Surprising Violet fragrance of the Blue Lips

By Mark Hooten, the Garden Doc

A few months ago while working among the bewildering array of great plants we grow, I began to notice wafts of a very unique fragrance. The scent seemed somehow familiar, yet for the longest time, I was unable to determine what kind of plant it was emanating from. I knew it was somewhere toward the back of the growing houses but just couldn't determine its source. The fragrance is very distinct and wonderful and could be detected over a large area... That scent is hard to describe, however, I would suggest a mixture of Lavender and old-fashioned florist violets...

Then, a few weeks later, I happened to lean over a grouping of Sclerochiton plants, and THERE IT WAS!!! This might be the first flowering plant I have encountered which I might rate a full 10...

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Australia Planting 1 Billion Trees To Fight Climate Change

Australia plans to plant 1 billion new trees to fight climate change, by the year 2050. That is a lot of trees and is the first real effort the country has made toward combating climate change. The only real problem is finding enough space to plant that many trees...
A billion trees is a billion trees, and even with a team of 30,000 people planting a tree per day for the next 31 years, the final tally would still only be 339,450,000 trees. Australia will need a tree army to get that many trees planted by 2050... Read the whole story...

How about planting just one tree today and save the World one step at a time?

On the photo: Callistemon, Australian native tree.

Deciduous plants soon sprouting

Many people believe that living in a warm climate will dissuade a plant from its deciduous nature. However, deciduous plants react to not only temperate but also shortened hours of daylight and changes in precipitation. Additionally, some plants will drop foliage in phases between new growth, and others use abscission to aid in pollination; blooming without wind-blocking leaves and making flowers more visible for insects.

When pruning a deciduous tree or shrub, it's generally best to wait until late winter or early spring, before the plant begins to leaf out. Avoid pruning during periods of new growth; during this time, the plant is weakened by the struggle to reestablish its growth process. Before pruning your deciduous plant, first research the specific plant, as there will always be exceptions to general instruction. For example, many Rubus varieties desire to prune in late fall, as their buds are developed during the dormant winter season. Some trees may have flower or fruit during winter while having no leaves, give them a chance to flower before pruning.

On the photo: Winter flowering Bombax ceiba in full bloom.

20% BONUS for a Mothers Day Gift Card!

Don't stress over last-minute gift shopping! Give your mother the gift of choice with a Top Tropicals gift card, allowing her to select the perfect plants for her garden or home.

For this Mother's Day, we're adding an extra special touch: receive a 20% bonus added to every gift card purchase! For instance, purchase a $100 gift card, and we'll issue one with a $120 value!

Let your mom explore our wide selection of tropical plants and create her own green oasis this Mother's Day.

The Gift Card can be used to buy plants, seeds, and garden supplies.
The Gift Card has no expiration date.

Summer Plant Market Extravaganza:
Event Mementos!

The event was fantastic! Thank you all for joining us at our Plant Market Extravaganza yesterday. We loved meeting new garden enthusiasts and reconnecting with old friends. Everyone found plants they adored, adding joy to their gardens. Many visitors enjoyed the garden tours led by Top Tropicals PeopleCats. Check out the event photos and our - you might spot yourself or your friends! Share these treasured moments, and we'll see you at the next event.