The Florida Gardener

My favorite Florida Flowering Plants to incorporate into a Fall Seasonal Display!

Seriously - if a client wants fall inspired flowers, I'm suggesting one of these.

Plants Discussed Today:

Crossandra (Crossandra infundibuliformis)

Firecracker Plant (Russelia equisetiformis)

Cockscomb/Celosia

Lantana

Anthurium (Anthurium andraeanum)

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It's my FAVORITE time of the year! So today, in honor of Autumn, we are going to discuss how to create Fall Containers like a Pro using Florida plants.

Plants Discussed Today:

SUN COMBO 1

Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum')

Croton 'Petra' (Codiaeum variegatum 'Petra')

Purple Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas)Bronze Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas)

SUN COMBO 2

Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum')

*Coleus (Coleus scutellarioides)

Purple Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas)Bronze Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas)

*A burnt orange / rust colored coleus would be ideal if you can find a sun tolerant variety. (Many of the red varieties are full sun tolerant)

SHADE COMBO 1

Black ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia 'Raven' or 'Black Queen')

Purple Shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus)

Chenille Plant (Acalypha hispida)

SHADE COMBO 2

Croton 'Petra' (Codiaeum variegatum 'Petra') Maidenhair ferns (Adiantum)

*Coleus (Coleus scutellarioides)

Creeping Fig Vine (Ficus pumila)

*A burnt orange / rust colored coleus would be ideal but most any Coleus will work as most prefer shade - part shade.

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We had a Houseplant Gardener in the Carolinas reach out.

BK’s mother gifted her an English Ivy Houseplant and despite BK’s best efforts, the plant is struggling inside her home, and she wants to know why.

Today's episode is not limited to English Ivy! We dive deep into the unique microclimates of our homes (spoiler - every home is different) and various troubleshooting techniques to help you when an interior plant is struggling. I also share some of my favorite houseplants.

Have your own question for the show? ⁠Write in to us.⁠

SHOP MY GARDEN, SUBSCRIBE TO MY FREE NEWSLETTER, SUBMIT A PLANT QUESTION: ⁠RootsRedefined.com⁠

Florida is home to more meat eating plants than any other state. 🥩

Today is all about exploring carnivorous plants and their various trapping mechanisms.

I hope you leave this episode with a sense of awe and appreciation for these spooky yet spectacular living organisms.

LET'S CONNECT!

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PLANTS DISCUSSED:

SNAP TRAPS

Venus Fly Trap

Waterwheel

STICKY TRAPS

Butterworts

Sundews

SUCTION TRAPS

Bladderworts

PITFALL TRAPS

Nepenthes (Tropical Pitcher Plants)

Nepenthes Rajah - The largest tropical pitcher plant

North American Pitcher Plants

The Cobra Lily - Really cool North American Pitcher Plant

Bromeliads (Brocchina reducta, B. tatei, and Catopsis berteroniana)

SOURCES:

North Carolina State University Extension

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/utricularia-inflata/

Botanical Society of America

https://botany.org/home/resources/carnivorous-plants-insectivorous-plants/nepenthes-the-monkey-cups.htmlhttps://botany.org/home/resources/carnivorous-plants-insectivorous-plants/darlingtonia-californica-the-cobra-lily.html

Botanic Gardens of Sydney

https://www.botanicgardens.org.au/teachers-and-schools/teacher-resources/primary-learning-resources/carnivorous-plant-adaptations-0

International Carnivorous Plant Society

https://www.carnivorousplants.org

Van Attas

https://www.vanattas.com/growing-guides/indoor-care/carnivorous-plants

Curious Plant Carnivorous Plant Nursery

https://curiousplant.com/shop/sundews/?srsltid=AfmBOopebXcXjmgyeJTI1l7d43jp7s5VDU9ICoemqzeW_fXb3aWHF43V

National Wildlife Federation

https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Plants-and-Fungi/Venus-Flytraphttps://carnivorousplantnursery.com/blogs/carnivorous-plants-by-genus/bromeliads?srsltid=AfmBOorWeRPN1bNDEAj_00uMiNovFJFYqnAqFKLly4oKofaDrtkY3i-H

BBC Earth

https://www.bbcearth.com/news/10-of-the-planets-most-predatory-plantshttps://www.bbcearth.com/news/10-of-the-planets-most-predatory-plants

UF IFAS

https://plant-directory.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-directory/utricularia-species/

We had a gardener in North Florida reach out.

Mike shares his trouble with vinca flowers and asks us for a potted alternative that will provide color under his tree which receives afternoon sun.

Have your own question for the show? Write in to us.

EPISODE RESOURCES

Flowering Succulents:

Desert Rose (Adenium obesum)

Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii)

Neoregelia Bromeliads

Neo 'Martin', Neo 'Cosmos', Neo 'Fireball' & Neo 'Bossa Nova'

Bromeliad List/Gallery: Blooming Freedom

In-Ground Landscape Plants Discussed

Coontie (Zamia integrifolia)

FL Native Blue Porterweed (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis)

Rain Lilies (Zephyranthes)

Dwarf Firebush (Hamelia patens var. glabra)

Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata)

Blanket Flower (Gaillardia pulchella)

Tropical Sage (Salvia coccinea)

BUY POTTED NATIVES HERE: Buy Native Plants Online | Garden for Wildlife

BUY NATIVE SEEDS HERE:

Seed Packets - Florida Wildflowers Growers Cooperative

University of North Florida (UNF) Campus PLANT LIST: HERE

MY WEBSITE: https://www.rootsredefined.com/

You don't need a bird feeder or a massive back yard to attract a ton of different birds to your Florida garden.

In today's episode we discuss how to design and create a bird friendly garden - even in the tiniest of spaces.

FLOWERS

Red Tropical Sage (Salvia coccinea)

Spanish Needles (Bidens Alba)

Tickseed (Coreopsis)

Blanketflower (Gaillardia pulchella)

Wild Poinsettia (Euphorbia cyathophora)

VINES

Blue Sky Vine (Thunbergia grandiflora or Thunbergia laurifolia)

Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)

Morning Glory (Ipomea indica)

Purple Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata L.)

SM-MED SHRUBS

Firebush (Hamelia patens var. patens)

Walter’s Viburnum (Viburnum obovatum)

Sweet Viburnum (Viburnum odoratissimum)

Sandankwa Viburnum (Viburnum suspensum)

Cocoplum (Chrysobalanus icaco)

Wild Coffee (Psychotria nervosa)

American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)

Everglades Tomato, Sprawling Shrub Like Vine (Solanum pimpinellifolium)

TREES & LG SHRUBS

Oaks (FL has over 20 native species)

Sabal Palm (Sabal palmetto)

Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens)

HUMMINGBIRDS!

Red Tropical Sage (Salvia coccinea)

Orange Mexican Sunflowers, Annual (Tithonia rotundifolia)

Mexican Flame Vine (Pseudogynoxys chenopodioides)

Coral Honeysuckle Vine (Lonicera sempervirens)

Red Firespike (Odontonema cuspidatum)

Purple Firespike (Odontonema callistachyum)

Firebush (Hamelia patens var. patens)

Pink/Coral Porterweed (Stachytarpheta mutabilis)

PURCHASE NATIVE SEEDS

Florida Wildflower Co-Op - ⁠floridawildflowers.com⁠

PURCHASE NATIVE LIVE PLANTS

Garden for Wildlife - ⁠gardenforwildlife.com⁠

VISIT MY WEBSITE

⁠⁠rootsredefined.com⁠⁠

We had a listener write in with the following question:

Can you talk about plants that are frost tolerant. With climate change, I fear colder than normal weather is going to be the norm. I live in Vero Beach Florida and I'm going to lose all my hibiscus to the recent frost.

LET'S CONNECT

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COLD HARDY PLANTS DISCUSSED TODAY

VINES

1. Coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) NATIVE

2. Confederate Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides)

3. Muscadine Grape (Vitis rotundifolia) NATIVE

SHRUBS

• ​ Firebush (Hamelia patens var. patens) NATIVE *Hummingbirds!
• ​ American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) NATIVE
• ​ Azaleas (Rhododendron)
• ​ Viburnums (Viburnum odoratissimum, Viburnum suspensum and Viburnum obovatum) Only obovatum is NATIVE - All three are great though.
• Firespike (Odontonema cuspidatum) *Hummingbirds!
• Podocarpus (Podocarpus macrophyllus)

PALMS

Sabal Palm (Sabal palmetto) NATIVE

LAWN/TURF

1. Frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora) NATIVE

2. Fleabane Erigeron quercifolius) NATIVE

BOARDER PLANTS/FILLERS

1. Coontie (Zamia integrifolia) NATIVE

2. Monkey Grass (Liriope)

3. Asparagus Fern (Asparagus densiflorus 'Sprengeri')

I brought a Moth Orchid home. Now what? Orchids are a huge diverse family of plants. Learn how to care for your grocery store orchid while also gaining a deeper understanding of the family Orchidaceae as a whole.

ORCHIDS DISCUSSED TODAY

• ​Phalaenopsis Aka Moth Orchid (most common)
• ​Dendrobiums - My favorite genus! Easy to source.
• ​Terrestrial / Ground Orchids - Behave more like "normal" plants. Two common ground orchids are Epidendrum radicans / Reed Stem (sun) and Spathoglottis plicata (shade). Easy to source.
• ​Florida Vanilla Orchid: Vanilla phaeantha, Vanilla dilloniana, and Vanilla barbellata *commercially exploited. be mindful.
• ​Water-spider orchid (Habenaria repens)
• ​The cranefly orchid (Tipularia discolor) *rare, be mindful if sourcing.
• ​Florida butterfly orchid (Encyclia tampensis) commercially exploited, be mindful
• ​Jewel Orchid (Ludisia discolor) Beautiful foliage. Easy to source. Recommended for indoors by UF IFAS.

SOURCES

American Orchid Society

https://www.aos.org/orchids/articles/cold-tolerance-of-warm-growing-orchids

UF IFAS

https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/floridas-native-orchids/

Florida Nature Photography

https://www.floridanaturephotography.com/project/native-orchids/

St Augustine Orchid Society

https://staugorchidsociety.org/PDF/200110Tips-ColdTolerance.pdf

We had a listener in SW Florida write in with a couple questions.

"I'm struggling to find reliable sources of gardening advice. I'm getting lots of suggestions of things to try, but the advice is not consistent, and I end up mostly confused...do you have any suggestions on the best sources for local gardening advice?"

"Also, I'm going to be away for several months and wondering if there are people who can be hired to take care of my fruit trees and other plants."

Tune in to episode 30 for my response.

Have your own question for the show? Write in to us.

RootsRedefined.com > The Florida Gardener Podcast > Write in to the Show

Episode Resources:

1. South Florida Plant Guide (online plant guide)

https://www.south-florida-plant-guide.com/

2. Stacks Urban Harvest (website + youtube)

https://www.stacksurbanharvest.com/

3. Flip My Florida - tv series. free to watch on youtube. just search the name.

4. Your Central Florida Yard - podcast. Available on Spotify and Apple podcasts.

5. Become a Florida Master Gardener - https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/mastergardener/what-we-do/become/

I’ve had a few folks reach out inquiring about how I started my gardening business - some of you are even interested in starting your own! So, I decided to dedicate an entire episode to this. I hope you enjoy.

SAY HI, SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER & SHOP MY GARDEN:

RootsRedefined.com

EPISODE RESOURCES:

Courses & Certifications: FNGLA, UF

Audio Books: David Goggin’s “Can’t Hurt Me”

Minimalism “Live a Meaningful Life”

Podcasts:

The Minimalists, Plants Grow Here, Native Plants Healthy Planet, The Beet, Gardening with the RHS, BBC Gardeners World

Shows:

Your Garden Made Perfect, Monty Don (he has been in many!)

This is a new segment where listeners can write in with garden and houseplant questions. Today's patient is a 30-year old houseplant (ficus elastica). Unfortunately, this little lady is not doing well and her parents are worried about her decline in health. Let's see if we can help!

Shop My Garden (& support the show):

RootsRedefined.com > Amazon Garden Collection

Have a question for the show? Submit your question one of two ways:

• ​Email: roots.redefined@gmail.com
• ​Website: RootsRedefined.com ＞ The Florida Gardener Podcast ＞ Write in to the Show

Article sourced for this episode: https://growplant.org/blog/rubber-tree-life-cycle/

Ready for your 5 minutes of fame?

Send in your garden and house plant questions!

Potted, in ground, cut flower, dish garden. If it relates to Florida gardening or interior plants I would love to try and help.

No question is dumb or silly - if it's on your mind let us know. Write in to the show and I’ll answer your question on a future episode.

Submit your question one of two ways:

1. Email: roots.redefined@gmail.com

2. Website: rootsredefined.com > The Florida Gardener Podcast > Write in to the Show

We are back for Part 2!

If you want to keep the conversation going, I encourage you to connect with Bailey.

He’s planning a third trip to Florida, this winter. If you have a neat spot he should check out whether it’s a botanical garden, a hidden gem in Florida that no one knows about, a neat plant you’re growing at home, or even a cool skate or surf spot. He is very interested in all things the sunshine state.

Connect with Bailey: baileyjwa@gmail.com

I couldn’t be more excited to share that we had our very first guest on the Florida Gardener Podcast!

Bailey is head gardener at an 19th century estate in Dorset, England.

We got to talking because believe it or not, Bailey is a listener of the Florida Gardener Podcast and he has visited Florida a few times now.

My love and appreciation for British gardening runs deep.

So, when Bailey was kind of enough to do the podcast, I was beyond elated.

Cozy up with a warm cup of tea and enjoy this episode!

Connect with Bailey:

baileyjwa@gmail.com

Always consult with your HOA prior to make any changes to your landscape. I do not provide legal advice. This episode is for entertainment purposes only. 🌼

Let’s Connect: RootsRedefined.com

Host plants discussed:

• ​dutchman’s pipevine (Aristolochia tomentosa or Aristolochia macrophylla)

Host plant for Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly and Polydamas Swallowtail Butterfly

do not plant Aristolochia gigantea for a butterfly garden. it can be toxic to larvae.

• ​purple passionflower vine (Passiflora incarnata), Yellow passionflower (Passiflora lutea) and Corkystem passionflower (Passiflora suberosa) .

Host plant for Gulf Fritillary Butterfly

• ​frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora)

Host plant for White Peacock, Common Buckeye and others.

• ​milkweed

If possible do not purchase tropical milkweed. Look for native species.

If purchasing tropical milkweed be sure to cut it back in the fall to help prevent the spread of OE. (more notes on tropical milkweed and how to care for it are at the bottom of these show notes)

*coontie (Zamia integrifolia) not discussed during this episode but I wanted to mention anyway. its a host plant for the atala butterfly - looks similar to a fern and its florida's only living cycad!

Resources discussed:

• ​Florida Wildflower Foundation

http://flawildflowers.org/

search bar top right of home page >search "bring on the butterflies" click on the first article that comes up which should be titled “bring on the butterflies”. this article will provide a list of larval host plants along with pictures.

• ​Florida Wildflower Cooperative

http://floridawildflowers.com/

I order all of my florida native seeds from them

• ​Garden for Wildlife

http://gardenforwildlife.com/

my go to resource for potted pollinator plants when visiting a local nursery or garden center is not an option.

Tropical Milkweed

The below is from Rainbow Gardens (they are based out of Texas).

Tropical Milkweed MUST be cut all the way back after the fall butterfly migration to deter disruption to the natural migratory pattern of monarchs and to help eliminate the spread of OE spores (a debilitating infection that adult monarchs can contract. We actually advise to cut your tropical milkweed back at least 2 times a year, in June and November. If you can cut back 3 times it’s even better. Add a cut back in late winter/early spring, in early February.). After cutting back your tropical milkweed, let the wounds heal closed (a couple of days, and then you can spray it with a 50/50 mixture of water and isopropyl alcohol (91% strength) to further sterilize the plant. Don’t spray during the heat of the day.

Read the full article here: https://www.rainbowgardens.biz/annuals-and-perennials/planting-tips-milkweed-butterflies-host-nectar-pollinators/

Let’s Connect: RootsRedefined.com

How do wildflowers manage to bloom on roadsides?

How does an oak canopy spread out 100ft in the undisturbed depths of the quiet woods?

How did Florida's native american tribes successfully grow and harvest seminole pumpkins for hundreds of years?

How on earth do plants survive without us and the modern day sprinkler and drip system?

Thus far, this was my favorite episode to create. I hope you enjoy to listening to it as much as I enjoyed making it.

Let’s Connect: RootsRedefined.com

#podcast #gardening #florida

Today is all about transporting yourself to seaside serenity by creating your very own coastal landscape!

Groundcovers & Flowers

1. Blue Daze (Evolvulus), Salt Tolerance: High

2. Oyster Plant (Tradescantia spathacea), Salt Tolerance: Moderate to High

3. Beach Sunflower (Helianthus debilis), Salt Tolerance: High

4. Society Garlic (Tulbaghia violacea), Salt Tolerance: Moderate

5. Lantana (Lantana involucrata) and (Lantana depressa) are FL native, (Lantana camara) is an invasive species. Salt Tolerance: Moderate

6. Blanket Flower (Gaillardia pulchella), Salt Tolerance: Moderate to High

7. Crossandra (Crossandra infundibuliformis), Salt Tolerance: Moderate

8. Purple Queen (Tradescantia pallida), Salt Tolerance: Moderate

9. Railroad Vine (Ipomoea pes-caprae), Salt Tolerance: High

10. Coontie (Zamia integrifolia), Salt Tolerance: Moderate

Grasses

1. White Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum 'Alba'), Salt Tolerance: Moderate

2. Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris), Salt Tolerance: Moderate to High

3. Fakahatchee Grass (Tripsacum dactyloides), Salt Tolerance: Moderate

Vines

1. Black Eyed Susan Vine (Thunbergia alata), Salt Tolerance: Moderate

2. Corky Stem Passionflower Vine (Passiflora suberosa), Salt Tolerance: Moderate

3. Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spectabilis), Salt Tolerance: High

Trees and Shrubs

1. Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens), Salt Tolerance: Moderate

2. Coral Bean (Erythrina herbacea), Salt Tolerance: Moderate

3. Seagrape (Coccoloba uvifera), Salt Tolerance: High

4. Ixora (Ixora coccinea), Salt Tolerance: Moderate

5. Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata), Salt Tolerance: Moderate

6. Oleander (Nerium oleander), Salt Tolerance: High

7. Buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus), Salt Tolerance: High

8. Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus), Salt Tolerance: Moderate

Succulents

1. Agave (Agave americana) and (Agave americana 'Mediopicta'), Salt Tolerance: Moderate to High

2. Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller), Salt Tolerance: Moderate

3. Desert Rose (Adenium obesum), Salt Tolerance: Moderate

4. Firesticks (Euphorbia tirucalli), Salt Tolerance: High

5. Angelina Sedum (Sedum rupestre 'Angelina'), Salt Tolerance: Moderate

6. Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) & Portulaca (Portulaca grandiflora), Salt Tolerance: High

7. Baby Sun Rose (Aptenia cordifolia) and (Aptenia cordifolia 'Variegata'), Salt Tolerance: High

8. Bulbine (Bulbine frutescens), Salt Tolerance: Moderate

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The warmer weather can increase pest pressure in our gardens. But something we don’t talk about often enough is how it can also increase the amount of beneficial predatory insects that visit our yards.

Today we are going to discuss my favorite predatory insects and how you can increase their populations in your own space.

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Vines are so versatile - whether you want to make a statement in a large planter, fill a hanging basket by the front door, maximize impact in a small space with vertical interest, or maybe its a little privacy you crave...No matter your goal or vision there is a vine for that!

VINES DISCUSSED

Leaners:

1. Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.)

FYI many types of bougainvillea - not all are trained as vines.

2. Allamanda (Allamanda cathartic)

Twiners:

3. Confederate Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides)

4. Sky Vine (Thunbergia grandiflora)

5. Mandevilla Vine (Mandevilla spp.)

6. Moon Flower (Ipomoea alba)

7. Passion Vine (Passiflora spp)

8. Dutchman's Pipevine (Aristolochia tomentosa)

9. Bleeding Heart Vine (Clerodendrum thomsoniae)

Clingers:

10. English Ivy (Hedera helix)

11. Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila)

12.Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

13. Monstera (Monstera deliciosa)

Other Vines

14. Purple Heart (Tradescantia pallida)

15. Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas)

16. Asiatic Jasmine (Trachelospermum asiaticum)

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