Garden Blog - Top Tropicals
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How to get shade quickly... and stay away from oaks
Q: I just moved from Tennessee into a new house in Florida and there are no trees on the property, the yard is brutal hot. What can I plant so I have some shade real quick? I like Florida shady oaks, how long will they take to grow?
A: First
of all, do not rush into oak solution. Oaks are beautiful shade trees, however
they have at least 2 problems:
a) Oaks are slow growers and unless you are willing to wait some 20
years... you won't get that desirable shade that quickly.
b) We have hurricanes in Florida... sometimes. A hurricane can damage
any tree, however with oaks it may be the worse case scenario - the branches
of those giant trees are huge, hard and heavy and in unfortunate situation
when you need to remove or trim a broken tree, it may cost you... a few thousand
dollars.
These are solutions that are more economical and practical:
1) Selection. If you have room, get one of these most popular Florida shade trees: Royal Poinciana, Golden Shower, Hong Kong Orchid Tree, Red Kapok, Bottlebrush, and many others. See full list of fast growing shade trees. Or simply get a Mango Tree and have delicious fruit too! Many varieties of Mangos are very large and fast growing.
2) Do it right. Even if you are planting a smaller tree, 1-3 gal
size, it may become a nice shade tree within 2-3 years and start providing
your driveway with desirable shade. The keys for fast growth are -
a) Good soil. Dig as big hole as possible and fill it with good
rich soil containing compost. See planting instructions PDF.
b) Water. Do not rely on sprinklers and rains. Water your tree
daily for the first week, then at least twice a week for another month. After
that, irrigation system will be enough.
c) Fertilizer. Put a few handfuls of fertilizer in a planting hole. Then fertilize once a month during warm
season. Apply micro elements for even better results and faster growth.
3) Ask experts. Contact our office for advice. We will suggest the most suitable shade tree for your yard based on features of your property: location, soil, exposure, etc.
Check out fast growing shade trees
Date:
🏡 To Use Your Garden Or Be Used By It
Smokey and Sunshine November Planting.
Smokey: Winter roots make spring easy. Keep that plant straight.
Sunshine: I am keeping it straight by not touching it at all.
Smokey: That is exactly what I was afraid of.
November is the month when the garden finally stops yelling at you. The heat backs off, the bugs calm down, and the weeds take a breath. This is when we get to take control again. And as gardeners, we know the truth: Either you use your garden, or your garden will use you in spring. Let me walk you through this, gardener to gardener.
"November is when the garden finally listens. Give it a little direction now, shape it, guide it, and prepare it for spring. It will reward you all year." - Tatiana Anderson, Top Tropicals Plant Expert
🌴 When The Garden Uses You
We have all lived this scene:
- March weeds appear, and two days later it looks like a jungle.
- One missed watering turns into five wilted plants and a full week of recovery.
- A skipped feeding shows up as yellow leaves and panic searching online.
- Bugs return fast, and suddenly you are washing leaves every other day.
- Random plant purchases fill your yard with chaos and mismatched care needs.
- When the garden takes control, spring feels like hard work, not joy.
Overgrown Tropical Garden Showing How a Garden Can Use You
📊 When You Use Your Garden
November flips the script. Plants slow down. Soil stays warm. This is the safest month to experiment, move plants, fix mistakes, and redesign.
What you do now pays off huge in March.
- You map out sun zones and shade zones.
- You mulch now so weeds do not explode later.
- You move plants to better positions without heat stress.
- You remove the high-drama plants before they start another season of complaints.
- You pick what you want for next year instead of letting impulse buys rule you.
Spring becomes smooth instead of overwhelming. And honestly? It feels good to walk outside in March and see order instead of chaos.
In the photo: Every garden starts in small steps. Biquinho Pepper (front) in the garden.
What Benefit Do You Get Personally?
- Less watering.
- Fewer bugs.
- Bigger fruit.
- Better flowering.
- Less money wasted.
- Less time fixing problems you could have prevented now.
This is why experienced tropical gardeners adore November.
In the photo: Organized Tropical Garden. Firebush (lemon gold variety) and Cordylines (Ti Leaf) make colorful spots in the garden.
🐭 Start With Something Small Today (5 Minutes)
Pick one:
- Add mulch to the driest spot in your yard.
- Cut one dead branch from any tree.
- Move one pot to a better sun angle.
- Pull three weeds from the worst area.
- Water deeply once this week.
Small steps now save hours later.
⭐ One Short Story
Last year we planted a Star Fruit in November. By March, it was already covered in flowers, and have been harvesting fruit non-stop since then! That is what winter planning does: it gives plants a head start you can actually see.
🐍 Plants That Will Use You If You Let Them
These are great plants, but only if you plan before planting them:
- Banana (thirsty)
- Hibiscus (hungry)
- Brugmansia (sensitive)
- Passion vine (takes over anything it touches)
Place them wrong, and they become full-time jobs.
In the photo: Passion Vine taking over the swing.
🐰 Plants That Work For You
These feel like free upgrades to the yard:
- Moringa - grows almost on autopilot
- Star Fruit - continuous production
- Dragon Fruit - minimal effort for big results
- Cattley Guava - cold hardy, compact and fruitful
- Loquat - fast fruiting and hardy
- Mulberry - very cold hardy with fruit abundance
- Tabebuia - spectacular winter colors
- Brunfelsia - reliable night fragrance in shade
- Adenium - perfect container showstopper
- Jasmine - instant fragrance
- Mexican Flame Vine - fast growing yet controllable vine
- Wiri Wiri and Biquinho Peppers - always available for your kitchen
- Firebush, Hamelia - everblooming and hardy butterfly native
- Cordyline Ti Leaf - instant leaf colors
- Megaskepasma Brazilian plume - lush tropical foliage with red blooms in shade or sun
- Iris - hardy easy low-growing native for any soil
- Champaka, Joy Perfume Tree - legendary perfume tree that blooms almost year round
- Olive tree - maintenance-free source of olives
- Plumeria - instant Hawaiian perfume flowers all summer
- Dombeya - spectacular hydrangea-like blooms all winter
- Insulin Ginger - instant nature remedy
- Eugenia Cherries and Barbados Cherry - immediate fruit, compact trees for small gardens or pots
- Peanut Butter tree - exotic sweet fruit like peanut butter, compact tree
- Blackberry Jam fruit - exotic fruit like blackberry jam, very small tree
- Colocasia - instant tropical look with Elephant ears
- Strawberry tree - sweet cotton-candy fruit year around
- Papaya - fits any yard, delicious fruit and natural digestive remedy
Pick even one of these and your garden starts giving back.
In the photo: Cattley Guava brings not only tasty fruit but also a wonderful character with its amazing multi-color twisted trunk.
🌡️ November Advantage
You cannot ruin anything in November. This is the safest, calmest month to shape your garden the way you want. If you act now, spring becomes a victory lap. If you wait, spring becomes a rescue mission.
In the photo: Adenium is a colorful accent in the garden.
💐 Thanksgiving Tie-In
This is the season to reset, breathe, and be thankful for your outdoor space. A garden that works for you is one of the best gifts you can give yourself going into the new year.
Start your November plan today. Use your garden. Do not let it use you.
In the photo: Megaskepasma, Iris, Colocasia, Crotons, Dracaena and Ti Leaf bring instant tropical look to your garden.
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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:
Quick shade for your driveway
Q: Please help! We just moved into a new house in Florida and don't have any mature trees yet, but the sun is already brutal! Can you suggest any super-fast growing shade tree that can make shade over my driveway as soon as possible?
A: Check out Giant Potato Tree - it is very fast growing, has very large leaves plus very pretty purple flowers as a bonus year round! The pictured tree was planted from 3 gal only 6 months ago, and already covers with shade the whole car. It is small to a medium size tree, but one of the fastest growing. If you are looking for a larger tree and willing to be more patient, here is the full list of tropical and subtropical fast growing shade trees. Most of them may take a few years until they reach a mature size, however, in order to enjoy your shade tomorrow, you must plant the tree today!
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🌳 Why Large Grafted Trees Are Better
These are not seedlings — they’re grafted trees, which means you get the true variety with known flavor, quality, and performance. Large grafted trees give you a real head start:
- Already mature with a strong root system.
- Handle transplanting and weather shifts with ease.
- Can bloom and fruit in the first or second season.
No guessing, no waiting years — you’ll get the exact fruit you want, sooner.
-
👉 Learn more: How long does it take for a mango tree to bear
fruit?
For Indoor and Patio Growers
No space for a full orchard? You can still grow your own tropical paradise! Our large grafted Condo Mango trees adapt beautifully to big containers on patios, balconies, and sunrooms. They stay compact, flower sooner, and can fruit even in pots when given good light and warmth.
-
👉 Learn more: What are the Condo Mangos?
Bring the tropics indoors — move your tree outside for summer sun, then back inside before frost. It’s the perfect way to enjoy homegrown fruit wherever you live.
Give your garden a smart start this season. Large grafted Mango trees are ready — but only for a short time before winter.
👉 Plant now, harvest sooner, and enjoy the true variety!
Plant Care Tips by Top Tropicals Plant
Expert Tatiana AndersonLarge grafted Mango trees are easy to establish.
- Soil: Well-drained, rich mix — avoid heavy clay.
- Water: Deeply once or twice a week after the tree is established; keep soil evenly moist during the first few weeks after planting.
- Light: Full sun or bright patio spot.
- Feeding: Use balanced fertilizer Sunshine Boosters Mango Tango with every watering and Green Magic controlled release fertilizer every 6 months for steady growth.
- Protection: Cover on cold nights for the first winter.
- 👉 Learn more: How to take care of a mango tree in winter.
Plant once, care lightly, and your tree will reward you with fast growth and early fruit.
🌳 Big Trees, Local Pickup Only
For our local gardeners, we have something special. Extra-large 15- and 25-gallon Mango trees. These are full, mature specimens that simply can’t be shipped, but they’re perfect for local pickup or delivery.
Instant Impact and Faster Fruit
These trees already have strong trunks, big root systems, and start blooming next Spring. Plant one in your yard and it instantly looks like it’s been there for years.
Delivery and Installation
We offer local delivery and professional installation for large trees in the nearby area. Our team can bring the tree to your garden, position it correctly, and help with planting and setup.
👉 Contact us to arrange delivery and installation for your 15- or 25-gallon tree.
Limited Availability: Quantities are small, and these big trees go fast — once sold, they won’t be available again until next growing season.
"Large grafted trees give you a head start — they’re stronger, settle in faster, and can reward you with fruit the very next season," says Tatiana Anderson
🎥 Watch Short Videos:
Date:
Growing Barbados Cherry in container
Q: I am interested in buying some Barbados cherry plants. Could you please advise if these can be grown in containers indefinitely or it's still better for them to be planted in ground for nutrients etc?
A: The Barbados cherry, like other tropical cherry varieties, is exceptionally well-suited for cultivation in containers.
Barbados cherry grows into a dense bush, demands minimal pruning, and begins bearing fruit at a young age. Our plants, which are propagated from cuttings, initiate the flowering and fruiting process in the very same year. They produce fruit almost year around. This year we've had three big crops: April, July and October (still fruiting now!) besides sporadic fruiting throughout the warm season.
You can cultivate Barbados cherry in a pot, commencing with a 1-3 gallon container and gradually increasing the size each year. Below is a photo of a fully developed tree in the ground, for reference. This tree is approaching its third year of growth. When grown in a container, it maintains a more compact size, with the largest container needed likely being between 7 to 15 gallons. Regular pruning can be employed to keep it smaller.
Photo above: Barbados Cherry bush in the ground
Barbados cherry (Malpighia) possesses a distinct growth pattern that sets it apart from other tropical cherry varieties - Eugenias. Malpighia's branches can assume peculiar shapes, even at angles of up to 90 degrees. Therefore, pruning to achieve the desired shape is advantageous.
Additionally, you may want to explore the Dwarf Barbados cherry, a miniature cherry variety ideal for container cultivation, with cascading growth habit. Although its fruits are slightly smaller than those of the regular variety, they are notably sweeter.
Photo above: Dwarf Barbados Cherry fruit
When it comes to ensuring the health and vitality of your potted Barbados cherry plants, maintaining a consistent nutrient supply is crucial. Implementing a regular fertilization regimen is essential to promote robust growth, consistent flowering, and bountiful fruit production. For optimal results, we recommend using Sunshine Boosters, which are specially formulated to enhance the development of fruits and edibles. These boosters are derived from organic amino acids, making them environmentally friendly and safe for year-round use. By incorporating Sunshine Boosters C-Cibus into your plant care routine, you can ensure that your container-grown Barbados cherry plants receive the essential nutrients they need to thrive and flourish.
Photo above: Dwarf Barbados Cherry in the ground
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Why Adeniums are the most popular container plants
What is the easiest and most showy plant for your patio or poolside?
Q: Can you recommend a compact, showy plant for a container by the pool that will bloom with minimal care and survive if I forget to water it? I need 4-5 of them... Does such a plant even exist, or is that too much to ask?
A: Surprisingly, such a plant does exist! Meet the Desert Rose - Adenium - the perfect flowering plant for low-maintenance beauty. Just look at those colors!
Why choose Adenium for your container garden?
Desert roses - Adeniums - are among the most popular container plants for both indoor
and outdoor settings. Here's why:
- Easy to grow - Thrives in sun or shade, indoors, and in low
humidity.
- Drought-tolerant - Requires minimal water and can go long periods
without it.
- Not picky about soil and pH.
- Spectacular blooms - Produces vibrant, showy flowers.
- Unique and eye-catching - Forms a curious, swollen caudex with
unusual shapes.
How many varieties and colors are out there?
- At Top Tropicals, we offer over 200 varieties of Adeniums, with more
than 100 in stock at any time.
- With so many stunning hybrid colors, you'll want to collect them all!
- Enjoy double flowers, red, purple, yellow, striped, dotted, rainbow, and
even black flowers!
The secret to a large, swollen caudex:
- Raise the plant slightly each time you repot it, exposing the upper
part of the roots - this encourages the plant to form more roots that grow
downward.
- Unlike most tropical and houseplants, Adeniums prefer neutral to hard
water, have very low water needs, and can thrive in full sun or shade.
Adeniums truly check all the boxes for a carefree, long-blooming, and striking poolside or patio plant!
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Shady spots aren't a problem - they're an opportunity
Photo above: Niki and Cash, the Top Tropicals PeopleCats-in-residence, lounging in a lush indoor jungle
Most tropical gardens have at least one corner that gets morning light, filtered sun, or just bright shade - and that's exactly where Anthuriums thrive, along with many other shade-loving plants. That makes them ideal for spaces where other tropicals struggle.
Don't have a greenhouse? You don't need one. Anthuriums do beautifully on a shaded porch, in a screened lanai, or even indoors near a north or east-facing window. They're perfect for:
- Bathrooms with natural light
- Bright kitchens with indirect sun
- Shaded entryways or under eaves
- Hanging baskets under tree cover
- Mounting on cork or wood in humid areas
Even a small space can feel like a tropical conservatory with the right plant - and Anthuriums bring that look without being demanding. They grow slowly, stay manageable, and don't need constant pruning or repotting.
Best of all, they reward consistency. Keep them warm, give them some humidity, water when the top inch feels dry, and they'll stay healthy for years. No drama - just quiet, lasting beauty. If you've never grown tropicals in the shade, this is where to start.
How to get big shade tree in one season with an ice cream on it? Its real!
Ice Cream Bean Inga
Ice Cream Bean Inga
Ice Cream Bean Inga fruit
Ice Cream Bean Inga tree
- 🍦 Ice Cream Bean Inga is the ultimate fast-growing, shade-providing fruit tree with an irresistible twist! It not only transforms your yard into a cool, inviting oasis in record time but also produces fruit that kids (and adults!) can't get enough of!
- 🍦 Picture this: pods up to a foot long, bursting with sweet, creamy pulp that tastes exactly like ice cream!
- 🍦 Craving instant shade? Perfect for those sunny spots where you need shade, the Ice Cream Bean Inga rapidly unfurls its lush, umbrella-like canopy, creating a natural, leafy retreat in just one season!
- 🍦 With its delectable treats and speedy growth, this extraordinary tree is sure to be the highlight of your garden - where shade and sweetness meet!
🛒 Get shade with ice cream benefit
#Food_Forest #Fun_Facts #Nature_Wonders #How_to
🏵 TopTropicals
How to grow a Guava Tree: Practical Guide to Growing Guava
Guava (Psidium sp.)
- 🍑 Guava Trees (Psidium sp.) are beloved for their flavorful fruit and easy-growing nature. These fast-growing trees are reliable producers and can thrive in a variety of climates, making them a favorite among home gardeners. Guavas are compact and can be grown in containers, making them suitable for small spaces and urban gardens.
- 🍑 Light and Soil
- 🍑 Pruning tips
Guava trees thrive in full sun, requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily to produce the best fruit. They prefer well-draining soils rich in organic matter but are adaptable to a range of soil types, including sandy or loamy soils. Slightly acidic to neutral soil is ideal. While guavas tolerate poor soils, enriching the soil with compost or manure will improve growth and yield.
Pruning is essential for maintaining the shape, size, and productivity of guava trees.
· Frequency: Prune guavas annually, ideally after the fruiting season, to encourage new growth and improve airflow.
- · Remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches to maintain tree health.
- · Shape the tree to allow sunlight to penetrate the canopy, which enhances fruit production.
- · For container-grown guavas, keep the tree compact by trimming back vigorous shoots regularly.
- 🍑 Guava in containers
- 🍑 Watering
Guavas are well-suited to container growing. Compact varieties like the "Nana" guava are ideal for pots. Use a large container (at least 15-20 gallons) with good drainage. Fill it with a high-quality potting mix enriched with organic matter. Place the container in a sunny location and water consistently. Regular pruning helps maintain a manageable size and promotes fruiting in container-grown guavas.
· Guava trees require consistent watering, especially during dry periods and the fruiting season. While they can tolerate short periods of flooding, ensure the soil is not waterlogged. Water deeply once or twice a week, depending on your climate.
- · Fertilize guavas 3-4 times a year during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer rich in potassium and phosphorus to promote flowering and fruiting. Adding organic matter like compost or manure annually boosts soil fertility and improves yields.
- 🍑 Harvesting
· Guava trees are quick to fruit, often producing their first harvest within a year of planting. For container-grown trees, fruiting can start in even smaller pots, such as 1-gallon containers.
- · Signs of ripe guava fruit include:
- · Harvest ripe guavas by hand or with pruning shears. Consume fresh or use them to make juices, jams, or desserts.
- A change in color from green to yellow (depending on the variety).
- A sweet, fruity aroma.
- Slight softness when gently pressed.
- 🍑 Health Benefits of Guava
· Guava is a nutrient powerhouse, offering numerous health benefits:
- · Vitamin C: Boosts the immune system and helps protect against colds and infections.
- · Potassium: Supports healthy blood pressure levels.
- · Antioxidants: Contribute to glowing skin and may reduce the risk of cancer.
- · Fiber: Aids digestion and helps regulate blood sugar levels.
- 🍑 Popular Varieties of Guava
· Tropical Guava (Psidium guajava): Sweet and aromatic, suitable for warmer climates.
- · Cattley Guava (Psidium littorale): Cold-hardy with a slightly tart flavor.
- · Cas Guava (Psidium friedrichsthalianum): Known for its sour taste, perfect for juices like Costa Rica’s traditional "Agua de Cas." Cold hardy, disease resistant and vigorous, productive variety.
- · Pineapple Guava (Feijoa sellowiana): Fruity and floral, thriving in cooler climates.
🍑 Additional Tips
- · Guava trees are relatively pest-resistant but may require monitoring in humid climates for mealybugs. Use neem oil if needed.
- · Planting multiple guava varieties ensures a continuous supply of fruit.
- · With their fast growth, compact size, and delicious fruit, guava trees are a fantastic addition to tropical garden, greenhouse or patio.
📚 More from previous posts about #Guava
🛒 Shop Guava Trees
#Food_Forest #Guava
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