What's blooming in May: Tabebuias, African tulip trees, jacarandas, royal poincianas, Texas wild olives, lignum vitae, apple blossom cassia, Bahama cassia, Cassia barkeriana, Rangoon creeper and forest bells (Tecomanthe dendrophila).
Twice-weekly watering is back in effect. Even addresses may run sprinklers Thursdays and Sundays; odd-numbered addresses on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Where saltwater intrusion is a concern, watering is still once a week: Dania Beach, Hallandale Beach, Lake Worth and Lantana.
Other things to do in the garden in May:
• Consult an arborist about pruning trees for upcoming hurricane season.
• Make cuttings of vines, shrubs such as crotons, pentas and other woody perennials; snip off a few inches of new growth and remove the bottom leaves; plant in a 50-50 mix of peat moss and Perlite; place the containers in shade and keep the medium moist and out of wind.
• Crank up the fertilizer schedule for orchids as light and heat increase.
• Watch for May beetles that eat holes in leaves. Put out a white bucket half full of water and beetles will be attracted to the white, fly in and drown.
• Thrips on gardenias will cause bud drop. These are tiny black insects that suck juices from unopened flower buds, including orchids. Spray with isopropyl alcohol three days in a row, or use a systemic insecticide.
• Vegetables to plant: Black-eyed peas, okra, sweet potatoes, watermelon.
