Category Archives: Plants

Cocoplum – Chrysobalanus icaco

Cocoplum

Ahh, the ubiquitous Cocoplum, the workhorse shrub for the Treasure Coast. You gotta love it ..takes a licking and keeps on ticking. This picture is from the Winn Dixie parking lot. The shrub is irrigated but it also still alive, amazing.

Cocoplums are native to South Florida and will grow in seaside areas and elsewhere with little or no supplemental irrigation. The are two varieties- the coastal, which is low and tumbling medium texture shrub and the inland which will reach heights of 15 feet and may be pruned into a nice small tree. The inland variety is typically used as a clipped hedge and has a reddish tint to the new foliage.

You have to find a true Zone 10 native if you are looking for someone who actually likes to eat the Coco Plums. The shrubs do bear fruit, apparently, it is something like grits if you grow up on it you like it otherwise, not so much…the people who like Cocoplum fruit are usually true connoisseurs of mangoes as well and hopefully, if they grow Mangoes this is whats is in your gift basket, not the Cocoplums.

More Crotons – Codiaeum variegatum

More Crotons
There are many different varieties of Croton, the names range from Sloppy Painter to Mrs. Robinson (not sure I even want to know the reason for that name!)

Here is a picture of two additional types of Crotons. On the left side, the Petra Croton, which grows to 8-10 feet and has many uses as a large shrub. I often see these planted and pruned into being ugly because they are naturally taller. This plant has a coarse texture and pruning chews up the leaves.
So, remember, if you want something tall..plant something tall, don’t beat it up for being tall.

On the right is the Gold Dust Croton, I would tend to use this more as an accent plant – both of these shrubs would look wonderful in a tapestry style hedge planting.

It is strange, there is another Gold Dust plant..Gold Dust Aucuba. It is one of those you love it or you hate it plants. This particular shrub will not make it in South Florida but it does from South Georgia almost to Chicago..One of the more opinionated plants around, usually “my Grandma had those and I hate em”
Well, a little Gold Dust in a dark corner is a good thing sometimes..be it a Croton or an Aucuba.

Croton

Croton

This is a close up of the foliage of the Croton, with foliage like this who needs flowers? Crotons are commonly seen in South Florida and used for just about anything you can think of to do with a shrub. I have seen these from about 2 feet up to about 10 feet tall and the variety of foliage color is tremendous but primarily green with yellow, red or orange markings. There is a variety of leaf shapes and sizes as well. A very versatile shrub.

This is a Mammy Croton, it is supposed to be dwarf only getting 3 feet tall. I am thinking we will wait and see if that is true. Plants have a way of not following instructions on their prescribed full size.

Dwarf Firebush – Hamelia patens

Dwarf Firebush - Hamelia patens

This is a Dwarf Firebush I planted to screen my well equipment. The one in the foreground is doing well. The two further back in the photo have been watered too frequently by my well intentioned large dog. I foolishly did not realize they are the only freestanding objects in the fenced area.
The Firebush is a Florida native that is supposed to be pretty bulletproof once established. I am guessing since the back two are still alive that is true. Orange and red tubular flowers are going off and on year round. Hardy in Zones 10 and 11, these shrubs can reach 15 feet. I am hoping these are truly dwarf and I can keep them 4 feet or so. Fingers crossed.

About

I am a major market girl. Born and raised in Atlanta, GA.

A few years back, my husband and I returned from our annual sojourn to Maui and decided we had to get the heck out of the big city. So, he retired and we relocated to the Treasure Coast.

I had been coming to Southeast Florida on business for 25 years or so and my college roommate lives in Hobe Sound. I had been here, Larry had not.. so, we looked around, he loved it, we bought a house and relocated. Now my satellite radio gets stuck on Margaritaville (I had nothing to do with this – it is karmatic.)

I have practiced Landscape Architecture for almost 30 years and found the dearth of useful information on plants and landscaping for the Treasure Coast in general to be troubling, I knew a lot about what grows here, have learned a lot more and wanted to share the knowledge;  hence the blog. I love plants, fun facts, semi healthy food,wine and dogs. The complete lack of winter and local produce sweeten the deal.  The proximity to the beach sealed the deal.

So long Major Market…