most nothing else is in bloom. The fruits, which are tart to the taste buds, are used to make jelly now and then. Native Americans and early colonists ate the plums and dried them for safe keeping. This tree has also been used for bonsai due to its lovely bark. Tabebuias (yellow Chrysantha and pink heterophylla) offer a colorful show with their abundant trumpet shaped blooms. Flowers then provide a dense understory carpet of color as they drop from the tree, giving the impression that tree and trumpet and ground are dressed for a fancy ball. Also called Golden Trumpet and Pink Trumpet trees, they flower in late winter and early spring bearing fragrant flowers which last about a month. The golden tabebuia is great for small yards and won’t grow out of scale. These plants require little maintenance, and won’t be plagued by pests. My saucer magnolia (Magnolia x soulangeana), also known as Japanese magnolia or Tulip tree, seemed to take a long time to “take off”. Then it was hit by a huge Live oak limb on New Year’s Eve 2008. This year, though still small, it is spectacular. An early spring bloomer, the flowers vary in color from purple to pink to white, and are quite large when opened in the saucer position. The waxy petals appear in a goblet shape. Mature trees may reach 30 feet in height, with form and shape depending on variety. It loves rich, well-drained, moist soils. This tree, with its smooth, gray bark, is one of
the most dramatic deciduous flowering trees. Although known as a foliage tree, I’ve included Red Maples (acer rubrum) in with this colorful company due to the superior fall display put on by my mom’s maple last season. In April, Mrs. Velma will turn 99 and is yet an avid gardener. She’s kept close scrutiny of the maple and can tell you how tall it is using a little formula she has for determining such things: six feet of tree for every ten feet of extended shadow. Her tree is now 40 feet tall. This past fall was its personal-best season. You may be interested to find that many of the pigments that contribute to autumn’s bright colors are present in the spring leaves. The orange, yellow and brown-colored leaves are expressions of carotenoid pigments. Red, blue and purple anthocyanin pigments are responsible for the red and purple color of dogwood, sweet gum and Red Maples. These are but a handful of suggestions for your yard, with most being native or Floridafriendly. The satisfaction of planting beautiful, shady trees is outdone only by the exuberant surprise of their colorful palettes in season. If your landscape is a little lack-luster, phone the Master Gardener Office at (863) 519-8677 extension 118 for assistance. The Master Gardner Program is part of the University of Florida IFAS Program. Polk County Master Gardeners wish you successful gardening!
Bio: Debra Howell • Master Gardener since 2005 • 1998 graduate - University of South • Master Gardener of the year (Polk Florida - Tampa campus Co.) 2010 • Amateur archaeologist • “Commitment to the Environment” • Chairman, Ft. Meade PRIDE Curb Polk Volunteer winner 2012 Appeal Committee 22 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
April 2011
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