Season star:
The Purple Tango of Hypnotizing Jacaranda
by Alex Butova, the Witch of Herbs and Cats
...Hypnotizing bluish-purple, trumpet-like flowers create the magical
image of the tree. Incredible, long-lasting purple blooms in spring give way to
rich, yellow hues in the fall, making the Jacaranda Tree a season-to-season
star that stands out. Fern-like foliage lends volume to its bold, dramatic
silhouette for a landscape look unlike any other. When the trumpet-shaped
blooms finally fall, they form a lilac carpet beneath the awe-inspiring Jacaranda
for luxuriant curb appeal...
Photo above: Clerodendrum indoor garden of Ludmila Ezhova, St Petersburg, Russia.
Enjoy the Tropics Year round!
Bring them inside...
Q: I just discovered your amazing website and spent hours
browsing your beautiful tropical plants! I wish I could have them all! But it's getting cold here (I live in Chicago area), too late? Can you recommend something of a small size, colorful, that I can easily overwinter indoors? Thanks for bringing this beauty into our lives!
A: Don't get discouraged even in colder climates. Yes, you can grow tropical plants indoors! Remember that all traditional houseplants are in fact tropical plants that grow in tropics in a wild habitat. Humans didn't invent them as indoor plants, they originally collected them from the rain forests and jungles! Most of tropical plants, including trees and fruit trees, can be grown in containers and even indoors. It's just a matter of space limitations and amount of time you are willing to spend caring of your exotic babies. Many gardeners up North are very successful with their tropical plant collections.
Below are a few suggestions of compact growing, easy species for your
indoor collection. Enjoy the Tropics Year round!
Photo above: small tropical indoor garden of Julia Nikolayeva, St Petersburg, Russia.
Date: 6 Oct 2021
Cold hardy Aronia and its Superfruit:
a Magic gift from the Native Americans
by Alex Butova, the Witch of Herbs and Cats
...A very cold hardy fruiting plant (USDA hardiness zone 3-9),
Chokeberry has been cultivated for ages as both ornamental and food plant. Enjoy them
in an array of foods as they are rich in vitamins. Masses of fragrant, white
flowers bloom in spring; gorgeous red fall colors and extra large berries
follow the glossy summer foliage. Persistent, purplish black berries are high in
nutrients and can be used for pies and jellies. This is one of the true
super fruits, high in antioxidants with huge health benefits. This fruit is
widely used in Eastern Europe in holistic medicine for lowering blood pressure.
Fruit should be consumed with caution as excessive amount can cause significant
and immediate blood pressure drop...
Q: My mom had to remove a hedge for some renovations and after
being heartbroken about losing my little bird haven, I've decided to plan on a fruit bearing hedge that offers some privacy and places for the little fledgling to wait for food. Any suggestions? I was thinking blueberries or citrus but open to any ideas.
A: Below are a few suggestions for a fruit bearing hedge planted
with fast-growing, tropical species. They will contribute to a nice edible
landscape for both your family and the birds - they will be very happy!
Larger size hedge (small trees), grows full-size within 1
season:
- Loquats
- Dwarf Mulberries (very cold hardy too) such as Dwarf Everbearing
Citrus is probably not a good idea, not bird's favorite, and blueberries require a special acidic soil here in Florida, so they will need extra maintenance, special soil, and heavy mulching.
A Native Virgin - Sweetbay Vanilla Magnolia
(Magnolia virginiana)
by Alex Butova, the Witch of Herbs and Cats
...Fossilized specimens one of Magnolias have been found dating to 20
million years ago. Magnolia virginiana as a true American pioneer - it was the
first magnolia to be scientifically described, and is the type species of the
genus Magnolia; as Magnolia is also the type genus of all flowering plants
(magnoliophytes), this species in a sense typifies all flowering plants...
...The flowers carry a very strong vanilla scent that can sometimes be
noticed several hundred yards away! Fresh off the tree, the flavor of leaves is
unique and fun to use. If you have a Florida Sweet Bay, your cooking will have
flavors folks outside Florida can never hope to duplicate. It likes moist
soils, so if you have a wet spot on your land - plant this tree. The lifespan
of individual trees has been estimated at 130 years! No bugs, no pests!..
