Coffee (Coffea arabica) is native to central Ethiopia and is grown commercially in more 80 countries. It is one of the major horticultural crops traded throughout the world. Coffee also makes an attractive evergreen tree for South Florida with dark, glossy leaves and shiny red berries. If you're one of those people who can't live without your cup of coffee in the morning and you are up for a “green” challenge, then consider growing and producing your own cup of joe. Growing coffee…

The Mayans knew the value of the kaniste back in 800 BC.
They would gather the maturing fruit from the dense evergreen trees that shaded their
thatch homes and place them in the cooled ashes of the fire. Here they would
ripen to a golden yellow and would be used as a nourishing staple for everyday
life.

Today this ancient fruit kaniste (Pouteria
campechiana) continues to prove its worth. It is in the sapote family and
is well adapted to south Florida.
It will bloom and fruit throughout the year depending on the variety and makes
a perfect landscape tree for the home garden. It is easy to grow, wind resistant,
and tolerant of sandy or limestone soils. And, oh yes, it will provide bushels
of fruit for the kitchen…

As Published in The Miami Herald Under the Florida sun, Mamey trees grow in some backyards in South Florida. From massive branches that shoot straight out to grow football-shaped fruits with leathery skin the texture and color of sandpaper. Mamey sapote (Pouteria sapota) is native to the seasonally dry forests of Mexico and Central America. It was widely distributed in Central America before Columbus and introduced to the Caribbean, South America, and Asia. Mamey sapote has been grown in …

Petrea volubilis. Wisteria vines were in full flower last week in southern California, and while this member of the pea family can be invasive it also can be quite beautiful. Our Petrea volubilis or queen’s wreath, is sometimes said to be the tropical version of wisteria, but its flowers are much more delicate. Petrea is winding down its late winter flowering, but pretty racemes of lavender/purple flowers remain around the garden house. And there are Petrea vines along the fence by the…