Comfortable Friday GPODers!
We’re going tropical as we speak and looking at some plant highlights from a current journey I took to Delray Seaside, Florida.
I’m a powerful believer that crops are thrilling and fascinating irrespective of the locale—whether or not you’re 10 minutes down the highway or on the opposite aspect of the globe. Nevertheless, I will even be the primary to confess that seeing crops and wildlife in a local weather vastly completely different than the one you’re most accustomed to will be probably the most awe-inspiring and informative expertise. I’ve had the chance to journey all the way down to southern Florida a couple of instances over the previous couple of years, however every time I’ve been equally excited and enamored by the succulents, palms, and varied tropical crops rising in all their glory. I don’t suppose I’ll ever overlook the primary time I noticed a stunning variegated croton (Codiaeum variegatum, Zones 11–12) (a plant I’ve failed at rising indoors numerous instances) as an enormous, mature shrub rising in somebody’s entrance yard as casually as I’d see a arborvitae rising right here in Connecticut.
All of this to say, my most up-to-date journey was no exception. Whereas the group I travelled with was trying out the rooms in our Airbnb, unpacking, and pouring drinks, I used to be instantly outdoors snapping footage of all of the fabulous crops within the small however fantastic backyard border across the pool. You’ll discover these images under, in addition to another crops I noticed throughout our excursions on the town.
The scene that immediately caught my eye from the french doorways within the eating room. The palms are at all times thrilling to see, but it surely was the brilliant pink flowers and succulent-looking hedge that drew me in for a better look.
Not a succulent upon nearer inspection, however a useful plant identifier app let me know this was a variegated Japanese pittosporum (Pittosporum tobira ‘Variegatum’, Zones 8–11). Lovely all yr spherical with it’s placing variegated foliage, however notably enticing in spring when it’s coated in orange-blossom scented flowers.
Simply mistaken for impatiens, frequent in related shades of pink, purple and white, Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus, Zones 8–11) would nonetheless be thought of an annual for colder areas however will be grown as a perennial right here in Florida.
One other plant typically grown indoors in colder climates, the colourful coloration and other-worldly texture of ‘Myers’ foxtail fern (Asparagus densiflorus ‘Myers’, Zones 9–11) is an absolute deal with to see in a backyard mattress. Whereas this picture options solely foliage, there may be nonetheless a lot variation and curiosity.
Dotted between a few of the foxtail fern had been a couple of aloe crops (Aloe vera, Zones 9–11), a ravishing and helpful plant to have useful by the pool!
A few of my favourite crops across the pool had been truly peaking over the fence from neighbor’s yards. The brilliant yellow culms of this Asian Lemon bamboo (Bambusa eutuldoides ‘Viridi-Vittata’, Zones 9–11) made it an absolute present stopper.
If I haven’t already made it abundantly clear, I’m a sucker for an interesting-looking tree. The rising behavior of this umbrella tree (Heptapleurum actinophyllum, Zones 10–12) appears straight out of the pages of Dr. Seuss, and everybody made a remark that the few yellow leaves seemed like bunches of bananas at first look.
After we lastly pulled ourselves out of the pull and headed downtown to seize dinner, there have been nonetheless loads of alternatives for plant watching. It’s onerous to seize the true scale of enormous crops in images, however these traveller’s palms (Ravenala madagascariensis, Zones 10–11) had been completely large. Although coined a palm, these tree-like crops are literally associated to bird-of-paradise and may truly produce white flowers in a equally spiky type.
Yet one more houseplant grown to a measurement us northern gardeners may solely dream of! Snake crops (Dracaena spp. and cvs., syn. Sansevieria spp. and cvs., Zones 9–11) are notoriously straightforward to develop in nearly each setting indoors, however simply because they will adapt doesn’t imply they’re thriving like they’re right here.
Making our technique to the seaside, a complete new world of crops will be discovered. Native to coastal seashores and really tolerant to salt, aptly named sea grape (Coccoloba uvifera, Zones 10–11) will be discovered rising in mass alongside seashores in southern Florida and the Caribbean.
Saving one among my favourite finds for final, this spineless prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica, Zones 10–11) will need to have loved this spot for a while by the appears of its fairly severe trunk. By no means did I believe my love of cacti and timber would mix, however now I’m brainstorming methods I can have this rising inside??
Thanks for becoming a member of me on this tropical plant reflection! If you happen to’ve made it this far, let me know within the feedback your favourite place to see new or fascinating crops. It may be a trip spot, an area backyard, or your favourite nursery that’s at all times promoting one thing new. In case you have an opportunity to go and take images of your favourite finds, please share them in an e-mail to [email protected] or ship me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad
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