Author Archives: TropicScapes

Choosing sun-loving plants here in Florida is a must. There’s a reason we’re called the Sunshine state! Try these 12 plants that flourish in the full Florida sun:

• Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii)

Originally from Madagascar and believed by some to be the same plant that adorned Christ’s crown of thorns, this cactus-like plant shoots out dainty pink or white flowers on a thorny stem. Wear gloves when handling Crown of Thorns, as its sap can be mildly poisonous. Read More →

If this is going to be your first winter in Florida, you might be wondering what to expect when it comes to lawncare. It is clear that Florida’s tropical climate keeps it from truly getting cold. But that doesn’t mean your plants, trees, shrubs, and lawn aren’t going to need any winterization. Even though you’ll need lawn maintenance year-round, there are still some steps needed to winterize your lawn.

Winterizing your lawn

Winterizing your lawn starts with mowing it to the proper height. The right winter height for your turf depends on the type of grass, lawn irrigation, and other factors that are unique to your landscape. If you’re not sure what height your lawn should be mowed to during this season, contact us for assistance. Read More →

Even though Florida winter isn’t going to bring brutally cold temperatures or snow, but it is colder than the rest of the year. Although that doesn’t mean a lot for the plants most of the country is used to, tropical plants, shrubs, and trees are different. 

Tropical plants thrive in Florida because much of the year is very hot, humid, and rainy. But when the weather turns cool in the winter your tropical shrubs are likely to suffer. To keep your plants alive through the winter follow these tropical plant tips.

Use drop cloths to cover tropical shrubs and smaller trees.

The best advice for tropical plants is to bring them inside, but that isn’t possible when you’re talking about landscape features like shrubs and saplings. You can use old sheets, blankets, or cloth tarps to cover the bushes. This helps protect them from any frost (frozen dew). Read More →

Are you working on new landscaping this month or next? Late summer and early fall can be problematic times for overhauling your landscaping. There are several perils that will not just make your lawn look horrible, may actually kill your grass and plants. Here are some things to think about.

August and early September are high-humidity months.

There is a ton of humidity in the air in August and September. By this point, the rainy season has been in full swing for a while, and the earth is simply saturated. If you’re not careful, that humidity can be deadly to grass and some garden plants.  Read More →

If you are new to Florida, you may not be acclimated to the tropical climate. In fact, Florida is very tropical, with mild winters and rainy summers, not to mention tropical storms. But how does this climate affect the best plants for Florida lawns? 

Florida’s climate is very warm, has a long rainy season, and only really gets cool or dry for a couple of months of the winter. This means that you need to have plants that are resistant to overwatering because they get a lot of water from the frequent storms. Read More →

Florida’s tropical climate means that you can pretty much plant tropical trees and shrubs at any time of the year, except winter. Although it is best to plant most things in the early to late spring, planting in the height of summer is still possible. There are a few things to remember while you are planting tropical trees and shrubs in the summer.

Plant During Rainfall

When you first plant a tropical tree or palm in your yard, it’s going to need a lot of water. The summers in Florida are fairly rainy seasons, so it is usually recommended that you plant in the early summer. Even in the late summer, your tropical tree will get a lot of natural watering. But with the heat, it might need a little boost. Make sure you keep the soil moist and let us know if you have questions about a watering schedule. Read More →

Do you have tropical shrubs in your lawn? Whether you moved into the home to find tropical shrubs on the property or you are having us install new shrubs for you, it is important that you care for them properly. This means that you must maintain your shrubs, including trimming and pruning. Here’s what you need to know to keep your Florida tropical shrubs beautiful and healthy.

Trim as Desired

Minor trimmings of your shrubs can actually be done at almost any time. If you start to notice that the shape is changing or there are sprouts here and there out of place, there is nothing wrong with going out and clipping them back to maintain the shape you want. It is best to trim after watering or a good rain, but that isn’t necessary for it to thrive. Read More →

Many Americans are either working full time or receiving the extra $600 per week in unemployment. If you fall in one of those categories, you probably don’t need the stimulus payment to keep up with your necessary bills. If you have up to $3400 in your pocket, it can be tempting to blow the money on things you’ve been wanting to buy. However, it is much better to invest that money into something that will benefit you and your family. Read More →

The world is a very strange place right now. So many businesses are closing, and people are staying in their homes as much as possible. In such a crisis, it is natural that many of our normal activities are disrupted. Even the things that you could take care of go to the wayside due to executive dysfunction caused by isolation and anxiety.

But, as different as it may be, life goes on. Your grass will continue to grow. Your shrubs and trees may need to be pruned. If you lost shrubs or trees to the winter months or age, you may need to replace them to maintain the balance of your lawn’s ecosystem. There are many things that need to be addressed in landscaping maintenance throughout the year, and they will still need to be done even though everything seems topsy turvy. Read More →