Tom's Green Thumb

What a Plant

2010-05-14T11:28:00.004-04:00

I have really fallen in love with oak-leaf hydrangeas. These native plants thrive in shady areas of north Florida, and are better referred to as Hydrangea quercifolia. These large growing shrubs are deciduous and cold hardy , reported growing through zone 5. In late spring they are coverened by large clusters of white flowers. The blooms persist and add interest even after browning. As they get ready to drop their leaves in the fall, the foliage will provide some fall color in shades of yellow and red. They naturally sucker from the roots, so if you want a single speciman, you should plan for this maintenance task. I find them to be virtually pest free and drought tolerant once established. If you haven't added one to your landscape yet, what are you waiting for?

A Real Winner

2010-05-12T10:01:00.004-04:00

Here is a perennial that everyone should give a try. I brought this Rudbeckia maxima back from Oklahoma two years ago and didn't really expect it to perform very well in Florida's wet weather. This plant has performed way beyond any hopes I might have had. It has a basal rosette of powder blue leaves through the winter. Once the warm weather hits it shoots up flower stalks to heights over six feet tall. The shoots are topped off with tall coneflower-like blooms with yellow petals and a brown center. I am told that these flowers are great for cutting, but haven't tried this yet. The plant is propagated by division and stem cuttings. Plant yours at the back of a perennial garden in full sun in a well drained area. You may need to watch out for snails, as this is the only problem I have had. Plant one today and be prepared to be wowed!

One HOT Daylily

2010-05-11T13:56:00.002-04:00

Last year I purchased a new daylily from Plants Delight Nursery. The cultivar is 'Freewheelin'. I planted the plant in early October and hoped for the best. Yesterday the first bloom opened and it is HUGE!!! The flower is 10-12 inches across and is absolutely gorgeous. I am told the plant will get almost three feet tall and is a very free bloomer. I love this new addition to my garden and know that it is sure to be a focal point for years to come.

What a Show!

2009-10-14T13:16:00.002-04:00

I was climbing into my truck to head to work and had to pause as I got a glimpse of something blooming in a nearby garden. The culprit was this Persekia aculeata that I recently received from a plant give-away. This unusual looking spiny plant is known by many names including West Indian Gooseberry, lemon vine, sweet Mary, leaf cactus, blade apple, Barbados gooseberry and many others. The plant is an erect woody shrub becoming vinelike with age. The plant is deciduous and has waxy leaves. The greenish white flowers are about one to one and one half inches in diameter and are quite numerous. The small tart fruits have a yellow to red leathery skin. This plant thrives with very little care and is very drought tolerant. If you find a neighbor that has one, you can propagate it from seed or cuttings. This is a tropical plant, so keep it protected from freezing.

What More Can I Say!!!!

2009-08-27T14:06:00.002-04:00

The Angels Trumpet plant in my back yard is now in flower and is absolutely gorgeous. This plant was grown in a container for one year and was added to the landscape in the fall of 08. It is now 6-7 feet tall and across.

These plants belong to the genus Brugmansia and make great container plants or permanent landscape plants in warmer parts of the state. In north and central Florida, plants in the ground are often damaged by cold weather, but they are quick to recover. They come in a wide array of colors and even variegated forms. A little searching online will turn-up a great selection.

Brugmansia plants are fairly easy to start from cuttings so don’t be shy about asking your friend for a small clipping to start your own. There are a few select municipalities that prohibit the planting of Brugmansia plants, so be sure to investigate this prior to adding this plant to your collection.

Holy Hoya Batman!!!!!

2009-08-25T14:05:00.001-04:00

My Hoya carnosa “Variegata’ has just started blooming in my office. This large hanging basket has grown by leaps and bounds and is threatening to chase me out of my office space. I think Hoya plants are easy to grow foliage plants and should be used in the interiorscape more often. There are a wide variety of species and cultivars to choose one. Visit your favorite nursery in person or online today to add to your collection.

February in Bloom

2009-02-17T10:17:00.013-05:00

Despite all the cold we had over the past month there are still quite a few things flowering in the landscape. The azaleas are just beginning to pop and the redbud trees are starting to show color. You may have to look a little harder at this time of year to find the color, but there is still plenty to see. Enjoy.

Bright Pink Poinsettia Still in Color

White Poinsettia

White Asiatic Lily - This was a Valentine's Day gift. It really is brightening up the breakfast nook.

Walters Viburnum (Viburnum obovatum) This hardy native shrub is a great addition due to its spring color.

Mixed Pansy Bed (I wish there were more colors!)

Coral Bells Azalea

Crown of Thorns

Redbud about to Bloom

Colorful Aechmea Inflorescence

Tropical Bulb (I am working on an ID)

Coontie Seeds (Zamia floridana)

White Shrimp Plant

Red Buckeye New Growth (Aesculus pavia)

While not in flower, it is a sign of spring!

White and Pink Camellia japonica

White Camellia japonica

Southern Charm Azalea

Formosa Azalea

Camellia japonica 'Pink Perfection'

Red Camellia japonica

Pink Camellia spp.

Vinca major 'Variegata' This easy to grow groundcover is one every gardener should try. It roots very easily and has never had a pest problem.

Small Purple Azalea

Hybrid Crown of Thorns

New Guinea Hybrid Impatiens

Vanda Orchid

Clivia miniata

Scilla peruviana

How Crazy is This!!!

2009-02-05T15:05:00.002-05:00

The above picture shows the campus Horticulture Sciences fruit research area iced-up to protect the trees from the freezing temperatures we experienced last night. I recorded 18.9 degrees Fahrenheit at my home in S.W. Gainesville. While the ice was beautiful, I could not help but think what damage all our landscapes were experiencing from the cold.

This Is Why I Hate Winter!!!!!!!!!!

2009-02-04T10:28:00.006-05:00

Large Leaf Begonia Damaged Under a Cover

The 2008/2009 winter season has been a very bad one. Plants that froze early and began recovering have been damaged again by extreme cold temperatures. I have recorded a low of 19.8 F at my house in SW Gainesville. Tonight it is forecast to get down to 16F. This is not why I live in Florida. The following pictures are of some of the devastation in my landscape. I hope that spring gets here soon!

Canna Lilies in Large Container

Cycas taitungensis Damage

Crinum asiaticum var. procerum After Freeze

Another First Time Bloomer

2009-02-03T09:11:00.002-05:00

I am very excited to see that my Scilla peruviana or Cuban Lily is blooming for the first time in my landscape. I first saw a flowering Scilla four years ago in a friends landscape and had to have one. I searched all my local retailers for a bulb and was never able to find one. So I ordered one online and planted it three years ago. The first couple of years it would come up with strap shaped foliage in the fall and go dormant in the spring. While the plant did not flower, it did grow and multiply. This year the plant has seven bloom stalks and is gorgeous! The clusters of purple-blue flowers are real showstoppers. The foliage gets about one foot tall and references say it can grow from zones 7-10. You can propagate it by division and seed. I plan to collect seed and see if I have any luck. I am very interested to see if the plant flowers again next year, so will leave my plant undisturbed for at least another year. I have also seen reference to this plant being used as a foliage plant, so may give this a try in the future.

January in Bloom

2009-01-15T14:43:00.004-05:00

Things are quite a bit ahead of schedule this year. The Taiwan Cherry is a full month ahead of last year. Even though it is still winter, the garden still has plants that are putting on a show and with containers, the possibilities are endless!!!!

Amazon Lily (Eucharis amazonica) Putting on a Show

Taiwan Cherry Flowers

Taiwan Cherry Tree in Full Flower

Camelia japonica

I Hate Winter!!!!!

2009-01-15T13:57:00.004-05:00

This year the weather in Gainesville has been very unusual. We started the cool season with a freeze in late October and it was followed with a very cold November. December came and was unseasonably warm with many days in the 80’s. Plants that were damaged in those early freezes have already started to put out new growth that will be damaged in the upcoming days. Most plants in my landscape are at least a full month ahead of where they would normally be. The following photos show some of my plants with their new growth and some of my cold protection efforts, including a garage full of tropical potted plants. I think I have too many tender plants!!!!!!

Salvia madrensis that froze and was regrowing

Taiwan Cherry in full Flower

Tender Plants Covered

Bromeliad Garden Under Cover

Garage Packed Full!!!

That’s Huge!!!!!!

2008-09-22T00:59:00.002-04:00

Habranthus x floryii ‘Amazing Jumbo’ Zone 8-10
Giant Rain Lily

I purchased this bulb earlier this year and am very pleased that it is blooming already. Habranthus and Zephranthes are commonly known as rain lilies. Both of the genera flower a few days after a rain event. The flower on this one is literally 4-5 inches in diameter. I will be interested to see how quickly it multiplies, and can’t wait until it flowers again.

First Time Flowering

2008-09-21T14:17:00.002-04:00

Oxblood Lily or Rhodophiala bifida
Zone 8-11

I was so excited to be working in the landscape and see that my oxblood lily was finally going to bloom. I purchased and planted this lily over two years ago and have been waiting for the first blooms. This member of the Amaryllis family is not very common and is more often a pass-along plant. You can occasionally find them available in catalogues and nurseries, but they can be pricey. They do multiply in time. Flowers show-up in late summer or early fall and are followed by strap shaped foliage which persists through the winter before going dormant in spring. This pattern is similar to the Lycoris. I have seen that there are pink forms of this plant as well. I might have to invest in one to add to the collection. If you are looking for a unique easy-to-grow bulb that will reward you with bright flowers at the end of summer, give this bulb a try.

Starfish Cactus

2008-07-16T15:02:00.001-04:00

The Stapelia gigantea also known as the Carrion flower is now flowering in my yard. I have been growing these plants for most of my life and think they are amazing. These large blooms up to twelve inches across, are stunning to look at, but do have a rather foul odor. The bad smell is so they will attract flies to pollinate the flowers. They will do best if located in a sunny location and grown in well drained soil. This is also a great plant to share as they are easy to propagate by cuttings.

Flowering Cherry

2008-02-12T16:01:00.000-05:00

Every year I look forward to my Taiwan Cherry putting on a show and brightening the landscape. I have had this tree in the ground for about five years and it really attracts a lot of attention.

Taiwan Cherry (Prunus campanulata) is the best pink flowering cherry for north Florida. Native
to southern China, Taiwan Cherry grows as a slender tree up to 25 feet tall. It produces bright pink flowers in late winter. Flowers can be showy for three weeks if freezes don't damage them.

Passalong Bromeliads

2008-02-06T17:58:00.000-05:00

Bromeliads make great landscape plants because they offer bold foliage and hot colors, and are easy to take care of. They can be a bit sensitive to cold, though, so be sure to cover them if cold temperatures are in the forecast.

A little while ago, I did some routine maintenance in my yard and removed some of the extra bromeliad pups that had popped up. The Bromeliad Society International offers tips on how to separate pups from parents.

It's normal for bromeliads to produce youngsters at the base of the mother plants, and they make great passalong plants.

I took the extra pups to the office and shared them with the gals that I work with. The picture on the right is one that Kim took of the bromeliads she transplanted into her yard. She tells me that she's now caught the bromeliad bug and can't wait to plant more!

Cycads

2008-01-23T14:15:00.000-05:00

Last week the girls from the office traveled to South Florida to attend the Tropical Plant Industry Exhibition. While they were down there, they also went to Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden--a favorite garden of mine because it has a sizeable cycad collection. Cycads are a group of plants that have been around since the age of the dinosaurs.

The girls took a picture of an Encephalartos ferox in the gardens. I'm still waiting for my own E. ferox to get this big. I started it from seed about a year ago and it's slowly but surely getting bigger.

I have a few other cycads in the mini-nursery on my windowsill and desk, including Zamia skinneri (the wider-leafed cycad toward the right of the frame) and Macrozamia riedlei (the feathery looking cycad near the center of the frame). The Macrozamia can be planted outdoors in the freeze-free areas of Florida. They'll eventually grow to be 4 to 6 feet tall and wide.

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Fall (and winter) color in Florida

2008-01-10T10:21:00.000-05:00

Many residents of Florida long for the beautiful fall foliage that they experienced in other parts of the country. Contrary to popular belief, we have plenty of plants with great fall color--you just have to know what to look for.

Here are some plants that can offer Florida gardeners some fall (or winter) color

Crape Myrtle (top picture, taken 11/25/07)
'Bradford Pear' (bottom picture, taken 1/9/08)
Sweet Gum
Red Maple
Sourwood
Oak-leaf Hydrangea
Japanese Maple
Dogwood
Shumard Oak
Chestnut Oak
Bottlebrush Buckeye
'Okame' Cherry
Chinese Pistache

Berkeley Botanic Garden

2007-10-16T14:03:00.000-04:00

Here's a shot of a great succulent we saw at the Berkeley Botanic Garden.

More San Francisco Trip Pictures

2007-10-15T15:05:00.000-04:00

We're having a great time in California. Learning a lot and visiting some amazing gardens. We'd love to have you join us on a future MG Garden Tour. Check out the Garden Tour site for upcoming trips to Holland and France.
Downtown Flower Market

Filoli Botanical Garden

Golden Gate Bridge

Muir Woods

California MG Trip

2007-10-12T10:36:00.000-04:00

Greetings from California! Our Master Gardener group is having a great time out here on the West Coast. Here are just a few photos of the amazing things we've seen so far.

Elderberry House

Half Dome -- Yosemite National Park

Giant Sequoia

Surprise!!!

2007-10-02T16:09:00.000-04:00

With September comes football, tailgating and some really cool plants. As I was walking around my landscape last week there was one of my favorite bulbs in flower, the Lycoris radiata also known as surprise lilies or hurricane lilies. These bulbs grow best in U.S. hardiness zones 6-10 and send up 18-inch flower spikes with red spider-like flowers prior to the foliage. Following the flowers, the 6-inch grass-like foliage provides a nice green cover through the winter. In spring, the foliage dies back and the bulbs rest until the September flower show begins again. This is a great old-time plant that is often shared between gardeners but can also be found in garden centers and from online nurseries. They do not like to be disturbed, so it may take a year or two before your bulbs are established and begin to flower. Plant some soon and be ready for the surprise!!!

Versatile Vines

2007-08-30T15:46:00.000-04:00

Vines are underutilized in many landscapes, even though they can be used in many ways. I am using vines in my yard to beautify a fence, cover a trellis or arbor, attract wildlife, provide color, and to hide bad views.

One of my favorite vines is called evergreen wisteria (Millettia reticulata). This vine is currently in full bloom and has been flowering on and off all summer. The beautiful flowers are also wonderfully fragrant. This was the second year in the ground and the plant is thriving. It grows best in full sun locations in zones 7-10.

Northwest Travels

2007-08-13T10:28:00.000-04:00

This summer has allowed me to do quite a bit of traveling and in July I was able to travel to Montana and the Canadian Rockies. This was an amazing trip and the scenery was incredible. One of the things I really enjoyed was all the wild flowers that were blooming. Some I have been able to identify and others I could use some help with. Enjoy these photos and let me know if you can help me identify any of them.

Indian Paintbrush - Castilleja spp.

Maple -- Acer spp.

Western Anemone -- Pulsatilla occidentalis

Rose -- Rosa spp.

Unknown 1

Unknown 2

2007-08-02T10:47:00.000-04:00

Amarcrinum
X Amarcrinum memoria-corsii

This is one of my favorite plants in my garden and I had to share a little information about with you. Amarcrinum is the result of a bi-generic cross between Amaryllis belladonna and Crinum moorei. I purchased my bulb from a local garden center five years ago and waited for two years before I was finally rewarded with the spectacular lightly fragrant funnel shaped flowers. This is the third year in a row that my plant located in Gainesville, Florida (USDA hardiness zone 8b) has flowered and is now on its third flower stalk of the season.

My plant is located in a partly sunny location in very sandy soil. The leaves are approximately two inches wide and two feet long. My plant goes dormant every year. I give it very little care other than water and am graced with these flowers each summer. Most publications recommend this plant for zones 7-10. Try this underutilized bulb in your landscape.

MG France Trip

2007-07-23T17:20:00.001-04:00

Versailles

Thorns

Kitchen Garden at Villandry

Hydrangeas

Gardens at Villandry

Fuschias

L'Arc de Triomphe at sunset

The group at Valmer

Summer Travels

2007-07-23T15:39:00.000-04:00

It's been a busy summer for me. I travelled to the 2007 International Master Gardener Conference in Little Rock, Ark., and recently returned from our annual Florida Master Gardener International Tour. We saw so many beautiful gardens that it was easy to lose count. I'm posting a few photos here, just to give you a taste of what we saw.

If you're a Florida Master Gardener, be sure to keep us in mind for the 2008 international trip or for our October 2007 trip to San Francisco and Yosemite. Hope to see you soon!