Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date:

Privacy Hedges with Benefits

Flowering hedge

What's the numero uno question we get bombarded with at Top Tropicals Nursery? Well, it's a real head-scratcher:

Q: "...Can you recommend me a flowering privacy hedge to spice up my yard's life? My current hedge is just a green wall and I'm tired of the monthly trim routine. I need something lively, fast-growing, and unusual if possible. No plain old ixora, please!.."

A: After over two decades of being the go-to advice-givers, we thought, "Why not spill the floral beans and share our tropical wisdom?" But where to begin? The jungle of flowering ornamentals is vast, and picking the perfect shrub is like finding the missing piece of a gardening puzzle. So, in our new column "Hedges with Benefits" we're dishing on those not-so-average shrubs that'll not only prettify your patch but also bring some serious practicality. Today's lineup is -

Top Ten Winners:
Fast growing flowering shrubs

Below is the top selection of spectacular flowering shrubs that can create a nice hedge or a natural screen within just a couple of seasons.

Flowering hedge Tithonia diversifolia - Sunflower tree

Tithonia diversifolia - Sunflower tree.
Grows super fast to a very tall dense hedge, and starts flowering right away. Full sun, very easy, not fussy about soil or water. Winter bloomer.

Flowering hedge Calliandra surinamensis - Powderpuff

Calliandra surinamensis - Powderpuff.
Pretty pink powderpuffs almost year around! Easy to prune.

Flowering hedge Dombeya x wallichii - Tropical Hydrangea

Dombeya x wallichii - Tropical Hydrangea.
You can see this beautiful bush right at Top Tropicals gate. Winter bloomer, large lush leaves and huge, pink hydrangea-like blooms. Very large and fast growing, likes water, tolerates shade.

Flowering hedge Acalypha hispida - Cat tail, Chenille plant

Acalypha hispida - Cat tail, Chenille plant.
All time favorite, everblooming with red cat tails! Full sun. Easy to control.

Flowering hedge Hibiscus variegated Snow Queen

Hibiscus variegated Snow Queen.
Popular landscape bush with unusual look, red flowers over snow white variegation, very showy! Responds well to pruning. Full sun.

Flowering hedge Leonotis leonurus - Lions Ears

Leonotis leonurus - Lions Ears.
Winter bloomer, great for low hedges. Covered with bright orange curious flowers, medium sized, easy to control at 3-4 ft. Full sun.

Flowering hedge Plumbago auriculata Imperial Blue

Plumbago auriculata Imperial Blue
One of the most popular Southern hedge plants, everblooming with bright blue flowers, tolerant to drought, heat, and poor soils. Can be maintained short or tall (2-6 ft).

Flowering hedge Eranthemum pulchellum - Blue Sage, Lead Flower

Eranthemum pulchellum - Blue Sage, Lead Flower.
Great for shady spots, winter bloomer with dark green leaves and unusual sky-blue flowers. Can be trimmed if needed. Nice and dense.

Flowering hedge Clerodendrum paniculatum - Pagoda Flower

Clerodendrum paniculatum - Pagoda Flower. Happy in the sun or shade, easy plant. Loves water.

Flowering hedge Tibouchina lepidota - Ecuador Princess, Jules 
Dwarf

Tibouchina lepidota - Ecuador Princess, Jules Dwarf.
Sun or shade, blooms on and off throughout the year. Beautiful Purple Princess!

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Easy compact bush for sandy soil

Caesalpinia pulcherrima - Red Dwarf Poinciana, Bird of Paradise

Caesalpinia pulcherrima - Red Dwarf Poinciana, Bird of Paradise.

Q: Can you recommend a flowering bush that will be in full sun and in sandy soil. I do not want it to exceed 10 feet.

A: For a garden specimen bush that is medium size and tolerates poor soils, we can recommend to choose from the plants below. These are all easy to grow, not fussy about soil and water, and stay compact and require minimal or no trimming at all.

Calliandra surinamensis - Powderpuff - 6-8 ft
Hibiscus mutabilis Cotton Candy - Mallow Hibiscus - 5-6 ft
Dombeya seminole - Tropical Rose Hydrangea 4-6 ft
Allamanda schottii - Dwarf Allamanda Bush 3-4 ft
Brunfelsia pauciflora Compacta - Dwarf Yesterday-Today-Tomorrow - 4-5 ft
Calliandra schultzii - Dwarf calliandra - 4-5 ft
Plumbago auriculata Imperial Blue
Caesalpinia pulcherrima - Red Dwarf Poinciana, Bird of Paradise - 2-4 ft
Hibiscus schizopetalus - Coral Hibiscus - 5-6 ft
Jatropha integerrima compacta - 4-5 ft
Clerodendrum bungei - Glory Bower - tolerates shade, 4-5 ft
Eranthemum pulchellum - Blue Sage, Lead Flower (prefers shade) - 4-5 ft
Magnolia figo - Banana Magnolia - small tree, 6-8 ft
Megaskepasma erythrochlamys - Brazilian plume (tolerates shade) - 5-6 ft
Tibouchina lepidota - Ecuador Princess, Jules Dwarf - 3-4 ft
Leonotis leonurus - Lions Ears - 3-4 ft

Also, for your further reference, check out the reference chart Hedges with Benefits Chart to see different flowering bushes that are great for hedges as well as garden specimens, depending on your specific needs.

Megaskepasma erythrochlamys - Brazilian plume

Megaskepasma erythrochlamys - Brazilian plume.

Brunfelsia pauciflora Compacta - Dwarf Yesterday-Today-Tomorrow

Brunfelsia pauciflora Compacta - Dwarf Yesterday-Today-Tomorrow.

 Leonotis leonurus - Lions Ears

Leonotis leonurus - Lions Ears.

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Hedges with Benefits
Reference Chart

Hibiscus mutabilis flowering hedge

Large and fast growing

Tithonia diversifolia - Sunflower tree
Acacia farnesiana - Sweet Mimosa
Calliandra surinamensis - Powderpuff
Aloysia virgata - Almond Bush
Dombeya x wallichii - Tropical Hydrangea
Cornutia grandifolia - African lilac
Gmelina philippensis - Parrots Beak
Hibiscus mutabilis Cotton Candy - Mallow Hibiscus
Senna alata - Empress Candle, Candelabra Plant

Medium or easy-trim

Acalypha hispida - Cat tail, Chenille plant
Bauhinia galpinii - Pride of De Kaap
Cestrum nocturnum - Night blooming jasmine
Dombeya seminole - Tropical Rose Hydrangea
Gardenia thunbergia - Forest gardenia
Hamelia patens - Fire Bush
Hibiscus variegated Snow Queen
Jasminum sambac Maid of Orleans
Ochna integerrima - Vietnamese Mickey Mouse, Hoa Mai
Odontonema callistachyum - Lavender Butterfly Bush
Odontonema cuspidatum - Firespike, Red
Rondeletia leucophylla - Panama Rose
Tecoma stans - Yellow Elder

Short or slow growing

Aglaia odorata - Chinese Perfume Plant
Allamanda schottii - Dwarf Allamanda Bush
Brunfelsia pauciflora Compacta - Dwarf Yesterday-Today-Tomorrow
Clerodendrum incisum - Musical Note
Calliandra schultzii - Dwarf calliandra
Gardenia vietnamensis - Vietnamese Gardenia
Leonotis leonurus - Lions Ears
Neea psychotrioides - Pigeon Plum, Hoja de Salat
Plumbago auriculata Imperial Blue

Garden Specimens

Combretum constrictum Thailand, Ball of Fire
Caesalpinia pulcherrima - Red Dwarf Poinciana, Bird of Paradise
Clerodendrum quadriloculare - Winter Starburst
Euphorbia leucocephala - Snows of Kilimanjaro, Pascuita
Gardenia nitida - Shooting Star Gardenia
Hibiscus schizopetalus - Coral Hibiscus
Jatropha integerrima compacta
Kopsia fruticosa - Pink Gardenia
Malvaviscus x penduliflorus Variegata - Summer Snow
Mussaenda philippica x flava - Calcutta Sunset (Marmelade)
Plumeria pudica - Bridal Bouquet

Semi-Shade to Shade

Clerodendrum bungei - Glory Bower
Clerodendrum paniculatum - Pagoda Flower
Eranthemum pulchellum - Blue Sage, Lead Flower
Clerodendrum speciosissimum - Java Glorybower Mary Jane
Justicia carnea - Pink Brazilian Plume, Jacobinia
Magnolia figo - Banana Magnolia
Megaskepasma erythrochlamys - Brazilian plume
Thunbergia erecta - Kings Mantle
Tibouchina lepidota - Ecuador Princess, Jules Dwarf

Edible Hedges

Eugenia uniflora - Black Surinam Cherry Lolita
Camellia sinensis - Tea Leaf
Hibiscus sabdariffa - Flor de Jamaica, Karkade Sorrel
Laurus nobilis - Bay Leaf
Manihot esculenta - Yuca Root
Nashia inaguensis - Moujean Tea, Bahamas Berry
Sauropus androgynus - Katuk, Tropical Asparagus
Sauropus Variegata - variegated Katuk

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Butterfly Bush: Fast, Pretty, Low Maintenance...

Cassia (Senna) bicapsularis - Butterfly Bush

Five unbeatable reasons to plant Butterfly Cassia

Q: I am trying to find some easy flowering shrub to screen the ugly corner of my neighbor's yard, can you suggest something fast growing and pretty?

A: One of our favorite flowering shrubs in Florida is the Cassia bicapsularis, commonly known as Scrambled Egg Bush or Butterfly Bush. It is one of the most desirable plants for the southern landscape. It has all the benefits any gardener may dream of, whether a beginner or an expert:

1. Very fast growing, can screen unwanted views and create a beautiful flowering hedge. Cassia bicapsularis is known for its rapid growth, making it an excellent choice for quickly transforming an unsightly corner into a vibrant and lush area. Its dense foliage and attractive yellow blooms add both beauty and privacy to your outdoor space.

2. Easy to grow, not fussy about soil or water, drought and flood tolerant, cold tolerant. Butterfly Bush is incredibly adaptable and resilient. It thrives in a variety of soil types, is not demanding when it comes to water, and can withstand both drought and occasional flooding. Additionally, it is cold tolerant and can withstand occasional frosts once established.

3. Blooms for many months, featuring especially in winter flowers from Fall to spring. Very pretty, large "sunny" flowers resembling bright yellow butterflies, hence the name. It is a generous bloomer, gracing your garden with vibrant yellow flowers for an extended period, particularly from fall to spring. The large, sunny blooms not only add visual appeal but also attract pollinators, enhancing the ecological balance of your garden.

4. Attracts lots of butterflies. As the common name suggests, the Butterfly Bush is a magnet for butterflies. If you enjoy the presence of these beautiful winged creatures in your garden, planting Cassia bicapsularis is an excellent way to encourage and support butterfly populations.

5. Low maintenance. Butterfly Bush can be trimmed and controlled at the desired shape if needed, but if you have room for a big bush in a full sun area - just let it go and it will form a nice dense bush without any pruning: this shrub is a low-maintenance delight. While it can be pruned and shaped according to your preferences, it also flourishes when left to grow naturally. Its ability to form a dense and attractive bush without constant pruning makes it an ideal choice for those seeking a fuss-free gardening experience.

If you're looking for a fast-growing, low-maintenance, and aesthetically pleasing solution to screen an unsightly corner, Cassia bicapsularis is an unbeatable choice. It ticks all the boxes for a beautiful and resilient flowering shrub in the southern landscape.

A lady standing next to Cassia (Senna) bicapsularis - Butterfly Bush

"...Without a doubt, Butterfly Cassia became one of my favorite plants during my visit to Florida for Christmas a few years ago. I only wish I could have taken it back home with me to Latvia. If only my windowsill hadn't already reached its greenhouse capacity!.." - Alex Butova.

To see more options for flowering shrubs, check out the reference chart Hedges with Benefits Chart.

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Ackee breakfast scramble: quick-n-fun exotic recipes. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Ackee breakfast scramble: quick-n-fun exotic recipes

Ackee breakfast scramble

Ackee breakfast scramble

🍴 Ackee breakfast scramble: quick-n-fun exotic recipes

Ackee breakfast scramble recipes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups boiled Ackee (Blighia sapida)
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 tomatoes, diced
  • 1-2 hot peppers (Scotch Bonnet, Wiri Wiri, or Biquinho), sliced
  • 1 tbsp oil or butter
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat oil in a skillet. Saute onion until soft.
  2. Add tomatoes and sliced hot peppers, cook for 2 minutes.
  3. Gently fold in the boiled ackee, stir carefully to avoid breaking it up.
  4. Season with salt, cook until heated through, then serve warm.

🛒 Grow your own Akee fruit (banned for import) and hot peppers

#Food_Forest #Recipes

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Avocado shrimp boats: Quick-n-Fun exotic recipes. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Avocado shrimp boats: Quick-n-Fun exotic recipes

Avocado shrimp boats: Quick-n-Fun exotic recipes
🍴 Avocado shrimp boats: Quick-n-Fun exotic recipes

  • 🟢Halve an avocado, scoop out a little extra.
  • 🟢Fill with sauteed shrimp tossed in garlic-lime butter.
  • 🟢Enjoy instant tropical feast!


🛒 Grow your own Avocado tree

Avocado shrimp boats: Quick-n-Fun exotic recipes

Ingredients

  • 2 ripe avocados
  • 1 cup shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Halve the avocados and scoop out a little extra to make room.
  2. Sauté shrimp in butter with garlic and lime juice until pink and cooked through.
  3. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Fill avocado halves with shrimp mixture.
  5. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.

#Food_Forest #Recipes #Avocado

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Jackfruit curry quickie: Quick-n-Fun exotic recipes. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Jackfruit curry quickie: Quick-n-Fun exotic recipes

Jackfruit curry quickie: Quick-n-Fun exotic recipes
🍴 Jackfruit curry quickie: Quick-n-Fun exotic recipes

  • 🟡Saute young Jackfruit chunks with coconut milk, curry paste, and ginger.
  • 🟡Tastes like pulled chicken curry, but totally plant-based!

🍲 Jackfruit curry exotic recipes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups young Jackfruit chunks
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 2 tbsp curry paste
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated

Instructions

  1. Saute young Jackfruit chunks with curry paste and ginger.
  2. Add coconut milk and simmer until the Jackfruit is tender.
  3. Serve hot. Tastes like pulled chicken curry, but completely plant-based!

🛒 Shop Jackfruit varieties

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What is a good plant for a fragrant elegant hedge? Discover the Angel Hair Jasmine. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

What is a good plant for a fragrant elegant hedge? Discover the Angel Hair Jasmine

Jasminum pubescens (multiflorum) - Angel Hair Jasmine

Jasminum pubescens (multiflorum) - Angel Hair Jasmine

Jasminum pubescens (multiflorum) - Angel Hair Jasmine

Jasminum pubescens (multiflorum) - Angel Hair Jasmine

Jasminum pubescens (multiflorum) - Angel Hair Jasmine

Jasminum pubescens (multiflorum) - Angel Hair Jasmine

Jasminum pubescens (multiflorum) - Angel Hair Jasmine

Jasminum pubescens (multiflorum) - Angel Hair Jasmine

💫 What is a good plant for a fragrant elegant hedge? Discover the Angel Hair Jasmine.
  • 💮 Jasminum pubescens (multiflorum), also known as Angel Hair Jasmine, is a beloved choice for landscapes, prized for its multitude of exceptional qualities.
  • 💮 Bushy, dense vining shrub with star-like white flowers emitting a delightful fragrance.
  • 💮 Soft, velvet-like leaves add to its charm.
  • 💮 Rapid growth makes it ideal for creating lush hedges or adding vertical interest to garden spaces.
  • 💮 Perfect for hedges, fences, or trellises, adding a touch of beauty and fragrance to any outdoor setting.


🛒 Make a fragrant hedge with Angel Hair Jasmine

#Hedges_with_benefits #Perfume_Plants

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How to make healthy food taste delicious? Longevity Spinach Super-food Recipes. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

How to make healthy food taste delicious? Longevity Spinach Super-food Recipes

Longevity Spinach recipe

Longevity Spinach recipe

Gynura procubens (Longevity Spinach, Okinawa Spinach)

Gynura procubens (Longevity Spinach, Okinawa Spinach)

How to make healthy food taste delicious? Longevity Spinach Super-food Recipes.
  • ☘️ Gynura procubens (Longevity Spinach, Okinawa Spinach) is one of the Superfoods, known for its longevity-promoting properties in traditional medicine.
  • ☘️ Native to Indonesia, commercially grown in China. It is a relatively hardy perennial that once planted, you will have these healthy greens for many years!
  • ☘️ Both the stems and the leaves are edible and nutritious, can be eaten raw or cooked. They have a unique flavor with a faint hint of pine, and will add a beautiful aesthetic element to cuisine.
  • ☘️ This green is also known as cholesterol spinach, and there are many claims that it lowers can cholesterol.
  • ☘️ Perfect for hot and humid climates unlike traditional Spinach that only grown in cooler areas. It will thrive in any type of soil, any type of light other than dark shade, and is pest-free.
  • ☘️ Very adaptable to container gardening and even grows well on a windowsill.
  • ☘️ The leaves and young shoot tips can be steamed, used in stir fry, tempura, stews, and soups. Just add them at the very end.


Check out the recipes⬇️⬇️⬇️

📚 Gynura: Longevity Spinach Superfood Recipes

🎥 Best Hot Weather Spinach Crops - Longevity and Okinawa Spinach

🛒 Plant Longevity Spinach and live long

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Passion fruit fizz: Quick-n-Fun exotic recipes. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Passion fruit fizz: Quick-n-Fun exotic recipes

Passion fruit fizz: Quick-n-Fun exotic recipes
🍴 Passion fruit fizz: Quick-n-Fun exotic recipes 🍹

  • 🔴Scoop passion fruit pulp into sparkling water with a squeeze of orange juice.
  • 🔴A bubbly, tangy tropical soda!
  • 🔴You may add a plash of Rum (optional)


🛒

Passion fruit fizz recipes

Ingredients

  • 2 passion fruits (pulp scooped)
  • 1 cup sparkling water
  • 1 tbsp orange juice
  • (Optional) 1 shot rum

Instructions

  1. Scoop passion fruit pulp into a glass.
  2. Add sparkling water and orange juice, stir gently.
  3. Optionally add a splash of rum.
  4. Serve chilled with an orange slice garnish.
Shop Passion fruit plants

#Food_Forest #Recipes

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