American Farms in Naples runs new plant trials from numerous breeders around the world. They commit valuable production space and efforts to discover: How will they grow here, are they really improved, and lastly, do consumers like them? Here are a few outstanding plants from those trials that concluded in January, 2019. My compliments to…
Author: Bob Cook
Member of the Florida Nursery Grower, Landscape Association.
Certified Horticulture Professional.
Tropical Plant Industry Exhibit 2019
Once a year, for three days in January, people from around the nation visit Fort Lauderdale, Florida to see the natural beauty produced by local greenhouse and nursery growers. Over 200 vendors display their best under one roof for a tropical extravaganza.
Fairy House on the Rock
I made this miniature house as a gift for a friend who is retiring from sales and moving to Tennessee to build cabins in the woods. So I made a cabin out of woods. He is a Christian and I was inspired by Jesus’ sermon in Matthew 7 “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of…
Trees on the Go
November 29, 2018 Fish Branch Tree Farms in Zolfo Springs hosted the Trees on the Go educational seminar in partnership with FNGLA, Roots Plus Growers and ASLA Florida. Their nursery is a model tree farm emphasizing quality and consistency. Speakers: Dr. Ed Gilman (U.F. Professor Emeritus) on the state of the urban forest and early…
Moon over Copper Roof
Here is my latest project: A “fairy house” with a copper roof surrounded with lots of wood. We mounted it outdoors as a welcome by our front door.
The Landscape Show, Orlando
I am a sucker for variegated plants. Long ago, when a gardener or plant breeder found a plant with white streaks or spots in it’s leaves, it was discarded as weak and inferior to it’s green-leafed parent. But, color sells and anything-but-green leaves turn heads. Also, a plant with less chlorophyll in it’s leaves tends…
Log Gnome Home
I found this log at a place selling firewood in Plant City, Florida. The rotted knot makes a perfect entrance to a “fairy house” leading into a hollow cavity. It took about three weeks to construct this little work of art. It’s heavier than most that I’ve built because of the solid wood and piles…
Roundup Reaction
08/10/2018. (Reuters) – “A California jury on Friday found Monsanto liable in a lawsuit filed by a man who alleged the company’s glyphosate-based weed-killers, including Roundup, caused his cancer and ordered the company to pay $289 million in damages… …The jury at San Francisco’s Superior Court of California deliberated for three days before finding that…
Royal Poinciana Parts
Large trees are best admired from afar. But this Royal Poinciana (Delonix regia) deserves a closer inspection to appreciate all its beauty. I found this tree on the grounds of the Edison Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers, Florida.
FNGLA Annual Convention, 2018
Today wrapped up the Florida Nursery Grower Landscape Association’s annual convention. Awards were presented, speeches were given, donations were made, and the new Board of Directors are now voted in. President Ed Bravo selected the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort in Bonita Springs as the host hotel and the surroundings were beautiful.
Grape Vine House
This little house has gone through several changes. First it had a roof made from Mahogany seed pods. But it seemed too small so I cut it off and replaced it twice. The walls are made from rocks stacked and mudded with concrete patch. The base is 3/4″ oak, mounted on a lazy Susan. The…
Orange County Extension Office
While visiting the Florida Flower trials in Orlando we enjoyed the many gardens at the Extension office: Formal, vegetable, pollinator, wet/rain, dry, and native.
