Emphasis on Structure

Gardening in Florida means, among other things, that our garden centers are open all year long. Not only are they open but they offer brightly colored, potted up annuals for easy transplant and instant pizzazz any time your little heart gets a hankering for a pick-me-up.

As my garden has expanded, over the years, I can look back and see the trend away from this temptation for instant gratification. In recent years especially it has been more toward a concentration on leaf color, textural significance, size and form, and variations of shapes and structure.

I find my interests and my specifications for plants changing as time goes by as well. For example the past few seasons an emphasis on native plants and Florida-friendly combinations has been foremost. The attraction to them seems obvious. They adjust well to the natural environment when placed correctly. They require less fuss and attention once established. They attract and feed local wildlife. They continue to give year after year.

Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii'

Recently I gave into my lust for showy foliage and purchased a couple of false banana plants. I've never been a big fan of the gigantic green variety we see (overgrown) everywhere in this region. But the Red Banana has a unique magenta veining and edging on their enormous paddle-shaped leaves that I find irresistible.

Some of the commonly used plants in this zone are easy to take for granted. And yet many of them have served me well for many years. Schefflera arboricola 'Variegata' roots easily from cuttings which means only a few were purchased initially. The rest have been cultivated and planted.

They do well here, pinched back and kept bushy, adding to the lush understory of the oaks mixed with Cyrtomium falcatum holly ferns, Philodendron 'Xanadu' , gingers, Plumbago auriculata, caladiums, coleus... they are just great foundational plants that require almost no attention and yet give us great color and texture. One of my favorites when sited correctly.

My taste in design has evolved as well. I'm doing my best to learn the delicate blend of tropicalesque with Florida-friendly and native plants. I'm also experimenting with a more natural or untamed look in specified areas of the garden. Planning for and allowing plants to flow with their natural growth patterns. Within reason of course. At Hoe and Shovel it just wouldn't ever work to be completely untamed. My goal is to keep plants within their boundaries enough that they don't tangle with their neighbors.

Here the native Callicarpa americana, American beautyberry borders a pathway adjacent to the tropicalesque Alpinia zerumbet 'Variegata' , Variegated Shell Ginger (below) and Cordyline 'Red Sister' plants known for their intense color. These plants are repeated in places throughout the understory having become foundational to the look and feel of this garden.

Gardening develops the gardener as much as the garden don't you think!

Experimenting with having less flowers and more and more foliage for color has been a gradual thing. But I have to say it brings much delight as the transition from worrying over blooms to the peaceful state of my shady foliage garden evolves.

It's a design element I've even incorporated into most of my container plants. With over 60 of them integrated into the landscaping they have become a lot less demanding with foliage plants in them rather than annuals that need to be replaced frequently. In the container plant above is Alpinia zerumbet 'Variegata' shell ginger, polka dot plant, creeping ginny, Cordyline australis 'Red Sensation', and okay ... two flowering begonia (angel wing and dragon wing)... which I tend to stick into lots of mixed containers but really ... they are no bother. :-)

While Florida doesn't necessarily have some of the vibrant foliages I've seen in more northerly gardens, we are learning to work with what we can grow here. Mixing them up and blending them for the best visual appeal that stays perky all year long is the constant goal.

The architectural structure of the large oak trees lays the ground work and provides the protective covering for many of the more tender tropicals.

One of my favorite Cordylines that I cannot remember the name of. It has lighter pink streaks and light lemony colors streaked with yummy greens. All Cordylines root quite easily by cutting the tops out and poking into newly potted up soil.

Foliage that flourishes year round is the preference in most cases. Although we rely heavily on varieties of coleus and caladiums for many months out of the year. Even these are intensively planted in between the standards that don't fade away with changing seasons.

Another variety of Cordyline passed along to me by my neighbor. Again, we started with one and now have numerous fast growing clumps of variegated color by cultivating and planting more as we've grown.

It dawned on me this spring to divide and transfer a few of these begonia from the front walkway. A gift from a neighbor over ten years ago they are thriving in more than one place now adding a tropicalesque flair to a vignette in the front garden.
Begonia heracleifolia, Star Begonia was recently added to a nook in a curvy path in the back gardens.
Placing ordinary houseplants right into the ground has become a habit just to see how well they grow. For the most part they seem happier where their roots can spread and their heads enjoy the natural light.

Layers of color where virtually no flowers are present have become common place.

Adding large mosaic-leaved plants of Monstera deliciosa Liebm. (sometimes sold as Philodendron pertusum) with grand stature in the midst of simple greenery works well, too.


Crotons are not my favorites. In Florida they are super-over-used. There are a few mixed in here and when the light shines through their leaves it is hard not to like the stained-glass affect and variations of color this one plant provides all on its own.
Dracaena fragrans 'Lemon Lime'

Certainly we have not forsaken floriculture all together as an attraction to the butterflies and wildlife. But it is becoming more clear that the great majority of this garden's basic structure is not dependent on blooms ... as much as we enjoy their glory and wonder.
Pseuderanthemum 'Black Varnish' offers a very deeply hued and lush leaf among the native Zamia floridana coontie.

Only a smattering of our favorite foliage plants have been highlighted here to give an idea of how they work tirelessly for us around here. By no means could we include all of our preferred flora.

Wow. You all are good listeners!

Tell me, how has your garden or gardening emphasis evolved?