Valentine Sweetheart Hoya:
a must gift for your Valentine

Six reasons to grow
Elephant Ears in your garden

Alocasias and Colocasias, commonly known as Elephant Ears, are both remarkable and popular plants that can bring a touch of tropical elegance to any garden. Here's why they are often considered great additions:

1. Striking Foliage: One of the most captivating features of colocasias and alocasias is their large, lush foliage. The leaves can be enormous, resembling the shape of elephant ears, hence the common name. The foliage is usually rich green, but there are also varieties with hues of purple, black, or variegated patterns. These vibrant leaves create a dramatic focal point in any garden setting.

2. Tropical Aesthetic: Colocasias and alocasias have a distinct tropical vibe that can transform your garden into a lush oasis. Their exotic appearance lends itself well to creating a tropical-themed garden or adding a bold accent to other styles of landscaping. Their large, architectural leaves add a sense of drama and create a stunning backdrop for other plants.

3. Versatility: These plants can be grown in various garden settings. They work well in containers, making them suitable for patio gardens or balcony displays. In larger landscapes, colocasias and alocasias can be planted directly in the ground, either as standalone specimens or as part of mixed border plantings. They can also be utilized around water features or in bog gardens since they enjoy moist conditions.

4. Low Maintenance: Once established, colocasias and alocasias are generally low maintenance plants. They thrive in full to partial shade, preferring a consistently moist soil. Regular watering and occasional fertilization will help them grow vigorously. While they are generally hardy, some varieties may require protection during colder months or overwintering in frost-prone regions.

5. Impressive Size: With proper care and favorable growing conditions, colocasias and alocasias can reach impressive sizes. Some varieties can grow several feet tall, creating a stunning vertical element in the garden. Their size and presence make them ideal for adding structure and height to planting arrangements.

6. Unique Varieties: Colocasias and alocasias offer a wide range of cultivars and species, each with its own distinct characteristics. From the classic Colocasia esculenta to the more exotic Alocasia macrorrhizos, there are numerous options to choose from. You can select plants with different leaf shapes, colors, and patterns to suit your taste and garden design.

NEW VIDEO:
ABC7 Fort Myers News:
Butterfly plants at Top Tropicals

Butterfly plants... what can be more romantic and sweet in your garden!
Watch the news segment by Rachel Anderson for ABC-7: Butterfly plants at Top Tropicals.

"...Spring has sprung, and if you're looking to spruce up your garden, Top Tropicals in Fort Myers has you covered! They have hundreds of exotic plants, fruit trees, fragrant flowers and plants that will attract butterflies to your garden!
If you're looking for a Mother's Day gift, plants are gifts that keep on giving!.."

In the photo: Butterfly plants display in Top Tropicals office. Come and see our large selection of butterfly attractors in the nursery!

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In the photo: Lonicera japonica - Japanese Honeysuckle - a garden favorite, hardy, fast growing vine. Jasmine-sweet scented flowers attract butterflies, and hummingbirds, and berries attract birds!

Grow Your Own Food:
Costa Rican Guava - Guava for Drinking!

by Alex Butova, the Witch of Herbs and Cats

...Looking for a handsome, unusual fruit tree for container culture with healthy and flavorful fruit? Or simply want an easy fruit tree that is hardy and undemanding? Psidium friedrichsthalianum (family Myrtaceae), the Costa Rican Guava or Cas Guava, is a perfect small guava tree that can be very rewarding. In Nicaragua it is called "Guava for Drinking" or "Fresco de Guava". Despite the tartness, the flavor is excellent with passionfruit and pineapple tones and is much more pronounced than the subtle flavor of the common Guava. These fruits are very much a part of the culture and cuisine of Costa Rica. Also it has been successfully grown in California now and can be grown in many subtropical regions or as a container plant - "condo" fruit tree...

Red Stopper Cherry

Rare plant from Key West

by Mark Hooten, the Garden Doc

Eugenia rhombea, commonly known in Florida as "Red Stopper", is one of four species of Eugenia native to North America. It is a beautiful small tree, bearing small shiny deep green leaves which are pinkish-orange-red when young, giving them the appearance of a flowering tree at a distance when flushing out new growth a number of times a year.
Its native range includes Florida, Bahamas, Cuba, Hispaniola and part of Eastern Central America. However, here in Florida, it is federally listed as an endangered species, only known from the lowermost Everglades and Keys, where even there it is rare.
These elegant little trees grow to perhaps 12 or so feet tall, developing an elegant, umbrella shaped canopy. At a distance, they rather resemble Ficus benjamina, yet with a more orderly and refined appearance. In addition, they develop fluffy white flowers with a delightful fragrance, followed by holly-like long lasting red berries which are relished by wonderful song birds.
Although appearing delicate, this tropical species is surprisingly hardy, and would likely even make striking, a one-of-a-kind houseplant in the North.
These very few plants were grown from seeds collected near Royal Palm Hammock in the Everglades, and and may not be available again for some time...