HOLIDAY LANDSCAPE TIPS

HELLO

Greet visitors with an assortment of flowers and shrubs that say, “Happy Holidays!” Low fencing is an inexpensive and smart device for building a wall of flowers, vines and hanging plants, according to gardening experts.

VINE TASTING

Vines are colorful and, when tended carefully, last forever. Grapes are the classic vine fruit, but can be tough to grow in Florida. Muscadine grapes, however, have grown in the Sunshine State for several hundred years. There are many other options.

GRAND ENTRANCE

Pulling into a driveway lined in lush plantings is exciting for Santa Claus― and your guests. The idea is to play with heights, textures and colors. The standby is bougainvillea, but bird-of-paradise, ornamentals, lilies and bromeliads are solid recommendations.

PLANTERS AND BASKETS

Varying poles and limbs add height and dimension to your landscaping. Experts recommend native mint, orchids, chain of hearts, string of pearls, white dipladenia, caladium and clivia, for example.

BLOOMING CRAZY

In containers or planted, hydrangea, impatiens, amaranthus, canna, ginger lily, Mirabilis jalapa (four o’clock flower), firecracker plant and Mexican cigar are blooming awesome.

YEAR-ROUNDERS

Ultimately we want things that last. Check seasonal guides but such stars as azalea, daffodil, dogwood, wisteria, bearded iris, gardenia, crinum, lantana, crepe myrtle, rosemary, saucer magnolia, flowering quince and crocus are recommended.