FINAL Florida Gardening Magazine by Britany Richardson

FLORIDA GARDENING

VOL. 16, NO. 8

Some of the Best Things in the Garden are Free

VOL. 16 NO. 8

SOME OF THE BEST THINGS IN THE GARDEN ARE FREE pg 4 AN HERBAL AFFAIR pg 14 THREE’S A CHARM: GARDENING IS A JOURNEY pg 8 STRANGLER FIG GETS A BAD RAP pg 21

VOL. 16, NO. 8

Garden Makeovers

Secrets to backyard success

SECRETS TO BACKYARD SUCCESS pg 4

12 PLANTS TO ATTRACT SONG BIRDS pg 9 FLOWERS THAT PLANT THEMSELVES pg 15 GROW A SALAD GARDEN IN A POT pg 21

VOL. 16 NO. 10

VOL. 16 NO.

FLORIDA GARDENING

VOL. 16, NO. 8

GARDEN MAKEOVERS pg 4 HOW TO FIGHT OFF THE NASTIEST OF PESTS pg 10 GROW HEALTHIER GREENS pg 14 PROVE WAYS TO WIPE OUT WEEDS pg 20

pg 4

pg 8

pg 14

pg 21

pg 3 pg 13 pg 20 pg 25

pg 26

GERMINATIONS This magazine is your source for all your Florida gardening needs. Your garden can provide a respite from life’s complications while providing great benefit to you and to your family. Across the United States and the world, people seek enjoyment from their gardens. Florida’s subtropical location means gardening in Florida can practically be a year-round event! Thanks for buying our new and improved Florida Gardening magazine. This magazine is made for you, the reader. Since 1995, Florida Gardening readers have found the information they need to truly enjoy gardening in this unique state.

While running errands recently, I passed by one of the “big-box” stores and decided to pop into the nursery for a quick look. I was hoping for a nice selection of cool-weather animalsgeraniums, dianthus, petunias…maybe some snapdragons and electric blue lobelia. I usually don’t buy pansies and violas because winters here in Malabar often aren’t consistently cool enough for themexcept the last 2 winters, of course.

Each issue concentrates on Florida’s plants, diverse growing regions, soil conditions, and garden solutions. Whether you grow flowers, fruit, vegetables, native plants, or even Florida’s most exotic tropical plants, Florida Gardening offers both the inspiration and information you need to succeed. We took into account that we needed an updated look and that things needed to be better organized. So that’s exactly what we did. We, at Florida Magazine, feel that this change was overdue. We wanted to bring life into our magazine by boosting our color usage and by creating more interesting article structures. We don’t want our magazine to just spit out facts about gardening; we want our readers to enjoy viewing our magazine. Our magazine needs to be something that our readers will want to carry around and share with their friends.

But I found very few of the plants I was looking for, and nothing unusual or irresistible. A few years ago, extra tall dianthuses were all the rage; I couldn’t find any this time. Sure, there were lots of colorful kalanchoes, but I’m a little wary of planting them in November. I can’t tell you how many times a freeze has turned their pretty blooms back.

The particular issue is all about knowing the ends and outs of gardening. You’ll learn about the unexpected beauties that grow in your backyard that you don’t have to worry about purchasing, also how to throw an entertaining herbal party. Then you’ll hear about how Psychotherapist Debbie Steinberg from Boca Raton believes that gardening touches everyone spiritually and how she enjoys gardening. And as always we’ll have letters from you, our take note section, a list great gardening books, out germination page, and our Q&A section.

The nursery wasn’t lacking in one plant, though. There were oceans of impatiens everywhere. Really? Are Florida gardeners that addicted to what Bob Haehle called, in an article back in 1997, “that brightly-painted, gaudy plant hussy” and the “ultimate waterpig”?

Letter from the Editor

Gardening is important to us at Florida Gardening and that’s why we put so much thought into our redesign. Gardening is more than a hobby, it’s a way of life and it makes peoples’ lives better. What’s more enjoyable than sitting outside on a cool summer day preparing a new plant in your yard and seeing what hard work and dedication result in- in a beautiful, healthy plant to enjoy. We hope you all appreciate the changes that we’ve made and continue to be the loyal customers that you are and always have been. Thanks for reading and enjoy.

It’s not that I don’t appreciate impatiens’ good qualities. Their vivid colors are hard to resist, plus they bloom in shade, which comes in handy. They’re been re-seeding themselves into my garden for a long time and I welcome the colorful mounds. But there sound be more choices, don’t you think? That’s what you get when you shop in a big-box store. I only go there for research purposes, of course. It’s my duty as your editor. Get real! I shop in those nurseries for the same reasons

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Column by Kathy Nelson

you do- because they are convenient and usually lower priced. The prices seemed higher this time, though and the selection made me vow to take the time to drive to some of the truly superior independent nurseries in our area as soon as possible. We should all do our best to support our independent plant sellers- whether by visiting local nurseries or going to the many spring plant festivals. I have a soft spot in my heart for locally owned businesses. For many years I worked in an independent bookstore with an exceptionally wellread staff that knew not only books, but also the book business. But all of our virtues didn’t stop us from being put out of business by the big-box bookstores, which are now struggling to compete with the Internet sites. So much change so quickly! No wonder the world is in an uproar. Local nurseries have many of the same problems competing against big-box stores and Internet sites, but there’s a difference- especially in Florida. While the big-box stores’ selection leaves a lot to be desired, almost everything is available on the Internet. But shipping plants to Florida is more complicated

than shipping books. Sometimes it is so hot that any plants left on the stoop too long will be severely stressed. Then, when the weather down here is friendly to plants in a box, it might be too cold for northern nurseries to send them out. Floridians really need to support local growers. The future may hold some promise, though. Internet sites such as Groupon and Living Social actually help, rather than hurt, local businesses. And social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, are fast changing the world. You may be familiar with the “flash mob” concept- groups of people recruited on the Internet meet somewhere and do something that surprises unsuspecting onlookers. Now there are “cash mobs”- similarly-organized groups that agree to meet at a local business and spend, say, $20 each. What a neat way to show support for a local nursery or plant festival! As the world turns and stomachs churn, change is inevitable. It can even be fun.

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Susa ns Blac k-ey ed

O Tnce I spurged on daylilies, each of a different color,

Some of the Best Things in the Garden are Free

All it takes is some patiencehough Florida-bred and labeled “vigorous,” they shriveled, caught rust and 8 an open mind by Bill Pitts

size, and bloom time. Though Florida-bred and labeled “vigorous,” they shriveled, caught rust and and eventually disappeared in the sand. Meanwhile, some old “ditch lilies” from my grandmother’s garden bloomed every spring despite infrequent watering and no fertilizer. I don’t even mulch those day old daylilies, unless you count the “living mulch” of Florida betony that crept in from the neighbor’s yard. Many gardeners consider Florida betony, Stachys floridana, a first-class weed, but I value it as a cool-season groundcover and bee plant. When the weather warms up, basket grass, Oplismernus hirtellus- also widely condemned as a weed- takes betony’s place. This daylily-betony-basket grass trio lives in harmony in the light shade of cabbage palms that were planted by birds. Sometimes a self-sown black eyed Susan or a tropical sage joins them. I even allow Spanish needles, Bidens alba- a weed if there ever was one- to visit.

“The white daisy flowers, though ragged, bring out the colors of other blooms and attract many butterflies.” So often in my garden the best plants turn out to be the free ones. The Liriope muscari ‘Evergreen Giant’ that I purchased turned yellow with crown rot and never filled in but the old-fashioned creeping lilyturf, L. spicata, which was already growing wild on the lot, made a lush groundcover. The society garlic from the nursery struggled in the hot sand, attracted every snail in the neighborhood and exuded an unpleasant odor. When I finally yanked it, native toadflax, Linaria Canadensis, popped up in its place. This wispy, yet indestructible, wildflower makes a light purple mist of delicate blooms every spring. It’s also the larval plant of the Common Buckeye, one of my favorite butterflies.

Apalachee crap e

mrytle

Prickly poppies

Images from Flickr With aims of a tapestry hedge, I once purchased a dozen different kinds of evergreen shrubs, most of them natives, and planted them around the lot’s edge, except in one corner, where some Viburnum odoratissimum had been planted by a previous owner. These sweet viburnums had grown open and gnarled and seemed to be in decline.

Tropical milkweed, beach sunflowers, purple love grass, various coreopsis, gaura Madagascar periwinkle and many others reseed themselves by the dozen or the hundred. In most cases, these volunteers are healthier and prettier than the original purchased plant. They even arrange themselves better than I ever could.

I cut them to the ground, hoping to kill them and create an excuse to plant something more interesting. Of course they came back like gangbusters and made a wall of green, despite a relaxed shearing regimen. This hedge gives us more privacy than any fence I’ll ever be able to afford, far more than any of the interesting” shrubs I bought.

“Its true that some good plants must be bought. My ‘Apalachee’ crape myrtles and citrus on dwarfing flying dragon rootstocks are worth every penny I paid for them.”

My first blue-eyed grass, Sisyrinchium angustifolium, has been divided so many times that the price of each plant now must come out to less than penny. The same is true of African iris and coral honeysuckle, Lonicera sempervirens. The latter often roots where its tendrils touch the ground, giving me free plants, many of which now cascade from tee pees all over the garden.

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I buy a tray or two of wax begonias every spring for the patio garden because nursery plants grown from seed bush out so much better than those I start from cuttings.

Other plants are liabilities, usually because they’re invasive. See the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council’s website for lists of the species to avoid (www.fleppc.org). The most expensive plants I’ve ever had the misfortune to own were the laurel oaks growing wild on our own lot. These weak, short-lived, disease-ridden and extremely dangerous trees cost us, like so many Floridians, thousands to remove. Appreciating them did cost me the effort of changing my ideas of gardening. I used to take the standard approach of smothering everything except what I hoped to grow with thick layers of newspaper with mulch.

“But many of the best plants in the garden truly are free- or nearly so.” Now I watch what pops instead. I try to identify every plant- a never-ending challenge- and learn all I can about each, pulling only what I know I don’t want. I accept some cudweed, Gamochaeta pensylvanica, and pepper grass, Lepidium virginicum, because they attract so many American Lady and Checkered White butterflies.

Prickly poppies I keep for their light yellow blooms and their intricate, if spiny, foliage. I don’t even object to the occasional common dayflower, Commelina diffusa. I pull globe sedge, Cyperus croceus, and many other typical lawn weeds whenever I can, though sometimes I suspect I’m being intolerant. When I introduce new plants to the garden, I avoid the latest cultivars and search instead for old-fashioned varieties, which almost always do better for me. “I never shun a plant because it is common.” Some plants are passed over fences for good reason. And yet I find myself growing more and more unusual flowers. From the unidentified tazetta narcissus from my greatgrandmother’s garden to the regional ecotypes of so many wildflowers planted by winds or birds, many of my plants cannot be bought. They are, as the credit card commercial says, “priceless.” Bill Pitts wrote The Scythe Alternative in our Jun/Jul II issue. He blogs about Spanish food on www.SimpleSpanishFood.com

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“THREE’S A CHARM: GARDENING IS A JOURNEY” This extraordinary Boca Raton garden is a triple treat by Tom Hewitt

sychotherapist Debbie Steinberg of Boca Raton believes gardening touches us spiritually as well. “Gardening nurtures the soul,” she says, “and allows us to intimately connect with nature.”

I first met Debbie on a scouting trip for the 2011 Mounts Botanical Garden Connoisseurs Garden Tour (“A Mother’s Day Tradition”). Her gardens were a shoe-in for the tour, but what impressed me most was her attitude.

“Gardens are constantly evolving,” she told me. “We should live for the moment and not be afraid of change.” 12

Her pots showcase colorful bromeliads. To soften a section of the garden wall, Debbie placed metal window boxes on top and filled them with pothos. Their green and yellow leaves mix beautifully with foliage of ‘Sloppy Painter’ crotons (also knows as ‘Eleanor Roosevelt’), planted below. These are interspersed with a variety called ‘Wilma’, which contain lovely pink splotches that offer just the right amount of contrast. It surrounds the swimming pool within the confines of a screened-in patio. A concrete wall blocks the view of a neighboring golf course. Painted a warm, buttery tan, it provides the perfect backdrop for some of her favorite plants.

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It was only after she learned the reason it was built. “The previous owners needed protection from the golf balls that regularly broke the windows,” she says. Bothered by its starkness, she had trllises attached, covering them with Pandora vine (Pandorea jasminoides). She later added Confederate jasmine to give it a fuller look.

When she did turn her attention to the grounds, things got off to a bumpy start.

This is where Debbie’s pots really take center stage. Amy likes to include herbs in some of them, noting that those with silver-gray or variegated foliage work especially well for a Mediterranean look. Other pots are filled with ixora and lantana, while hydrangeas make an appearance each winter.

A: “I

didn’t know a bougainvillea from a bromeliad,” Debbie admits, “I actually sat on the couch and had a good cry before visiting nurseries and reading books.” She also enlisted the talents of Amy Gonzalez, owner of Container Gardens by Amy in Lake Worth. The women instantly struck up a friendship that continues to this day. Their collaboration over the past six years has resulted in the creation of three distinct gardens. The “Southwestern Garden” in the front of Debbie’s house was inspired by a trip to Arizona, and includes replicas of the wild bunnies that live in the desert. She went to Miami to find just the right boulders to use as accents.She also derived inspiration from visiting gardens on past Connoisseurs Garden Tours. That’s where she got the idea to cover the base of a group of Alexander palms near the entrance with bleeding heart vine (Clerodendrum thomsoniae). Bougainvillea didn’t work over the garage door, so she simply continued on with the bleeding heart. Debbie’s “Tropical Garden” on the side of her property is the complete opposite of the one front. Lush and tropical, it contains a small waterfall and stream, as well as a hammock and gazebo. Plate glass windows provide an unobstructed view from the dining room. “It’s a way of bringing the outside in,” Debbie explains.”

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Her beautiful garden pond

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“Whimsical pieces are everywhere. My gardens reflect who I am,” Debbie says, “and I tend to include the things I love.” Blues and yellos are classic Mediterranean colors. All of the pots on Debbie’s patio have yellow in them, whether in plant material or the pots themselves. Cobalt blue containers come close to matching tiles around the perimeter of the pool, and blue Mexican petunias (Ruellia brittoniana) are grown in large pots. Other Mediterranean touches include a bubbling urn, a 3-tiered fountain, topiary and concrete columns that support the back porch.

Debbie hard at work in her garden

Tom Hewitt is a Master Gardener volunteer at Mounts Botanical Garden in West Palm Beach. He also wrote “An Herbal Affair” on page 14. Contact him at tchewitt@bellsouth.net Flickr images

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GROWING BETTER ALL THE TIME Column by Kathy Nelson

Q: We live on Sanibel and our orange trees produced very sweet fruit until last year, when the fruit was very sour. Our neighbor has the same problem, as do other trees on the island. Do you have any idea what is causing this and what we can do about? A : There are several possible explanations. First, the grafted portion of trees may have died due to recent cold winters. This results in the preeminence of the rootstocks that commonly produce sour fruit. Second, citrus greening is a new disease affecting many trees in Southwest Florida. Symptoms include fruit that are small in size and sour or bitter in taste. The bacterium that causes that disease is spread by an insect known as apsyllid. As it feeds, the psyllid injects the bacterium into the vascular system of the tree. The disease is incurable. Controlling the citrus psyllid is the best way to control the disese. Bayer tree and Shrub Insect Control is one method of control. Also, be sure you know the variety of your citrus trees. Many fruits are sweet by now, but Valencia fruits take a few more months to come to perfection. Submitted by Stephen Brown, Lee County (SW) Q: Our homeowner’s association is considering allowing zoysia grass for lawns in our development. Can you give me the pros and cons? How does it do in north central Florida and how does it compare with St. Augustine?

Watering the plants is very meditative

Flickr Images A: Zoysia is a good turf grass that does well in north central Florida. It has fine leaf blades as compared to the wider and coarser blades of St. Augustine. This fine texture makes it a pleasure to walk on – a real toe tickler. Its growth habit is low and dense. It grows so densely that healthy stands of zoysia easily outcompete weeds. Because of its low and slow growth, it does not have to be mowed as often as St. Augustine. Depending on the cultivar, it will perform well in full sun or partial shade. I have only warmed up to this grass in recent years. Before that, we didn’t have excellent cultivars from which to choose and marketers’ claims seemed too good to be true. Now we have a few good types, plus we know that any grass we grow in Florida comes with “issues.” The cultivar ‘Empire’ has been planted widely in developments and is doing pretty well. It is dark green and fills in quickly. ‘Ultimate Flora’ was developed at the University of Florida; it has a slightly finer leaf than ‘Empire’ and shows decent shade torlerance, but all zoysia culitvars will go brown at the first

freeze. They quickly green up when warm weather returns, though. To insure good growth and color, zoysia needs to be watered and fertilized. How much depends on your maintenance, fertilize up to 4 times a year with a nitrogen fertilizer, and water ½ to ¾ inch when the grass shows water stress, following your Water Management District’s watering restrictions. county extension to make sure you are applying the nitrogen appropriately to prevent runoff pollution. If you grow St. Augustine, you will have to deal with chinch bugs. If you grow zoysia, you will have to deal with the hunting bill bug. The larva appear as a white grub in the lawn that chews roots. The pest can be controlled with insecticide. Zoysia also has issues with nematodes, but the cultivars I’ve mentioned have good nematode resistance. There is no perfect grass, but the University of Florida continues researching new cultivars that do well here. Submitted by Wendy Wilber, Alachua County (NC).

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Herbal Affair

Spring flings in Florida! bycome Tomearly Hewitt by Tom Hewitt

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Spring is the perfect time to have an affair. An herbal affair, that is. When flowers, herbs and veggies are all at their peak, what better excuse do you need?

I’ve got the nicest neighbors in the world. We’ve traded recipes, plants, laughter and tears over the years, but the one thing we haven’t done together is celebrate the arrival of spring. One perfect weekend in late February I decided to do something about it, and quickly arranged a party on the patio with an herbal theme.

“An herbal party should be fun and stress-free.”

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That’s why I did much of the work ahead of time, making an English pea salad, sandwich spreads, herbal tea and cookies the day before. Most of the decorating was already done, thanks to Mother Nature. Since the patio was already ablaze in nasturtiums, all I had to do was blow up a few balloons, set up a table and put on some classical music. I tried to include as many herbs from the garden a possible. I used chocolate mint in my cookies simply because it’s everyone’s favorite. I cut fresh parsley, garlic chives, dill, arugula and basil to use in sandwich spreads and salads, but I didn’t use exact recipes. This wasn’t a day for measuring cups.Before sitting down eat, I gave a tour of the garden, snipping herbs along the way and asking guests to identity as many as possible. I left many of my favorite herb books lying about for people to leaf through, especially the one I consider the bible on herbs in Florida: Herbs and Spices for Florida Gardens by Monica Brandies. Passion fruit sun tea was the hit of the day. We even made a game of it by popping an orange slice in our glasses and perusing the garden for just the right sprig of mint to top it off. Orange bergamot was most people’s favorite. Next time I think I’ll serve tea in mason jars to add to the fun.

This graph shows the amount of soil needed for plants of these breed. It’s important to know so your plants will grow to their fullest potential and so you can use them as an amazing center piece for your party!

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This was a day for going with the flow. One of my guests brought a fresh pineapple, so I placed it on an antique cake stand and surrounded it with fresh lavender. It made the perfect impromptu centerpiece. I also cut the blooms off several herbs and placed them in an old English teapot that hadn’t been used in years. It was sad to come to the end of such a perfect day, but I made it as sweet as I could. I always have a supply of fresh homemade potpourri on hand, so I went to the craft store and got small sachet packets to put it in. I got ones you could see through, since ‘Louise Philippe’ rose petals gave the mix a Victorian touch. I then attached each sachet to a potted herb, which I gave to each guest as they left. I don’t think I’ll wait for another perfect day to give a neighborhood party. Life is way too short. If I learned anything from this experience it’s that life should be lived in the moment. What good is the loveliest garden if it isn’t shared with friends? We should all have Tom for a neighbor! Contact him at tchewitt@bellsouth.net

Home Sweet home!

Homemade Potpourri My favorite way to make potpourri is to snip herbs on trips through the garden, then place them in a crystal bowl in the living room where they perfume the air while drying. Every now and then I add rose petals or orange peel for color, and scrunch the mix to renew its aroma. Potpourris need a fixative, like patchouli, to make aromas last. Some of my favorite herbs for potpourri include: Allspice Leaves Anise Hyssop Apple Mint Costa Rican Mint (Satureja Viminea) Lavendar Lemon Balm Lemon Mint Marigold (Tagetes Lemmonii) Lemon Thyme Mexican Tarragon (Tagetes Lucida)

Climber 5% Yarrow Melons

Herb

Aromatic herbs (eg Tarragon) Sage

Potato Eggplant Spinach Tarragon

Hyssop

Carrot

Celery

Radish Beets

Corn Radish Squash

Borage

Pumpkin Asparagus Marigold

Lettuce

Leek

Mint

Chives

Basil

Peppers

Beans

Tree 42%

Spinach

Carrot

Cabbage

Shrub 43%

Chervil

Onion

Cucumber Marigold

Marigold

Turnip

Peas

10%

Rosemary

Onion

Parsley

Tomato

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Mint

Tarragon

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The purpose of this diagram is to provide plants that assist in the growth of others, be it attracting beneficial insects, naturally regulating pests, repelling harmful insects, providing nutrients, part of a biological pest control program, and in some cases simply a shaded microclimate or climbing support.

Plant Species (%)

Mint

50 40 30 20

22 18

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es av e L

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LETTERS Column

We welcome your comments, corrections, and suggestions. For timely answers to specific gardening questions, please contact your local University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. They are trained and staffed to help you, and most importantly, they are familiar with your local conditions. You can find them in the phone book under your county’s listing.

A letter in our last issue asked to hear from homeowners about their experience growing perennial peanut as a grass replacement: My experience was love/hate. A small space with 2 little dogs, 2 cats, constant traffic, no regular water, full sun and also part shade could not kill it. When it decides to spread, it spreads – 4-6 feet from the plant, under a fence, under a concrete border. You can mow it (high), you can pull it up, you can stop watering. It will wait you out. When you see new little leaves, pull straight up gently and there might be a 6-inch sprout. I ended up turning over the entire area (10’x12’), about 6-8 inches down, and then hand sifting for hair roots. I can still find new ones, though. Great plant for the right place, but remember…perennial peanut is built to do battle with a herd of cows and win! Median strip-yes! Berm in a big yard- yes, with the correct edging to keep it in bounds. Looks great. Small yellow flowers- each with a seed which will come up when and where you least expect it! (Don’t transfer dirt from the bed and don’t let birds eat the seeds.) -E. Jordan Keener After reading your column on biochar (Germinations,” Aug/ Sep 11), I contacted John Rogers in Melbourne and within 2 weeks I was learning the ins and outs of biochar production. I acquired a TLUD gassifier system from him and now make my own biochar. I have also begun a subscription to Florida Gardening and hope to be enrolled in the Master Gardener program soon. Keep up the good work! -Davis Edgewater

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Strangler Fig Gets a Bad Rap Killer Killer epiphyte, epiphyte, keystone keystone species species or or both? both? by Gretchen F. Coyle by Gretchen F. Coyle

Q: “Can garlic be grown in south Florida, zone 10?” -Diane Tremblay A: Garlic is not impossible for home gardeners in south Florida, but it can be tricky. Look for softneck types such as ‘Creole’ and ‘Italian’. We’ve found elephant garlic to be the easiest garlic to grow in this climate. All garlics need a much cool weather as possible, so plant them in the fall. Q: “Do you know of a deer repellent that is safe for vegetables?” -Ginger Little A: There are so many methods and products for dealing with deer that sorting through them is almost as frustrating as dealing with the deer! (search “deer repellents” on the Internet). But so far the deer are still winning. My usual method of running outside, waving my arms and yelling “scram,” sure isn’t working very well. I bought a spray product, but almost

went crazy when the sprayer clogged every 3 seconds. Turns out that one of the ingredients in many of these products is egg solids and they’ll clog a sprayer. Also, the product I bought stinks to high heaven, which wasn’t pleasant in the garden or on me. If you’ve found something that works and doesn’t include fencing, shooting or getting a dog, please share it with us. Each year (the magazine) is a brand new learning experience (with) garden gems like, just recently, biochar and the baobab tree. Sign me up yearly from here to eternity. I love to gardenits one hobby that gives so much and will never go out of style. Another great year, folks. Keep up the good work! I highly recommend your magazine at our garden clinic and to anyone interested in gardening. -Carol Wood

“Once the strangler fig gets established, aerial roots start to grow downward, event u a l l y r e aching the ground. As the fig continues to wind and expand around the host tree, it becomes able to grow on its own.”

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Then the choking effect begins, cutting of nutrients and moisture to the host tree. Depending on the tree, this process takes from a few years to many decades. Also called golden fig or golden wild fig, Ficus aurea grows in coastal and hammock areas with sandy oil; it needs little moisture. Small flowers are in abundance in the spring, but bloom all year. The resulting fruits are an important source of food for various birds, small mammals, invertebrates and some reptiles, while the hollow trunk provides much-needed habitat for these creatures. The fruit was also eaten by Native Americans and early settlers. The figs are only pollinated by fig wasps, which in turn, can only reproduce in the tree’s flowers. Palms do not get strangled- they are too strong- but ultimately may be cut off from sunlight. Sometimes it is hard to see the palm under the massive fig tree, which provides much-needed shade in southern Florida. A milky substance oozes out of the bark if the strangler fig is disturbed. This can cause allergies in some people. Like any other ficus, the roots many undermine foundations and grow into sewage lines.

icus aurea gracefully winds up a cabbage palm, lending interest to a south Florida landscape. Reaching a potential of 60 feet high and 30 feet wide, with 5-inch long, dark green leaves, the strangler fig may literally choke its host tree. Sounding like a cross between an Agatha Christie novel and the latest reality show, the name alone causes gardeners to pull this start-up epiphyte off when it is first noticed. In Florida’s Fabulous Trees, Winston Williams calls the strangler fig a “vegetable octopus.” Is the strangler fig getting a bad rap? In the case of palms, the answer may be yes. A strangler fig begins as a bird-dropped seed in the top of a host tree, usually a cabbage palm which has a fibrous pattern around the trunk. Sticky seeds easily become attached. Plenty of light at tree top and subsequent support make for excellent growing conditions.

Strangler Fig in action Strangler Fig wrapping around a tree trunk

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TAKE NOTE Column GROWING BETTER ALL THE TIME Flickr images

The roots of the Strangler Fig

“One of only two native fig trees in Florida, Ficus aurea was once used in latex experiements by Thomas Edison and Henry Ford along with One of the largest banyan trees still thrives at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers (www.edisonfordwinterestates.org). Strangler figs are admired in old and large gardens for their unique growth pattern. No two are alike. Small ones can be purchased at a nursery and planted in the ground, but they will not achieve the size or unusual configuration of a wild specimen. Is strangler fig an intriguing and unusual plant for landscapes, or a demon that kills other trees? You be the judge. Gretchen F. Coyle is a freelance writer who lives parttime on beautiful Useppa Island off Florida’s west coast. She wrote “Florida’s Fabulous Banyans” in our Aug/Sep 10 issue.

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by Willa Davidson

Whatever happened to some of the odd bugs we used te see around our homes here in Florida? Some were fearsome, and some were an amusing part of our bug heritage. I realized the other day that it had been years since I had seen a rhinoceros beetle. What bug are today’s little boys slipping into their sisters’ hands to make the girls jump and scream? What bug do mothers fish out of pockets before doing laundry, only to throw across the room in horror? Years ago it was always the good old shiny black, slowmoving, super-sized rhinoceros beetle. Another bug I haven’t seen for years is the mole cricket. I don’t think there could be an uglier bug. It is huge and part of it looks more like a furry mouse than an insect- yet the head is grotesquely shrimp-like. They used to fly around in the spring. A neighbor had a colony in her lawn, which was disturbing. But in Malabar, where we boarded our horse, there was a huge colony of mole crickets. They would bump into us and fly into the car and were so ugly they made our skin crawl! I really don’t miss mole crickets. Perhaps there are still colonies in less-inhabited areas. Cicada killers have inhabited by lawn in the early summer for many years. Last year was the first year I didn’t see any of these big yellow and black bugs flying around the front lawn or

Google Images noticed their little mounds of sand all over the lawn with neat little holes and a track leading out. When I first saw these holes and tracks, I thought they must be made by snakes. But there was no way I could have 30 or 40 snakes! I finally found out what made them, and if they kill cicades Once we had an invasion of cherry that’s fine with me, as long as they palmetto roaches. No one who has don’t bother people or animals. known these roaches will miss them! Rumored to have invaded Florida Bore bees are another insect I have from some Asian country, these missed recently. Once bore bees roaches, a bit more full-bodied than found and started drilling holes in our normal palmetto roach, emitted the shelves in the back of the carport, a very strong cherry odor when they were a yearly visitor for the next killed. In the span of just a couple of 18 years. Every year they swarmed years, this bug was eliminated. I am around the shelving unit, drilling grateful to whatever got rid of them. their precise holes, a tad smaller than It is unfortunate that whatever it one-half inch, into the bottom of the was didn’t work on our native roach. shelves and leaving telltale mounds But perhaps the native one performs of fine sawdust beneath. some needed service we are not aware of. They smell like almonds; a A very large black bee, the bore bee lot nicer than the cherry roach. buzzed like a big bumble bee an flew in a warning pattern near its hole. Willa Davidsohn is a Melbourne They never stung anyone, but we gardener, writer, artist and member made our trips past them as fast and of the Brevard Rare Fruit Council. as non-threatening as possible. The She wrote “A Shaded Pool” in our last 2 summers without these bees Aug/Sep II issue (page 38). The bug have seemed odd. drawings are her handiwork.

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ON THE BOOKSHELF Column

NOTES

Your source for all the great gardening books out there. Plus the seeds of the week!

The Tropical Hibiscus Handbook Learn from the experts how to grow, hybridize, photograph, and decorate with the “Queen of the Tropics.” Color photos, Internet resources, American Hibiscus Society, Barry Schlueter, Editor. FGP55 $16.45

Florida’s Best Herbs and Spices: Native and Exotic Plants Grown for Scent and Flavor Detailed profiles of 92 herbs and spices from every region of the state, including cultivation, harvest and use. Full color. Charles S. Boning FGP90 $21.15

Betrock’s Landscape Palms Updated and expanded edition. Comprehensive information on 126 palms by palm specialist Dr. Alan Meerow. Gorgeous photography. FGP77 $42.35

SEEDS OF THE WEEK! Growing Plumerias in Hawai’I and Around the World

seeds

Comprehensive information for lovers of the celebrated “Hawaiian lei flower.” 200 gorgeous photos. Jim Little. FGP84 $13.75

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Peel for seeds

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NOTES December 15-April 30

Sculpting Nature. Large-scale sculptures by acclaimed artists from around the globe on display. $9 adults, $8 seniors, $5 3-12. McKee Botanical Gardens, 350 US Hwy 1, Vero Beach (722)794-0601. www.mckeegarden.org

January & February

Annual Winter Bamboo Sale. 15-20 types offered, most clumping, including the elegant black bamboo. Available on a dug-to-order basis. List mailed upon request. Order by phone, pay when you pick up plants. Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, 4700 SW 58th Dr, Gainesville. (352)372-4981. www.kanapaha.org

January 1-31

Bok in Bloom! Tillandsia Plant Celebration. Azaleas & Camellias in Bloom. Bok Tower Gardens, 1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales (863)6761408. www.boktowergardens.org

January 20-22

10-7 Fri & Sat, 10-6 Sun. Fort Lauderdale Orchid Society’s Show & Sale. Admission $10. War Memorial Auditorium, 800 NE 8th St. www.flos.org

January 20-22

9:30-4:30 International Chocolate Festival with Coffee & Tea. Adults $25, 65+ $18, 6-17 $12. Fairchild Tropical Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Rd, Coral Gables (305)667-1651. www.fairchildgardens.org

Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival. Speakers, field trips, bus tours, activities glore. Titusville, (800)460-2664. www.spacecoastbirdingandwildlifefestival.org

January 28

January Jamboree, Plants, baked goods, used treasures. Marathon Garden Club, 5270 Overseas Hwy, MM50. (305)743-4971. www. marathongardenclub.org Air Potato Roundup. Help remove air potatoes from natural areas in Gainesville. More info: Morningside Nature Center (352)334-2170. www.natureoperations.org Lakeland Camellia Society Show. North Lakeland Presbyterian Church, 6725 N Socrum Rd (863)834-2237 9-5 Kumquat Festival. Plants, herbs, food, music, arts & crafts, antique cars, recipe contest & kumquat goodies. Dade City (352)567-3739. www.kumquatfestival.org

January 28-29

Ocala Camellia Society Show. Pioneer Garden Club, Appleton Cultural Center Complex, 4331 E Silver Springs Blvd (SR 40) (352)59503365. patrickandrews@att.net

January 28-29

January 21

Camellia Society of Central Florida Show. Mead Botancial Gardens, 1500 S Denning Dr, Winter Park (352)227-8011. crruss@aol.com

10-8 Sat 10-6 Sun. Tamiami International Orchid Festival Orchid sales, displays, classes, arts & crafts. Free Parking, Admission $9 (cash only), under 12 free. Dade County Fair Expo Center, Fuchs Pavilion, 10901 Coral Way. Miami. www.miamiorchidfestival.com

January 21-22

February & March

9-3 Open Gardens & Plant Sale. 10am Sat. Dr. George Rogers from Palm Beach State College. Free Admission. Tropical Ranch Botanical Gardens, 1905 SW Ranch ztrl, Stuart (772)283-5565. www.trbg.us

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January 25-30

La maison Fleurie Tropical Garden, Rio/Jensen Beach, open for tours, by appointment. Individuals & small groups are welcome. Free, donations accepted. (722)3341094. www.calasantart.com

February 4-5

9-5 Sat, 9-4 Sun. GardenFest! Orchids, natives, roses, ferns, palms, herbs, bamboo, bromeliads, rare tropicals, annuals, furniture, pottery, art & Florida Gardening magazine. Expert speakers, food, raffles. Bring a wagon. Riverside Park 3250 Riverside Park Dr, Vero Beach. (772)567-4602. www.gardeningclubofirc.org

Venice Area Orchid Society Show & Sale. Thousands of orchids for sale, arts, crafts, supplies, books, tshirts. Venice Community Center, 326 S Nokomis Ave. www.vaos.org

February 11

Tampa Bay Area Camellia Society Show. Tampa Women’s Club, 2901 Bay Shore Blvd (863)640-3381. diganm@hotmail.com

Gene Joyner’s Unbelievable Acres Botanic Gardens. Thousands of colorful shrubs, flowering trees, palms, 40 varieties of citrus, jakfruit, jaboticaba, black sapote, carambola, gingers, heliconias, ferns etc. in a tropical rainforest setting. Adults $10, 6-11 $5. West Palm Beach. Schedule a tour: (561)242-1686 weekdays

10-4 Meet your Sweetheart in the Garden. Pet adoption day. Heathcote Botanical Gardens. 210 Savannah Rd., Ft Pierce (722)4644672. www.heathcotebotancialgardens.org

February 11-12

9-4 Open Gardens & President’s Day Plant Sale. Wide variety. Sarasota Succulent Society, 1310 38th St. (941)9242-2703. www. sarasotasucculentsociety.org

February 18

9-2. Pine Island Garden Gala. Great plants, speakers, artists, seminars, raffles, demos, bake sale, music. Free admission. Garden Club Nature Park, Center of Pine Island (in SW Florida). http://pineislandgardenclub.org

February 24-26

8-6 Fri & Sat, 9-4 Sun. Florida Gourd Society Annual Show. Shopping, arts, crafts, classes, demos, more. Azan Shrine Center, 1591 W Eau Gallie Blvd, Melbourne. www.flgourdsociety.org

February 18-19

Herb Days. Learn about these useful plants & take some home. Sat at 10 & 2: Speaker Dennis Gretton of D & D Growers. Valkaria Gardens, 8205 Babcock St, Palm Bay (321)302-0118

9-3. Open Gardens & Plant Sale. 10 am Sat & 1 pm Sun- Guided Tour, highlighting rare plants. Free admission. Tropical Ranch Botanical Gardens, 1905 SW Ranch Trl, Stuart (772)283-5565, www.trbg.us

GardenFest Coral Springs. Orchids, natives, ferns, roses, palms, succulents, herbs, pottery, fountains, garden art, experts, vegetable gardening contest, gourmet food. Free. Riverside Park, 205 Coral Ridge Dr (Nob Hill Rd). www.gardenfestcoralsprings.com

February 25-30

Fri-Butterfly Gardening Field Day, a full-day intensive educational workshop featuring Dr. Marc C. Minno, author of Florida Butterfly Gardening. Sat – Butterfly Gardening Open House. Farm tours, speakers, children’s activities, organic butterfly plants for sale, food, music & fun! Greathouse Butterfly Farm, 20329 NE State Rd 26, Melrose. (866)475-2088,

March 20

10-4. SW Florida Burrowing Owl Festival by Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife. Native plants, live animals, free Butterfly House tour, speakers, guided birding tours, food, much more. Donation: $5. Rotary Park, 5505 Rose Garden Rd, Cape Coral. www.ccfriendsofwildlife.org

April 20

8-4 Botanical Fest, exotics, palms, natives, herbs, roses, bromeliads, orchids, heliconias, shrubs, fruit trees, garden art, accessories, décor. Florida Tech Campus, Corner of Babcock St. & University Blvd, Melbourne (321)674-6152 9-5 Sat, 9-4 Sun. Amelia Island Garden Show. Flowers, fruit trees, palms, orchids, herbs, container gardens, natives, garden accessories, live birds of prey, Fernandina Farmers Market. Adults $4, free parking, no pets. Central Park, Fernandina Beach. (904)491-4872. www.ameliagarden.com

April 25 March 28

10-5. Plant & Garden Festival. A plant collector’s paradise – orchids, bromeliads, succulents, aquatics, natives, edibles, experts, art, tools, demonstrations, concerts, food. Reduced Admission. Selby Gardens, 811 S Palm Ave, Sarasota. (941)366-5731, www.selby.org

Butterfly & Garden Festival, Flamingo Gardens & Wildlife Sanctuary, 3750 S Flamingo Rd, Davie (954)472-2955. www.flamingogardens.org

April 28

9-4 Sat, 10-4 Sun. Bonsai Festival & Plant Sale. Heathcote Botantical Gardens, 210 Savannah Rd, Ft. Pierce (772) 464-4672. www.heathcotebotancialgardens.org

April 12

Spring Plant Sale, Palms, heliconias, bromeliads, crotons, aroids, ti, etc. Free admission/parking. Searle Brothers Wholesale Nursery & Rainforest Collection, 6640 SW 172 Ave, Southwest Ranches (954)434-7681. http://rainforestcollection.com