Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date: 24 Jun 2018

Growing Bougainvillea and Plumeria in Florida

Q: I have recently moved from New Jersey to Florida (Orlando area) and I am so excited to start my own Tropical Paradise Garden! A few years ago I visited Hawaii and saw many beautiful colorful Bougainvilleas as well as fragrant Frangipani. Do they grow well in Florida? These are flowers of my dream!

A: Both Bougainvillea and Plumeria grow well in most parts of Florida, especially South and Southwest. Bougainvillea can tolerate some light freeze and can be seen in the streets of Central Florida (young plants require some cold protection for the first year), so it is a very good candidate for your new garden. Keep in mind that unlike in Hawaii, where they bloom year around, Bougainvilleas tend to have a distinctive flowering season which in Florida is winter time - these plants enjoy dry weather that triggers their bloom. To enjoy Bright bougainvillea flowers for a long time, apply balanced fertilizer, prune regularly (this promotes flowering on new growth) and keep established plants on a dry side. Dwarf cultivar Pixie is super compact and can be grown in pots or in a small garden without any pruning! See photo of Pixie on the left.
Plumerias, all-time perfume favorites and symbols of Hawaii, are also residents of many gardens and collections throughout state of Florida. Their cold hardiness is close to the one of Bougainvillea, however keep young plants protected from frost. There are also many new exciting cultivars including multiple "rainbow" colors, and several dwarf varieties, some of them are evergreen - Plumeria obtusa

Date: 21 Oct 2025

Cassias - colorful flowering trees

Cassias - colorful flowering trees
🌈 Cassias - colorful flowering trees

📸 Pictures for the previous post, Cassias:

Cassia bicapsularis - Butterfly Bush
Cassia x natalensis - Rainbow Cassia
Cassia grandis- Red Cassia
Cassia didymobotrya- Popcorn Cassia, similar to Senna alata - Empress Candles
Cassia x nodosa - Pink Shower
Cassia roxburghii - Ceylon Senna
Cassia fistula - Golden Shower
Cassia javanica - Apple Blossom Tree

🛒 Explore Cassia trees

#Trees

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Date: 17 Jan 2026

Ti plant leaf color meaning

Hawaiian Ti plant (Cordyline fruticosa)

Hawaiian Ti plant (Cordyline fruticosa)

🌈 Ti plant leaf color meaning



The Hawaiian Ti plant (Cordyline fruticosa) is more than just a colorful tropical accent. Across Polynesian, Hawaiian, and Southeast Asian cultures, the color of ti plant leaves has long been associated with different meanings, moods, and uses - both symbolic and practical.
  • 🌈 Green leaves
    • Green ti plants are linked to peace, balance, and steady growth. Traditionally, they were planted around homes for protection and good fortune. In the garden, green varieties are usually the toughest and most shade-tolerant.
  • 🌈 Red and deep burgundy leaves
    • Red ti plants are associated with strength, power, and protection. In Hawaiian tradition, red ti leaves were believed to ward off negative energy and were often used in ceremonies. Garden-wise, deeper reds usually mean more sun exposure and stronger pigmentation.
  • 🌈 Pink, magenta, and multicolor leaves
    • These colorful ti plants symbolize joy, celebration, and creativity. They are often used as ornamental focal points and in festive plantings. Variegated and pink types tend to prefer brighter light to keep their colors sharp.
  • 🌈 Purple and dark-toned leaves
    • Purple ti plants are linked to mystery, spirituality, and transformation. Their dramatic color comes from high anthocyanin levels and usually intensifies in bright light with good nutrition.
  • 🌈 Yellow or light variegation
    • Yellow tones often represent optimism and new beginnings. Plants with lighter variegation may grow a bit slower and need protection from harsh sun, but they add a softer contrast in tropical landscapes.
  • 🌈 One practical note
Leaf color is influenced not just by variety, but also by light, temperature, and nutrition. Fading color usually means too little light or depleted soil, while rich, bold tones signal a happy plant.

Ti plant colors tell a story - part cultural tradition, part plant health, and part personal style in your garden.

🛒 Ti plants rainbow: collect them all

📚 Learn more:


#Container_Garden #Hedges_with_benefits #Shade_Garden #Discover #Horoscope

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Date: 12 Mar 2026

When flowers become legends

When flowers become legends When flowers become legends When flowers become legends
When flowers become legends

  • 🌸 Thai flower names often sound like characters from a legend - golden spirits, celestial jewels, or lucky guardians of the garden. In Thailand, plants are not always named in a purely botanical way. Instead, breeders often choose names that carry meaning, symbolism, and a little imagination.

  • 🌸 Looking at Adeniums through this lens feels almost magical. A flower can become a jewel, a lotus from heaven, or a golden treasure. The whimsical scenes below capture that spirit - a world where Adeniums bloom like treasures, garden fairies dance among flowers, and every name tells a story waiting to be discovered.


🛒 Explore Exotic Thai Adeniums

📚 Learn more:


#Container_Garden #Adeniums #Horoscope #How_to #Discover

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Date: 15 Mar 2026

What Thai Adenium names mean: luck, gold, and mythology

What Thai Adenium names mean: luck, gold, and mythology
What Thai Adenium names mean: luck, gold, and mythology 🌸

Many Adenium hybrids come from Thailand, where breeders often give varieties meaningful and poetic names rather than simple codes. Instead of simple labels like "Red Double #27", Thai breeders often give their flowers names that sound like small poems. These names frequently reference wealth, luck, jewels, mythology, and beautiful colors.

Once you start recognizing common Thai words, Adenium names become much easier to understand. Some sound almost like short blessings - promising prosperity, beauty, or good fortune.

Below are examples of Adenium varieties whose names reflect these traditions.

  • 🏯 Thai names related to luck, wealth, and prosperity


These words are extremely common in Thai plant naming and often suggest good fortune or financial success.

🏯 Thai names related to gold or wealth (Thong group)



The word Thong means gold and appears in many Thai plant names associated with value and prosperity.
  • 🏯 Mythological and symbolic creatures

    • Some Adenium names come directly from Thai mythology and sacred animals.


Hassadee (Hatsadiling) refers to a legendary elephant-bird creature found in Thai mythology.
  • 🏯 Gem and jewel themed names

These names reflect the Thai tradition of treating ornamental plants like living jewels.

Blue Diamond
Chaba Kaew
Maneenate
Petch Pratum (Diamond Lotus)
Ploy Nappan
Ploy Sakorn
Ploysai
Talab Phet

  • 🏯 Thai, Sanskrit, and poetic names


Some Adenium names come from classical or poetic language used in Thai culture.

Bo Tun
Bua Chompoo
Bua Sawan
Chailai (Chai Lai)
Chandra
Leela
Moradok Lok
Namwhan (Nam Whan)
Pra Rod Mary
Pratuma
Sai Fah
Supermaharach

  • 🏯 Color names used in Thai varieties


These words often describe the flower color or tone.

Moung Jinda (Moung Kusuma)
Moung Mongkol
Moung Sakda
Moung Taweesab
Moung VN (Vietnam Purple)

🏯 Country references



Adenium breeding is also popular in Vietnam, Taiwan, and some varieties reflect that origin.

Moung VN (Vietnam Purple)
Taiwan Purple

Once you learn a few Thai words, Adenium names begin to sound less mysterious - and much more meaningful.

🛒 Explore Exotic Thai Adeniums

📚 Learn more:


#Container_Garden #Adeniums #Horoscope #How_to #Discover

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