Tampa Ag Blog

  The Cypress tree is an essential tree in our wetlands. Cypress trees are clear-cut just for mulch. In Florida this type of clear cutting presents a special problem. It creates room for the Brazilian Pepper-tree (Schinus terbinthifolius). Brazilian Pepper is a highly invasive tree that costs the state (you and me) an enormous amount of money to eradicate and keep under control.

 If that isn’t enough to convince you cypress mulch is not a good choice for your garden, listen to this. Cypress mulch doesn’t decompose and it prevents water, nutrients and air from reaching your plant’s roots.

Pine bark or straw and some of the others are a much better and more conscientious choice.

Camellias are native to China and Japan. They were first imported to western gardens in the 18^thcentury.  Luckily they survived the long journey on the East India Company voyage to the U.S. The leaf bud of Camellia sinensis was used for tea.

Camellias grow well in moist, mild winter areas like the South, California and the Pacific Northwest. The autumn blooming C.sasanqua grows in areas of zone 6 if protected. Camellias like some shade in summer and well-drained, slightly acidic, humus-rich soil. The Sasanqua is best for full sun. They can grow to 12 feet unless you buy a dwarf variety.

I have 13 of them (just walked out to count them), and they are full of buds. I also have a baby Camellia that I won, oddly enough at a rose society meeting. Haven’t quite figured out where to put him yet.

 Camellias produce many flowers with striking colors, from deep reds to soft pinks and whites. The shrubs serve as hedges or stand alone as trees with big evergreen glossy leaves.  

I heard a long time ago that you need to remove the old blossoms from underneath the shrub or you will get fungus.

Scale is the most serious pest. Heavy infestations can cause extensive leaf yellowing, leaf drop (defoliation) dieback, and plant death.

Wipeout - an organic fish oil that works well as a contact kill and Merit  is a good systemic product.

Mine should start blooming any day now and I will enjoy them for months to come. What more can you ask from a shrub?

 Anyone that plants the Mexican petunia (Ruellia Tweediana) soon discovers that this pretty bluish-purple flowering plant can become quite a nuisance.

Also known as the Mexican bluebell, this plant is a non-native perennial. It will take over a flowerbed with a vengeance. I too was an innocent Mexican petunia lover since they are quite lovely and can take just about any kind of weather; full sun and shade, drought and rain.  

Mexican petunia is listed as a Category 1 invasive pest plant by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (www.fleppc.org).  It has invaded natural areas throughout the state, especially in wet areas displacing native flora. It spreads from seed, rhizomes and cuttings. Even dwarf forms are considered invasive. 

I’m not the only one that was fooled by this plant; I see them everywhere I look. I am currently STILL digging them up and will have to resort to spraying them with Brush Killer an 8.8 % Triclopyr to get rid of them once and for all. Clear Pasture is a 61.6% Triclopyr and is labeled for many types of invasive shrubs and trees. 

Try to be conscious of planting non-native invasive plants; you’ll be a much happier gardener and do the entire state of Florida a big favor!