Starry fruit and rusty leaves: the tropical tree full of surprises
Chrysophyllum cainito - Caimito, Star Apple
🌟 Starry fruit and rusty leaves: the tropical tree full of surprises
❓ Is it Star Apple, Star Fruit, Cainito or Caimito? Are you lost? Don't be - and here is the truth:
⭐️ The Star Apple tree - Chrysophyllum cainito, also known as Caimito, is a tropical treasure admired for both its fruit and foliage. It is related to Sapote and Sapodilla and produces round, glossy fruit that comes in stunning purple and green varieties.
⭐️ When sliced open, the juicy flesh reveals a star-shaped pattern - hence the name "Star Apple"!
⭐️ The flavor is mildly sweet, often described as a mix of grape, lychee, and apple with a hint of caramel.
⭐️ The tree also features lush green leaves with a striking rusty-red underside, making it as beautiful as it is bountiful.
⭐️ Caimito thrives in warm climates and is popular in the Caribbean, Central America, and Southeast Asia.
Napoleons Plume - Orchid Tree that blooms in a pot
Bauhinia monandra - Napoleons Plume Orchid Tree in bloom
🌸 Napoleons Plume - Orchid Tree that blooms in a pot
Bauhinia monandra - Napoleons Plume Orchid Tree - is a breathtaking tropical tree with flowers that truly resemble delicate orchids, and leaves folding like butterfly wings. It is one of he most impressive varieties of orchid trees.
Each blossom starts off pale yellow and transforms to soft pink by the next day, with the center petal beautifully streaked in magenta - a unique color shift that makes the tree look like it's blooming in multiple shades at once. When in bloom, it's covered in these showy flowers, creating a dazzling display.
Despite its exotic look, this tree is surprisingly well-suited for containers. It can be easily kept trimmed and compact, with seedlings often blooming when just 2 feet tall. While it's sensitive to cold, growing it in a container makes it easy to move indoors during chilly weather. This makes Bauhinia monandra the perfect choice for gardeners who want a tropical tree that delivers nonstop visual impact in a manageable size.
Turn up the color in your garden with the bold everblooming Brazilian plume
♨️ Turn up the color in your garden with the bold everblooming Brazilian plume
❣️Looking to add nonstop color, tropical flair for shade or sun, and pollinator appeal to your garden?
Megaskepasma erythrochlamys - Brazilian plume or Red Cloak, is the ultimate show-stopper shrub that takes both sun or shade.
❣️ With its big, bold leaves and eye-catching crimson-to-mauve flower spikes, this plant brings exotic beauty - without the need for a steamy jungle.
❣️The best part? It's surprisingly cold hardy. This lush-looking tropical can handle brief dips into the 30s (F), making it a top pick for USDA zones 9-11. Plant it in full sun or partial shade, and with regular watering, it rewards you with a steady burst of blooms that butterflies and hummingbirds can't resist.
❣️Reaching 5-7 ft tall in the ground, it fills out beautifully to anchor beds or soften fences. In colder regions, it can still thrive in large pots - just give it a sheltered spot, bring it indoors when temperatures drop, and enjoy its vivid flower show all winter long.
❣️If you want a garden that doesn’t fade with the season, the Brazilian plume delivers color, volume, and wildlife appeal - all year round.
