The lacy, evergreen Pepper Tree needs very little water when established, prefers a sandy, loamy soil but is tolerant of any soil, dry or moist. It is single or multi-stemmed, dark green, moderately weeping in form, and spreads 30 – 40’ high. The flowers are off–white to yellow and produce round, reddish fruit which contain the seeds. The fruit looks like salmon eggs and has a strong pepper scent.
The Oleander is an evergreen shrub and/or tree, growing up to 6m high, or are dwarf shrubs for home landscaping. The leaves are in pairs or whorls of three, are thick and leathery, dark green, long and narrow. The flowers grow in clusters at the end of each branch in colors of white, red, pink, or yellow, come in single or double blossoms, and are sometimes fragrant. It is an ornamental plant that tolerates poor soil, is drought and pollution resistant, and can be planted in compacted soil with poor drainage.
The Laurel de India has a rounded dense crown, smooth grey bark, milky sap, provides maximum shade, and is evergreen with shiny/glossy – textured foliage. The bloom is inconspicuous and propagation is from woody stem cuttings. These fast growing trees can be maintained as shrubbery, pruned and shaped as in the SMA Jardins, or left to spread as high as 60 feet.
The Jacaranda is a genus of 49 species of flowering plants in the Family Bignoniaceae, native to tropical and sub-tropical regions of South and Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and subsequently because of the rich bloom and popularity, anywhere it will live.
This moss-like, evergreen, creeping ground cover can grow to about 6 inches high, but maintains itself at 1 to 2 inches. It is a perennial, does well in light acid soil, and has dense matting ¼ inch leaves. Protect Baby Tears from burning in SMA sun: the plant prefers a temperate climate but will do well here in mottled shade.
An evergreen Conifer tree with a conic crown, dense sprays growing erect with a dark green ‘exclamation mark’ profile, a highly characteristic signature of Mediterranean landscapes: used in cemeteries and along roadsides.
The Acanthus Mollis (shown) is a large, herb or shrub plant with lobed basil leaves and tall spikes of white, pink or purplish flowers, which last six to 10 weeks. When past bloom the plant can be cut back to 5 inches above ground for immediate new growth. Although listed as a perennial, the plant can live and produce year after year.
The name Agapanthus is derived from the Greek ‘Agape’ meaning love and ‘Anthos’ meaning flower. Introduced into Europe in 1679 from South Africa it originated in the coldest temperatures of the Western Cape. The flower heads, known as umbels, are made up of tubular flowers and range in colors of blue to violet and also white. Keep the plants on the dry side except use ample water during the growing season.
The flower colors are red, orange, purple, white, pink, green and peach and may come variegated, cupped, heart shaped, flat or stand upright. Whenever there is a new leaf there will be a new flower. When fertilizing use a 3:1:2 ratio diluted to ¼ strength. Anthurium comes from the Greek meaning anthos – flower and oura – tail, so named because the spadix looks like a tail. A good ‘clean air’ indoor plant.
Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spectabilis) is an evergreen vine or shrub belonging to the 4 o’clock family. The plant can be grown outdoors in any sunny, frost-free area. It can be pruned as a shrub, ground cover, small tree (shown), or espaliered up and over walls as a flowering vine. The individual flower is small and inconspicuous but when covered in blooms the plant is spectacular. Colors vary from purples to pink, yellow, white and variegated.
The Calla Lilly’s amazing bloom duration, about five weeks can enhance your under-tree or garden shaded areas. The flower color range is white (Aethiopica, most common in SMA), lemon yellow to gold, orange to rust, purple to black, pink to lavender, red to burgundy, salmon and variegated green.
The cyclamen is one of the best, potted, indoor, winter blooming plants available. C. Persicum (shown) is the most popular of the 15 species. The plant prefers a cool location with good air circulation and should never be placed near a heat source. They flower from September through April and are available in white, pink, red, salmon and violet.
Daisies are named from the old Anglo-Saxon language ‘daes eage’ meaning day’s eye. There are more than 28 varieties with the Shasta and African the most popular. Plant 9 – 12 inches apart and because they have a prostrate or spreading growing habit they need division and replanting every two years. Water regularly during dry periods and propagate by division in the spring or by sewing seeds in the Spring or late Autumn. Use a fertilizer high in phosphorous for large, bright blooms. The leaves of this perennial form a basal tufft or rosette.
The Distictis is a fast, vigorous growing vine climbing by tendrils. It has glossy, evergreen foliage, velvety-trumpet shaped five inch flowers and comes in purple with orange throats (shown), or, are orange-red (Mexican Blood Flower). The vine flowers much of the year in warm weather and is a humming bird favorite.
The hibiscus is a perennial herb, shrub or tree with about 100 genera and 1,000 species. The flowers are conspicuous, trumpet-shaped and range 4-15 cm broad. Color varies from white to pink, red, purple or yellow. When planting put the crowns (top of plant) 3-4 inches beneath soil in a permanent location; hibiscus do not spread. Dating back to Roman times, the Hibiscus has been used as cordials, jams, syrups teas, and medicinal remedies (not recommended, adverse reactions are common).
A mandavilla is a tropical vine with pink, red, yellow or white funnel-shaped flowers, has a woody stem with tendrils that wrap around any support for climbing, and is an excellent landscaping screen with much height and little ground space. Wire or thin sticks are good supports. Most common variety in SMA is the Amabilis Alice Du Pont with fuzzy leaves and bright pink flowers: second most common is the Mandavilla Splendens with a dark glossy leaf.
The Stephanotis, a vine and climber, blooms mid summer to late fall, has a rich gardenia aroma, and will produce a seedpod from which new plants can be propagated. The plant will not do well exposed to long hours of SMA sun. It is a tropical, tender perennial sometimes referred to as a Madagascar Jasmine.
