JENE'S TROPICAL PLANTS IN ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA

AVAILABLE TROPICAL PLANTS

CONFEDERATE JASMINE - 3 GALLON

This fast growing vine is hardy to zone 7b. It is grows wonderfully in full sun or shade. It will quickly cover a fence or trellis to provide needed privacy. The Confederate jasmine will grace any arbor with it's lush dark green leaves and its incredibly intoxicating fragrant clusters of white blooms. The vine blooms heavily throughout the spring time will scent an entire yard! The jasmine can be planted in the ground and container grown. 6-6-6 fertilizer is best during the summer and 2-10-10 during the spring, to encourage blooming.

BIRD OF PARADISE PLANT - 7 GALLON

The Bird of Paradise truly deserves to be called exotic and is a great way to bring a little bit of the tropics to your home. Often used in outdoor landscaping in Central and south Florida, it can just as easily be used at your home in the ground, if temperatures are above freezing during the winter months. If not, Bird of Paradise is very easily grown in containers that can be brought inside during the cold months of the year, in your area. They reach a height of no more than 4 feet. Though they can flower at any time of the year, it is best to expect blooms during the summer months. They like rich, moisture retentive soil and high, shifting shade through the day. We also offer the White Bird of Paradise with large 1 - 1.5 foot white and royal blue blooms. The white Bird has all the requirements of the Yellow, but it grows to 25 feet. 17-5-11 Nursery Fertilizer is best during the warm months. (7 Gallon Container White Bird of Paradise can be Special Ordered. Please e-mail us.)

SEA GRAPE - 3 GALLON

Sea Grape is an ecologically threatened bush or small tree that is native to south Florida, the Bahamas, and parts of the Caribbean. While it can grow to nearly 25 feet, it is almost never found growing more than 6 feet, especially if grown as a specimen in containers. It has broad, round green leaves, with reddish veins. The fruits are borne in clusters and hang like grapes. The fruits are green, ripening a purple color and are generally sweet. Delicious jams and jellies are often made from the grapes. Care is simple if grown in the ground, however they are nearly tropical in their requirements and do not like temperatures below 36 F degrees, though they can handle occasional freezes if they are well established. They can never tolerate freeze, only an occasional light frost if grown in containers and must be brought inside. Sea Grape has very little problems with disease or insects.

Variegated Shell Ginger - 3 Gallon

This Ginger makes a beautiful foliage plant with its outstanding large leaves and yellow and green striped variegation. Following warm winters, this durable plant produces large flower clusters with white and pink porcelain like flowers. This variety will bring the tropics to you. It can be planted in the ground in zone 8 or higher. This beauty also is easy to grow in a container. It requires partial to full shade, plenty of water and 7-5-8 Azalea Fertilizer.

KINGS MANTLE - 3 GALLON

Kings Mantle is an exquisite shrub to 4 6 feet, blooming profusely throughout most of the year if quarterly applications of 2-10-10 Bloom Booster Fertilizer are applied. Its leaves are small, glossy and dark green, which lend a certain delicacy to any home garden. Kings Mantle can also be grown in containers in semi to full sun. Blooms are trumpet shaped, bright to Royal blue with a yellow throat appearing singularly or in clusters. The plant does not like to dry out, preferring moist soil and can be lightly mulched. Annual pruning in spring will encourage flower production and keep the plant compact. Ultimate height can be reached in 4 6 years in zones 9b 11. Kings Mantle does not like cold weather and even a light frost will seriously damage the leaves and kill buds.

THAI CROWN OF THORN - GIANT PINK - 2 GALLON

Crown of Thorn has always been known as a Native of Madagascar; a beautiful ornamental plant combining brilliant red, pink, white, or yellow flowers with spiny grayish-brown stems. Flowers and foliage were small. In the past 30 years however about 2,000 varieties have been developed by growers in Thailand. From those Thai varieties a group called "Poysean" (meaning 8 saints in Chinese) has been introduced to the United States with much larger and brighter green leaves and huge flower clusters that resemble hydrangea. Thai Crown of thorn is an incredible improvement over its precursor. We offer several colors for you to enjoy. Care is simple; it is a succulent so it does not need much water. Fertilize 4 times per year with a Osmocote 14-14-14 or a Schultz Liquid Cactus Food. They can freeze, so container growing is essential for those living in Zones 9b and below. They prefer full sun to 30% shade.

JATROPHA - 3 GALLON

The Jatropha tree can be identified by its milky sap and heart-shaped leaves that have 3-5 lobes. The small tree or bush to 10 feet has brilliant, bright red clusters of flowers from early summer throughout fall. Jatropha are sensitive to cold and will be damages by frost. They may be easily container grown and provide excellent tropical foliage for your landscape. 7-5-8 Azalea fertilizer is best during the warm months. 2-10-10 may also be used to promote increased blooming. A Jen's Tropicals favorite.

LOBSTER CLAW HELICONIA - 3 GALLON

The Lobster claw is indeed one of the most spectacular Heliconias! Its origin is linked to Peru and Ecuador, however it is now a cultivated favorite throughout the world. This clumping tropical grows to about 7'. The segmented flowers can produce 5 to 35 orange and yellow bracts that resemble lobster claws! This unique variety grows large, dark green handsome leaves. It prefers full sun to 50% shade and grows well and blooms abundantly in a container. The Lobster claw must be protected from the frost. Lobster claw will spread over time, creating a thick cluster of foliage, splashed with brilliant reds and yellows. We recommend Palm 7-2-7 Fertilizer during the warm months.

BLUE BUTTERFLY CLERODENDRUM - 3 GALLON

The amazing Blue Butterfly Clerodendrum blooms an abundance of two-toned blue butterfly-like flowers throughout the year. This beautiful tropical plant is shade loving and will work great as a potted specimen if temperatures drop below freezing in your area. Zone 9 to zone 11 for hardiness. The plants grow as a bush and can reach heights of 6 - 7 feet. A favorite at Jen's Tropicals. 2-10-10 Fertilizer is best for blooming. Nitrogen for healthy green growth may be added by using 17-5-11 Nursery Fertilizer during the warm months.

STEPHANOTIS / MADAGASCAR JASMINE - 3 GALLON - TRELLISED

Stephanotis is a very popular ornamental vine because of its thick and waxy leaves. It is most common known commercially because the flower is used in most bridal bouquet making throughout the world. The fragrance is that of Jasmine and can permeate the air, especially in the evening and morning. Stephanotis flowers are thick and produced in clusters on semi-new growth. This vine is nearly tropical and does not like temperatures below38F degrees, but will live and flower well indoors, container grown near a bright window. Maximum height is only 12 feet, but pruning is recommended. This is NOT an invasive vine. It takes many years to grow to its potential. This is a favorite at Jene's Tropicals.

MIAMI SUPREME GARDENIA - 3 GALLON - GRAFTED

You can't beat the incredible heavenly fragrance of a gardenia! The grafted Miami Supreme Gardenia has an extra large, pure white, multiple-petaled bloom. They flower abundantly winter through spring. Occasionally, they may bloom throughout the year. The gardenia is a wonderful addition to any garden or interior. Zone 8b to zone 11. Miami Supreme Gardenias will grow very well in containers and prefer a northern, Eastern or North-eastern exposure, away from direct afternoon sun. Maximum height can be 8 feet, but keeping the plant to 4 - 6 feet is recommended. Growth is slow, only about 6 inches per year. Applications of Gardenia Fertilizer are recommended for the health of the plant. If growing indoors, do not over water or the roots will rot. (Don't allow to dry out completely either.) Photo from: http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com

SAMBAC JASMINE (JASMINE TEA) - 3 GALLON

Sambac or Arabian Jasmine is a beautiful, small shrub or vine to 4 5 feet tall inground (4 feet if container grown) with glossy, dark green leaves. The flowers are authentic for making Jasmine tea and Jasmine rice. Flowers are boiled with tea or cooked with foods and add flavor and a unique Asian feel to cuisine. Care is relatively simple and Sambac Jasmine should be fertilized with 2-10-10, 4 times annually. It prefers full sun or partial shade for best flowering. Prune back once annually to shape. Sambac does not like to freeze, but can tolerate 30 F degrees for up to 4 hours will little damage beyond leaf-burn. 23 F Degrees for more than 1 hour will kill the plant. Occasionally, Neem Oil should be sprayed to prevent insect and fungal infestations.

NIGHT BLOOMING JASMINE - 3 GALLON

Night Blooming Jasmine is a beautiful flowering shrub that grows to 10 feet and has white to pale yellow, trumpet shaped blooms. Their fragrance is fantastic and can only be enjoyed in the evening hours as they lose their scent by mid morning. They regain their fragrance again in the evening. Night Blooming Jasmine is a profuse bloomer and will generally have hundreds of clusters from Spring until Fall. A definite for butterfly gardens and scented gardens. This gem is one of a kind.