Notes from Donna’s Garden

Pinch me!

Thu, 2 Sep 2010 09:52:41 -0400

Now is the time, South Floridians, to give your shrubs and flowers a final pinch. Unfortunately, this is an area of horticulture that seems to scare people to death. In fact, pruning is one of the most important aspects of good gardening. Nature prunes trees and plants all the time; they are called storms, and even severely (shh... called, hurricanes.) Yet, if you notice, they rarely die. No, instead, we are often rewarded with great bounty. (This is also why pruning fruit trees is beneficial. For shade trees, though, it’s best to leave the dominant shoot.)
This is because when we snip off the growing tip, we remove the dominance of that shoot, and cause the side shoots (usually 2) to be stimulated to now grow to take over its place. Observe the picture above very closely; do you see the two side shoots growing now that I have cut the growing tip? If you must know the technical term, it’s called apical dominance, and it must be stopped if you want a full, floriferous plant, such as a Poinsettia, or this Dombeya, pictured above.
September is when you must give your poinsettias a final pinch. That’s right, just pinch off each growing tip. You will be rewarded with more flowers. If you wait too long, and pinch them later than the beginning of September, you will delay flowering, as the flowers form on the new growth and you must give the plant time to grow, and let’s not forget the days are getting shorter. It’s the short days (12 hours of complete darkness) that stimulate the Poinsettia to color up its bracts. So, go ahead, pinch them, NOW.

Bridal Bouquet

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 09:44:06 -0400

From time to time, I will tell you about a “must have” plant. Certain plants, shrubs or trees that I think are especially excellent for our South Florida growing conditions, and that I have tested in my own gardens.
Today’s best pick is called Bridal Bouquet or Plumeria pudica. It hasn’t been around that long in the trade, maybe 5 years or so, but we are just now witnessing them reaching maturity in the landscape. Have you seen a remarkable shrub just loaded with white flowers? You are probably seeing this plant.
Like most Plumeria, it is quite drought tolerant and loves the full sun. However, unlike most of them, this species does NOT lose its leaves in the winter, making it especially nice in a mixed border. It also tends to be more shrubby, unlike the other more commonly grown ones, which tend to become small trees. The leaves aren’t as big, and are shaped more like a paddle. Best of all, it doesn’t succumb to the late season rust and leaf drop. It is evergreen, although it flowers most heavily during the summer.
Like all Plumeria, this one is easily propagated from cuttings and in a few years will become a sizable and showy shrub.
Bridal Bouquet is a perfect name for Plumeria pudica. This is one of those plants that seems perfect in every way. Every South Florida garden needs one.

Got purses?

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 21:44:12 -0400

Are these cute, or what? The more I garden, the more I discover the uses in the garden for regular old household stuff. We all have that stuff: old pots and pans, old ladders, old boxes, tins, shoes and yes, purses!
I can’t take the credit for this adorable scene, though, it was a photo I took while at the Naples Botanical Gardens, which turned out to be an amazing place, well worth the visit. Their children’s garden is one of the best I’ve ever seen.
While you’re inside with the AC cranking, and doing summer cleaning (sure!), be thinking about how you can recycle that stuff in the garden before you throw it away.

Coreopsis

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 18:38:13 -0400

From time to time, I will introduce you to some of my favorite Florida native wildflowers. They are a more modest bunch than their cultivated cousins, but don’t let that fool you into thinking they aren’t just as beautiful and what’s more, they are well suited to our climate and better for attracting wildlife.
This wildflower pictured is Coreopsis leavenworthii, which just happens to be our State Wildflower. It grows throughout the state, and is often seen growing along highways in ditches and other moist areas. Whether it’s viewed en masse or close-up in our gardens, it is simply lovely to look at, especially when it waves in the slightest breeze.
This Coreopsis species is endemic to Florida, which means that it occurs no where else! What could be more unique than that? It blooms year-round and prefers moist areas, or just regular irrigation. Plant it in full sun to part shade, where it can re-seed left undisturbed. It grows to be 2-3 feet tall and will bring many beneficial insects including butterflies, as well as birds for the “Tickseed”, its common name.
Available as seed or as full grown plants, Coreopsis leavenworthii is a must have for your Florida garden.

Summer musing

Wed, 9 Jun 2010 15:00:46 -0400

“Unemployment is capitalism’s way of getting you to plant a garden.” Orson Scott Card
When I read this, I just had to laugh. As if I needed any more encouragement. However, there is some truth to this statement. A garden gives us some control over our circumstances; the ability to grow food, beauty, sustainability and friendship. Yes, a garden is a friend you can visit anytime.
With the world in a dither, more than ever, we need to keep planting!
Check out the Summer Vegetable Gardening tutorial.