Date: 24 Jun 2018
Full Sun Garden vs Shade Garden
"Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago." (Warren Buffett)
Q: I live in California and I have a large area of my garden in full shade. Are there any plants that will be happy there? I am looking for something colorful. I also have a smaller area in front of the house that has full sun almost all day long, but I am afraid this can be too hot for flowering plants? Can you recommend something?
A:
Full sun gardens have a strong, bright look while shade
gardens have cooler, subdued appearance. Both types of
gardens are fun to design and maintain as long as you pick
the right plants.
Full Sun Garden is the easiest to grow. Depending
on exposure, it may require some plants that can tolerate
the hottest summer days and the dry conditions in your
area. The good news is, the majority of tropical and
subtropical plants prefer full sun, so you have a large
selection to pick from - fruit trees, flowering trees,
shrubs, vines, and small perennials. The more sun, the
more flowers and fruit you will get! However, keep in mind
that sun gardens require more water, but generous mulching
will help to minimize watering.
Shade Garden is much more restful in appearance,
but sometimes may be a little more difficult to work with.
As shade trees grow bigger and thicker, it may become too
dark; nothing will grow in total darkness. In this case
you need to prune back some branches to let more light in.
Filtered sunlight or dappled light coming through the
leaves of the trees is beneficial and considered light
shade, which would be the best light conditions for shade
loving plants to thrive. Although shady cooler spaces
attract more insects and will require more attention to
control them, they also have some advantages over sun
gardens. You can enjoy working in cooler conditions, and
your garden will require less water. Many foliage plants
look more deeply colored and healthier than in full sun;
white flowers shine instead of looking washed out!
Our favorite shade plants are fragrant brunfelsias , clerodendrums, and of course
colorful gingers and heliconias. You
may also consider ornamental foliage of Calatheas, lush Alocasias, Colocasias, and colorful Cordylines. Check out our shade loving plant list for
more colorful suggestions. These are also great for indoor
gardens!
On the photo: Calathea lancifolia Rattlesnake
Date: 24 Jun 2018
SUNSHINE boosters for recovering plants after shipping
Q: I live in Garden City, NJ and have a sun room with a tropical plant collection that I keep at about 40-45 degrees in winter. I used Sunshine booster during winter for my plant collection and results were amazing! I haven't lost a single plant. Now I see you have more products and I am planning to purchase more plants, how should I use Sunshine boosters to help plants recover after shipping?
A: Spray SUNSHINE-E solution right after receiving a plant from shipping. It will boost up the plant and make it 50-60% stronger and easier to recover after shipping stress. After that, apply SUNSHINE-SuperFood microelement booster to provide everything necessary for the plant to grow vigorously and happily. SUNSHINE-E is indeed a wonderful plant stimulant and stress reliever, although it is not a "magic-cure-all" medicine where one can't find its active ingredient. The hormone (epibrassinolide) is well-known and used in different countries along with other hormones for promote growth, fruiting, blooming, rooting, etc. One of the most amazing properties of SUNSHINE is that it works in extremely low dozes. Only a few drops will be enough to make a solution in distilled water, to treat a large size plant. If you want to try it out, one 5 ml bottle will last for several applications. Large bottles of SUNSHINE 50 ml and 100 ml - great for small and big gardens. It is a good idea to start bi-weekly applications to improve your plants tolerance to Summer heat, drought and improve disease resistance. The formula works through plant metabolism within 2-4 days, repeat application not sooner than in one week. After application of SUNSHINE-E, don't forget to boost your plants with SUNSHINE-SuperFood .
Check out SUNSHINE boosters... We offer FREE shipping on them, so you can make your plants happy!
Date: 23 May 2024
Index of TopTropicals Telegram Channel
🗂 Index of TopTropicals Telegram Channel
Follow these tags to find your interests:
#Butterfly_Plants - Butterfly attracting plants.
#Container_Garden - Plants suitable for container garden and indoor culture.
#Fertilizers - All the truth about fertilizers, plant food supplements, and our recommendations for different types of plants.
🥭 #Food_Forest - Fruit trees, Spice plants, and Edibles.
Including: #Avocado, #Mango, #Papaya, #Guava, #Jackfruit, #Loquat
📖 #Fun_Facts - interesting plant facts and legends.
🌳 #Hedges_with_benefits - Practical approach to your landscape and how to properly select showy and useful plants for your yard.
♍️ #Horoscope - Plant Horoscopes and Cat Horoscopes. Did you know that cats also have their Zodiac signs?
🛠 #How_to - Q&A about growing plants, tropical garden lifehacks.
👀 #Nature_Wonders - Unusual, amusing, outrageous, bizarre plants...
🐈 #PeopleCats - our Favorite PeopleCats (and some PeopleDogs, too).
🌸 #Perfume_Plants - Fragrant plants and perfume trees.
✍️ #Quotes - Interesting quotes.
#Recipes - Exotic recipes for tropical fruit and edibles.
💊 #Remedies - Medicinal plants.
☁️ #Shade_Garden - Plants suitable for low light conditions.
🌼 #Trees - Spectacular flowering tropical trees.
🏆 #Win - Contests, Sweepstakes, and other specials.
Join an
Date: 23 Jul 2025
Five best fruit trees to plant in Summer
James Coconuts and Bob introducing Five best fruit trees
🌳 Five best fruit trees to plant in Summer
☀️ Summer might be scorching, but it’s actually a great time to plant fruit trees that love the heat. If you've got sunshine and a little space, these five tropical picks will reward you with fresh, homegrown fruit - some you’ll never find in a store!
1.🥭 Mango - the King of all fruit, a must have in every garden. Fiberlress varieties only! You can't buy those in the store.
2. Avocado - a must have super-fruit in everyone's diet, grow your own!
3.🐲 Dragon fruit - heat tolerant easy plant with low water needs, sweet fruit-bearing cactus
4. 🍉 Guava - by far the most flavorful tropical fruit, great for Summer drinks
5. 🍐 Black Sapote - fast growing, heat- and flood-tolerant, fruit tastes like chocolate pudding
📚 Learn more from previous posts:
- 🟡10 best fruit trees to grow in Florida and Southern landscapes
- 🟡Top 10 fast-fruiting trees
- 🟡Top 10 fruit you'll ever need for your health benefits
🛒 Explore the finest rare tropical fruit trees
#Food_Forest #Discover
🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals
Date: 19 Nov 2025
5 fruits that help manage gout (high uric acid)
5 fruits that help manage gout
🍒 5 fruits that help manage gout (high uric acid)
💥 High uric acid, hyperuricemia, also called gout, causes painful swelling in joints and can affect kidney health over time. Medicine helps, but so does what you grow and eat. Some fruits can naturally flush out excess uric acid and reduce inflammation. Here are five easy fruit trees and plants that can help:
🍋 Citrus
Citrus trees are great to grow in pots or sunny yards. Lemons and oranges are rich in vitamin C, which helps kidneys remove uric acid and keeps the body’s pH balanced. A glass of lemon water in the morning or a fresh orange during the day can help. Studies in Science Direct show lemon juice lowers uric acid levels in the blood.
Berries (mulberries, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries)
Berries are packed with antioxidants that fight inflammation and support kidney health. Mulberry trees are perennial trees and bushes that produce berries year after year. They grow well in both temperate and warm areas, and are an easy choice for all backyard gardeners. Mulberry high water content helps flush out toxins. Research from the National Institute of Health shows berries rich in polyphenols can lower uric acid naturally.
🍒 Cherries
Cherries are one of the best fruits for gout. They’re rich in anthocyanins, compounds that reduce inflammation and uric acid levels. National Institute of Health studies have found regular cherry intake helps lower gout attacks. Dwarf cherry trees can grow in large pots if space is limited.
🍌 Bananas
Bananas are rich in potassium, which helps the kidneys remove uric acid more efficiently, according to PubMed central. They’re also low in purines, the compounds that form uric acid. Dwarf banana varieties grow well in containers and add a tropical look while supporting healthy digestion and uric acid balance.
🍍 Pineapple
Pineapple contains bromelain, a natural enzyme that eases swelling and pain caused by gout. It’s also refreshing and supports kidney function. Studies by global health science group show pineapple juice can help reduce inflammation and uric acid. It’s easy to grow in a pot or sunny garden bed.
These fruits won’t replace medicine, but they can support your body’s natural detox system. Grow them, eat them fresh, and enjoy both their flavor and health benefits.
🛒 Explore Fruit trees and grow your own natural remedies
📚 Learn more:
- Grow your own brain food: avocado and cacao
- Plant a fruit tree - and breathe easier: fruit might be the surprising key to healthier lungs
- 11 tropical fruits to eat instead of taking a fiber supplement
- Tropical fruit health benefits guide - what fruit and edibles can help with health issues and vitamin deficiencies, Part 1 and Part 2.
- Top 10 fruiting plants you'll ever need for your health benefits
#Food_Forest #Mango #Remedies #Discover
🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals