Lignum vitae is a tree native to the Florida Keys. It is apparently one of the most dense wood on earth and will not float. It was used in ship building and also has medicinal properties.
The tree is GORGEOUS but very slow growing and its delicate blue flowers are very discreet.
This tree must be located where it will be a showcase. Although it can grow quite tall, that will take many many years.
Lignum vitae is endangered and should be planted by all lovers of native trees.
Planting it is tricky: it hates being moved even from its pot, and the best way is to water it twice a day for a while after you put it in the dirt. My advice: select the right spot from the start!!!
Mine was planted in a wrong spot (because I wanted to build a pool and it was in the way). The tree loved its location and was extremely pretty after three years. I moved it recently and although I took extreme care in transplanting it, avoiding as much as possible root damage, the tree entered a state of shock after transplantation and lost all its leaves. At this time, the jury is out whether it will survive and I am very sad because it was so pretty. I am applying the same technique: water it every day and hope for the best. I'll keep you posted! A small tree costs easily $50. This is a special plant that deserves special care.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Silver Buttonwood
Silver Buttonwood is a very hardy bush that turns into a tree if not trimmed. The wood looks like an olive tree or a Tabebuia. The silvery color is a superb addition to any landscape and the foliage is very soft to the touch.
Trimming Silver Buttonwood will ensure fullness and branching and prevent the bush from turning into a tree unless you want a tree obviously!
My experience in transplanting established Buttonwoods (after 1 year) has been disastrous. The tree looses all its leaves and regrowth is difficult with many parts dying out.
Silber Buttonwood becomes very large and needs room to grow.
Iguanas are not a problem and the plant is mostly disease free.
Trimming Silver Buttonwood will ensure fullness and branching and prevent the bush from turning into a tree unless you want a tree obviously!
My experience in transplanting established Buttonwoods (after 1 year) has been disastrous. The tree looses all its leaves and regrowth is difficult with many parts dying out.
Silber Buttonwood becomes very large and needs room to grow.
Iguanas are not a problem and the plant is mostly disease free.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Thryallis
Thryallis has been a little disappointment. My two mistakes:
* Thryallis' visual impact implies you put it around contrasting foliage. Otherwise you will not notice it. Also it is best if you group several bushes together for a bigger visual impact.
* I read it is important to trim it real hard in the winter time. I did exactly that but the next year's flowering was not impressive
This beautiful plant is also fairly brittle.
This being said, this is a nice addition to a yard
This plant will only grow in South Florida
* Thryallis' visual impact implies you put it around contrasting foliage. Otherwise you will not notice it. Also it is best if you group several bushes together for a bigger visual impact.
* I read it is important to trim it real hard in the winter time. I did exactly that but the next year's flowering was not impressive
This beautiful plant is also fairly brittle.
This being said, this is a nice addition to a yard
This plant will only grow in South Florida
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow ("Brunfelsia grandiflora")
YTT is very special: a flower is being born bright purple (yesterday), the next day it fades to pale purple (today) and the third day it turns white (tomorrow). The fourth day, the flower dies.
Since the plant is very generous when it blossoms (during the winter months), flowers are being born at different times and the plant is covered with three different colors!
YTT requires a lot of watering when transplanted (for at least two months). It does not like wind. I read they are heavy feeders but when I feed them, I burn the leaves. So i stay away from fertilizers when it comes to YTT.
YTT is usually available in good nurseries. Mine are still young and relatively small but I have seen some that are small trees. This can grow into a big plant if untrimmed. Apparently, trimming must happen before September though or you will inhibit flowering in the winter months
Since the plant is very generous when it blossoms (during the winter months), flowers are being born at different times and the plant is covered with three different colors!
YTT requires a lot of watering when transplanted (for at least two months). It does not like wind. I read they are heavy feeders but when I feed them, I burn the leaves. So i stay away from fertilizers when it comes to YTT.
YTT is usually available in good nurseries. Mine are still young and relatively small but I have seen some that are small trees. This can grow into a big plant if untrimmed. Apparently, trimming must happen before September though or you will inhibit flowering in the winter months
Monday, July 28, 2008
Queen Palm
Queen Palm has become very popular and contrary to Coconut trees, is not susceptible to lethal yellowing. The tree is fairly fast growing and the fronds are truly beautiful. I love this palm tree but it is messy.
I recommend adding magnesium every three months or if you notice that newer leaves turn yellow fast. Feeding a palm fertilizer every three months is also necessary.
The flowers and fruit are very messy. First the flower will appear as a beautiful firework of creamy stems that burst out of a huge seed pot. Once the stem is out, it sheds continuously and turns the soil into a carpet of creamy flowers which will disappear pretty fast and is not a big issue. The flowers attract bees in droves and it is best not to mess with the flower stem as long as bees are working on it. The best moment to trim the stem is right after all flowers have fallen off and you have a naked stem with small berries because it is lightest at that moment. If you let the berries grow, not only will they turn into a real big mess down the road but the sheer weight of the stem with the berries will destroy anything underneath the tree. The weight of a stem with berries is amazing!
I also tried removing the huge seed pot before the flowers come out but unless you take it down when it is small, you'd better avoid trimming a big seed pot because it will fall like a massive rocket and will damage anything that is underneath it.
I recommend adding magnesium every three months or if you notice that newer leaves turn yellow fast. Feeding a palm fertilizer every three months is also necessary.
The flowers and fruit are very messy. First the flower will appear as a beautiful firework of creamy stems that burst out of a huge seed pot. Once the stem is out, it sheds continuously and turns the soil into a carpet of creamy flowers which will disappear pretty fast and is not a big issue. The flowers attract bees in droves and it is best not to mess with the flower stem as long as bees are working on it. The best moment to trim the stem is right after all flowers have fallen off and you have a naked stem with small berries because it is lightest at that moment. If you let the berries grow, not only will they turn into a real big mess down the road but the sheer weight of the stem with the berries will destroy anything underneath the tree. The weight of a stem with berries is amazing!
I also tried removing the huge seed pot before the flowers come out but unless you take it down when it is small, you'd better avoid trimming a big seed pot because it will fall like a massive rocket and will damage anything that is underneath it.
Jatropha integerrina
Jatropha is amazing because it flowers year round. I never had a Jatropha without flower at any given time! The red is very intense and quite beautiful and when you have 50 -or more- little stems it adds up to a beautiful burst of color.
It can be very pretty but it turns leggy within six to twelve months. Pruning to shape to your taste is a good idea to turn its legginess into a sculptural shape because the branches always arch in any direction and so you can turn the bush into an object of art. Bad pruning might result in a much less desirable result when it comes to the shape but the flowers will always be there.
Jatrophas can grow very old and will turn into small trees. If you give them enough space they can be very pretty specimens.
If you like flowers, Jatropha belongs in your yard.
Fertilizing is not necessary and the plant does not need much water
It can be very pretty but it turns leggy within six to twelve months. Pruning to shape to your taste is a good idea to turn its legginess into a sculptural shape because the branches always arch in any direction and so you can turn the bush into an object of art. Bad pruning might result in a much less desirable result when it comes to the shape but the flowers will always be there.
Jatrophas can grow very old and will turn into small trees. If you give them enough space they can be very pretty specimens.
If you like flowers, Jatropha belongs in your yard.
Fertilizing is not necessary and the plant does not need much water
Bougainvillae
Bougainvillaes are originally from Brazil and are among the most beautiful bushes there is. They grow fast and can become quite invasive rapidly but they are breathtaking when in full bloom. They are at their best in a corner of your yard where you want a jungle of colors or against the walls of your house or to hide a fence. Mixing colors is a good idea.
Trimming them reduces the production of flowers because they flower at the tips but if you cut woody stems, you will generate a lot of new shoots and in so doing, trimming promote fullness and growth.
Excessive water will apparently inhibit the production of flowers. It is a good idea to feed them monthly a specialized fertilizer that promotes blooms.
The golden variety does not bloom as long as the fuchsia type which in turn lasts a little less then the purple type. The golden type also fades rapidly while you can keep your fuchsias for a month straight.
Iguanas are a problem if they have easy access to the plant. they will constantly eat the tender shoots and your tree will not grow at all during the Summer when it is supposed to explode.
Trimming them reduces the production of flowers because they flower at the tips but if you cut woody stems, you will generate a lot of new shoots and in so doing, trimming promote fullness and growth.
Excessive water will apparently inhibit the production of flowers. It is a good idea to feed them monthly a specialized fertilizer that promotes blooms.
The golden variety does not bloom as long as the fuchsia type which in turn lasts a little less then the purple type. The golden type also fades rapidly while you can keep your fuchsias for a month straight.
Iguanas are a problem if they have easy access to the plant. they will constantly eat the tender shoots and your tree will not grow at all during the Summer when it is supposed to explode.
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