Fascinating Finds in Florida – Fine Gardening

Happy Friday GPODers!

I was recently scrolling through some old photos and hit a batch I had taken on a trip to Florida at the beginning of 2022. For anyone unaware, I converted an old bus in 2021 that I travel in part time. This trip to Florida was the very first in my new home on wheels, and it was only my second time ever visiting the state. I ended up staying for two months, traveling throughout and highly enjoying my time there.

However, this trip did include a bit of a road block as I ran into some mechanical difficulties around Fort Lauderdale, and needed to stay in the area for a couple of weeks while repairs were happening. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise, allowing me to slow down a little bit, do some more walking around, and make an unexpected strip to Hugh Taylor Birch State Park.

As crazy as it might sound, turning a corner and seeing this massive mammy croton (Codiaeum variegatum ‘Mammy’, Zones 9–10) was such a profound plant experience. I’ve purchased a few pots of this croton through the years in attempts to grow it as a colorful houseplant. I’ve never been able to create the conditions it needs indoors. However, down in Florida, I can walk down an unsuspecting street and see this beauty growing in it’s full, huge shrub form.

At first, genuinely, my eyes could not believe what they were seeing. Upon closer inspection of these incredible, “curly” leaves, I confirmed it was the croton of my dreams.

But it was really interesting plants seemingly around every corner. I had never seen a starburst bush (Clerodendrum quadriloculare, Zones 9–11) before, but I could never miss these other-worldly blooms peeking out from over a concrete wall.

Unknown to me, I was in Florida at just the right time to see these fabulous flowers that emerge in mid-to-late winter and persist into early spring. The rest of the year, the beautiful foliage with purple-ish undersides provides plenty of interest.

Finally, the plant that stole the show for me that winter had no flowers and the foliage wasn’t anything of note. The banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis, Zones 10–12) at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park will catch your eye from a distance thanks to its massive web of aerial roots that become accessory trunks when they reach the ground and take root.

Also known as the Audrey fig, it produces fruit that is technically edible but isn’t known to be very tasty. It is native to India, and is the countries’ national tree. While you might not be able to grow an impressive specimen like this in your backyard, like other ficus, they can be grown as houseplants or even bonsai!

Hope you enjoyed this look at a few outside-the-norm plants. As we head toward winter, are you planning on visiting some warmer climates? Or do you reside in a locale that doesn’t often experience freezing temperatures? Let us know in the comments below, and follow the directions below if you have some fascinating plant finds to share. Have a wonderful weekend 🙂

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Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Black and Decker 22-inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer

Quick and easy to put into operation and is less noisy and lighter in weight than gas-powered hedge trimmers.
– 38 x 7 x 7 inches
– 6.9 pounds
– 1 Lithium Ion battery required (included)

DeWalt Variable-Speed Cordless Reciprocating Saw

You can fit a variety of blades to this saw to cut fallen branches or prune larger limbs from trees in a pinch. It’s fast, tough, easy to use, and extremely versatile.
– 18.31 x 6.13 x 4 inches
– 1-1/8-inch stroke length
– Variable speed trigger with 0-3000 spm