http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/index.html http://media.miamiherald.com/images/logos/rss_sitelogo.gif http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/index.html 140 25 News, sports and entertainment from MiamiHerald.com en-us Copyright 2009 MiamiHerald.com Gardening 60 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:07:14 EST http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss McClatchy Interactive's PubSys miamifeedback@miamiherald.com http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1320516.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1320516.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:00 EST One of tropical America's oldest and most important fruit crops is being threatened by the laurel wilt fungus, causing both the commercial grower and the backyard gardener in South Florida to worry: Should I plant avocados? http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1318706.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1318706.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:00 EST Q: Our fishtail palm is dying. There are many seedpods, which seemed to sprout overnight. E.W., E.W., North Miami http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1320516.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1320516.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:00 EST One of tropical America's oldest and most important fruit crops is being threatened by the laurel wilt fungus, causing both the commercial grower and the backyard gardener in South Florida to worry: Should I plant avocados? http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/georgia-tasker/story/1166064.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/georgia-tasker/story/1166064.html Sun, 02 Aug 2009 01:00 EDT Name: Golden shower. Botanical name: Cassia fistula. Description: Racemes of yellow flowers cascading abundantly and gracefully from the twig ends. Originally from India, the tree is widely loved throughout the tropics. In South Florida, it has been overshadowed in recent years by its cousins, the pink C. javanica, the apple blossom cassia, and the newcomer C. bakeriana, the pink shower, but here and there are beautiful specimens. The leaves are compound, fairly large, and sometimes show micronutrient deficiencies by turning yellow. The tree is slow-growing. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/georgia-tasker/story/1155682.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/georgia-tasker/story/1155682.html Sun, 26 Jul 2009 01:00 EDT Name: Ponytail tree, ponytail palm, elephant foot tree.<p/> Botanical name: Beaucarnia recurvata. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/georgia-tasker/story/1146317.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/georgia-tasker/story/1146317.html Sun, 19 Jul 2009 03:01 EDT Name: Brassidium Lillian Oka `Hawaii.' Description: A cross between a Brassia, the spider orchid, and an oncidium, dancing lady orchid, that makes the hybrids a little easier to grow and the flowers a little larger. Even so, the ideal temperatures are mid-80s in the day and mid-60s at night, closer to the needs of intermediate conditions than warm conditions, so this is a good plant for the more advanced orchid hobbyist. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/georgia-tasker/story/1136166.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/georgia-tasker/story/1136166.html Sun, 12 Jul 2009 03:01 EDT Name: White alder. Botanical name: Turnera subulata. Description: From Panama through Brazil and Bolivia, this relative of the South Florida yellow alder is a summer-flowering perennial, often called a sub-shrub because of its smaller stature. The leaves are serrated and flowers appear singly. The flowers have a dark center with whitish petals, and they open when the sun hits them, closing midafternoon. Butterflies like them. The white alders mix and match well with wildflowers and butterfly-attracting... http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/georgia-tasker/story/1113344.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/georgia-tasker/story/1113344.html Sun, 28 Jun 2009 03:01 EDT This column by former Miami Herald writer Georgia Tasker has run in earlier editions. Name: Crape myrtle Botanical name: Lagerstroemia indica http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/georgia-tasker/story/1081584.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/georgia-tasker/story/1081584.html Sun, 07 Jun 2009 03:01 EDT This column by former Miami Herald writer Georgia Tasker has run in earlier editions. Name: Lotus. Botanical name: Nelumbo nucifera `Green Maiden.' http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/georgia-tasker/story/445887.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/georgia-tasker/story/445887.html Sun, 09 Mar 2008 03:01 EDT Name: Flor de rosa, rose of Venezuela, scarlet flame bean Botanical name: Brownea coccinea subspecies capitella Description: A gorgeous orange-red ball of flowers characterizes this leguminous shrub/small tree that is native to northern South America, Brazil and Trinidad and Tobago. The stamens are golden yellow and joined at the base, topped with golden anthers, adding liveliness and depth to the spectacular flower clusters that appear from late winter to spring. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/georgia-tasker/story/437128.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/georgia-tasker/story/437128.html Sun, 02 Mar 2008 03:01 EST Name: Silk cotton tree Botanical name: Bombax ceiba Description: A flowering tree of great scale that produces fiercely colored red or orange flowers. The silk cotton drops its leaves in late winter, making its bold flowers highly visible. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/georgia-tasker/story/427445.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/georgia-tasker/story/427445.html Sun, 24 Feb 2008 03:01 EST Name: Flame vine Botanical name: Pyrostegia venusta Description: When a western sun strikes it just right, the flame vine seems to ignite with dramatic clusters of slender flowers. The lobes of the flowers curl back to reveal the stigma and stamens, and a day later flowers will drop like spent embers. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/georgia-tasker/story/374089.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/georgia-tasker/story/374089.html Sun, 13 Jan 2008 03:01 EST Botanical name: Zamia tuerckheimii De- scription: A cycad from Guatemala with gracefully arching leaves. Leaflets are glossy, pointed and full on the individual fronds, resulting in a beautiful abundance. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/georgia-tasker/story/365667.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/georgia-tasker/story/365667.html Sun, 06 Jan 2008 03:01 EST Botanical name: Alcantarea odorata Description: A glorious bromeliad that has blue-green leaves covered in a white powder. Use this as a focal point in your garden, as it looks especially lovely against dark green leaves. Related to the Alcantarea imperialis (once called Vreisea imperialis), this plant and its relatives are large, elegantly formed and eye-catching. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/adrian-hunsberger/story/1308281.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/adrian-hunsberger/story/1308281.html Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:00 EDT Q: When is the best time to graft mangoes? Please note that I have no grafting experience! M.T., Homestead http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/adrian-hunsberger/story/1294958.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/adrian-hunsberger/story/1294958.html Sun, 25 Oct 2009 01:00 EDT Q: What is the proper fertilizer for topiaries? The tips of the branches appear to dry out. L.F., http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/adrian-hunsberger/story/1285726.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/adrian-hunsberger/story/1285726.html Sun, 18 Oct 2009 01:00 EDT Q: My ficus hedge is dropping a lot of yellow leaves and I see small whitish flies flying around my plants. What can I do? A.P., Miami http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/adrian-hunsberger/story/1274470.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/adrian-hunsberger/story/1274470.html Sun, 11 Oct 2009 01:00 EDT Q: I've lived here since 1926 and never saw such a critter before. My frangipani is being eaten by huge caterpillars with bright yellow stripes. They have a small tail, too. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/adrian-hunsberger/story/1263108.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/adrian-hunsberger/story/1263108.html Sun, 04 Oct 2009 01:00 EDT Q: For a year I've been struggling with a mango tree. Someone said I was watering the tree too much. I stopped the watering, but the branches are still dying off. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/adrian-hunsberger/story/1251720.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/adrian-hunsberger/story/1251720.html Sun, 27 Sep 2009 01:00 EDT Q: I heard on a radio show that royal palms can get lethal yellowing. Is that what killed my palm? M.L., South Miami http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/adrian-hunsberger/story/1239856.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/adrian-hunsberger/story/1239856.html Sun, 20 Sep 2009 01:00 EDT Q: I planted two Hawaiian plantain trees several months ago. The plants have not grown and the leaves have turned yellowish. I have tried fertilizing them several times but there has been no visible improvement. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/adrian-hunsberger/story/1228360.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/adrian-hunsberger/story/1228360.html Sun, 13 Sep 2009 01:00 EDT Q: We have a particularly spectacular amaryllis from which I took a couple of seed pods this year and recently planted the seeds. I now have a small forest of seedlings that are about one to two inches tall. What next? http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/adrian-hunsberger/story/1217581.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/adrian-hunsberger/story/1217581.html Sun, 06 Sep 2009 01:00 EDT Q: I have had a sugar apple tree for three or four years. How can you tell when the fruit are ripe? Any fertilization tips for this fruit tree? http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/adrian-hunsberger/story/1207577.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/adrian-hunsberger/story/1207577.html Sun, 30 Aug 2009 01:00 EDT Q: What mango varieties would you recommend if you could only plant two or three? http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/adrian-hunsberger/story/1196920.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/adrian-hunsberger/story/1196920.html Sun, 23 Aug 2009 01:00 EDT Q: A huge (2 1/2 to 3-inch) brown caterpillar was chewing up our white pentas and then it disappeared. The caterpillar had a huge eyespot and a ''tail.'' http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1318706.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1318706.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:00 EST Q: Our fishtail palm is dying. There are many seedpods, which seemed to sprout overnight. E.W., E.W., North Miami http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1318717.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1318717.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:00 EST EVENTS Annual Festival of the Trees: Local, nation and international designers decorate holiday trees from every imaginable material; 6 p.m. Thursday; Coverings ETC Corporate Showroom, 7610 NE Fourth Ct., Miami; $55. 305-348-1059 or www.festival http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1308286.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1308286.html Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:00 EDT I went to a couple of gardening events last year that focused on Florida natives and came home from each with a small tree to add to an area of my yard in which wildlife-friendly plants -- mostly natives -- predominate. Both have turned out to be much more attractive than I expected. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1308281.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1308281.html Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:00 EDT Q: When is the best time to graft mangoes? Please note that I have no grafting experience! M.T., Homestead http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1308461.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1308461.html Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:00 EDT EVENTS Fairchild's Bird Day: Leading ornithological experts answer questions on birding. Also explore the James A. Kushlan Bird Trail with five bird zones, including hummingbird and hawk zones; 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sunday; Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Rd., Coral Gables; $20, $15 seniors 65 and up, $10 kids 6-17, free for kids 5 and under and FTBG members. 305-667-1651 or www.fairchildgarden.org. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1294966.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1294966.html Sun, 25 Oct 2009 01:00 EDT Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) is a tropical tree native to western India that has been cultivated in Florida for more than a century. It is a handsome tree and has the added benefit of producing a large, sweet fruit. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1294958.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1294958.html Sun, 25 Oct 2009 01:00 EDT Q: What is the proper fertilizer for topiaries? The tips of the branches appear to dry out. L.F., http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1294965.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1294965.html Sun, 25 Oct 2009 01:00 EDT EVENTS East Everglades Orchid Society Annual Show & Sale: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday; R.F. Orchids, 28100 SW 182nd Ave., Homestead; free. www.orchidseeos.com. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1285730.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1285730.html Sun, 18 Oct 2009 01:00 EDT It's autumn, and South Florida gardeners' fancies are turning to thoughts of . . . impatiens? The colorful water hogs are the most popular cool weather bedding plants in South Florida, but in these days of water restrictions, other choices might be more practical. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1285726.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1285726.html Sun, 18 Oct 2009 01:00 EDT Q: My ficus hedge is dropping a lot of yellow leaves and I see small whitish flies flying around my plants. What can I do? A.P., Miami http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1285733.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1285733.html Sun, 18 Oct 2009 01:00 EDT EVENTS Butterflies of Biscayne: Exhibit of art, photos and posters on the species found in Biscayne National Park. Includes information on butterfly life cycles and ways to attract butterflies to home gardens; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through Nov. 15; Dante Fascell Visitor Center, Biscayne National Park, 9700 SW 328th St., Homestead; free. 305-230-7275 or www.nps.gov/bisc. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/adrian-hunsberger/story/1318706.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/adrian-hunsberger/story/1318706.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:00 EST Q: Our fishtail palm is dying. There are many seedpods, which seemed to sprout overnight. E.W., E.W., North Miami http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/georgia-tasker/story/1176482.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/georgia-tasker/story/1176482.html Sun, 09 Aug 2009 01:00 EDT Botanical name: Caladium X hortulanum. Description: Caladiums, South American bulbs in the aroid family, are our summer answer to northern hostas, but with hot tropical colors. Fancy-leafed caladiums have the largest leaves; strap-leafed caladiums are skinnier, with arching or drooping leaves that hang well out of baskets. Mixes of dots, dashes, lines and splashes of pink, red, white, cream and green brighten the summer garden beds abandoned by wimpy impatiens unable to take the heat. In spite of their fragile appearance, caladiums hold their own in South Florida sun and rain, although some protection in midday is good for them. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1274474.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1274474.html Sun, 11 Oct 2009 01:00 EDT When you're swinging in a hammock on a breezy fall day, eating dinner with your family in the shade of a wise old oak or barbecuing with friends, you probably don't want the world looking in on your backyard scene of splendor. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1274473.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1274473.html Sun, 11 Oct 2009 01:00 EDT EVENTS Butterflies of Biscayne: Exhibit of art, photos and posters on the species found in Biscayne National Park. Includes information on butterfly life cycles and ways to attract them to home gardens; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through Saturday; Dante Fascell Visitor Center, Biscayne National Park, 9700 SW 328th St., Homestead; free. 305-230-7275 or www.nps.gov/bisc. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1263110.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1263110.html Sun, 04 Oct 2009 01:00 EDT Karin Fields of Fort Lauderdale is enthusiastic about the potential of her yard. She's not going for a fluffy, lush lawn. At least not in the usual sense. Instead, she's happily swapping out sections of grass for artichokes, broccoli and onions. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1263121.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1263121.html Sun, 04 Oct 2009 01:00 EDT EVENTS Back to Nature Farmers' Market & Pines Garden Show: Fresh vegetables and fruits, native plants, trees, flowers and orchids. Gardening demos on how to attract birds and butterflies, native ferns and frogs, lawns and landscaping, care and trimming trees and growing vegetables and flowers while conserving water. Also includes children's art activities; 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday; Pembroke Pines City Hall, 10100 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines; free. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1251727.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1251727.html Sun, 27 Sep 2009 01:00 EDT EVENTS Back to Nature Farmers' Market & Pines Garden Show: Fresh vegetables and fruits, native plants, trees, flowers and orchids. Garden professionals demonstrate how to attract birds and butterflies, native ferns and frogs, care for trees, lawns and landscaping, properly trim a tree and grow vegetable and flower gardens plus conserve water. Also includes children's art activities; 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday; Pembroke Pines City Hall, 10100 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines; free. 954-435-6525 or www.ppines.com. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1239861.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1239861.html Sun, 20 Sep 2009 01:00 EDT While people in the rest of the country are preparing to harvest their fruit and vegetables, we here in South Florida are getting ready to plant our crops. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1239860.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1239860.html Sun, 20 Sep 2009 01:00 EDT EVENTS Back to Nature Farmers' Market & Pines Garden Show: Vegetables and fruits, native plants, trees, flowers and orchids. Garden professionals demonstrate how to attract birds, butterflies, native ferns and frogs plus tell how to care for trees, lawns and landscaping, grow vegetables and flowers and properly trim trees and use water in a sustaining way. Also includes children's art activities; 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday; Pembroke Pines City Hall, 10100 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines; free. 954-435-6525 or www.ppines.com. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1228373.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1228373.html Sun, 13 Sep 2009 01:00 EDT It is said that in India people cherish two things above all else -- the monsoon and the mango. It is in these two truths that we in South Florida can find a common ground with our brothers and sisters in Asia. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1228435.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1228435.html Sun, 13 Sep 2009 01:00 EDT EVENTS A.D. Barnes Park Bird Walk: Gigi Pardo leads birders through park; 7:30 a.m. Sunday; 3401 SW 72nd Ave., West Miami-Dade. www.tropicalaudubon.org. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1222391.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1222391.html Mon, 07 Sep 2009 01:00 EDT Plants that shared the prehistoric landscape with dinosaurs like herbivorous sauropods and meat-eating allosaurs can be found today in South Florida -- in a little-known Coral Gables research garden celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1217585.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1217585.html Sun, 06 Sep 2009 01:00 EDT You may be thinking that summer will never end, but the first day of autumn is only two weeks away. It's time to do all of those garden chores that you've been meaning to do all summer. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1217589.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1217589.html Sun, 06 Sep 2009 01:00 EDT Designing a completely hurricane-proof yard may be impossible, but there are steps you can take to help your landscaping survive the fiercest of storms. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1218240.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1218240.html Sun, 06 Sep 2009 01:00 EDT EVENTS Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park Bird Walk: Jeff Weber leads birders through the park in Key Biscayne. Participants meet at No Name Harbor; 8 a.m. Sunday; Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, 1200 S. Crandon Blvd., Key Biscayne; free, but park entrance fee of $8 per vehicle. www.tropicalaudubon.org. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1207586.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1207586.html Sun, 30 Aug 2009 01:00 EDT Every successful gardener works hard to choose the right plant for the right place. But just as important in South Florida is learning to avoid putting the wrong plant in any place. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1196924.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1196924.html Sun, 23 Aug 2009 01:00 EDT One of the flowering plants dearest to my heart is the geranium. When I was a child, I would ask my mother what she wanted for her birthday or Mother's Day, and the answer was invariably the same: ''Just get me a geranium.'' http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1196923.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1196923.html Sun, 23 Aug 2009 01:00 EDT Many gardeners think August is too hot to work but a great month to sit under the shade of their trees, eat mangoes and plan their fall gardens. While August can be a difficult month for garden work because of high temperatures and rainy weather, it can also be very rewarding.