5. Labesia ‘Kura Kura’ – Houseplant of the Year – A rare tropical houseplant with glossy, turtle shell patterned leaves. This slow growing beauty thrives in warm, humid conditions and is ideal for terrariums or greenhouses. Height: 8-24". Container role: Thriller.

4. Hollywood Hibiscus® Rico Suave™ – Tropical Hibiscus One of my favorite landscape hibiscus varieties. Bright lemon yellow flowers with red and burgundy centers attract hummingbirds and provide nonstop summer color. Full sun. Size: 4’ x 5’. Container role: Thriller.

3.Coleus ‘ColorBlaze® El Brighto’ – Annual of the Year  Bold, eye-catching foliage showcases rich red and deep purple centers framed by vivid golden-yellow edges. Exceptionally heat tolerant and low maintenance, this colorful plant thrives in both sunny and shaded garden settings. Container role: Thriller.

2. Heart to Heart® ‘Bottle Rocket’ – Caladium of the Year Striking foliagr features brilliant red veins, creamy white centers, and rich green margins, creating a dramatic display in the garden or indoors. This versatile plant thrives in both sun and shade and also performs beautifully as a bright-light houseplant. Container role: Thriller.

1.  Rockin'® Fuchsia Salvia - Landscape Annual of the Year.  Brilliant fuchsia flowers accented by dramatic black calyces cover these tough, easy-care plants. This unique coloring represents a remarkable breakthrough in salvia breeding. Beloved by hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees, it is a must-have addition to any pollinator-friendly landscape. Continuous Bloom, Heat and drought Tolerant, Deadheading not necessary, Drought  Container: Filler, Thriller.

Find out more information on Proven Winners website.

 5. Labesia ‘Kura Kura’ – Houseplant of the Year – A  rare tropical houseplant with glossy, turtle shell patterned leaves. This slow growing beauty thrives in warm, humid conditions and is ideal for terrariums or greenhouses. Height: 8-24". Container role: Thriller.

4. Hollywood Hibiscus® Rico Suave™ – Tropical Hibiscus One of my favorite landscape hibiscus varieties. Bright lemon yellow flowers with red and burgundy centers attract hummingbirds and provide nonstop summer color. Full sun. Size: 4’ x 5’. Container role: Thriller.

3.Coleus ‘ColorBlaze® El Brighto’ – Annual of the Year  Bold, eye-catching foliage showcases rich red and deep purple centers framed by vivid golden-yellow edges. Exceptionally heat tolerant and low maintenance, this colorful plant thrives in both sunny and shaded garden settings. Container role: Thriller.

2. Heart to Heart® ‘Bottle Rocket’ – Caladium of the Year Striking foliagr features brilliant red veins, creamy white centers, and rich green margins, creating a dramatic display in the garden or indoors. This versatile plant thrives in both sun and shade and also performs beautifully as a bright-light houseplant. Container role: Thriller.

1. Rockin'® Fuchsia Salvia - Landscape Annual of the Year.  Brilliant fuchsia flowers accented by dramatic black calyces cover these tough, easy-care plants. This unique coloring represents a remarkable breakthrough in salvia breeding. Beloved by hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees, it is a must-have addition to any pollinator-friendly landscape. Continuous Bloom or Rebloomer Heat and Drought Tolerant No deadheading Not Necessary, Drought  Container: Filler, Thriller.

See all the plants at 2027 National Plants & Recipes of the Year

What To Do in Your Backyard in September

Lawn Care

• Lawns often thin in shady areas but typically recover during the fall through spring growing season.

• Begin sodding lightly shaded areas once drier weather returns.

• Where turf struggles to grow, consider replacing it with an attractive ornamental groundcover.

• Mushrooms in the lawn are often a sign of healthy soil activity and beneficial organisms. Removal is generally unnecessary unless children or pets may come into contact with them.

• Lawns infested with aggressive weeds should be renovated by removing affected areas and resodding, or by spot-treating with appropriate herbicides.

• Repair pest-damaged or weed-infested areas with sod, plugs, or seed.

• Delay broad weed-control applications until the end of the month.

• Wait until October to fertilize lawns.

• If turf appears pale, an application of iron or minor nutrients may provide temporary greening until regular fertilization begins.

• Fall fertilizer applications are typically made in late September or October.

• Complete Bahia grass seeding by early September.

• Monitor for lawn caterpillars and chinch bugs, which can remain active into fall.

• Fire ants are common in lawns. Treat individual mounds first, then consider treating the entire lawn if necessary.

• Test soil pH and adjust as recommended.

• Aerate compacted soils or areas that are difficult to wet.

• Nematode management products are increasingly available through professional lawn-care providers.

• Continue mowing at recommended heights and periodically vary mowing patterns to reduce wear.

• Service lawn equipment now to ensure it is ready for the fall season.

In the Landscape

• Prune dead, damaged, or declining branches affected by freezes, drought, or pests.

• Control weeds before they produce and disperse seed.

• Refresh mulch layers in preparation for drier fall weather. In many areas, only a light topdressing is needed.

• Many landscape plants have exceeded their intended space; now is a good time for corrective pruning.

• Give poinsettias and hydrangeas their final seasonal pruning.

• Remove dead stems and spent blooms from roses to encourage healthy growth.

• Clean and sharpen pruning tools to ensure clean cuts and reduce plant damage.

• Expect caladiums and some ginger species to decline and enter dormancy until spring.

• Replace declining annual flowers with warm-season selections and postpone cool-season plantings until temperatures moderate.

• Clean containers thoroughly and refresh potting soil before replanting.

• Incorporate organic matter into sandy or previously planted sites to improve soil quality.

• Remove declining palm fronds and flower stalks, but retain healthy green fronds.

• Sterilize pruning tools between palms to help prevent disease spread.

• Avoid planting palm species known to be susceptible to prevalent diseases.

• Watch for scale insects, mealybugs, and aphids, and treat when necessary.

• Sooty mold often develops on insect honeydew. Controlling the insects and applying horticultural oil will help manage both problems.

• Check container plants for clogged drainage holes and repot when needed.

• Chrysanthemums provide excellent fall color, but heat shortens their display. For best results, wait until November to purchase.

• Divide and replant overcrowded perennials.

• Cool-climate bulbs are available, but many require special chilling treatments to perform well in Florida.

• Add new trees, shrubs, and palms to the landscape.

• Continue palm fertilization through October, or apply a slow-release palm fertilizer three to four times annually.

• Begin fall fertilization of shrubs and perennials in late September, where permitted.

• Feed hanging baskets and orchids every other week.

• Remove aging leaves and spent blooms from water lilies and provide monthly fertilization.

Fruit and Vegetable Care

• Plant as many warm-season vegetables as possible this month.

• Set tomato transplants in the ground or containers early and begin training them to sturdy supports.

• Use large containers for vigorous vegetable crops to provide adequate root space and moisture retention.

• Clean containers and replace potting soil before each growing season.

• Keep container-grown tomatoes evenly moist to help prevent blossom-end rot.

• Add vegetables and herbs to patio and balcony container gardens.

• Most vegetables require full sun, although leafy crops often tolerate filtered sunlight.

• Remember that the sun shifts farther south during fall and winter, potentially creating more shade in the garden.

• Revitalize previously planted beds by adding compost, manure, or other organic matter.

• Remove plastic from solarized garden beds and plant directly without tilling.

• In areas with nematode problems, dig large planting holes and fill them with quality planting mix.

• Keep newly planted crops and seedlings consistently moist; irrigate established crops as soil begins to dry.

• Apply the first fertilizer application approximately two weeks after transplanting or seed germination.

• Continue monthly fertilization for in-ground plantings and every two weeks for container crops.

• Consider using a slow-release fertilizer, which may provide sufficient nutrition for the entire season.

• Incorporate flowering plants among vegetables to attract pollinators.

• Provide supports for tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and other vining or heavy-fruiting crops.

• Rejuvenate herb gardens in late September with fresh plantings.

• Inspect the garden daily to monitor moisture levels, manage pests, and support healthy fall growth.

• Use mulch to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and reduce soil splashing on edible crops.

• Remove and root pineapple offsets to expand plantings.

• Water citrus trees once or twice weekly during dry periods to support fruit development.

• Start seedlings of cool-season crops toward the end of the month.

• Begin fertilizing citrus and avocado trees late in the month.

Houseplant Care

• Revive tired foliage plants by moving them outdoors to a shaded location while temperatures remain favorable.

• Orchids and bromeliads often benefit from a period outdoors when growth begins to slow indoors.

• Groom outdoor foliage plants by removing damaged or unattractive leaves.

• Monitor for scale, mealybugs, thrips, and mites, and control infestations with appropriate low-impact treatments.

• Gradually reduce watering and fertilization of Christmas cactus and other holiday cacti.

• Decide which plants will return indoors as cooler weather approaches.

• Repot foliage plants that have outgrown their containers before fall temperatures arrive.

• Feed foliage plants monthly, or use a slow-release fertilizer according to label directions.

• Replace declining houseplants with fresh selections for the new season.

• Purchase amaryllis and paperwhite narcissus bulbs for holiday forcing displays.

5. Cosmic Purple: Features a deep purple exterior with a bright orange core, slightly sweet and nutty flavor, matures in about 70–75 days. Great raw in salads and relishes.  Gurney’s.

4. Purple Haze:  All American Selection Winner. Deep purple skin with an orange core, known for its sweetness and slightly spicy kick, matures in roughly 90 days, ideal for salads and fresh eating. Johnny’s Selected Seeds.

3. Purple Dragon: Developed from Danvers-type carrots, deep purple exterior, slightly sweet, versatile for raw or cooked dishes, and considered a specialty cultivar for home gardens and farmers’ markets. Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

2. Deep Purple Hybrid: Purple inside and outside the carrot, grows up to eight inches, matures in about 80 days, best used fresh as cooking can dull its color. Johnny’s Selected Seeds.

1. Purple Elite: Another vibrant purple variety with elegant yellow interior, often used for colorful salads and decorative culinary presentations. Matures in 72 – 75 days.  Johnny’s Selected Seeds.

Have Tomatoes?

Dried Tomato Recipe

Prepare the Tomatoes

• Thinly slice tomatoes and lay on parchment paper.

• Place in oven at 225 - 250 degrees for 2 to 8 hours.

• Let them sit in oven to cool for 30 minutes.

• Ensure tomatoes are fully dehydrated and cooled to room temperature

• Inspect for any remaining moisture before proceeding

• Handle with clean, dry hands or utensils

2 Condition the Tomatoes

Conditioning equalizes moisture to prevent mold formation during storage.

• Place tomatoes in a clean, airtight container

• Store at room temperature for 5–10 days

• Check daily for condensation; if present, return tomatoes to the dehydrator briefly.

Acidification reduces bacterial risk, especially for oil‑packed items.

• Dip each tomato briefly in white wine vinegar

• Allow excess vinegar to drip off

• Work in small batches to maintain cleanliness

4 Add Flavor (Optional)

Additional acidity and aromatics enhance taste and stability.

• Add a splash of red wine to the jar if desired

• Add dried rosemary, dried fresh basil if desired

• Avoid overfilling; keep liquids minimal to maintain oil coverage

5 Cover with Olive Oil

Oil protects the tomatoes from air exposure and improves shelf life.

• Fill the jar with high‑quality olive oil, leaving headspace

• Let jars sit for 5 minutes to release trapped air

• Top off with more oil if tomatoes are not fully submerged

6. Seal and Refrigerate

Initial refrigeration stabilizes the product before pantry storage.

• Seal jars tightly and refrigerate for 24 hours

• After 24 hours, move sealed jars to the pantry

• Once opened, keep refrigerated to prevent spoilage

• Monitor for off‑odors or cloudiness as signs of contamination

What To Do in Your Backyard in August

Average Temperatures: High 92   Low 73

Monthly Average Rainfall 6.25 inches

 Plant in August

 Vegetables: Cantaloupe, collard, corn, cucumber, eggplant, lima bean, okra, pepper, pumpkin, snap bean, southern pea, squash, tomato and watermelon

Flowers: Angelonia, begonia, black-eyed Susan vine, blue daze, butterfly weed, bush daisy, cat's whiskers, chrysanthemums, coleus, coreopsis,  crossandra, fire spike, gaura, golden globe, heliconia, jacobinia, impatiens, lantana, marigold, melampodium, moon flower, pentas, periwinkle, porter weed, portulaca, purslane, salvia, Stokes aster, sunflower, torenia and zinnia.

Herbs: Anise, basil, bay laurel, chive, dill, ginger, lemon balm, Mexican tarragon, mint, oregano, rosemary, sage, sweet marjoram and thyme.

Bulbs type plants: African iris, agapanthus, amaryllis, bulbine, canna, crinum, crocosmia, day lily, gladiolus, gloriosa lily, kaffir lily, Louisiana iris, society garlic, rain lily and walking iris.

 Lawn Care

•  Lawns appearing yellow can have an iron treatment instead of fertilizing.

• Sod webworms have been feeding in lawns; apply Summit Caterpillar and Webworm Control.

• Turn off irrigation systems during rainy periods; turf only needs 1.5” of rainfall or water a week.

• Overwatered lawns should be weaned off irrigation with the summer rains. They may decline and wilt for a few weeks, but will recover.

• Allowing your lawn to wilt a little between waterings helps deepen the root system.

• Raise or replace pop-up sprinkler heads that don’t reach far enough above the sod.

• Mow frequently and at the recommended height; sharpen dull mower blades.

• Fill bare areas with sod, plugs or seed to take advantage of the good growing weather.

• Wait until Fall to sod shady areas to prevent decline due to excessive moisture.

• New lawns are susceptible to fungal problems; apply fungicide to help reduce decline.

• Have problem turf samples diagnosed at your local University of Florida Extension Office.

• Mushrooms are common in lawns after rains. Removal is not necessary but can be done.

• Smelly mushrooms are often called stinkhorns; they are poisonous.

• Control weeds that are filling bare spots and over growing the good grass by hand removal.

• Consider another ground cover for hard to maintain and problem turf areas

• Weed killers should not be used when temperatures are above 85 degrees.

 Landscape care

•  Landscape plantings make lots of growth during summer; prune to keep in bounds.

• Springtime flowering shrubs like azaleas, camellias, gardenias, hydrangeas, loropetalums, should not be pruned.

• Thinning out excessive growth can help many shrubs avoid disease problems. 

• Many shrubs & flowers need a summer feeding; fertilize where permitted.

• Renew mulch layers to control weeds: keep them back a few inches from stems and trunks.

• Summer rains can cause container plants to decline, check for proper drainage.

• Do not count on summer rains to water new plantings; most need daily hand watering.

• Use a slow-release fertilizer that feeds the plantings for several months.

• Don’t let vines climb trees and shrubs; train them to arbors and trellises.

• Give palms a break; only remove the dead fronds and old flower heads.

• Complete pruning of poinsettias, bougainvillea, and wisteria by month’s end.

• Edge walkways and driveways to keep the landscape attractive.

• Summer rains normally provide adequate moisture for established plants; water as needed.

• Use foliage plants in shady gardens during the warmer months.

• Avoid trimming sheared plants back to the same height; allow a little new growth to remain.

• Stake newly planted small trees and shrubs that might be affected by wind.

• Feed crape myrtles where permitted and remove seed heads to continue summer blooms.

• Yellowing and leaf drop of crape myrtles are often due to a fungus. The leaves will drop anyway in Fall, no need to treat.

• Caladiums may start to decline by month’s end which is normal.

• Trim both declining flowers and foliage from perennial beds.

• Divide bromeliads, Shasta daisies, day lilies and other landscape perennials.

• Gladiolus can be left in ground if soil is dry.

• Transplant palms and sagos.

• Start poinsettia cuttings in early August.

• Pinch the tips of chrysanthemums in early August to grow well-branched compact plants.

• Feed water lilies and bog plantings in home water gardens monthly.

 Foliage & house plant care

 Time to prepare foliage plants for Fall; reshape and trim to encourage new growth.

• Transplant root bound and poorly drained foliage plants, add new soiol.

• Check for mealy bugs, scales and mites; control with natural soap or oil insecticides.

• Make cuttings of your favorite plants.

• Feed all foliage plants with a slow-release fertilizer where permitted.

• Look for new plants to add to the collection.

• Indoor plants accumulate dust like furniture; rise with water or a mild soapy solution.

• Move light starved plants outdoors to a shady location.

• Enjoy orchids and bromeliads indoors when in bloom, then move outside to the shade.

• Divide clump forming foliage plants like Spathiphyllum and Sansevieria.

 Vegetable & fruit care

•  Prune mangoes and lychee after harvesting fruit.

• Check pineapples – fruits are ready when fragrant and turn yellow to orange.

• Feed bananas and figs monthly but lightly; keep moist and mulched.

• Many gardens are filled with summer weeds; remove by hand.

• Enrich sandy soils and old garden sites with organic amendments and manure.

• Test soil acidity and adjust the pH if needed before planting in ground and in containers.

• Remove plastic from solarization after treatments and plant immediately.

• Transplants started in July should be ready for the garden during mid to late August.

• Plant quick growing warm season vegetables mid-August through early September.

• Seeds of melons and pumpkins must be planted during early August.

• Grow vegetables in large containers with good potting soil if you have limited space.

• Give tomatoes an extra-large container and keep moist to prevent blossom-end rot.

• Groom and feed herbs monthly; shelter container-grown herbs from the daily rains.

• Mints in containers that stop growing may only need dividing and more fertilizer.

• Clean containers between crops and add fresh potting soil.

• Plant flowers that attract pollinators among vegetables to obtain better fruit set.

• Where possible plant nematode resistant tomato and other vegetable varieties.

• Open wide, 8 inch or deeper holes in nematode infested sties and fill with fresh pest free soil.

• Begin staking or trellising taller growing crops when young.

• Mulch new plantings to conserve water and promote better plant growth.

• Feed sweet potatoes monthly and check dates of planting to harvest potatoes in 100 days.

• Feed citrus with one-quarter pound of citrus fertilizer per inch of trunk circumference.

• Apply a minor nutrient spray and insecticide to citrus at each flush of new growth.

5.  A 12’ tall totem pole constructed with black bowling balls with a white pins at the top..

4. A work of art created out of garden tools that was all connected by a pipe structure into a water feature. This entire piece of art was painted monochromatic matte black in homage to the Russian immigrant artist, Louise Neveleson, whose work is in famous museums around the world.

3. Hair salon painted Styrofoam heads filled with sedums and succulents. The colors were brilliant blues, yellows, greens, oranges, some with sunglasses.

2. Eclectic artwork, made from ceramic, glass, metal, porcelain, and other very strange materials.

1, Statues of Buffalos made of every material, color, shape, and size imaginable, from 6” tall to real life size one-ton buffalos.

Teresa’s Top Five Zinnias To Beat The Heat

Zinnias were the first flowers I learned to draw—and they’re easy to love. In my view, they’re among the most enjoyable long-lasting annuals to grow. Whether you’re a child, a beginner gardener, Master Gardener, or a professional landscaper, zinnias provide vibrant color, summer-long blooms, few pest problems, and minimal maintenance. These are my five favorite zinnia varieties from Burpee seeds for a pollinator garden or meadow—plant a few now!

1. Macarenia zinnias bring vivid spicy-orange color to the garden. Their 3" blooms last all summer, brightening beds, borders, containers, and cut-flower gardens, with colors that deepen as the flowers mature. Burpee 35 seeds, $8.95.

2. Raspberry Lemonade zinnias’ bold 2–3" blooms bring a colorful display to borders and containers. The vibrant mix features coral, yellow, and starlight rose, offering easy-care, long-lasting summer color with strong disease and drought tolerance. Burpee 25 Seeds $6.95

3. Giant flowered zinnias are dynamic! These sturdy, bushy flowers produce huge 5" double blooms that look like dahlias and add bold, vibrant color to the garden. Heat-loving and easy to grow, they keep flowering more as you cut them, making them a summer bouquet favorite. Burpee 150 seeds $5.45 and 375 seeds $7.95

4. Tequila Lime zinnias are large, bright zinnias feature crisp, citrus-green blooms up to 3" wide. Their rounded flowers add a lively lime-colored pop to the garden and are ideal for cutting and arranging. Purchase Burpee 50 seeds $6.95

5. Cactus Flowered Zinnias are an enduring Heirloom variety. Narrow, quilled petals give these heirloom zinnias distinctive flair. Introduced as Burpee’s “breakthrough” zinnia in the 1920s, this mix produces double and semi-double blooms up to 5" wide in scarlet, rose, orange, white, and yellow. Exceptional for cut flowers. Burpee 100 seeds $4.95

You can seeds in seed-starting trays and pots or directly into your garden. Seeds will germinate in 7 to 10 days. If needed, thin flowers out as they reach 1” to 2”, spacing them one half of the variety’s mature height. (See on seed packet) Keep consistently moist, watering if no rain 1x - 2x a week. But do not overwater. Container plants may need more watering oversight depending on pot material. To prevent fungal issues, water in early morning between 4am and 6am.

Photo credit: Burpee

Frozen schedflera, pygmy date palms, palms, and mangos.

The late-January to early-February winter freeze brought severe cold to Florida and much of the Southeast. There was no way to prepare or protect landscapes from the Polar Vortex coming. After record highs near 90 °F in the Miami area on January 26, temperatures across the city dropped to 48–51 °F by the next morning. By February 1, several Florida cities recorded their coldest temperatures since 2010: Tampa reached 28 °F, Miami and Fort Lauderdale recorded 35 °F, Orlando fell to 25 °F, and Daytona Beach hit 23 °F, setting a record for its coldest February day. Many Florida cities posted daily record lows on February 2, including Gainesville, Florida, at 22 °F, while Jacksonville, Florida, tied a record on February 3rd with its eighth consecutive freezing morning.

The freeze caused significant damage, killing many tropical shrubs, palms, and trees and leaving landscapes looking scorched and barren.  Landscapers and homeowners alike were overwhelmed. Completely unavoidable.

But it’s almost six months later and landscapes are still not back to normal. Frozen palm fronds are still hanging on, Norfolk Island Pines are still brown, dead schefflera shrubs, and full canopies of brown mango leaves are seen across the distance over white PVC fences.

If you are still living with a winter-damaged landscape, look closer, you might be seeing signs of life coming back to these injured shrubs and trees. Crotons and hibiscus have sprouted new foliage and are recovering well. If dead branches remain on your tropical plants, use sterile pruners to cut them back to the base of the shrub. For palms, remove only the brown fronds.

Mangos and papayas are also leafing out. Even Norfolk Island pines are producing bright green new growth. The hard part—and I think it’s not only a financial cost but an emotional decision—will be to prune off the dead branches or cut the tree down. If your tree is more than 10 feet tall, this work may require a certified arborist. Proper pruning helps the tree grow correctly, while poor pruning can make it more vulnerable to disease, insects, and hurricane wind damage.

“We are assessing the freeze-damaged trees as targets, eyesores, and not good for the overall health of the tree,” Perry Tollman, owner of Word-of-Mouth Tree Service, Altamonte Springs responded. “We do recommend trimming out the large deadwood, as it begins to desiccate the plant, so that it’s less of a hazard and aesthetically more pleasing.”

Have a company with certified arborists assess your brown tree. You’ll gain peace of mind, your tree will be healthier, and your neighborhood will look better. It’s time.

Source:

Atienza, J. (2026, February 2). Freezing in Florida: Arctic chill reaches Sunshine State, breaking records and causing power disruptions. FOX Weather. https://www.foxweather.com/weather-news/freezing-florida-arctic-chill-breaking-records-power-outage

Jones, R. (2026, February 3). Record Tying 8th Freeze, Milder Days Ahead. https://www.wokv.com/news/local/wokv-show-notes-february-3-2026-record-tying-8th-freeze-milder-days-ahead/QBAAVUAFLZAFRPX2Y4LBP5TM2Q/