The silver buttonwood tree is a member of the Combretaceae family and is considered a great addition for Florida coastal gardens because of its unusual silvery-gray color leaves, appealing growth habit and shapely trunk. Silver buttonwood makes for a striking hedge shrub, accent or small tree that contrasts beautifully with the green landscape. These plants stand out when planted in combination with red, blue, purple and white flowering plants.
The Buttonwood tree is native to tropical America and the West Indies, coastal south and central Florida. They flourish best in Zone 10 and 11 as they are not adapted to cold winter temps and frost of Zone 9.
Since the Buttonwood often grows along shorelines, it is highly salt-resistant and can grow in tough conditions. The Silver Buttonwood also does well in sand and alkaline soils that are periodically inundated with freshwater or brackish water to moderately well-drained soils
They are moderate to fast growers that prefer full to part sun. They can be planted even in part shade, too, but won’t grow to be as full or get as colorful foliage.
When used as a hedge, Silver Buttonwood can grow to about 10 feet but can be trimmed down to about 5 to 6 feet. The plant grows in the shape of a vase, and is wider at the top and often somewhat bare at the bottom. In cultivation as a small tree, it can reach a mature size of 20 feet unless trimmed.
In the late summer to early fall the small button-like flowers on long panicles sets into button like fruit that then hardens into a reddish-brown woody seed cones. When fully ripe, the capsules burst, dispersing the seeds.
Silver Buttonwood is an important host for epiphytes in South Florida. They can be used as wind breaks in landscape and also to provide light shade. They give good cover and food for wildlife.
Silver Buttonwood Plant Care
Buttonwood will grow in a large container but at some point it’ll outgrow the pot and need to be planted in the ground.
To successfully grow Silver Buttonwood in the landscape in Zones 10, and 11, you should plant early in the season when there is no danger of frost or freeze.
Choose a sunny or partly sunny spot in a tropical to subtropical landscape for your new tree once it is at least a foot tall. Place these shrubs 3 or 4 feet apart and away from the house so that the gutters and eaves are in the clear when the plant reaches a mature height.
Dig a hole for it that is twice as large as the pot it is in and the same depth. Make sure that the crown of the plant does not get buried in the planting process. Fill the hole in with native soil.
Fix it to a stake while the roots take hold. A little top mulching can also help hold moisture and keep weeds at bay. Prune lightly till the tree achieves the desired form. Avoid hard pruning of more than 1/3 of the plant and only do it in spring – late March or early April.
You should water on a regular basis to keep the tree lush and full. Then watch your Silver Buttonwood tree grow and enjoy the beauty the soft silver green foliage. Get in touch with Wilcox Nursery & Landscape for more gardening tips and ideas on landscape design.
As in nature, so also in gardens and commercial landscapes, water is a crucial factor for plant growth. The absence of adequate rainfall or irrigation for a period of time can lead to drought stress, which can reduce plant growth. Drought stress happens when water loss from the plant far exceeds the ability of the plant’s roots to absorb water and when the water content drops low enough to hamper normal plant processes. Even though Florida gets an annual average of over 50 inches of rain, plants in the sunshine state may encounter drought-stress between rains year-round. (more…)
Every day more people are choosing native plants when landscaping because it creates a more sustainable space. Since native plants thrive where they’re planted, there is no need for pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. And, native landscaping better manages storm water, reduces maintenance, and promotes plant and wildlife conservation.
Planting Considerations
Use drought-resistant plants. In general, these plants have leaves which are small, thick, glossy, silver-grey or fuzzy – all characteristics which help them save water.
Select plants for their ultimate size. This reduces pruning maintenance.
For hot, dry areas with south and west exposure, use plants which need only a minimum of water.
Along north and east-facing slopes and walls, choose plants that like more moisture.
Most importantly, don’t mix plants with high- and low-watering needs in the same planting area.
Trees help to reduce evaporation by blocking wind and shading the soil.
If you really want a versatile ornamental grass that will put on a spectacular show in your garden, then you don’t need to look further than Muhly Grass. This hardy and easy to grow grass creates a wonderful flair of showy cotton-candy pink cloud of flowers each fall. In this post you will get valuable tips on growing and caring for Muhly Grass.
What is Muhly Grass?
With the scientific name, Muhlenbergia capillaris, this plant has long foliage blades that can reach 3 to 4 feet tall and up to 3 feet wide when mature. Muhly Grass is native to Florida and the eastern half of the United States. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, this perennial plant flourishes in zones 7 through 11 and it is also hardy to Zone 6 with protection. Muhly Grass looks like normal clumps of dark-green grass throughout the growing season but it creates vibrant pink to purple billowy inflorescences in the fall. The feathery flowers float above the body of the plant in an airy display. There is also a white flowering variety. Garden designers often plant Muhly Grass in large groups for a stunning visual effect.
Preferred Site Conditions For Muhly Grass
Muhly Grass can be grown throughout Florida as a solitary plant or as mass median plantings. It is also used commonly in golf course landscaping and in rain gardens Plant several together but they should be spaced at least 24 to 36 inches apart for aesthetic impact.
Zones: 7 – 10
Moisture timing: When freshly planted, it needs supplemental irrigation to help the grass grow taller.
Soil: Tolerant of a range of soil conditions alkaline to acid, sandy soils, sandy, sandy loam. It works well even in poor soils as groundcover. Moreover this plant can tolerate salt spray generally found in coastal settings.
Light: Full sun – light shade
How to Grow Ornamental Muhly Grass
Follow these simple tips from our planting expert at Wilcox Nursery and Landscaping to enjoy great landscaping with Muhly Grass faster.
Muhly Grass is best planted in a bright, sunny area of your garden, just like other ornamental grasses.
Water new plants until they are established. After that, they’ll have good drought tolerance.
Remove rocks or weeds from a bright sunny area of your garden. You must make enough space for 2 to 3 feet between the centers of each Muhly Grass clump you plant. Muhly Grass is adaptable to all soil types and areas with slow drainage, though soil that drains well is preferred.
Dig a hole for each Muhly Grass plant about two to three times the width of the plant’s root ball and no deeper than the height of the root ball’s height.
Turn your nursery pots of Muhly Grass on their sides, and push up on the flexible bottoms to loosen the plants before placing it in the hole, with the crown slightly above the surrounding soil.
Water the soil to ensure the plant’s root ball is thoroughly soaked. Wait for the water to soak in, and then fill around the plants with soil and firm it with your hands. The plant will need at least an inch of water each week during the first growing season. But the soil should not be soggy.
Care of Muhly Grass
Growing Muhly Grass is easy as it requires little maintenance or upkeep. You do not have to water once the grass matures. Muhly Grass does look better and flowers abundantly with periodic supplemental irrigation during periods of drought.
Though the grass is semi-evergreen, dead growth should be moved at the base of the clump. Lift the grass blades up and gently pull the loose dead duff of brown dead leaves away from the clump. The grass will look better and this helps to keep it healthy. Note that hard pruning is not recommended for mature muhly grass.
Although usually not necessary, you can also nourish the plants in spring with a diluted by half balanced plant food and water when the soil appears dry in the top couple of inches. That’s all there is to caring for this beautiful grass.
A redbud tree puts on a spectacular show of fiery pink blooms in early spring (March to April) that most people are likely to remember always. The entire deciduous tree fills up with miniature clusters of bright purplish-pink flowers that extend out from smooth grey branches and even the trunk. The fading pea-like flowers in spring give way to heart-shaped, finely veined red-green leaves in the full sun of the summer and then there are brown pods that remain on the tree even after the leaves fall. These features along with the redbud’s compact size have made it one of the most popular small trees to brighten up residential gardens. Additionally, planting and taking care of redbud trees is rather easy. (more…)
