Vitex agnus-castus (Lilac Chaste Tree or Shrub) is native to the Mediterranean and Central Asia, but grows very well in South Florida. The leaves resemble maple leaves and the flowers resemble lilacs and are even fragrant like lilac flowers. Some may consider it a tree, and it can be grown as a single trunk, but…
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Two common names, one Thailand Powderpuff and the other Pink Powderpuff, and thus the confusion with common names. These two plants are not related at all and come from opposite ends of the world. Thailand Powderpuff doesn’t even come from Thailand, but rather from tropical Africa. Pink Powderpuff comes from South America. Botanical names are…
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This week’s highlight is on 2 grasses that resemble bamboo, but are in fact true grasses. The first is Pogo Grass (Pogonatherum paniceum). This is a clumping grass with very delicate stalks forming an umbrella shape 2-3 feet tall. Pogon is greek for beard, which its fine dense appearance resembles. This grass can be used…
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One of the most vexing problems for gardeners everywhere is how to deal with the areas of their property in which there is not enough light for turfgrass to grow. In the southern U.S., St. Augustine grass outperforms other turfgrasses in terms of shade tolerance, but eventually it, too, becomes sparse as lighting decreases. Rather…
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White Bird of Paradise Tree (Strelitzia nicolai) and Orange Bird of Paradise Plant (Strelitzia reginae) are this weeks highlighted plants. I think most people are familiar with the 3-4′ clumping orange bird of paradise plant. However, its close relative, the white bird of paradise tree, probably is not as well known. The white bird of…
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