💔 When is the season for the Bleeding Hearts

• ❣️ Bleeding Heart Vine (Clerodendrum thomsoniae) is named for its red and white flowers that look like dangling hearts.
• ❣️ Native to tropical West Africa, this climber thrives in bright light and can be grown as a houseplant or trained on a trellis.
• ❣️ It shows off its most spectacular blooms in winter, but with enough light, it'll happily flower year-round.

📚 More about Clerodendrums in previous posts:

• 💋What is the most spectacular Clerodendrum
• 💋How to grow Clerodendrums
• 💋Fireworks of Winter
• 💋Fragrant Cashmere Bouquet
• 💋Fountain Clerodendrum
• 💋What is better - Blue or Pink
• 💋Why is it called Blue Butterfly
• 💋Clerodendrum paniculatum
• 💋Seaside Clerodendrum
• 💋Pink Bleeding Heart
• 💋Why is it called Musical Notes
• 💋Bleeding Heart Vine
• 💋Cashmere Bouquet

🛒Get your own Bleeding Heart

#Butterfly_Plants #Shade_Garden #Fun_Facts #Hedges_with_benefits #Container_Garden

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

❔ Why this tree grows in almost every yard of Central Florida

• 
  🔖 Tibouchina granulosa - Glory tree is a dazzling addition to every southern garden!
• 
  🔖 Also known as the Purple Spray Tree, it puts on a spectacular show with its velvet-like, deep purple blossoms that bloom from late Summer through Winter. These flowering panicles completely cover the tree, creating a breathtaking display of color that turns heads!
• 
  🔖 In Highlands County, Florida (where our farm is located), this tree is the gem of nearly every garden, and for good reason. With its long-lasting blooms and tropical charm, it's a must-have for anyone looking to add vibrant beauty to their landscape.
• 
  🔖 When you ask the neighbors why they planted this tree, they always answer: "Everyone must have one!"

📚 More Tibouchinas in previous posts:

• 💋 Is purple your favorite color? This is your plant!
• 💋 Why this Tibouchina is so popular: giant leaves & bold purple flowers of Quaresmeira

🛒 Shop Tibouchinas

#Hedges_with_benefits #Trees

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Six most desired perfume plants

• 🕊 Cananga fruticosa - Dwarf Ylang-Ylang, Chanel No 5 Tree. One of the most desired and sought after rare fragrant plants. Elegant flowers are responsible for creation Chanel #5 perfume. Perfect small tree for a container.
• 🕊 Magnolia (Michelia) champaca - Joy Perfume Tree, Champaka. The most sacred tree of India and tropical Asia. Divine fragrance exceedingly pleasing to the Gods... The flowers are used to make the world's most expensive perfume 'Joy' and smell like fruity bubble gum, you can't stop sticking your nose in this flower!
• 🕊 Artabotrys - Ylang Ylang vine - Woody climber with strong fragrance of flowers resembling lemon candy and melon.
• 🕊 Nyctanthes arbor-tristis - Parijat. Small tree or shrub from India with highly perfumed flowers, one of the most desired fragrant plants. Mythology says the plant came to earth with God Krishna, shedding flowers like tears before dawn.
• 🕊 Jasminum sambac - the most popular and the most fragrant Jasmine for both indoor or outdoor culture. Varieties: Arabian Nights, Belle of India, Mangalore Malli, Grand Duke, Grand Duke Supreme, Gundu Malli, Maid of Orleans, Mali Chat, Mysore Mulli, Little Duke Supreme - Baby Duke.
• 🕊 Jasminum officinale - French Perfume Jasmine - Essential oil of this jasmine is one of the most important components in perfumery.

🛒 Shop fragrant plants

#Perfume_Plants

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

😵 What is the most spectacular variegated ginger?

• 🌀 Variegated Spiral Ginger - Costus arabicus (amazonicus) variegata - is a tropical stunner originally from South America but adored in Hawaii and Florida
• 
  🌀 This ginger's eye-catching, spiraling stems are streaked with striking white variegation, topped with elegant pure white flowers with yellow centers.
• 
  🌀 The pure white blooms are truly a piece of art! Perfect for shade gardens (but also can take sun), this plant thrives in moist soil and loves plenty of water.
• 
  🌀 If you're looking to add a bit of drama and elegance to your garden, this beauty is a must-have!

📚 Learn more about gingers from previous posts:

• 💋Ginger makes a natural shampoo
• 💋Our most favorite Ginger plant - African Princess
• 💋How Raspberry ginger became spiral
• 💋The most interesting edible gingers
• 💋5 most spectacular Gingers
• 💋French Kiss the Red Button Ginger
• 💋Kaempferia angustifolia - Laos Silver Stripe Peacock Ginger
• 💋The most fragrant ginger ever
• 💋Spice Up Your Garden with Variegated Ginger

🛒 Shop Gingers

#Container_Garden #Shade_Garden

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

🍸 What is the best fruit for summer drinks and wine?

• 
  🍋 Hands, down, Costa Rican Guava, or Cas Guava (Psidium friedrichsthalianum) takes the crown! This tropical gem from Central America is known for its intense flavor, making it perfect for refreshing beverages and creative drinks. The tree is incredibly productive - even young ones yield abundant fruit!
• 
  🍋 We discovered this fruit last Summer. The tree was so productive (on the second year!), we didn't know what to do with so much fruit! So we made a concentrated drink and have been drinking it since then. It looks like the juice has antibacterial properties so it doesn't need to be canned, it stores for months in refrigerator.
• 
  🍋 Plans for 2025 season crop: Homemade Cas Guava wine!

Next summer, we are going to try making wine with Cas Guava. Its bold, tangy flavor is sure to produce a delicious, unique brew!

💯 Why choose Cas Guava?

• 
  • Packed with vitamin C - four times more than lemons - for a powerful immune boost.
• • Rich in antioxidants to combat stress and inflammation.
• • Hardy and low-maintenance, thriving in poor soils and resisting pests.

🍸 Recipe: Cas Guava Juice Concentrate

Ingredients:

• •  Fresh Cas Guavas
• •  Sugar (to taste)

Instructions:
• • Wash the guavas, cut in half and place them in a large pot with enough water to cover.
• • Add sugar to taste and bring to a boil. Simmer for 5-10 min until the fruit softens.
• • Let sit for a few hours so the fruit softens more.
• • Strain the liquid through a colander to remove the pulp.
• • Bottle the concentrate and refrigerate.
• • To serve, dilute with water to your liking for a flavorful, tangy drink!

This concentrate doesn’t need sterilizing/canning and stays fresh for months, thanks to Cas Guava’s natural antibacterial properties.

🍸 Traditional Favorite: Agua de Cas

Cas Guava is the key ingredient in Costa Rica's famous Agua de Cas, a blend of cas juice, water, and sugar. It's a refreshing, slightly acidic drink that's perfect for hot days.

With its vibrant taste, rich nutrients, and endless possibilities, Cas Guava is a must-have for gardeners and culinary adventurers alike!

📚 Learn more:

• •  What fruit is more sour and has more vitamin C than a lemon
• •  What fruit can you drink? Costa Rican Cas is the Guava for Drinking
• •  Costa Rican Guava

🛒 Order Cas Guava

#Food_Forest #Recipes #Guava

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals