Not long ago, I traveled to every plant nursery I know in pursuit of the Monstera deliciosa ‘Albo Borsigiana.’ At each stop, the staff practically laughed at me. That’s because […]
Plant Profile
Christmas Made Jolly With Florida Native Holly
I was graced with a glimpse of Southwest Florida Christmas the other day, in the form of a dahoon holly tree (Ilex cassine) bursting with bright red berries. This one […]
Your Thanksgiving Meal — Botanically Classified
Bowl of fruit and vegetables. Photo credit: Leimenide It’s Thanksgiving Week! With food on the brain, we thought it might be fun to break out a little botanical trivia pertaining […]
These Trees Offer Fall Color and a Hint of Halloween Macabre
Northern trees get all the fall glory — the maples, oaks, and birches that turn landscapes into tapestries. It is time, I think, that Ceibas get their due. These trees […]
Waterlilies: Beauty, With Some Serious Ecosystem Brawn
The state of Florida is home to over 7,800 freshwater lakes, 1,700 streams and rivers, 1,000 springs, and 11 million acres of natural wetlands. While our beaches speak for themselves, […]
Growing the “King of Fruits”
The mango, Mangifera indica, is perhaps one of the most iconic and delicious of all the tropical fruits. Luckily for us in Southwest Florida, mangos thrive here, and with little […]
