Callinadnra emarginata was Please Help Identify

Calliandra emarginata
(Pink Powderpuff)
January 10, 2009

[edited to include updated information, March 2, 2009]

During our vacation in central Florida I spotted this beautiful shrub. Unfortunately there was no one out and about when I took the picture so I could not ask what it was. If anyone can identify this beautiful bush could you please leave a comment? Thanks so much!

Thanks to the help of Sinclair this shrub has been identified. He sent me this link to help me in the identification. Wind also commented that it might be bottlebrush but a search found that bottlebrush Callistemon grows mainly in east and southeast Australia (ref. here). Bottlebrush has a much elongated but similar bloom to the powderpuff shrub. Thank-you both so much for your help! I really appreciate it.

Unfortunately for me this shrub grows best in tropical and subtropical climates so the cooler temperatures of Ontario, Canada especially in the winter months would likely mean the shrub would not survive. For those interested in this pretty shrub, check out the link from Sinclair. It is quite informative. I'm sure this shrub would look wonderful in your garden!

One of the downsides to vacationing is seeing all this beautiful vegetation that I would love to be able to grow. I am going to have to enjoy them while on vacation but the possibility of growing indoors is always a possibility as soon as I can talk my husband into a nice conservatory.

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2009

Spanish Moss (Tillandsia usneoides)

Spanish Moss
(Tillandsia usneoides)

Many of the trees in the resort we stayed at during our winter vacation in Florida had a lot of Spanish Moss aka Florida moss, long moss or graybeard hanging from them. I thought it was rather pretty and would have liked to bring some home. Spanish moss is not a true moss but rather an epiphytic plant which grows on other plants. Unlike parasitic plants, Spanish moss does not rely on the host plant for nutrients as it makes it's own food. Unlike symbiotic plants, Spanish moss does not provide a benefit for the host plant either rather in some cases it can be damaging to the host plant by over-shading the leaves or damaging the host branches if the weight of the Spanish moss becomes too heavy. This plant prefers moist environments but will survive in drier climates as well. It is commonly found in cypress trees.

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2009

Brugmansia

Brugmansia
January 14, 2009

Overlooking one of the grottoes in Hollis Garden (Lakeland, Florida) was an amazingly beautiful flowering shrub with huge, drooping trumpet shaped flowers. Unfortunately I could not get close enough to see if they smelled as heavenly as they looked. When we arrived home I did a little research to identify this flowering shrub. I would love to grow this pretty shrub if at all possible. It is called Brugmansia or commonly Angel's Trumpet.

Brugmansia is a member of the Solanaceae family and is native to the sub-tropical areas of South America. This flowering shrub reaches a height of 3 to 11 metres. The beautiful trumpet shaped flowers range from 14 to 50 cm in size. The flower colour is white, yellow, pink, orange or red. The flowers have a delicate, attractive scent that has slightly lemony overtones. All parts of Brugmansia are poisonous to both humans and animals and can be fatal if ingested. For this reason some municipalities prohibit the purchase, sale or cultivation of Brugmansia. The shrub grows best in moist, fertile, well drained soil in full sun to partial shade, in frost-free climates. Unfortunately our little corner of the earth in Zone 6A is not frost-free so I likely will not be able to grow them. At three metres high the shrub would be to large to bring indoors as well so I will have to settle for enjoying them when we are in Florida.

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2009

Hollis Garden (Lakeland, Florida)

Hollis Garden
January 14, 2009

During our recent vacation to the sun and warmth of Florida our friends who vacation there for the entire winter (lucky them) took us sightseeing. One of our stops was Hollis Garden. This beautiful 1.2 acre garden that was donated to Lakeland is located on the south side of Lake Mirror Park in Lakeland. It is home to thousands of flowers, trees, shrubs, vegetables and other vegetation. There are beautiful fountains, waterfalls and grottoes. As we wandered through the garden I could not help but marvel at the not only the vast array of vegetation but how neat and tidy everything looked. This park must take a considerable amount of maintenance. The sun felt wonderful. I could have spent the entire day it that garden!
Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2009