Date: 13 Jan 2023
Secrets of Winter planting:
Tropical Planting Breaks the Rules
by Murray Corman, Garden of Delights
Wintertime does not just mean hard work for tropical gardeners. It is
also a time to enjoy the fruits of our labor. Winter-blooming plants and the visitors they attract - birds, bats and
butterflies - make the garden as enjoyable in winter as any other time of
year.
What a welcome relief: January daytime temperatures in the 70s, dropping to
the 60s at night. This is why I came to live in the subtropics of southern
Florida. The balmy climate of South Florida represents one of the few places
on the mainland United States where tropical plants thrive unprotected
outdoors.
But just as I had to leave behind so many of my favorite northern trees, so
too did I have to put behind me many of the so-called "rules" of
horticulture. These had worked well for me up north and I thought they would hold true
anywhere in the world. Florida's subtropical climate posed new challenges and
I soon realized that gardening in the Sunshine State would not be business as
usual...
CONTINUE READING >>
See also: A Guide to Cold Hardy Tropical Fruit Trees and Avoicado Varieties (pdf download)
Photo above: Noni is not just a useful fruit tree, but also a great ornamental for
both sun or shade. It is also great for interior floral design or as an exotic
addition to your room decorations in Winter! It fruits year round even
indoors!
Order Noni
online.
Date: 4 Apr 2020
You are safe in your garden!
Lucie Herard, Montreal Tropical.
Lucie's tropical garden in Montreal, Canada:
"The movement of plants fascinates me!"
Our customer Lucie
Herard shared pictures of her tropical garden with us... Many of you have
beautiful gardens that you are proud of... but this one is... in Canada! Believe it
or not, before winter she digs everything up and brings it inside! Then in
Spring, she starts again every year. Dedication? Determination? Heroism! Lucie
won the Planet Bananiers photo contest for the third time.
Look at these pictures and visit Lucie's Facebook page for more photos and videos of her amazing garden.
Ask yourself: and what can I do? Is my life really that hard with mowing a
lawn once a week and blowing the leaves? You don't have to be a hero to make
something worthwhile in your life. Just take a shovel and start... one plant a
day. And you will end up living in Paradise.
Lucie reminds you: "Ornamental horticulture production activities are
now considered an essential service! Add soil in a pot, water very slightly for
the first two weeks and put closer to the window. That's all, the leaves
will start growing again!"
Tropical Paradise Contest 2020
Share with us photos of your garden. The winner of this contest will get plants $200 worth, with FREE shipping!
Submit your photos before April 15, 2020
and win $200 in tropical plants!
and win $200 in tropical plants!
Date: 12 Apr 2019
Dwarf Red Ginger - more than just a pretty face
Q: I've just recently moved to Florida from North Carolina. I don't know much about tropical plants. Can you perhaps suggest an easy and pretty flowering plant for a beginner which I can plant around my garden pond for a tropical feeling?
A: For adding that tropical look to your garden, few plants beat
beautiful ginger! Alpinia purpurata, the Dwarf Red Cone Ginger with its bright red floral
spikes and lush, lance-shaped foliage is no exception. This striking
perennial will add a tropical effect to your garden that will definitely take your
breath away.
The Dwarf Red Cone grows between 3 and 4 feet tall and blooms 8-9
months of the year! The blooms will hold on the plant for up to 3 weeks! It makes
a very attractive and distinctive backdrop for other plants.
Red Cone Ginger likes partial shade and moist, humid conditions, but
will tolerate full sun. It is fast growing, easy to grow and resistant to
disease, heat, and insects. The plant is a wonderful accent in a garden and works
well as a focal point specimen, show-stopping when planted around garden
ponds or near entryways. This ginger also works very well in containers and
planters. Either in mass plantings or smaller groups, all gingers add tropical flair which never disappoints.
In addition, the beautiful flower spikes make for great, long-lasting
cut flowers and is an interesting addition to bouquets.
An added bonus? Dwarf Red Ginger is super easy to propagate. If stems
are cut at the base and placed in water, they will generally root within a few
weeks. Eventually, you can make a whole flowering hedge just from one
plant!
Who does not like a plant that is non-fussy and not only beautiful but easy to grow? Dwarf Red Ginger is more than just a pretty face!
To keep this plant happy and blooming, give it some food: Broad Leaf Plus - Ginger-Heliconia-Banana Booster
Date: 2 Jan 2025
New Year with New Plants:
Choose from 17 Tropical Paradise Resolutions!
"A garden is never so good as it will be next year..." - Thomas Cooper.
Happy New Year, dear fellow gardeners! As we step into a fresh new year, it's the perfect time to think about what exciting, special, and life-changing plants we can add to our gardens. The days are getting longer, and spring is just around the corner, so now's the time to make a plan and prepare for the season ahead. Let's take small steps each year to create the garden of our dreams. This winter, consider these fun resolutions:
- Hang a bird feeder and install a rain barrel
- Order some tropical plant seeds for an early start
- Ask your grandparents about their favorite garden plants
- Build a raised bed for succulents
- Plant a fruit tree or two to have some crop this year
- Start a compost pile
- Switch to organic fertilizers and plant boosters
- Fill empty spaces with flowering trees, shrubs, and vines
- Add butterfly attractors to your garden
- Provide water for bees and butterflies to help them thrive and pollinate your fruit trees
- Get a bonsai starter to try bonsai art
- Enjoy meals outside as often as you can
- Teach a child how to plant a tree
- Plant berry-bearing shrubs like Tropical Cherries to feed the birds
- Rake up leaves for winter mulch
- Add a few exotic plants to your indoor collection or container garden
- Share plants as gifts all year long
Happy gardening in 2025!
Date: 23 May 2025
What fruit can reduce your blood pressure?
Q: Can you recommend trees which fruit are beneficial for balancing blood pressure? I have limited space, so I want to be selective and grow a food forest that truly supports my health.
A: You don't need to spend $$$ on doctors and medications to stay healthy and young. By eating right and adding a few powerful plants and fruits to your diet, you can naturally keep your blood pressure in check. If you plant them today - you can harvest your own medicine tomorrow. And don't forget - gardening itself is therapeutic! It keeps you active, reduces stress, and helps your whole body stay in balance.
💚 Top ten tropical fruit that help reduce blood pressure:
🍈 Jackfruit - Contains potassium and magnesium, which help relax blood vessels and regulate blood pressure.
🍉 Guava - Rich in potassium and fiber, supports vascular health and may help lower blood pressure.
🍊 Papaya - High in potassium and antioxidants, promoting healthy blood pressure.
🍌 Banana - Well-known for its high potassium content, which helps counteract sodium and lower blood pressure.
🍍 Pineapple - Contains potassium and bromelain, which may support circulation and reduce inflammation.
🍅 Persimmon - High in fiber and antioxidants, which can contribute to better heart and vascular function.
🍇 Mulberry - Contains resveratrol and other antioxidants linked to heart health and blood pressure support.
Tamarind - Rich in potassium and fiber, may help regulate blood pressure and support arterial health.
🍑 Loquat - Contains potassium, aiding in fluid balance and blood pressure control.
🍒 Tropical Cherry (Eugenia) - Contains antioxidants and supports healthy circulation.