Gardener's Corner: Do You Have a Favorite Plant or Garden?

By Anthony Lopez, Horticulture Technician 2

Over the years, our Members have observed its transformation into the place we know and love today. We all enjoy seeing animals, but perhaps the plants are what you love too, visit after visit. From the sea breeze bamboo (Bambusa malingensis) that tower over the path approaching Asian Bamboo Garden, to the Madagascar palm (Pachypodiun lamerei) overlooking the lily pool at Savanna Blooms Garden, our Members love many of our botanical spaces.

The next time you walk through the gardens, take a moment to see if you can spot a few of my own favorite plants. Stroll down Main Path toward the Gardens at Trout River Plaza. Along the front of Trout River Grill, caranday wax palms (Copernicia alba) boast bluish-green leaves with hook-like spines. Native to a few South American countries, this is known to many as the 'tree of life' in honor of its many uses—including wax produced on the leaves used to make candles, and a hardy trunk that is commonly used as fence posts.

Continue your journey to Asian Bamboo Garden. Just after you enter the moon gate, look across the water to the bridge and you will find one of our Roxburgh fig trees (Ficus auriculata). New leaves emerge in copper-colored reds and browns, eventually growing up to 21 inches long and 12 inches wide. Noted for these big and round leaves, it is also called an elephant ear ficus. At 5 to 7 years of age, the Roxburgh will produce purple fruits clustered throughout the tree, even from the roots.

Walking further along the pathway, you will enter Land of the Tiger. Surrounding the “strangler fig” that connects the tiger trails, you will enjoy clumps of Disney scarlet ginger (Hedychium coccineum 'Disney'). The delicate ornamental flowers, atop sturdy stocks, bloom summer through fall and emit a sweet fragrance that attracts swallowtail and giant sulphur butterflies.

These are just a few of the many native and exotic plants that adorn our pathways. As a Member, you have the pleasure of coming back repeatedly in awe of the gardens, as they transform from season to season. While enjoying your visit, take a moment to spot something new in the gardens and share your favorites with our horticulture team.

Have you seen this video featuring our gardens? Click the Beach (Dune) Sunflower picture.