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: 8 Sep 2021
Nepenthes: Deadly Traps of Monkey Cups
by Alex Butova, the Witch of Herbs and Cats
...The name "monkey cups" refers to the fact that monkeys were once
thought to drink rainwater from the pitchers. This is false; monkeys do not drink
from them, and the pitchers are filled with digestive juices, rather than
rainwater. The trap contains a fluid of the plant's own production, which may
be watery or more viscous, and is used to drown the prey...
...The lower part of the trap contains glands which absorb nutrients from
captured prey. Along the upper inside part of the trap is a slick, waxy
coating which makes the escape of its prey nearly impossible...
...Prey usually consists of insects, but the largest Nepenthes species may
occasionally catch small vertebrates, such as rats and lizards. Records of
cultivated plants trapping small birds have been made!..
CONTINUE READING >>
Date: 26 May 2021
The Magic Goji Berry
by Alex Butova, the Witch of Herbs and Cats
...According to folklore, people living in the Himalayas who eat Goji berries are reputed to live to between 120 and 150 years old... The famous Li Quing Yuen - a herbalist selling litchi, goji berry, wild ginseng, and gotu kola along with other Chinese herbs, and lived off a diet of these fruits, herbs and rice wine - ate Goji berries on a daily basis. Is said he to have lived to over 250 years... Is this possible? Find out!
CONTINUE READING >>
Date: 18 May 2021
Mark your calendar:
June 19, 2021
Summer Solstice Celebration with PeopleCats
Special Event you can't miss!
First day of Summer and the longest day of the year! Live Jazz in the
Garden, lots of cool vendors
and "A Roof for Rufus" cat adoptions...
Come join the Top Tropicals crew for the longest planting day of the year.
Onika, Bella, Mark and David will be here soaking in the sun and helping you
to pick the right plants...
Saturday, June 19th
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Top Tropicals is proud to partner with A Roof for Rufus cat adoptions. Each cat attending this event has been
hand picked and approved by King.
Don't miss this event! Talk to the kitties and find your companion in life.
PeopleCats never betray and they will love you forever!
SEE KITTIES PROFIILES >>
In the photo: PeopleCats from Roof for Rufus Rescue
Date: 17 Mar 2021
Golden Loquat - the symbol of Prosperity
by Alex Butova, the Witch of Herbs and Cats
...The Loquat is a wonderful tree, ideally suited to small gardens
thanks to its compact growth habit. The plant is very fast growing, drought
tolarant, and cold-tolerant to mild frost. It is an ideal fruit tree for the
beginner...
...The flavor is a mixture of peach, citrus and a mild mango...
...In China, the Loquat because of its golden color, represents gold and wealth. It is often one in a bowl or composite of fruits and
vegetables to represent auspicious wishes or the "Five Prosperities" or
wurui...
CONTINUE READING >>
Chinese believe that planting a Golden Loquat Tree will bring you prosperity and wealth. Growing a Loquat is like growing your own Money tree!