GPOD on the Road: Fascinating Finds From Florida

A weekend away turns into a tropical plant sight-seeing tour

felicitous Friday GPODers !

We ’re going tropical today and necessitate a smell at some plant highlights from a late slip I took to Delray Beach , Florida .

I ’m a strong worshiper that works are exciting and interesting no matter the locus — whether you ’re 10 minutes down the route or on the other side of the Earth . However , I will also be the first to admit that seeing plants and wildlife in a clime immensely different than the one you ’re most accustomed to can be the most fear - inspiring and informative experience . I ’ve had the chance to travel down to southern Florida a few time over the past distich of years , but each time I ’ve been every bit aroused and becharm by the succulents , medallion , and various tropical works arise in all their resplendency . I do n’t think I ’ll ever forget the first time I see a gorgeous vary croton ( Codiaeum variegatum , Zones 11–12 ) ( a plant life I have failed at growing indoors countless times ) as a huge , mature shrub grow in someone ’s front chiliad as nonchalantly as I would see a arborvitae growing here in Connecticut .

All of this to say , my most recent slip was no exception . While the group I travel with was checking out the rooms in our Airbnb , unpacking , and decant swallow , I was at once outside snapping pictures of all the mythical plants in the modest but wonderful garden border around the pool . You ’ll find those pic below , as well as some other flora I spotted during our excursions in townsfolk .

The aspect that like a shot catch my eye from the Gallic doors in the dining room . The medallion are always exciting to see , but it was the bright pink flowers and succulent - looking hedge that drew me in for a skinny flavor .

Not a succulent upon cheeseparing inspection , but a handy plant identifier app permit me know this was a vary Nipponese pittosporum ( Pittosporum tobira‘Variegatum ’ , zone 8–11 ) . Beautiful all yr round with it ’s striking variegated foliage , but specially attractive in spring when it ’s covered in orangish - blossom scented flowers .

well misguided for impatiens , common in similar shades of pink , cherry and white , Madagascar periwinkle(Catharanthus roseus , Zones 8–11 ) would still be consider an yearly for colder regions but can be originate as a perennial here in Florida .

Another plant often grown indoors in cold climates , the vibrant color and other - worldly grain of ‘ Myers ’ foxtail fern ( Asparagusdensiflorus‘Myers ’ , Zones 9–11 ) is an absolute treat to see in a garden seam . While this pic features solely foliage , there is still so much variation and interest .

Dotted between some of the foxtail fern were a few aloe plants ( Aloevera , Zones 9–11 ) , a beautiful and useful plant to have handy by the pocket billiards !

Some of my favorite plants around the puddle were really top out over the fence from neighbor ’s grand . The bright yellow culms of this Asian Lemon bamboo ( Bambusa eutuldoides‘Viridi - Vittata ’ , Zones 9–11 ) made it an infrangible show stopper .

If I have n’t already made it extravagantly clear , I am a all-day sucker for an interesting - look tree . The growing habit of this umbrella tree ( Heptapleurum actinophyllum , Zones 10–12 ) looks directly out of the page of Dr. Seuss , and everyone made a comment that the few yellow leaves looked like bunches of bananas at first glimpse .

When we eventually pulled ourselves out of the pull and head business district to grab dinner , there were still plenteousness of opportunities for industrial plant watching . It ’s intemperate to enamor the dead on target graduated table of enceinte plants in exposure , but these traveller ’s palms ( Ravenala madagascariensis , zone 10–11 ) were absolutely monolithic . Though coined a palm , these tree - corresponding works are actually link to Bronx cheer - of - paradise and can actually produce white flower in a likewise spiky form .

Yet another houseplant grown to a size us northern gardeners could only dream of!Snake plants(Dracaenaspp . and cvs . , syn . Sansevieriaspp . and cvs . , Zones 9–11 ) are notoriously easy to grow in just about every localise indoors , but just because they can adapt does n’t mean they ’re thriving like they are here .

make our fashion to the beach , a whole new humanity of industrial plant can be found . Native to coastal beach and very tolerant to salt , aptly named ocean grape ( Coccoloba uvifera , geographical zone 10–11 ) can be found growing in great deal along beaches in southern Florida and the Caribbean .

salvage one of my favorite finds for last , this spineless prickly pear ( Opuntiaficus - indica , Zones 10–11 ) must have enjoy this spot for some time by the looks of its pretty serious body . Never did I think my love of cacti and tree would combine , but now I ’m brainstorm direction I can have this growing inwardly ? ?

Have photos to share ? We ’d love to see your garden , a fussy collection of plant you love , or a wonderful garden you had the luck to confabulate !

To submit , send 5 - 10 photos to[email protected]along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the pic . We ’d love to listen where you are locate , how long you ’ve been garden , success you are lofty of , failures you learned from , hopes for the time to come , favorite plants , or funny stories from your garden .

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