I. Red Maple trees (Acer rubrum)
Red maple trees (Acer rubrum) grow in USDA hardiness zones 4A through 9B. They are native to Eastern North America, including the Canadian provinces and Newfoundland. The U.S. Forest Service recognizes it as the most abundant native tree in eastern North America. In Florida, the Red Maple is found in nearly every county. Although it is common, some people have never noticed that it flowers in late winter. It was blooming last week in central and northern Florida. The Red Maple blooms are rather small. They are found in clusters which make them more noticeable if you look closely.
II. Wild Date Palm (Phoenix sylvestris)
The wild date palm (Phoenix sylvestris) grows best in USDA hardiness zones 8b–11. It can survive winter temperatures down to the high teens if the freeze is short. Freezes can cause damage to the fronds. A “trio” planting of Wild Date Palms (Phoenix sylvestris) is very attractive. Palms planted in odd numbers (3,5,7) help give landscapes a pleasing tropical accent.
III. Taiwan Cherry
A Taiwan Cherry tree typically grows best in USDA hardiness zones 7b to 9a. This means it thrives in warmer climates and can tolerate moderate heat, making it suitable for the southern regions of the United States This Taiwan Cherry pictured here, opened its first flowers of the year on January 31st. By February 7th it was in full bloom. It is enchanting with the delicate pink flowers that open well before most other trees. Their flowering does not mean it is Spring – more cold spells usually follow their blooming.
IV. European Fan Palm (Chamaerops humilis)
North Florida gardeners can rejoice at the hardiness of European Fan Palm (Chamaerops humilis) which grow in zones 8 to 11. Established European fan palms can survive temperatures to 10 degrees or even lower. Freezing temperatures may cause the foliage to be damaged, but the trunk survives and re-leafs. It makes an attractive tropical accent in the landscape. It is one of only two palm species native to continental Europe. This cold hardy palm is very tough and drought tolerant requiring very little care.
I hope you enjoyed visting a Florida garden. Have a wonderful day wherever you are.
Thanks for the visit. Get exclusive free printables & all the news straight to your mailbox!
Please see my Link Parties page for the parties where this post was shared.
How wonderful to have all those beautiful colours in Feb.! Everything over here is GREY.
I love the gorgeous pink cherry blossoms but the Red Maple flowers are new and interesting to me!
I have always been fond of flowering trees, here in TX we have the Magnolia and while more a vine than a tree, Wisteria another of my favorites. Visiting from #MMBC
…cherries always a treat!
Thank you Carol! It’s lovely to see all these trees and their pretty blooms.
What beautiful trees and how interesting to read about them.
We have very similar trees to your Taiwan Cherry one’s, they are so pretty.
Let me say this is COMPLETELY unlike anything in my gray and white world! Gorgeous!
Thanks for the winter greenery and flowering trees!
Beautiful photos and I enjoyed your descriptions!
It’s so nice to see trees that aren’t just bare branches! Those cherry tree blooms are so pretty.
Such a lovely tour of Florida’s garden! The Red Maple and Taiwan Cherry’s early blooms are so pretty, and the palms are great for adding a tropical touch. Thanks for sharing!
I love seeing these photos this time of year! So beautiful. February is the best time to be in Florida! Thanks for sharing this post with us at the Will Blog for Comments #56 linkup! We’d love to see more at #57, too. Have a great week.
What lovely photos. We’re heading for Jacksonville in a couple of weeks so I look forward to seeing some of these!
Love the photos Carol. We currently have snow on the ground, can you believe it? So it was nice to enjoy your blooms. Pinned. TFS