptian texts, where it was used in embalming practices.
  • Spice of Kings: In ancient Rome, cinnamon was so valuable that it was worth more than gold, and emperors like Nero famously burned large quantities at funerals to showcase their wealth.
  • Medicinal: Cinnamon is known for its health benefits, including its ability to lower blood sugar levels, reduce inflammation, and fight bacteria and fungi.
  • Culinary: This aromatic spice is not just for sweet dishes; it enhances savory dishes, stews, and even some meats, bridging sweet and savory flavors.
  • Two Main Varieties: There are two primary types of cinnamon - Ceylon Cinnamon (true Cinnamon) and Cassia Cinnamon. Ceylon has a sweeter, more delicate flavor, while Cassia is more robust and commonly found in supermarkets.
  • Aroma Activation: The distinct aroma of cinnamon comes from a compound called cinnamaldehyde, which not only provides flavor but also has potential antimicrobial properties.
  • Historical Trade Routes: The demand for cinnamon spurred exploration and trade routes, leading to significant historical events like the Age of Discovery and conflicts over spice control.
  • The Spice of Life: Cinnamon is believed to improve brain function and memory, making it a popular choice for students and those looking to boost cognitive performance.


❗️ And the most importantly - you can grow your own Cinnamon Tree right now!

🛒Grow your own Cinnamon tree

#Nature_Wonders #Perfume_Plants #Trees

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The solution to eliminate weeds finally found! A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Senna (Cassia) alata - Empress Candle, Candelabra Plant

🌞 The solution to eliminate weeds finally found! Yet it has beautiful sunny flowers!
  • 🟡 Imagine a plant that grows fast, stays in bloom almost year-round, and covers your garden with lush, vibrant greenery with sunny, candle-like flowers. That's the Senna (Cassia) alata – Empress Candle, Candelabra Plant.
  • 🟡 This garden wonder lights up your space with golden, candle-like flowers, while its huge leaves provide cool shade and keep weeds at bay! Weeds 🌱 just don't have a chance to grow under its canopy!
  • 🟡 In just one or two seasons, it can grow up to 10 feet wide and 6-8 feet tall, creating a natural masterpiece of beauty.
  • 🟡 Butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees flock to its bright yellow flowers, which are followed by intriguing, rattling seed pods 🐝
  • 🟡 The Empress Candle isn't just a plant - it's a stunning, must-have addition that transforms any garden into a living work of art.


🎥 Watch the video in the next post 👇

🛒 Shop Empress Candle

#Hedges_with_benefits #Butterfly_Plants #Nature_Wonders

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