Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date: 15 Jul 2024

Five most useful edibles for your Food Forest

Tired of mowing a boring lawn? Use your yard instead of being used by your yard - grow edible landscape! Below are several plants that made our life happier and meals healthier. Besides, these are fun to grow! Try them out:

1. Hibiscus sabdariffa - Flor de Jamaica, Karkade Sorrel - Flowers are used to make a tea "Agua de Flor de Jamaica". Medical studies show that it lowers blood pressure and has diuretic effects. The pleasant flavor is on the tart side similar to a cranberry juice. We make this cold tea every day - perfect for hot summer. Full sun.

2. Gynura procubens - Longevity Spinach, Cholesterol spinach - one of the Superfoods, and there are many claims that it lowers cholesterol. We use it in our cooking all the time and so far we are all alive! Full sun.
See recipe >>

3. Sauropus androgynus - Katuk, Tropical Asparagus. Delicious young shoots, one of the most popular leaf vegetables in Southeast Asia. In Vietnam, people cook it in stews and soups. It is among only a few flora containing vitamin K. Full sun or semi-shade.
Learn more >>

4. Cymbopogon citratus - Lemon grass: Versatile performer in the kitchen where it can be used in teas, beverages, herbal medicines, Eastern inspired soups and other dishes. Full sun or semi-shade.

5. Lippia dulcis - Aztec Sweet Herb, Sweetleaf: Mexican herb with incredibly sweet leaves that can be eaten from the plant like candy or tossed into fruit salads for an unusual addition. It has been used since the time of the Aztecs for coughs and colds. Tastes great, can be used by diabetic patients. We add this herb to Karkade or Mint tea as a sweetener. Shade or semi-shade.

Shop Herbs and Edibles

Date: 30 Aug 2024

Save Double This Labor Day Weekend!

"The fruit of your own hard work is the sweetest." - Deepika Padukone

Labor Day is the perfect time to transform your yard into a tropical paradise! Join us this weekend to find large, well-developed fruit trees and stunning flowering tropical plants, ready to add beauty to your life. Take advantage of the summer growing season and give your garden the boost it deserves. Don't miss out on these incredible plants to make your yard a true oasis!

Labor Day sale: double your savings now!

Automatically save 10% on orders over $200 (excluding S/H), and use code below for an extra 10% off! Double your savings today!

LABORDAY24

Use the code to get an extra 10% off on orders over $200 (excluding S/H). If your total after the code still exceeds $200, enjoy an additional automatic 10% discount! Exp. 9-2-24

Additional instant discount:
5% off $100-200 orders
...and more deals below - make it a steal with the code!

Plants under $20

Discounted items

Date: 10 Sep 2024

Discover Coral Trees - Erythrinas
the brightest flowers of the Tropics

Q: What tropical tree do you recommend that has a small size and bright showy flowers, specifically red? I love red flowers, they are the most beautiful!

A: Erythrinas are small trees with a legendary beauty and are often considered a symbol of exotic allure. They bring a touch of the extraordinary to a Southern landscape.

Vivid red blooms: striking, coral-red flowers that create a breathtaking visual display.

Eye-catching: makes a stunning focal point with its bold and vibrant floral clusters.

Fast-growing: quickly develops into a magnificent tree.

Unique branch structure: an interesting, sculptural form that adds architectural interest even when not in bloom.

Pollinator magnet: attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies, supporting local wildlife.

Drought tolerant: withstands dry conditions once established.

Adaptable: thrives in a range of soils, demonstrating versatility and hardiness.

Low maintenance: requires minimal care.

The Erythrina tree is a must-have for any tropical garden, with its stunning coral-red blooms and unique branch structure that add beauty year-round. Fast-growing, drought-tolerant, and low-maintenance, this eye-catching tree supports pollinators like hummingbirds and butterflies while thriving in a variety of conditions. It's the perfect addition for those seeking a vibrant, exotic touch to their landscape.

Shop Erythrinas - Coral Trees

Date: 10 Sep 2024

We remember 9/11, and we always will

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." - Martin Luther King Jr.

As this day approaches, the weight of its memories fills our hearts - honoring the lives lost, the bravery of the heroes, and the resilience that carried us through such a difficult time.

In our journey of healing, let us stand united, supporting one another with love, kindness, and understanding. In times like these, tolerance and mutual respect, regardless of our differences, become gifts we share with the world.

Take a moment to appreciate what we have today, the people who surround us, and the ones who love us. Cherish them while they are here - today. Give a hug to those you love while you have the chance.

Nature offers us healing power in its quiet way. Fragrant flowers calm the mind, young fruiting trees represent renewal, every plant reminds us of life's resilience. As we reflect, may the beauty and growth around us help us find peace, and remind us of the strength that comes from standing together.

In the photo above: Dichrostachys cinerea - Princess Earrings, Sickle bush from West Africa is one of the most unusual and unforgettable flowers of cheerful color combination... Let them bring hope, joy and sunshine into your day.

Check out tropical plants

Date: 17 Oct 2024

Five Extraordinary, Show-Stopping Flowering Shrubs

Q: I'm looking for something fresh and exciting - something my neighbors won't have! I have both sunny and shady spots in my garden. What unique flowering shrubs would you recommend?

A: Why settle for ordinary when your garden can be extraordinary? Here are five fabulous flowering shrubs that will set your landscape apart. Whether you're dealing with sizzling sun or cool shade, these beauties will add color, character, and charm year-round. Let's dive in!

1. Lobster Claw - Simply Spectacular!

Heliconia rostrata - Lobster Claw. This exotic plant makes a bold statement with its parrot-like blooms. The colorful, dangling flowers last long and are perfect for bouquets. Growing up to 7 feet tall, it thrives in large pots or tropical landscapes, handling temperatures in the high 20s. Just give it room to stretch those stalks!

Shop Lobster Claw

2. Bat Head Lily - Perfect for Shade

Tacca chantrieri - Bat Head Lily, Black Tacca. Looking for something mysterious? This plant's dark, bat-shaped flowers and trailing "whiskers" will intrigue everyone. It prefers filtered light and high humidity, making it a great pick for shaded areas or a greenhouse. Available in striking colors like black, white, and green, it's a conversation starter in any garden.

Shop Tacca Lily

3. Ball of Fire - Made for the Sun

Combretum constrictum from Thailand, called Ball of Fire - is one of our favorite tropical flowering shrubs that is constantly in bloom and is so much different from anythings else. With constant blooms and fiery red flowers, this tropical shrub shines bright. Though it might fool you from a distance as a Powderpuff plant, it's a whole different species! It can be shaped into a small tree, handles pruning well, and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Easy to grow, it only needs regular water to get established.

Shop Ball of Fire

4. Blue Sage - the Bluest in the Tropics

Eranthemum pulchellum - Blue Sage, or Lead Flower. This winter heavy bloomer thrives in shady spots with its vibrant gentian-blue flowers, a rare color in the tropics. It's compact, easygoing, and the more you prune it, the bushier it gets. When other plants are napping, Blue Sage adds a splash of cool blue, making it perfect for carefree gardeners who want a touch of magic.

5. Candelabra Plant - Massive Gold

Senna alata - Empress Candle, Candelabra Plant - is a fast-growing shrub that brings sunny, candle-like flowers and massive leaves to your garden. It's a weed-fighting hero, shading out invaders with its wide canopy. Butterflies and bees love its golden blooms, and the plant can grow 10 feet wide in just one season! If you want beauty and function, the Candelabra Plant is your golden ticket. Watch the .

Shop Candelabra Plant

◂ Previous page Next page ▸Most recent entry ▴Blog table of contents