Thunbergia erecta is a woody shrub from tropical Africa. It grows to about 4-6′ in height and width. The most common flower color is purple. A little less common are the white (Thunbergia erecta ‘Alba’), and the pale blue with white stripes (Thunbergia erecta ‘Fairy Moon’). The flowers on all varieties are tubular with yellow…
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Sisyrinchium angustifolium is native throughout the state of Florida. It occurs in moist meadows and open woodlands. Blue-eyed grass is an herbaceous perennial in the Iris Family so it is not a grass at all, although its foliage is grass-like. It has numerous violet-blue flowers from spring to early summer. It needs to be kept…
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Lignum vitae (Guaiacum sanctum) is native to the Florida Keys and Miami-Dade County. This native tree is listed as endangered due to habitat loss. Lignum vitae translation is ‘Tree of Life’ for its many medicinal properties. However, it is mainly grown as a beautiful ornamental. While it is slow growing, it is one of the…
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One look at Pseudobombax ellipticum flowers, and you immediately know how the tree got its common name. Of course, that is assuming you are old enough to know what a shaving brush is. Everyone else ‘Google’ it. This is a very large tree with a very large spreading crown. The tree is deciduous, and the…
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Myrciaria cauliflora like all trees in the Myrtle Family (Myrtaceae), its bark peels revealing a smooth mottled trunk. This is very attractive, and with small leaves that emerge papery red before hardening off to light green, this tree is ideal for tropical bonsai. However, most people grow this Brazilian native for its sweet grape like…
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