Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date: 20 Feb 2026

Top Ten Flowering Tree Winners of Florida 2026 Record Freeze

Bauhinia Orchid Tree

Bauhinia Orchid Tree

Beaucarnea recurvata - Pony Tail

Beaucarnea recurvata - Pony Tail

Caesalpinia mexicana, Mexican Bird of Paradise

Caesalpinia mexicana, Mexican Bird of Paradise

Callistemon - Bottlebrush

Callistemon - Bottlebrush

Erythrina

Erythrina

Jacaranda tree

Jacaranda tree

Magnolia figo

Magnolia figo

Magnolia Little Gem

Magnolia Little Gem

Tabebuia chrysotricha

Tabebuia chrysotricha

Tabebuia impetiginosa

Tabebuia impetiginosa

Date: 2 Feb 2026

Eight favorite plants of romance, affection, and emotional connection

Sweetheart Hoya (Hoya kerrii)

Sweetheart Hoya (Hoya kerrii)

Jasminum sambac

Jasminum sambac

Plumeria (Frangipani)

Plumeria (Frangipani)

Clerodendrum thomsoniae, Bleeding Heart Vine

Clerodendrum thomsoniae, Bleeding Heart Vine

💕 Eight favorite plants of romance, affection, and emotional connection



These plants communicate love visually and emotionally. They are associated with beauty, admiration, devotion, and long-lasting relationships.
  • 💖 1. Anthurium


    With its unmistakable heart-shaped spathes, anthurium is one of the strongest visual symbols of love. In Latin America, it represents hospitality, passion, and enduring affection, making it a natural Valentine plant.

👉 Anthurium gift
  • 💖 2. Orchids


    In many Asian cultures, orchids symbolize refined love, fertility, and deep emotional connection. They are associated with elegance, respect, and long-term devotion rather than fleeting romance or infatuation.

👉 Orchid gift
  • 💖 3. Valentine’s Sweetheart Hoya (Hoya kerrii)


    Hoya kerrii is known for its thick, heart-shaped leaves, making it one of the clearest visual symbols of love. This long-lived vine represents loyalty and lasting commitment, and is found in several varieties with different leaf variegation patterns: regular green leaf, variegated Moonlight (gold on green) and Sunshine (white-and green).

👉 Sweetheart Hoya gift
  • 💖 4. Plumeria (Frangipani)


    In Polynesia and Southeast Asia, plumeria represents love, beauty, and new beginnings. In Hawaii, its flowers are a classic part of leis and have become an enduring symbol of romance, affection, and island love.

👉 Plumeria gift
  • 💖 5. Jasminum sambac


    Jasmine Sambac is strongly associated with romance, devotion, and spiritual love. In Hawaii it is used in leis, while in the Philippines, this so-called Sampaguita jasmine symbolizes purity, fidelity, and deep affection and is woven into garlands for lovers, weddings, and sacred ceremonies.

👉 Jasmine Sambac gifts
  • 💖 6. Hibiscus


    Hibiscus symbolizes delicate beauty, attraction, and the fleeting intensity of passion. In many tropical cultures, it is associated with feminine energy and romantic expression.

👉 Hibiscus gift
  • 💖 7. Clerodendrum Bleeding Heart


    Clerodendrum thomsoniae, called the Bleeding Heart Vine, is known for its red, heart-like flowers held inside white lantern-shaped bracts. It has long been associated with love, emotional vulnerability, and deep personal bonds, making it a natural fit for Valentine symbolism.

👉 Bleeding Heart gift

💖 8. Stephanotis (Madagascar jasmine)


Traditionally associated with marital happiness and fidelity, Stephanotis has long been used in wedding garlands and bouquets in tropical regions.

🛒 Explore gift plants
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Date: 29 Aug 2021

Those mouthwatering Blackberries...

Blackberry Patch Bundle Exclusive Collection

Two Collections of Superior Blackberry Varieties, well adopted to tropical and subtropical climates. Mouth watering, all time favorite fruit will be always with you - these plants are so easy to grow!

Blackberry Patch Bundle Exclusive Collection - buy 3 get 2 free.
The Collection includes 5 blackberry varieties: Navaho, Osage, Ouachita, Triple Crown Thornless, Iceberg White Blackberry.

Blackberry Patch Bundle Premier Collection - buy 3 get 2 free.
The Collection includes 5 blackberry varieties: Arapaho, Caddo, Kiowa, Natchez, and Prime-Ark Freedom.

Mouth Watering High Protein Blackberry Cobbler

Ingredients

25g light butter
45g self-rising flour
33g vanilla whey
20g egg whites
50g almond or cashew milk
75g blackberries
Stevia/Splenda to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Melt butter half-way so it's just warm, not hot. In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except for blackberries. Pour into a 4-5" ramekin sprayed with Pam. Sprinkle blackberries on top of batter and bake for 15-20 minutes. It's best slightly gooey on the inside (not completely cooked). Enjoy!

Date: 25 Sep 2024

Why you need to plant Chinaberry tree

Melia azedarach, Chinaberry tree flowers close up

Melia azedarach, Chinaberry tree flowers close up

Melia azedarach, Chinaberry tree flowers

Melia azedarach, Chinaberry tree flowers

Melia azedarach, Chinaberry tree

Melia azedarach, Chinaberry tree

🔮 Why you need to plant Chinaberry tree

  • 🟣 Looking for a compact tree that combines beauty, speed, and a touch of fragrance? The Melia azedarach, also known as the Chinaberry tree, could be the perfect pick!
  • 🟣 This small but mighty tree is a showstopper with its clusters of lilac-purple flowers, giving off a sweet vanilla-like scent that will make your garden smell amazing. When in full bloom, it can even remind you of the elegant Jacaranda tree, but with a little extra cold hardiness!
  • 🟣 The Chinaberry is super tough, standing strong in some frost, even as far north as USDA zone 7.
  • 🟣 It's a fast grower too, often doubling its size in a single season - perfect if you want some quick shade or just a dash of tropical flair in your landscape.
  • 🟣 With its "architectural" leaves and medium size (around 20-25 ft when fully grown), this tree offers plenty of personality without taking over your yard. Whether you need some instant green or just want to add a beautiful, fragrant centerpiece, the Chinaberry's got you covered.


🛒 Plant Chinaberry tree

#Trees

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Date: 28 Nov 2024

Did you know this about Hoyas?

Hoya calycina - Papua Sweet Scent

😶 Did you know this about Hoyas?



*Wax Plants: Hoyas are often called wax plants because of their thick, glossy leaves and waxy flowers.

*Sweet Scented Blooms: Their star-shaped flowers not only look like candy but also emit sweet, often vanilla-like or chocolatey scents, especially in the evening.

*Epiphytic Nature: Many Hoyas grow as epiphytes in their natural habitats, meaning they live on other plants or trees, getting nutrients from the air and rain.

*Longevity: Hoyas can live for decades and may even be passed down as heirlooms. Some specimens are over 100 years old!

*Nectar Drops: Their blooms produce tiny drops of nectar, a treat for pollinators (and sometimes houseplant owners).

*Hundreds of Species: There are over 500 species of Hoyas, ranging from tiny-leafed varieties to ones with massive leaves or even fuzzy foliage.

*Sun-Loving Flowers: While the plants tolerate lower light, Hoyas flower best with bright, indirect light or even some direct sun.

*Low-Maintenance: They’re perfect for forgetful gardeners since they prefer to dry out between waterings.

*Climbing or Trailing: Hoyas can either climb with the help of trellises or cascade beautifully as trailing plants.

*Flowering Age: Hoyas are patient! Some won’t bloom until they’re a few years old, but the wait is worth it.

*Resilient Peduncles: Never cut off the “flower stems” (peduncles) - Hoyas rebloom from the same spot year after year.

*Exotic Origins: Native to Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands, they thrive in tropical and subtropical climates.

*Lucky Charm: In some cultures, Hoyas are considered symbols of love and are gifted as housewarming or wedding presents.

🎥 Hoya calycina - Papua Sweet Scent was discovered in Papua New Guinea in 1913. The flower is very fragrant and can infuse your entire house in a beautiful lilac scent.

😍 Do you have a favorite Hoya species in mind? Share in comments!

📚 More from previous post:


Our favorite houseplants - hoyas

🛒 Shop hoya plants

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