Allamanda
Allamandas with their bright yellow, tubular flowers are part of the Tropical Garden in the East Gardens of The Florida Botanical Gardens. They require full sun for best flower production. The evergreen leaves have a coarse texture and milky sap that can be an irritant to some people. Allamandas also contain similar toxins as their cousin the Oleander. The bush Allamanda is generally used as a freestanding specimen but can be grouped to make a bold statement. Allamandas are native to Brazil but well adapted to Central and South Florida.
Amaryllis
Amaryllis (Hippeastrum spp.) There are more than 70 species and many hybrids of the Amaryllis. The ones pictured here are Hippeastrum spp. They differ from the true amaryllis in having a hollow stalk to the flower cluster but is still commonly called Amaryllis. Through hybridization the Amaryllis, like the poinsettia, bears little resemblance to the original plant. Amaryllis can be planted in pots or in the ground in Florida. At least half of the bulb should be above the soil line. Amaryllis need to grow their foliage all summer in order to have the energy for blooming the next year. Bulbs can be divided in September or October then replanted. Amaryllis are growing in the Ground Cover Demonstration area of the West Gardens.
Bird of Paradise
Strelitzia reginae, the Bird-of-Paradise and Strelitzia nicolai, the White Bird-of-Paradise, are both planted throughout the Florida Botanical Gardens. The large, bold, dark green foliage forms a backdrop for the very unusual flowers that are a boat-shaped bract. These bracts hold the orange or white sepals and blue tongue that resemble birds. The fruit is a three-angled capsule that splits to reveal the edible seeds. This native of South Africa needs a rich organic soil and afternoon shade.
Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.) adorns the fences at the entrance of the West Gardens and is located on both sides of the entrance to the Tropical Pavilion in the East Gardens of the Florida Botanical Gardens. Highly colored bracts of white, pink, orange, purple, red or even multicolor enclose the small, tubular white flowers. Bougainvillea bloom in the late winter but the bracts may remain on the plant for months. They need full sun, good drainage and acid soil.
Bromeliads
Bromeliads are scattered throughout The Florida Botanical Gardens with the largest group massed in the South Gardens. There are many genera and species of Bromeliads and most produce spectacular flowers. Most Bromeliads are epiphytic perennials native to Tropical America and can be damaged by cold temperatures. A few, such as the pineapple, are herbaceous perennials.
Crape Jasmine
Crape Jasmine (Tabermontana coronaria) is featured in the wedding garden as well as other locations throughout the Florida Botanical Gardens. The waxy, white, fragrant flowers are present most of the year. This native of India is well suited to the Florida landscape. After establishment, Crape Jasmine grows with little attention.
Crown-of-Thorns
Crown-of-Thorns, (Euphorbia spp.) like many other plants has been hybridized so there are both species and cultivars. There are several different ones in the Tropical Walk at The Florida Botanical Gardens. Crown-of-Thorns is used in planters, as ground cover and border plants. Their flowers are inconspicuous but the bright red or pink bracts are striking. They do best in full sun and on well-drained soil.
Elderberry
Elderberry (Sambucus simpsonii) is a native tree that reaches a height of 15 feet. It is found growing in the West Gardens at the Florida Botanical Gardens. The small, fragrant, white flowers are produced in flat-topped clusters all year. The fruits are dark purplish black and used to make wine and jelly. The Elderberry also furnishes food for many birds.
Gardenia
Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides) has a prominent place in the Tropical Walk at the Florida Botanical Gardens. Several cultivars are planted at the entrance. Gardenia flowers are very fragrant and can be either single or double, small or large and white or off white. Most blooms are produced in early summer but there are new cultivars that bloom throughout the year. Gardenia jasminoides are grafted on the rootstock of nematode-resistant Gardenia thunbergia.
Hibiscus
Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) are planted in a group and as a specimen tree at the West Garden and as hedges and specimen plants in the East Gardens at the Florida Botanical Gardens. The flowers come in many different colors and hybridization has produced thousands of cultivars. Hibiscus needs well-drained, rich soil and at least six hours of full sun daily.
Jatropha
Jatropha (Jatropha spp.) plants can be very unusual. There are several different species both at the West and East Gardens. These evergreen shrubs will attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Their height ranges from a few feet to 15 feet tall. Flowers are usually red but there is a pink variety. Jatrophas are often sold by edible names such as Nutmeg and African Peanut. Their seeds contain a toxin and should not be eaten.
Plumbago
Plumbago (Plumbago capensis) is along the bank in the tropical walk and at the entrance to The Florida Botanical Gardens. The Azure-blue flowers are produced throughout the year. This native of South Africa has become almost naturalized in the peninsula area of Florida. There are both blue and white forms of P. capensis and a red plumbago (P. indica) is excellent for mass plantings.
Red Passion Flower
Passion Vine (Passiflora spp.)is a great butterfly plant. The Julie and a Zebra larvae (caterpillar) use this vine as food. The Passion Vine is a vigorous grower and needs a good support. There are many species and varieties of Passion Vine and not all produce edible fruit. The ornamental vines have flower colors of purple, red, white and mottled purple and prefer a slightly acid well-drained soil. Flowers are produced all year unless a frost kills the vines to the ground. The fruit bearing species are P. edulis, P. edulis f. flavicarpa and P. quadrangularis. Propagation by seed, grafting or cuttings.
Salvia
Salvia adds color to many areas of the Florida Botanical Gardens. They flower most of the year and can take full sun to part shade. Used for borders, bedding, cut flowers and edging these colorful plants will do well in that moist area of your landscape. They come in shades of pink, purple, white and red. Remove old flower heads to keep them blooming.
Sweet Alyssum
Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima) is a winter annual that is cold hardy and lives up to its name. The aroma of honey penetrates the air as you pass by a bed of these flowers in The Florida Botanical Gardens. Their season is September through March. Sweet Alyssum prefers full sun but will bloom in part shade. Flower colors are white, pink, lavender and purple. Excellent for edging beds, borders, walks and drives.
Aloe
Aloe plants are from the Old World tropics and warm temperate regions. These succulent lily relatives are great for rock gardens, in urns, as bedding plants and as seaside plantings. Aloes are planted along the walk leading from the West Gardens to the East Gardens and in the Rock Garden at the East entrance of the West Gardens of the Florida Botanical Gardens. Aloes will take full sun to shade and bloom in the spring. Aloe is used in many cosmetics.
Beach Sunflower
Beach Sunflower (Helianthus debilis) are used as ground cover and in beds throughout the gardens. This Florida native if found growing throughout the state and is best suited to coastal beaches. The yellow ray flowers surround a purplish-brown disk floret and are produced year-round.
Blue Dazes
Blue Daze (Evolvulus glomeratus) grows best in full sun to part shade on well-drained sandy soil. The blue flowers are seen year around. It's used as a border or ground cover and adds color to any landscape. This herbaceous perennial may develop a fungus disease during the rainy season. Blue Daze is planted in the West Garden and also around the Topiary cake in the Wedding Garden.
Brazilian Red Cloak
Brazilian Red Cloak (Megaskepasma erythrochlamys) is a very tropical plant located in front of the Pinellas County Extension Office. It will grow in full sun to part shade and attain a height from 3 to 6 feet. The Brazilian Red Cloak is covered with clusters of deep pink tubular flowers most of the year. It needs moist, rich soil.
Cassia
Cassias (Cassia species). trees and shrubs produce some of the most vivid yellow flowers of any of the flowering plants in the Florida Botanical Gardens. Cassia spectabilis, C. fistula and Cassia alata are used as specimen plants to highlight areas of the East and West Gardens. C. fistula produces clusters of hanging flowers that are a foot or more long during the summer months. C. alata is commonly called Candle Bush to denote the tall spikes of bright yellow blooms that butterflies love. C. spectabilis flowers off and on throughout the year with the most show of color in the summer months.
Crossandra
Crossandra (Crossandra infundibuliformis) is a perennial that lives for several years. They are one of the few flowering plants that will take full shade. We have a planting along the path leading into the main entrance of the Pinellas County Extension. The deep green foliage sets off the salmon, yellow or orange flowers. Crossandra can attain a height of 3 feet but are usually pruned to encourage compactness.
Day Lily
Daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.) are prominently displayed in their own beds at the South Gardens of the Florida Botanical Gardens. Daylilies are herbaceous perennials, which originated in Central Europe and Japan but are now naturalized in the United States. They are classified as deciduous, semi-deciduous, and evergreen. The evergreen varieties do best in Central and South Florida. Thousands of hybrid seedlings have been named as horticultural clones or clonal varieties. The funnel-form or bell-shaped flowers are in clusters at the top of a tall stalk. Colors range from white through red, yellow, orange, and variegated forms.
Fire Bush
Fire Bush (Hamelia patens) is native to southern Florida and is widely planted in Central Florida as well. The red tubular flowers are very showy. The Fire Bush adds color to the Tropical Walk in the East Gardens as well as the native planting near the retention pond. Reaching a height of 12 feet it attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
Golden Dew Drop
Golden Dew Drop (Duranta repens), is native to the Florida Keys, Caribbean Islands and Central America. The one planted in the Jazz Garden has variegated yellow and green leaves. Small blue flowers hang in loose clusters and are followed by yellow, globose fruit that give it the common name of Golden-Dewdrop.
Ixora
Ixora (Ixora spp.) can be used for a hedge, bedding plant or specimen plant. The flowers are out most of the year and attract hummingbirds. There are Ixora varieties that are miniature and ones that get fifteen feet tall. Most are kept pruned and often cold winters kill them back to the ground. Look for them when walking through the Tropical Garden. The Florida Botanical Gardens abound with Ixora. There are yellow, red, pink and mixed colored varieties.
Leopard Lily
Leopard Palm (Amorphophallus campanulatus) is not a palm at all but in the Araceae family. Two of these plants are planted in the Oasis area near the front entrance of the Pinellas County Extension. They are more of a curiosity than an attractive landscape plant. The large, purple bloom comes up in the spring and is followed by a tall mottled stem that holds the leaf. The plant grows from a corm-like rhizome and dies to the ground in the summer. The spots on the stem give it the common name Leopard Palm. It grows best in rich, loamy soil in partial shade.
Powderpuff
Powderpuff (Calliandra species) Either large or dwarf shrub with evergreen leaves and red, pink or white stamens. The red Powderpuff is planted in the Tropical Garden and along the Tropical Walk. A native of Brazil, it fits in very well with the tropical theme. A powderpuff with pink and white stamens is trained as a heart in the Topiary Garden.
Rose
Roses have a special place in the Florida Botanical Gardens. The bride and groom can stand under the arches of Don Juan red roses while exchanging their vows. There are bushes, trees, climbers and miniature roses in this garden. Roses require high maintenance but the reward of many colorful, aromatic blooms is well worth it. Roses are native to almost every country. Hybrids and cultivars are continually being developed. Roses need a well-prepared bed with the addition of organic matter to a depth of 18 inches. Water weekly and fertilize frequently.
Shrimp-Plant
Shrimp plants are massed together to form a mass planting in areas of the Tropical Garden. This native of Mexico produces spikes of showy heart-shaped, hairy bracts, which surround the true flowers. These bracts are reddish-brown or yellow. This plant tolerates most soil types and once established is low maintenance. Shrimp plants like a fertile soil and full sun to part shade. They are a popular container plant.
Trailing Lantana
Trailing Lantana (Lantana montevidensis) is used as a ground cover around the Palm Pavilion and other areas of the gardens. Native to South America it has naturalized in the warmer parts of Florida . The purple flowers are produced in dense heads at axils on long peduncles. The L. camara, with red, pink, orange and yellow flower heads grows wild all over central Florida and is now considered an Exotic Invasive plant.