Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date: 18 Oct 2021

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...

CONTINUE READING >>

Date: 23 May 2024

The Magic of 3 top tropical trees
from the legends of Caribbean

Yellow Poinciana, Jacaranda, and Royal Poinciana:
Three happy colors of the Tropics

paintings of 3 top tropical trees - Royal Poinciana, Yellow Poinciana, and 
Jacaranda

While traveling through the vibrant and diverse Caribbean, we acquired three exquisite local paintings. Two of these are masterfully rendered on jacaranda wood plates, and the third is beautifully crafted on a calabash. These stunning pieces of art celebrate the three most spectacular and revered flowering trees of the Tropics: Yellow Poinciana, Jacaranda, and Royal Poinciana.

These trees are not only visually stunning but also deeply embedded in Caribbean culture, legends, and folk remedies.

The Yellow Poinciana, with its bright golden blossoms, is often associated with joy and sunlight, symbolizing the warmth of the Caribbean spirit.
The Jacaranda, known for its striking lavender-blue flowers, is a symbol of wisdom and rebirth, often blooming in a breathtaking display that signals the change of seasons.
The Royal Poinciana, with its fiery red and orange flowers, is a symbol of passion and energy, often referred to as the "Flamboyant" tree due to its bold and dramatic appearance.

These trees hold a special place in the hearts of the Caribbean people. They are featured in numerous local stories and songs, and their flowers and leaves are used in traditional remedies and rituals. Owning these paintings feels like possessing a piece of the Caribbean's soul and its natural beauty.

Now, we are fortunate to have not only the paintings but also the actual trees. Watching them grow and bloom in our garden brings a piece of the Caribbean to our home, a constant reminder of our travels and the vibrant culture we experienced. These trees and their representations in art are a testament to the region's rich heritage and its enduring connection to nature.

Get them now while we have them. No need to go too far into Caribbean!

Peltophorum africanum - Golden Flamboyant, Yellow Poinciana

Peltophorum africanum - Golden Flamboyant, Yellow Poinciana. An excellent garden shade tree, beautiful in flower. This variety starts flowering at young age, in 3 gal pot.

Jacaranda mimosifolia (acutifolia)

Jacaranda mimosifolia - Hypnotizing bluish-purple, trumpet-like flowers create the magical image of the tree. Incredible, long-lasting purple blooms. When the trumpet-shaped blooms finally fall, they form a lilac carpet beneath the awe-inspiring Jacaranda for luxuriant curb appeal...

Royal poinciana, Flamboyant tree, Delonix regia

Royal poinciana, Flamboyant tree, Delonix regia - "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)

Date: 24 May 2024

Three top tropical trees - from the legends of Caribbean

Yellow Poinciana, Jacaranda, and Royal Poinciana paintings

Yellow Poinciana, Jacaranda, and Royal Poinciana paintings

Yellow Poinciana

Yellow Poinciana

Jacaranda

Jacaranda

Royal Poinciana

Royal Poinciana

💛💜♥️ Three top tropical trees - from the legends of Caribbean. Yellow Poinciana, Jacaranda, and Royal Poinciana: three happy colors of the Tropics.

While traveling through the vibrant and diverse Caribbean, we acquired three exquisite local paintings rendered on jacaranda wood plates and a calabash. These pieces of art celebrate the three most spectacular and revered flowering trees of the Tropics:
  1. Yellow Poinciana, with its bright golden blossoms, associated with joy and sunlight, symbolizing the warmth of the Caribbean spirit💛
  2. Jacaranda, known for its striking lavender-blue flowers, is a symbol of wisdom and rebirth, blooming in a breathtaking display that signals the change of seasons 💜
  3. Royal Poinciana, that we mentioned earlier, with its fiery red and orange flowers, is a symbol of passion and energy, referred to as the "Flamboyant" tree due to its bold and dramatic appearance ♥️


  4. Get them now while we have them. No need to go too far into Caribbean!

    🛒 Shop flowering trees

    #Nature_Wonders

    🏵 TopTropicals

Date: 27 Aug 2016

Plant Horoscope. Virgo Zodiac lucky plants: Jacaranda and Assai palm

Virgo - 8/23-9/22. Virgo is an EARTH sign ruled by the planet Mercury, which also rules Gemini.

Virgo is traditionally the Goddess of the Grain, and is associated with autumn. Her plants often have finely divided leaves or stems, subtle odors, or small, brightly-colored flowers. The most beneficial plants for Virgo are high in potassium and help to calm the nerves.

In its rulership of Virgo, Mercury governs the abdomen and the lower intestinal tract and the entire digestive process. Herbs associated with Virgo assist in digestion (as do Cancer herbs) and help to reduce flatulence. The relaxing, calming scents help Virgo release stress and worries.

Virgo Zodiac lucky plants: Amorphophallus, Anethum graveolens (Dill), Barringtonia, Bolusanthus, Dioscorea, Grewia asiatica (Falsa), Hibiscus sabdariffa (Karkade), Iboza riparia, Lagerstroemia speciosa (Queens Crape Myrtle), Laurus nobilis (Bay Leaf), Lippia, Melissa, Catnip, Mint, Arugula, Piper betle, Piper sarmentosum, Psychotria, Syzygium aromaticum (Clove), Banisteriopsis, Papaya, Mesua ferrea (Ironwood), Momordica, Euterpe oleracea (Assai Palm), Jacaranda,  Magnolia officinalis, Pimenta dioica (Allspice), Osteospermum, Petrea, Plumbago, Clitoria, Eranthemum, Litchi, Cashew, Pecan, Nut trees, Cherries, Lavender, Myrtles, Sansiveria, Aloe vera, Blackberry, Honey suckle, Satureja, Vitex, Mulberry, Elaeocarpus, Clausena lansium (Wampi), Feronia elephantum (Bel Fruit).

For other signs information, see full Plant Horoscope.

Date: 5 Jan 2022

Five Favorite Winter Bloomers

#5. Parrots Beak

Gmelina philippensis - Parrots Beak. An extraordinary fountain-like shrub with pendant branches, large long leaves and exotic flowers comprised of yellow blossoms which emerge at the end of a tube-like structure of overlapping bracts. The flower resembles parrot's beak!

#4. Royal Queens Wreath

Petrea - Royal Queens Wreath, Tropical Wisteria. Spectacular tall clusters of purple flowers similar to those of Wisteria come in racemes reaching over 1 foot long!

#3. Chinese Hat

Holmskioldia sanguinea - Bronze Chinese hat. Rare variety with orange-bronze flowers. Unique flowers are the main interest: each is a narrow tube backed by a broad, circular calyx, just like an oriental hat!

#2. Jacaranda

Jacaranda - all-time favorite winter flowering tree. Hypnotizing bluish-purple, trumpet-like flowers create the magical image of the tree...

#1. Royal Poinciana

Delonix regia - Royal Poinciana, Flamboyant. 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.