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Tropical Treasures

“Gardening requires lots of water… most of it in the form of perspiration.”

Louise Erickson

Philodendron selloum, native to the rainforest floors of Brazil, thrive in Mobile gardens. Requiring an area receiving partial sun and having ample space for growth, these tropicals can reach heights of 8-10 feet, and attain more width than an antebellum hoop skirt. While harsh winters turn the lush, verdant split leaves into mush, new growth will appear in the spring. For more information about these tropical beauties, click on the link below. 

Philodendron selloum
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Made in the Shade

“All gardening is landscape painting.” William Kent

The focal point in this shade garden is the pot of heart shaped caladiums situated by the trunk of the oak tree. Caladiums, native to the banks of the Amazon river, are tropical plants that require soil temperatures of 70 degrees, and thrive in partial sun and shade.Tubers can be planted in pots, hanging baskets and in mass plantings. For more information about these beautiful plants, click on the link below.

Classic Caladiums

Southern Living

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Showgirls of the Southern Garden

“The most lasting and pure gladness comes to me from my gardens.” Lillie Langtry


Impatiens in Shade Garden

Impatiens, a must have for southern gardens, thrive in hanging baskets, large containers, and beds. These shade lovers need regular watering, are easily propagated from cuttings, and provide an abundance of beauty in the landscape. Gardeners lacking in shade may opt for the sunpatien, another showgirl with longer limbs and bigger blossoms.

SunPatiens thrive in shade or sun and come in compact and vigorous sizes.

For more information about these southern showgirls, click on the following links.

Sunpatiens

Impatiens

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Vibrant Vinca

“Happiness held is the seed; happiness shared is the flower.” Unknown


Gardening centers are overflowing with spring planting selections, including the sun loving vinca. Fast growing and available in a variety of colors, these annuals are pollinator magnets. For more information and planting instructions, click on the sites below.

How to Grow Vincas or Periwinkle

Annuals Buying Guide

Clearwing Moth Sipping Nectar From Vinca

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Nourish The Soul

“My spirit was lifted and my soul nourished by my time in the garden. It gave me a calm connection with all of life, and an awareness that remains with me now, long after leaving the garden.”  Nancy Ross

Female monarch butterfly rests on a tropical milkweed plant.

Monarchs overwinter in Mexico, journey north and arrive in Alabama in February and March.  Two beautiful adventurers were spotted in a garden in South Mobile County on February 2. Landing on a bedraggled tropical milkweed, the female deposited her eggs and then continued her journey north.  Learn more about these remarkable Lepidoptera  at the Journey North website.

Make a calm connection with life by  developing a garden attracting pollinators, including the monarch.  The following links will help in making appropriate choices.

Garden Design

Shore Acres Plant Farm 

Shore Acres, located on Bellingrath  Road  in South Mobile County, is a commercial plant farm that welcomes backyard gardeners.  It sells  a huge variety of plants and an excellent potting soil. Plan  a trip to South Mobile County soon.

US Hardiness Zones    Big box stores sometimes sell plants that may not be       suitable for the local climate. Avoid disappointment by referring to a hardiness zone map to determine the zone in which one gardens.