Madre de Cacao (Gliricidia sepium), a fast-growing tree of Central America, it was planted by the Aztecs to provide shade for cacao plantations. That application is the source of the common name Madre de Cacao. Over the centuries, it has also come to be used to shade coffee, tea and vanilla plants. The true species…
Read more
Bombax ceiba, most often referred to its common name of Red Silk Cotton Tree. Although it is native to southeast Asia and Australia, it does quite well in S. Florida. When young, it has the characteristic thorns on its trunk like other members of the Silk Cotton trees, but as it ages, the thorns disappear.…
Read more
When you think of Petrea volubulis (Queen’s Wreath Vine), you naturally think of long purple sprays of blossoms, somewhat reminiscent of the temperate Wisteria Vine. However, there is a white cultivar, ‘Albiflora’, which doesn’t bloom as often, but when it does, is striking in it’s own right. Richard Lyons Nursery has both colors in stock.
Most Gardenias only bloom once a year in the springtime. The exception to this is the Tahitian Gardenia (Gardenia taitensis). This Gardenia blooms on and off throughout the year. It is a sprawling plant, with dark shiny leaves similar to most Gardenias. It is fragrant like all of the Gardenias as well. Richard Lyons Nursery…
Read more
The Jamaican Poinsettia is native to Jamaica, and a relative of the Christmas Poinsettia. Unlike the poinsettia you buy at Christmas, this large shrub or small tree, 12-15′, flowers year round. However, like the Christmas Poinsettia, flowering is dependent on no external light sources being present. So, no porch lights or security lights can shine…
Read more