WHATS BLOOMIN’ IN PARADISE? a gardeners journey
First impression: Cerulean blue sky color adorns five delicate petal flowers that remind me of vintage phlox. Light green small leaves are dense and numerous. These natural arching shaped bushes have a delicate look, which gives an added dimension in the garden. I can’t help but notice tiny blue butterflies fluttering around. They are so similar to the blossoms; they can be mistaken for flying flowers. Need a little zip pe dee doo dah your life? On a clear day you can see forever our blossoms in bouquets at the Botanical Gardens of the Sanibel Moorings.
Upon further investigation: Three reasons why Cassius Blue butterflies populations are dwindling: Plumbago, Plumbago, & Plumbago! Our under used garden stars are the host plants for an itty bitty species of butterflies. A HOST PLANT is the one plant that each species of butterfly will lay their eggs on and is essential for their survival. Mother CB utilizes Plumbago to lay oodles of single, flattened, blue eggs right on the tender new leaves and flowers. As the newborn caterpillar hatches, its mission is to eat and eat and eat. Eventually, the caterpillars grow larger and fatter and one day travel to a safe spot and begin their chrysalis and metamorphosis. The sweet tasting flowers do double duty and also serve as a nectar plant for butterflies. Sky flower is another name for our Plumbago, because its blossoms are the color of a cloudless blue sky. They are bountiful and clustered like a hydrangea blossom. So gorgeous! Leaves are linear and soft green and make the plant attractive even without flowers. The natural shape is arching and trailing branches, so pruning is minimal. This plant can become necrotic at times; just trim away the black area. Be prepared for its fickleness, some this year they are drop dead gorgeous, last year they drove me crazy with the black holes. A non native-non invasive plant in partial shade to full sun in a well drained area. Plumbago zeylanica is our white flowering native plant variety. Both varieties are in the easy care and lack of pests/disease category. They are made for our tropical climate with drought tolerance and need for full sun. I recommend planting both colors, they are great companions. Once you plant them in your garden, prepare yourself for the lots of ooohs and aaahs. Gentle reminder: butterfly gardeners have to re-evaluate spraying of pesticides as their use will interrupt the life cycle of the butterfly which is egg, larva, pupa and butterfly. Want to learn more about butterflies? Don’t miss our 13th Annual SWF Butterfly Conference, Saturday Nov. 2, 2013. For more information log on to: Lee County Extension Website lee.ifas.ufl.edu/calendar.shtml#November.
Pros: Hydrangea like blooms – Does well in sandy soil We can all use more butterflies – Likes full sun Salt tolerant Host & nectar plant for unique blue butterfly Pollinators love it! Non invasive – Oodles of butterflies fluttering all around it The color of blue is iconic Naturally shaped.
Cons: Can get sparse and black holey Pollinators love it – Re think/tolerate caterpillars and nibbled leaves Non native.
Conclusion: Sometimes you don’t have to look up to enjoy a memorable blue sky; you can touch, smell and bask all around our sky flowers. Plus we have the perfect host plant that does double duty as the perfect flower in our tropical eye catching garden.
Don’t wanna miss this bloomer!
WHATS BLOOMIN’ IN PARADISE? a gardeners journey
First impression: Tiny red to lavender to white flowers blooming from stiff stems at the top of a very dramatic plant. Its leaves are shades of magenta, pink and greens. The silhouette reminds me of a dwarf banana shape. These unusual tropical shades really brighten up the garden even with no flowers in bloom. Zoom in for the close up, lots of sparkle in our garden with its shades of lights and darks. You can see it twinkling around every corner at the Botanical Gardens of the Sanibel Moorings.
Upon further investigation: Ti plant is pronounced “TEA” and hails from The Pacific Island areas. Not known for its flowers which are pretty but tiny and erratic, the leaves are the stars. There are several color combinations to choose from, and more in the making. The color combos are different hues of greens, reds, and whites. Some leaves are even striped! LOL. Our star is appreciated for its evergreen variegated foliage and doesn’t readily shed its leaves. It does need to be cleaned at least 3-4 times a year. To accomplish this you pull off the lower older leaves. Pull gently till you get the hang of it, sometimes supporting the trunk so as not to break the super skinny trunk. The newest leaves are at the top and are arranged in a whorl on the trunk. I have my Ti-s in the partial sun to shady areas. They will look washed out and faded in full sun. Being tall and slender, they become one of the “you can fit them anywhere” stars in our garden. They look great as a specimen or grouped together. Made for our tropical climate they are easy to care for and drought tolerant. You decide the height; maximum height can be 10 feet tall. The slender trunks can be pruned solo or left multi trunked. I routinely shape and corralled the limbs because, our star can get leggy. Pruning is simple you cut any tall ones on the cane. The cane then will sprout the colorful leaves at the cut site. Like many plants of the Cordyline family, the cut stems can be stripped of the bottom leaves and placed in a pot for rooting or directly in the soil. I am always in the market for free plants! You will enjoy the easy care and little attention needed for this plant to flourish. Call up your friends from New Guinea, they will tell you all the useful things Ti plants can be utilized for. They are great for costumes, home decorating, and head dresses. They are a must have for wrapping food in for open fire feasts. Interesting factsnow we know!
Pros: Lovely maroon colors – Evergreen – Does well in sandy soil Likes partial sun to shade – Easy to maintain/prune Easily propagated by cuttings Tall slender shrub Mild Salt tolerance Is great for tropical look in a garden Brings a wonderful dappled light and dark to your garden Can sell cuttings for extra cash – Drought tolerant – Cold tolerant Non Invasive – Easy care
Cons: Fast grower May get in trouble for selling cuttings without a license – Little or no flowers – Non native.
Conclusion: Tropical splash of colors make our gardens very own natural headdresses, in a balmy tropical setting. Aaahh – Follow those fibrous feathers to our garden in paradise.
Don’t wanna miss this bloomer!