With stormwater management and rain gardens becoming more prevalent in design, incorporating aquatic plants into designs is a necessity. Our plant of week is part of the Sarracenia genus and can add texture, color and distinct didactic forms to both residences and preserves.
Conocarpus erectus - A member of the Combretaceae family the buttonwood trees are found throughout southern Florida on the outer edges of mangrove and estuarine environment. They are well suited to a variety of sandy soils and can withstand drought spells, wet soils and harsh conditions. Two varieties exist as natives in Florida, the Green Buttonwood, Conocarpus erectus and Silver Buttonwood, Conocarpus erectus var. sericeus
Helianthus debilis - Often called beach or dune sunflower, this Compositae family member is a herbaceous perennial, Florida native wildflower that can be use as sprawling groundcover or border plant in many full sun, low maintenance environments.
Roystonea spp.- When vacationers and visitors enter into tropical Florida, the Royal Palm is there to signify their arrival. Tall and graceful with a bright green crownshaft, the Royal Palm is hard to miss. Its statuesque nature and towering heights have made it a trademark of the South Florida environment. Several species exist in the Caribbean and Gulf and are all restricted to sub-tropical latitudes. Roystonea elata is the contested Florida native species and is said to be better adapted to swampy, everglades environments in the wild. Roystonea regia, native to Cuba, is the more common species found in the nursery and landscape.
Muhlenberghia capillaris- Pink Muhley grass is medium sized, perennial, native grass, ranging from Massachusetts down through the Gulf Coast. It has become quite prevalent in the nursery trade; partly due to the New American Style grassy, swaths of plantings by Oehme van Sweden and partly to the plant itself. It possesses a fine and compact habit with late season, show stopping blooms of misty pink inflorescences and excellent tolerance to both wetland and dry conditions, winter hardiness and ease of maintenance.
Magnolia grandiflora- Southern Magnolias are well known in the southeast U.S. and have spread across the country and Europe due to their evergreen foliage , large robust flowers and overwhelming fragrance. The Magnolia family is heavily hybridized and M. grandiflora is no exception. Numerous cultivars exhibit grossly different attributes and the wrong selection can spell disaster for a design at maturity. While highlighting the general qualities of this tree, this update also provides a break down of several magnolia cultivars and can help you select the one that best suits your needs.
Now that Landscape Invocation has left Gainesville, Fl and spread up and down the eastern seaboard. The P.O.W. posts will reflect our new homes in Washington D.C, Atlanta, and South Florida . Here’s an introduction to the famed and flamboyant Royal Poinciana from SoFlo.
Cladonia sp. - Commonly referred to as Reindeer Lichen or Deer Moss, it is actually not a plant, but a lichen. Spawn of the symbiotic relationship between a fungus and green algae. Lichens are often found growing on trees and rocks throughout the world. This particular lichen grows in pillow-like mats and can be indicators of a healthy environment.
Chamaerops humilis - The European Fan Palm, as you might suspect, is the only palm tree native to the European latitudes. Often found in clumping form or trimmed to a single specimen. Growing in dry Mediterranean climates. It flourishes as a landscape ornamental in coastal regions throughout the world.
Pittosporum tobira - Commonly known as Japanese Pittosporum, this evergreen landscaping plant has been used for hedges, specimens, and foundation plantings for over a century. Fragrant flowers resemble orange blossoms. Very tolerant of pruning with relative ease of maintenance. Native to Japan, Korea and China. Can be found throughout Florida, the southeast U.S., Texas over to California. Known in Australia and the Mediterranean to Zone 8.