Abutilon, Flowering Maple

A genus of handsome shrubs with bell-shaped flowers, belonging to the Hibiscus family, and much used for bedding out in the north. I think they would do fairly well here in rich soil if it were not for their being badly troubled with root knot. Schnabel reports that they are a little tender at Gainesville, but they would probably be hardy over most of the peninsula.

Acacia

Several of these are shrubs and I can see no reason why they should not do well in middle Florida. They fail with me and others about here who have reported to me.

Aloysia Citriodora, Lemon Verbena

A shrub which will probably be hardy over the whole state, a native of Chile, cultivated for the delicious fragrance of its foliage. It has whorled, lanceolate leaves which are deciduous, and it may easily be propagated from cuttings. Here it does not do well, perhaps on account of the lime in the soil, but according to one of Reasoner's old catalogues it succeeds in Florida. It was one of twelve greenhouse plants that I bought when a boy, the first I ever owned, walking ten miles to a nursery and carrying my treasures home in a basket. These twelve were the above, a Fuchsia, Souvenir de Chiswick; a scarlet Geranium, then called Fish Geranium; Cestrum elegans; Veronica longifolia; Abutilon striatum; Malva-viscus arboreus; a scarlet Verbena, Brilliant de Vaise; Begonia evansiana; Calla ethiopica; Cuphea platycentra and Viburnum tinus. They were almost the first greenhouse plants that I, a country boy, had seen; my pride and comfort in owning them was immeasurable and I called them my "Twelve Apostles." And ever since I have felt a sort of tenderness towards these same plants that I have for no others.

Aralia

A genus of shrubs or small trees which has been considerably divided up of late. A. guilfoylei has handsome, glossy, pinnate leaves which are variegated with white, a very fine, erect growing shrub, much cultivated in lower Florida. There are a few other tender species cultivated here. The genus is close to Panax. A. spinosa, Hercules Club, is grown for its large compound leaves and immense clusters of white flowers. It is densely spiny and is hardy as far north as Washington.

Ardisia Crenulata

Ardisia Crenulata is a small, pretty shrub with thick, glossy, wavy-edged leaves and clusters of red berries which remain in perfection a long time. It is doing fairly well for me in a shaded spot in the edge of the hammock. A. polycephala is a fine plant with black berries and A. japonica which is quite hardy, has white fruit. The two former are tender.

Althea

Althea, see Hibiscus syriacus.

Artabotrys Odoratissima

The False Ylang-ylang, a half climbing shrub related to the sugar-apple, having elliptic, glossy leaves and delightfully scented flowers, a native of the East Indies and probably tender. It is doing well with me in half shade.

Aucuba Japonica, Japan Gold-Dust Shrub

A handsome large shrub with glossy leaves blotched with gold, probably hardy throughout the entire state. It should be grown in a half shaded place and prefers a clayey, moist, well-drained soil. It has totally failed for me,

Allamanda Neriifolia

Allamanda Neriifolia is one of our best shrubs, being always covered with its golden, funnel-shaped blossoms; in fact, it is liable to injure itself by overblooming. It should have good soil and plenty of fertilizer and ought to be well trimmed back when it becomes scraggy. It is tender.

Azalea

Probably all the Azaleas will prove hardy throughout the state. They should be grown in somewhat shaded places where they are sheltered from high winds, preferably in clayey soil, though muck or peat added to it would be beneficial. Lime in the soil seems to be poisonous to them, hence they all fail in this region. They are so beautiful that they should be cultivated wherever it is possible to do so.

Baphia

DeCandolle and Don state that Baphia has pinnate leaves while Nicholson says they are entire. B. racemosa has a simple leaflet which is jointed to the petiole, and pretty, white, pea-shaped flowers. It is growing nicely for me on pine land.

Bouvardia

A genus of American shrubs and herbaceous perennials bearing attractive flowers. Most of them are tropical but a few extend north to Texas. I have several times tried these plants but something has happened to them. I do not see why they should not do well in South Florida.

Bauhinia

Several species are shrubs and all that I have tried have done well. B. acuminata has fine, large, white flowers in summer and a species which was sent to me as B. picta, but which has yellow, Abutilon-shaped flowers, does nicely. All the species do well, so far as I have seen, in South Florida, where if they are injured by frost they soon come on again.

Brunfelsia Americana

Brunfelsia Americana is a fine West Indian shrub with shining leaves and very long tubed whitish flowers; one of our most profuse bloomers. It is tender.

Buxus Sempervirens

Buxus Sempervirens is a small tree or shrub, commonly called Box Tree. The large form is used throughout the south for decoration and the dwarf variety for edgings. I have not seen it in lower Florida.

Caesalpinia Pulcherrima, Barbados Flower Fence

Caesalpinia Pulcherrima, Barbados Flower Fence, is one of the most popular plants in South Florida. It is so well known that no description of it is needed. There are two varieties in cultivation, the commoner one with scarlet and yellow flowers; the other with clear yellow blossoms. Both do well in pine land but should be liberally fertilized. It comes up quickly if frozen down and may be, no doubt, cultivated all over the peninsula.