WINTER BLOOMING PLANTS

The ESALQ Red Jaboticaba is a rare and exotic fruit tree originating from Brazil, named after the prestigious Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (ESALQ), University of Sao Paulo. This tropical fruit tree was extensively studied by the renowned botanist Joao Rodrigues de Mattos in the 1970s, and it is recognized for its large, and exceptionally sweet, flavorful fruit. It begins to bear fruit within 4 to 5 years.

Grimal Jaboticaba - Peluda de Alagoas. Rare Jaboticaba introduced by Adolf Grimal. Sometimes known as the Giant Jaboticaba, it bears fruits that are larger than many Jaboticaba varieties. Has larger fruits with thick pulp and small seeds. Also notable that the fruits are mildly hairy and foliage may show a similar appearance. The trees are heavy producers, and will begin fruiting in 5 years. The tree fruits year round producing a lot of fruit.
See video about a mail ordered Jaboticaba tree.

Jaboticaba. One of the most popular native fruit of Brazil. Grape-like purple fruit with a thick skin and delicious melting pulp somewhat resembling Northern Black Currant in flavor. Small white flowers grow right on the trunk ("cauliflora" means "flowers growing on trunk). Trees grow very slowly and due to small leaves and dwarfish growth habit are often used as bonsai. Some old bonsai specimens can fruit.
See video about a mail ordered Jaboticaba tree.

Jaboticaba. Slow growing plant. The trees are large, bushy and mature (7 years old and older).

Peregrina is an evergreen shrub or small tree with glossy leaves and clusters of star shaped bright scarlet flowers about 1 in across that are borne in multi-flowered terminal clusters almost all year round. Compacta is a smaller, more compact cultivar. Peregrina is tolerant of a wide variety of soils as long as they are well drained. Blooms on the current year's growth so it can be pruned at any time of the year.

One of the garden favorites, this is a vigorous, evergreen or semi-evergreen vine bearing highly fragrant flowers adorned from spring intermittently through late summer. They are followed by blue-black berry-like fruit that attract birds. This Japanese honeysuckle has a lush foliage of purple-tinged, oval leaves throughout the growing season. Native to eastern Asia. Grows up to 10-30 ft.
A part shade lover, tolerates full sun. Adapts to a wide range of soils. Drought tolerant. An ideal choice for mass plantings on banks and slopes for controlling erosion. Pest and disease free. This is a cold hardy tropical, can take some freeze once established.

Mansoa alliacea (Cydista aequinoctialis) - Garlic Vine. This is one of the most rewarding flowering vines that you can grow, unless that you are a vampire. Interestingly enough crushed leaves smell like garlic. It is one of the most wanted winter-flowering vines. When in full bloom, it looks like a cascade of blue-purple over a fence or trellis. Deep lavender flowers with white throat fading to a paler lavender within a few days, and you can see all three colors on the plant at the same time. Winter-Spring bloomer, it will also have some flowers on and off throughout the year. The vine has moderate growth rate and can stay compact in a pot as a specimen, and even can be grown as a house plant. It can tolerate some light frost.
Read Article about Garlic vine.
Watch video: Garlic vine keeps away the vampires!.

Iris Regina. This variety was discovered in Brazil near the ocean in shady sandy soil, introduced by Sid Gardino, and named after his wife, Regina.
The plant is salt tolerant. Plants mature to flowering size from seed in less than a year. Cold hardy only to about 30F.

Royal Creeper. Splendid tender, evergreen, woody vine with leathery leaves. Beautiful thick bluntly ovate leaves on twining stems which reach 8-10ft or more, large clusters of white Azalea shaped pendant bells with a hint of cream yellow. Extremely delicate and pretty climber. Winter bloomer.

Petrea volubilis - Queen's wreath, Sandpaper vine. A twining vine with rough green leaves and spectacular tall clusters of purple flowers. It likes warm and humid conditions. The flowers come in raceme reaching over 1 foot long, the flowers lasts a couple of days but the blue calices remain much longer, slowly turning gray.

Dwarf Pomegranate - compact fruiting shrub that is often used for bonsai. Fruit are smaller than regular pomegranate, but also edible, although somewhat acid. Mostly used as cute ornamental specimen.
See Article about Pomegranate.

Chocolate Raspberry, Pseuderanthemum Iguana Mia. Tri-color hybrid of Black Varnish that has an amazing combination of purple, dark green, and black colors of the leaves. Leaves change color as they mature and also depending on light and season. Spikes of spectacular deep mauve flowers sprinkled with pink from Winter to Spring. The plant may flower several times a year. If grown in filtered light, leaves get larger and darker. A must for every tropical plant collection, it can be easily grown as a house plant.

Shaving Brush Tree. One of the coolest looking flowering trees, this fast-growing tree bears spectacular showy staminate flowers in the spring. It usually has no leaves at that time, which serves to show off the large and striking blooms.

Shaving Brush Tree - Bonsai Starter, 3 year old very cute looking plant with large caudex. This is one of the best candidates in existence for large bonsai! Although this plant can grow into a giant tree, but it can also be kept contained in a pot: this causes it to grow a massive caudex that resembles a tortoise shell! It is a unique choice for bonsai due to its striking flowers and distinctive trunk. As a bonsai, it features a swollen base (caudex) that gives it a sturdy and aged look, even when young. Huge, brush-like white flowers that look like shaving brushes emerge after winter dormancy, before foliage. It's a beautiful and exotic option for bonsai enthusiasts.

Blackberry jam fruit, Jasmin de rosa - fragrant white flowers and edible fruit that tastes like blackberry jam! Rare exotic that will fruit in a container. Kids love the fruit!
This unique compact plant, perfect for container culture, combines features of a fragrant flower and tasty desert fruit. Originally from Central and South America, this rare tropical small evergreen tree bears fruit which tastes like fresh Blackberry jam. Many claim that it is even better than preserves. Closely related to the gardenia, its flowers are sweetly fragrant. This relatively hardy tropical has attractive foliage and can be grown in a container as well as in the ground. Produces as many as 25 to 30 fruits at a time, and keeps flowering and fruiting at the same time. A single compact tree can easily load up with 100 to 200 fruits! Even better, thanks to their durable outer shells, the fruits hang fresh on the tree for months without losing a drop of quality. Since it blooms for a few months in the fall and winter, fruiting and flowering can be enjoyed when many other plants are dormant. Large tubular white flowers that attract nocturnal moths.
variety.
See Article about Randia formosa.

Royal poinciana - one of the most popular tropical trees covered with bright red orchid-like flowers from late winter through early summer. A must for any tropical garden, this tree however requires space since it spreads its branches 30-40 ft wide or more.
"The Royal Poinciana is one of the most spectacular flowering trees in the USA, and probably among the top 10 on this planet. In full bloom, it is like a regal elephant caparisoned in red and yellow brilliance." (Larry M. Schokman, The Kampong, National Tropical Botanic Garden)
Watch video about this tree.

Royal poinciana - one of the most popular tropical trees covered with bright red orchid-like flowers from late winter through early summer. A must for any tropical garden, this tree however requires space since it spreads its branches 30-40 ft wide or more.
"The Royal Poinciana is one of the most spectacular flowering trees in the USA, and probably among the top 10 on this planet. In full bloom, it is like a regal elephant caparisoned in red and yellow brilliance." (Larry M. Schokman, The Kampong, National Tropical Botanic Garden)
Watch video about this tree.

Royal poinciana - one of the most popular tropical trees covered with bright red orchid-like flowers from late winter through early summer. A must for any tropical garden, this tree however requires space since it spreads its branches 30-40 ft wide or more.
"The Royal Poinciana is one of the most spectacular flowering trees in the USA, and probably among the top 10 on this planet. In full bloom, it is like a regal elephant caparisoned in red and yellow brilliance." (Larry M. Schokman, The Kampong, National Tropical Botanic Garden)
Watch video about this tree.

Royal poinciana - one of the most popular tropical trees covered with bright red orchid-like flowers from late winter through early summer. A must for any tropical garden, this tree however requires space since it spreads its branches 30-40 ft wide or more.
"The Royal Poinciana is one of the most spectacular flowering trees in the USA, and probably among the top 10 on this planet. In full bloom, it is like a regal elephant caparisoned in red and yellow brilliance." (Larry M. Schokman, The Kampong, National Tropical Botanic Garden)
Watch video about this tree.

Mauve-blue, unusually lipped flowers are lightly lavender-fragrant! They create a pretty floral display on this shade-loving shrub with its attractive glossy green foliage. Flowers are mauve-blue to purple and the lower petals are ribbed, giving the impression of lips, hence the common name. Five fringed lobes, equal in size, short and rounded, are the flowers distinguishing feature. The numerous flowers produced in summer are attractive to pollinating insects which encourage insect-feeding birds into the garden.
Due to its fast-growing nature, suitability to shady conditions and unusual floral display this species has great horticultural value. It is best to grow it in a shaded to semi-shaded area of the garden.
See Article about this plant.

Spectacular bright red variety of Mexican flame vine (Pseudogynoxis chenopodiodes). Fast-growing vine with beautiful bright red flowers year round. Great for covering fences, etc. Good for beginners, doesn't require much care, drought tolerant once established.
This fast-growing, drought-resistant vine quickly covers fences with bright red, daisy-like flowers all winter. Attracts bees, butterflies, and birds, while its thick evergreen leaves provide a rich backdrop. A great choice for beginners, it creates a stunning carpet of vibrant blooms that fill the garden with color. Thick evergreen leaves are larger and darker than regular variety; they provide a lush, tropical look. Drought-tolerant once established and thrives on neglect, this variety is also more vigorous than regular orange Senecio.

Spathodea campanulata, commonly known as the African Tulip Tree, is highly regarded for its striking beauty. Its large, vibrant orange-red flowers create a spectacular display, attracting pollinators like bees and birds. The lush foliage adds to its visual appeal. Additionally, the African Tulip Tree is valued for its medicinal properties and is often used in traditional medicine. Medium size tree. Blooms winter through spring with gorgeous tulip-like flowers, red with yellow throat. Sensitive to frost especially when young. Mature plants are more cold hardy.