Donkey Ears, new resident on the funny farm.....Look what's happening in my garden, July 2009.

Donkey Ears (Giant Kalanchoe Gastonis Bonnieri) A really different looking plant was a recent find out in Mount Dora, Florida. Note the babies grow on the tips of the leaves. This plant was a perfect addition to my collection of "funny looking " plants....or out of the ordinary. When I researched this plant after I brought it home, I learned how interesting it really is. It forms a spike out of the center for the flower which is a beautiful-large bunch of bell-like flowers that attract Hummingbirds. I am looking forward to see this plant flower.

Who would have known this past weekend when I found this little wrought iron "thing" at a garage sale, for 50 cents, that it would become home for 4
of my Bromeliads.

Bromeliad Flower

Desert Rose, (Adenium Obesum) after the harsh Florida winter frost, I thought for sure this plant was gone. I just cut it back and here are the results.

I never remember the name of this spectacular plant. These are the pups from my plants at my first Florida home that I have moved with me. I most definitely baby these plants and have several in the front and rear landscape of my home.

Starburst or Shooting Star (Clerodendrum)

This plant was about 15 foot high with 6" leaves or longer-top deep green and bottom dark purple. A beautiful plant in itself.....but the flower is a spectacular starburst of white and rose color. Much of this plant was lost this past winter, however after I cut it back it did eventually come back.....it also started to send up an outburst of suckers and shoots, some as far as 15 foot away. I have learned that this is typical for this plant following a severe pruning.

Mother of Thousands ( Kalanchoe daigremontiana)

This plant derives its name from the tiny plantlets all along each leaf. These tiny plantlets give the plant a unique look; as they mature, they fall off and start new plants automatically. It is a succulent so it doesn't need a lot of water.

Pencil Plant (Euphorbia fiherenensis)

The tips of this odd shaped and looking plant turn orange & pink in full sun.

Pineapple plant (Ananas Comosus)
If you happen to have a pineapple on hand to eat take a few minutes and grow your own plant from the discarded top. Although the pineapple plant is a Bromeliad, it is not an air plant and does require a soil bed.

Angel's Trumpet (Datura Metel)

Giant blooms and jazzy seed pods with the look and scent to the tropics. Even the stems are purple. Marvelously fragrant and exotic in both color and size, this flower looks like something from a hot-house instead of an easy-to-grow, sun loving tropical you can start from seed, which is what I did! This summer blooming show off is a scene stealer.

Red Bird (Cacto Cardenal)

This plant has a bamboo type stem that when in the sun fills up with showy variegated leaves. Just a little different looking.

Staghorn Fern

The fronds of this unusual looking plant resemble an antler. the amazing thing about these ferns is that they feed on their own composted frond material.




When I was attending my Master Gardener classes, it was stated several times that if we learned the "scientific" name for even a single plant that we would really impress others. Although I took the time to look up the scientific names, I doubt if I will remember any of them, let alone pronounce & spell them. I just like growing my plants and watching them thrive. Nature is a wonder!