#weeping bottlebrush

[helluvatimes]

Once Beautiful Stamens

Weeping Bottlebrush, a Melaleuca cultivar, producing one of a few flowers in its shaded spot in the Australian Garden. Photo credit: Eleanor Chua.

This bottlebrush was formerly placed in the Callistemon genus which incidentally meant “beautiful stamens”.

[k8sgarden]

Melaleuca viminalis - Weeping Bottlebrush Tree

[iconlandscapesolutions-blog]

Add Some Color to Your South Florida Landscape With a Small Flowering Tree

Looking to add some color to your South Florida landscape? The best place to start is with a small flowering tree and design around it and any other trees in your yard. A small tree is one that is less than 20 feet tall at full maturity. It can be used as a main tree in a small landscape or as an accent in a larger landscape. Many of these trees are actually shrubs that are trained into a single trunk (called standards) or they may have multiple trunks.

Most of the flowering trees listed below will flower on and off throughout the year. Some are deciduous and will lose their leaves in the winter but since our winters are short and all of your other plantings will remain full of color, don’t be deterred to use one. There are many uses and applications for small flowering trees including:

Near the entry of the home

As an anchor to provide some height to your landscape

Provide an accent at the corner of the home

Placed around or between larger trees to draw focus away from their trunks. Only do this if the taller tree’s canopy allows for light to come through (like a palm tree) otherwise the flowering tree may not bloom to its full potential.

Lining a long driveway

A nook or resting area in the backyard

Part of a butterfly garden

One thing to keep in mind is that flowering trees draw attention to whatever area they’re planted in. This means you should not use them in an area that you’re trying to cover-up or hide something…like a tree trunk or sewage cleanout, etc. In this type of situation, you’d be better off using a green plant since it will blend in with the surrounding environment.

When picking a small flowering tree for your South Florida landscape you’ll want to consider these factors before purchasing:

Height – Small trees will range in height from 5 feet to 20 feet tall.

Distance planted from the home – Some trees need a lot of room between its trunk and the exterior wall and roof of your home. Others can be planted a lot closer. Make sure to do your research if looking for this type of anchor tree.

Canopy size – The trees listed below have all different canopy sizes and density. This is important especially considering what will be planted under and around the tree and their lighting needs.

Safety – Some flowering trees have thorns on them which can easily puncture skin or worse. Be aware of this type of risk especially if you have children.

Growth rate – Trees grow at different rates to different sizes. If you’re looking for a tree that will be 15ft tall and is 8ft tall when you buy it, consider the amount of time it’ll take to get to its full height. It could take 15 years!

Light requirements – Most flowering trees need a good amount of sun to bloom but some trees (like Tibouchina) will not do well in direct sunlight. Make sure that you choose a tree that can flourish in its location in your landscape.

Wind tolerance – Make sure to consider this if you’re planting in an open area. Certain trees cannot tolerate high (or even moderate) winds. Trees that are susceptible to windy conditions should be planted in an area where they’re protected from the wind, like on the side of your home.

Soil conditions – Different trees have different soil and drainage needs. Some trees like dry conditions and others prefer moist. If you’re planting in an area of your landscape that doesn’t have good drainage, make sure to consider this when choosing your flowering tree.

Pruning needs – Some trees will require a lot more work in order to achieve the goal of colorful blooms throughout the year. Certain trees like Crape Myrtle need to be cut back at the end of each winter to achieve their maximum potential. Other trees like Bougainvillea will need to be trimmed every other month in order to keep their shape.

Flower color – You should consider more than just choosing your favorite color when it comes down to picking a small flowering tree. Make sure to also choose a color that compliments or contrasts the color of your home. For example: you’d want to avoid using a Desert Cassia in front of your yellow house since its blooms are yellow and the beauty would be washed away with your home in the background.

So now that you’re somewhat knowledgeable on South Florida small flowering trees it’s time to pick one that will thrive in your landscape. Click on the trees below to find out more about each one.

Bottlebrush (Red Cluster)

Bottlebrush (Weeping)

Bougainvillea

Crape Myrtle

Desert Cassia/Cassia Surattensis

Frangipani

Geiger

Golden Dewdrop

Hibiscus

Jatropha

Magnolia – Little Gem

Oleander

Parkinsonia

Tibouchina