I like to “window shop”. I enjoy walking through stores and seeing what’s new. Today we’re reviewing some plants for sale by a couple of home gardeners. I no longer have a yard and bought nothing. I just enjoyed seeing them. I hope you do too. These gardeners had listed plants on FaceBook Marketplace in central Florida.
Let’s start with the Desert Rose. One gardener was a keen fan. Please note that Desert Rose is toxic to humans and pets. Do not touch it.
Desert rose (Adenium obesum) is a low-maintenance succulent that produces dozens of trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of pink, rose, or white in the summer. Like many succulents, it needs conditions that are bright, warm, and dry. To maintain the profuse flowering, the plants must have at least six hours or more of bright light each day. I’ve never grown one but that’s ok. The no touching deters me.
Desert rose makes a dramatic specimen for a deck or patio, but since it’s sensitive to temperatures below 40 degrees, it’s usually grown in containers that can be brought inside for winter. South Florida gardeners (zone 10 tropical) can grow this as a small shrub.
Another gardener was a fan of coleus. The beautiful coleus plants can deliver stunning color that will stay strong until a frosty night comes along in autumn. Some varieties are upright while others “trail” and are are gorgeous in containers or hanging baskets.
Years ago, we knew coleus as ‘shade only’ plants, but some varieties have been introduced that will grow well in the sun OR the shade! I don’t suggest Florida gardeners plant the new varieties in full sun as most of us have some summer temperatures over 100 degrees F.
The third plant I want to discuss is the Milkweed. Milkweed is the poster plant for pollinator gardens. Not only is it attractive, it’s an important nectar source for bees and other insects. Milkweed is also well known for attracting butterflies and serving as a host plant for their caterpillars.
Perhaps most famously, milkweed species serve as the host plant for the monarch butterfly. Milkweeds in the genus Asclepias provide the only plant material monarch caterpillars can eat. And this popular plant hosts many more besides monarchs. Queen and soldier butterflies rely on the leaves to feed their young, too. If you want butterflies in your yard, plant milkweed. Plants lots of milkweed as the larvae eats it up as they grow. The Sunshine State is home to more than twenty species of milkweed, almost all of which are native.
Garden art was also available. I wouldn’t want a concrete gator 28″ long in my yard, but others like them. To each their own.
Let’s finish up with a view of a gorgeous bougainvillea in a yard. It was really beautiful.
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Not sure I would love to have Desert Rose at all since it’s poisonous for both humans and pets. Can’t even touch them at all?
no – I like looking at it but I wouldn’t want to have one. It’s drive me crazy!
…I would love a Desert rose!
The desert rose is beautiful. We have milkweed growing in our yard, and monarch butterflies really are attracted to it. And you are correct, the leaves get gobbled up quickly!
I am not sure that I have ever seen a desert rose. Such a beautiful plant.
I sure have seen coleus. Very popular in Oklahoma.
I hang around some butterfly nerds. They go bananas over milkweed.
I did not know about desert rose. Mikweeds are so pretty. I would love to plant a few in our garden one day. Lovely and very informative post!!
-Soma
These are all very beautiful, Carol.
The Desert Rose is very beautiful! It is interesting that it is also poisonous if touched!
I aused to like to grow coleus, as I have a lot of shade in my gardens from large trees. Sadly, I learned that deer will eat them, It is difficult to find plants they don’t like to devour. I love bougainvillea —it is so colorful!
Beautiful blooms.
I had a desert rose for a few years. Was wonderful!
Fun to see the different plants and even the garden art!
Desert rose are so pretty, love that bougainvillea I had both when I lived down in South TX stopping by from Siywatch Friday
Wow! beautiful plants and blooms and great photos ~
Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores ~ clm
aka (A Creative Harbor)
The plants are all lovely. I would also be deterred from planting any plant that is poisonous to touch. Yikes! Is coleus grown indoors in Florida or outdoors as well? This plant was super popular in the far north of BC back in the day but it is cold there so was a houseplant.
In the south, some people would grow it as a houseplant and others as an annual. It is amazing growing in the garden and gets so large.
Flowers are joyful. May you have a blessed Holy Week.
Worth a Thousand Words
I love window shopping, especially for things for the garden.
What interesting plants and flowers!
I wouldn’t want that big gator either. Or the desert rose, although it is pretty.