Viewing comments posted by terrafirma

Most of the ornamental asparagus varieties attain the greenest leaves in partial sun/shade, and the Myers is no exception. In fact, this plant will yellow in dense shade. It needs a very well drained soil. Adding peat or bark to the mix is a plus. These plants can survive periods of neglect because they have very fleshy roots, but they will really do best with regular watering. They will also perform best with a balanced fertilizer in the spring, and I've found that they do much better for me in containers. They have very dense needle-like leaves on stiff stems reaching about 2 ft. They will survive a light frost, but severe cold may kill them back to the ground.

A member of the family Zingiberaceae. Sometimes called a "hidden" ginger because of the inflorescence being very low on the plant, in amongst the very large sheath-like, pleated leaves. Leaves begin appearing in the late spring, and by summer the bract has formed in a rainbow of colors, hence the common name, Rainbow Curcuma, with the small yellow/yellow-orange flowers appearing a few weeks later. They need a good feeding in the spring when they break dormancy, moist soil, and filtered light or light shade. The inflorescence remains throughout the summer, fading in the beginning of fall. This plant is completely dormant in the winter, when water should be withheld.

A beautiful subtropical evergreen shrub, with very dense clusters of tubular shaped pink flowers. A soft wood shrub with large, veined leaves about 8 - 10 inches in length. Stems can reach about 4 - 5 feet tall. Needs partial to full shade, organically rich soil, and it will die back at about 25F - 30F. Has regrown for me reliably every spring here in Northeast Florida.

This is a plant that will thrive in conditions that are unacceptable to most kinds of plant. A very sturdy, long-lived evergreen.They require the most minimal of care, growing best in a rich, porous soil. The leaf blades range from 1 foot to 2 1/2 feet, atop a 6 - 8 inch grooved leaf stock. Grows very well in the deepest of shade. In the northern areas of the country, it can withstand some filtered sun. In my neck of the woods, which can be very hot, any amount of sun causes severe burning/browning of the leaves. They will flower, at ground level in the spring.

A wonderful dwarf variety. Great for use in foundation plantings, where a lower growing hedge is desired. Responds well to a more formal shearing, though you may want to time this to occur immediately after a flowering period, keeping in mind that it flowers intermittently all year.

A beautiful, tropical shrub that can reach a height of about 6 ft. They have a glossy green leaf and purple flowers, 1 1/2 -- 2 1/2 inches across. These shrubs can have a tendency to become "leggy." Pruning lightly after each bloom cycle can keep this in check. With a somewhat heavier pruning in the spring, they re-sprout quite quickly. They are evergreen and native to Brazil.

This is a very fast growing, vigorous vine. It will cling to any support structure: tree trunks, stone, house sidings, etc., and it will choke out lawn grasses in a very short time. It will put down roots where the stems touch the ground. Produces pretty, bright yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers, followed by "pea pods" containing the seeds. Nearly impossible, and exasperating, to get rid of. Very invasive, especially here in Florida.

This plant has become a favorite "go-to" for Hummingbirds in my garden this year. Grows very well in sandy soil, and resents too much moisture. Great for xeriscaping.

These ferns are epiphytes in nature, with thick furry rhizomes that will creep over the soil, making a very delicate ground cover in the South. Also excellent in hanging baskets, using a loose mix of coarse bark, or a mossy mix. Native to Fiji.

Very fast growing, conical shrub or small tree. Most likely is a hybrid between Chinese holly and English holly. It will set fruit without a male, but will produce a heavier yield of berries if pollinated by a male selection of Chinese holly. A best bet for growing here in the hot and humid Southeast.

This tree has spread prolifically in the Southeast, and because of that it is considered a noxious weed.

A wonderful carnivorous plant. It is native to SE. Asia. One of the easiest and most popular to grow. They prefer bright indirect light. Dappled shade is great. They should never be allowed to dry completely. Keep them moist, preferably with rain water, distilled/purified water, or boiled water that has been allowed to rest about 24 hours. Fertilization should not be a necessity. They prefer a very porous, low fertile mix, such as long fiber sphagnum moss, peat moss, and perlite. It should be a very well-draining medium so that air can reach the rooting system. Roots are typically black in color and very fine. The pitchers do create a digestive fluid, but making sure that they don't dry out completely will help. If needed, a 1/2" of rain or distilled/purified water can be added. It should not be necessary to 'feed' your pitchers, unless you are growing them where they won't have access to bugs. In that case, an occasional fly, cockroach, or other small insect can be added.

Here in NE.Fl. this plant will die back in the winter and will reliably return after the spring clean up. It is said to attain a height/spread of 6-8'. In an area where there is no die back, i.e., a milder climate, I have seen it attain nearly twice that in height. It is a magnet for hummingbirds and butterflies alike.

I have always wanted to add a Callistemon to my garden, but never had enough room for another tree, even a small one. This is the perfect Callistemon for the small garden. All the benefits of the tree, as the bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds seem to love it, but with the much smaller size.