Author Archives: Driftwood Garden Center

Crape Myrtles

No yard or landscape should be without a crape myrtle, or two, or three or… many! How wonderful to have something that blooms so profusely during that time of year when most other plants are looking tired and worn from the summer heat. The versatility of this plant makes it suitable for many types of yards and many uses, and once established, they will go on to add charm and delight to the landscape for many years.

About Crape Myrtles
Crape myrtles bloom in late summer and can be found in flower colors of pinks, lilac, white, reds and purples. Requiring very little maintenance once established, crape myrtles need a full sun location to thrive and they do not like wet feet. Keep these needs in mind when selecting a site to plant them. They will require some supplemental watering for the first year or so to get off to a good start and develop good roots. Crape myrtles are also pretty much pest-free, except for aphids on occasion and these are easily controlled with an insecticidal soap spray. Some varieties are more susceptible to powdery mildew than others but most of the newer varieties are more resistant to this fungus problem.

Planting Crape Myrtles
Although tolerant of a wide range of soil qualities, crape myrtles grow poorly in wet locations so be sure to select a well-drained planting site. Late spring to early summer is the best time to select and plant your new crape myrtles while they are actively growing and can settle in quickly. Plant at or slightly above ground level, spreading the roots out slightly and using mulch to protect and shelter the roots after planting. They do prefer a slightly acidic soil.

Crape Myrtle Types
Crape myrtles can be found in shrub, multi-stem tree and single trunk tree forms. For best results select a cultivar whose growth characteristics and ultimate mature size fit your intended use. Planting a shrub- or tree-like crape myrtle in an area of limited space will require yearly pruning to keep it from outgrowing its place. Single- or multi-stemmed tree-form crape myrtles are ideal as flowering specimen trees or as small, flowering shade trees near patios, walkways and entrances. Shrub forms make an excellent accent in a shrub border when planted in groups.

Pruning Crape Myrtles
If adequate room is provided, little pruning is required except to maintain shape or remove any dead or crossing branches. Remove any suckers or water sprouts to maintain tree forms and elegance. Blossoms are produced on new growth so you can prune anytime the plants are dormant through the winter.

With so much to love about these plants, there’s no reason not to add one to your yard this year! And next year, and the year after that, and the year after that…

Attracting Ladybugs to the Garden

Ladybugs are arguably one of the most beneficial insects in a garden. They help plants stay healthy by controlling detrimental pests like aphids and mites without having to resort to chemical pesticides.

Food is what attracts ladybugs and keeps them in the garden. Insects and pollen are their preferred cuisine. Ladybugs will make your garden their home if you have a constant supply of both.

Protect Pests

First and foremost, eliminate the use of pesticides to reduce the population of destructive insects. Pesticides will eradicate both ladybugs and their food source. Instead, invite pest insects with a trap crop. A trap crop is a plant that attracts garden pests away from more desirable plants. Effective trap crops for aphids, a ladybug’s favorite food, include calendula, nasturtium, and sunflowers. Trap crops assist in creating a more balanced backyard habitat where ladybugs and other beneficial insects can thrive.

Provide Plants

Certain types of flowers are more likely to draw ladybugs than others. Planting a wide variety of blooms rich in pollen, especially flat-topped flowers in white and yellow, will provide a suitable and inviting environment for ladybugs. Some great choices are:

Sweet Alyssum
Bachelor’s Button
Marigold
Butterfly Weed
Geranium
Yarrow
Bugleweed
Elderflower		 Coneflowers
Cilantro
Coreopsis
Parsley
Cosmos
Dill
Hibiscus
Carrots
Tickseed

Also, it is important to incorporate other plants like grasses, shrubs, and trees into your garden to offer a place for ladybugs to lay their eggs, provide shelter as they rest in the heat of the day, protect them as they search for food, and create a safe environment in which to hibernate during the winter months. To maintain hospitable hibernation conditions, delay cutting back perennials in the fall until springtime.

TIP

Make sure that you recognize the larval stage of the ladybug. This orange-and-black, spiky, alligator-like creature has a voracious appetite and can devour as many as 50 aphids and other insects daily.

It’s not difficult to create a welcoming ladybug habitat in your backyard.

  • eliminate pesticides,
  • provide food,
  • and establish places of shelter.

Follow this simple advice, and you are sure to be successful!

Tools & Décor

Tools

Tools can make or break the job, so it is always best to have the right equipment for the project. We carry a large selection of gardening tools to make sure all of your gardening projects go smoothly.

  • Shovels
  • Pruners
  • Trowels
  • Hedge shears
  • Rakes
  • Bonsai tools
  • Weed mat & frost cloth
  • Hoses & hose wands
  • Watering cans
  • And much more!

Along with gardening tools, we also have fountain/pond equipment to make or maintain a current water feature. Pumps, tubing, clamps, liner, and anything else needed for your water feature are available at Driftwood.

 

Décor

Décor can be a large intricate wall-art piece or a simple figurine for a potted display. We have all sorts of knick-knacks and other unique decorative pieces that range in size and style dramatically. Realistic animal replicas and artificial plants are some, but even items like rugs and benches are widely available. Seasonally appropriate items come and go with the seasons, so stopping in is the ideal way to see the most recent selection of items.

  • Wall art – assorted metals, wood, concrete for indoor/outdoor. Contemporary and modern, colorful talavera, beach themed, humor, etc.
  • Statues – resin lifelike animal figurines, concrete & granite garden statues
  • Garden décor and gifts – picks, gazing balls, decorative bird baths and feeders, windchimes, pot huggers, seasonal items, etc.
  • Benches and bistro sets – aluminum, different finishes and colors

With shipments coming in all the time throughout every season, our inventory is always changing and growing. Stop in or give us a call for details on current inventory selection.

Pottery & Water Features

The use of pottery and fountains as decorative garden accents dates back thousands of years. Then, they were the culmination of master craftsmanship, attention to detail, and the application of impressive imagination. Today, the same methods and materials are used to create classic and new styles with the benefit of modern choices.

Pottery

We carry a large selection of pottery and planters available year round. With our huge assortment of materials, size, colors, finishes, styles and functions we are sure to have just what you are looking for!

  • Terra Cotta –  a garden classic
  • Glazed Ceramic – variety of glazes and finishes in any color imaginable
  • Plastic – light-weight and economical
  • Concrete – multiple colors , sturdy, simple & intricate designs.
  • Talavera – hand painted, bright & unique
  • Small pots – for drop-in gifts, succulent gardens, & small house plants
  • And more!

 

 

Water Features & Fish

We carry a large variety of fountains ranging from large statement pieces that can function as the focal point of your landscape, to a small tabletop fountains for a soothing water sound on a quite patio. Fountains are all self contained but in a variety of ways; underground reservoirs make incredible scenes of disappearing water, while fountains with an internal reservoir hold all of their water within its structure in some way.

Both of our store locations keep a rotating stock of sizes, colors, and finishes throughout the year. We also offer local delivery & set-up for any water features in stock for your convenience. The inventory is constantly changing with new arrivals throughout the year, so the best way to see them all is to stop in and take a look.

Our inventory also includes everything needed to create and maintain larger water features like ponds and waterfalls. Do not hesitate to call or come in and talk to one of our experts for advice.

Koi fish are also constantly in stock with regular shipments arriving throughout the year. The fish come in a variety of sizes and colors, as well as a few different types. We also have experts on staff to help with any questions or concerns for the fish to make sure everyone, including the fish, is satisfied.

Lawn & Garden Products

Keeping your plants happy and healthy comes down to being consistent and paying attention to their signs.

Soil & Fertilizer

Soil and fertilizer play a very important role in the overall health of your plants. Sometimes, natural soil conditions can lack in the essential nutrients plants need to grow and look their best. We can recommend the right planting amendments to start your landscape projects off to a great start.

Once planted it is important to fertilize on a regular basis. Quarterly feeding is a common schedule (with granular extended-release fertilizer), but needs are based on the type of plant and the conditions they are in. Application rates and methods can vary so following label directions on each product is important to avoid damage from over feeding. Feel free to call or come in and speak to one of our experts with any questions on specific plants.

We carry a large selection of both liquid and granular extended-release fertilizers. Liquid fertilizers are usually recommended for supplemental feeding or for houseplants and is great for a quick boost of plant food, but it is often not enough alone. Granular fertilizer, or slow-release fertilizer, breaks down overtime to provide a more extended and consistent release of nutrients. We carry several kinds of both synthetic and organic fertilizers to fulfill your gardening needs.

Organic fertilizers, like any of our Espoma products, are an excellent option for a wide range of gardens. Organic fertilizers work similarly to synthetics, but they must be broken down naturally first before being taken in by the roots. Because of this, it is nearly impossible to over-fertilize plants (although we do not recommend trying). Other organic liquid feeds, like fish emulsion, are also an option for gardeners looking for a quick boost.

 

 

Pest & Weed Control

Even with good care and practices, plants can sometimes “get” bugs or disease. We carry a wide variety of pesticides, fungicides and weed killers with both conventional and organic options.

Don’t know what’s wrong with your plant? Our experts are always willing to take a look and give advice on how to treat it. Not only can we recommend products, but we can often recommended cultural practices to prevent it from happening again.

  • Insecticides – contact killers & systemic, granular & liquid, organic options & other natural oils, concentrates & ready-to-use/ready-to-spray
  • Fungicides – systemics & concentrates, granular & liquid, organics
  • Repellents – liquid & granular/powder for deer, rabbits, and insects

We carry a wide variety of pesticides, fungicides, weed killers, and even organics from an assortment of well known brands, so stop in or give us a call to get the right product for the situation.

As well as garden / weed control products,  we also carry water treatment products like Algaecide and Beneficial Bacteria to help keep ponds and fountains looking their best. For specific products in stock, stop in or give us a call.

Assorted House Plants

Bromeliads

House plants are a wonderful addition to anyone’s house looking to spruce up their interior space. We have many options from classics like African violets and fiddle leaf figs to unique sansevieria varieties and hanging baskets of many kinds of ferns. Bright but indirect sunlight is best for most house plants, but certain plants may be acclimated to different conditions.

Angel Wing Begonia

There are quite a few house plants that still flower even without all of the heavy sunlight that most of the big landscape trees and shrubs require. Bromeliads are a good example; bromeliads are common down here not only because they grow very easily, but because of the combinations of colors and patterns as well. Bromeliads in general can grow in just about any situation, besides being submerged in water. They have a very shallow root system and take in most of their water through the cups in the leaves that collect rainfall naturally. Because of this, they are commonly found growing in trees as air plants.

Houseplants come in many different forms to fit a wide range of looks. Many alocasia feature wide, tropical foliage and different shades of green, purple and white to bring new light to an otherwise bland area. Cascading ice plants, hoyas, pothos and many others drape over the edge of pots or hanging baskets. There are many different ways to fit beautiful color and eye-catching foliage anywhere at home.

Watering plants thoroughly and then allowing time to dry out before the next watering is essential to many plants in southwest Florida, so it is best to use a well-draining soil when planting. Using the appropriate fertilizer is important for plants to thrive, so it is good practice to do it on a regular schedule to ensure good plant health. We recommend fertilizing quarterly with organic or granular extended-release fertilizer for best results.

 

 

Carnivorous Sundew

Below is a short list of popular plants in this field:

*Selection may vary by location / time of year – list does not directly reflect current inventory*

  • Foliage-focus
    • Ivy, Ferns, Pothos, Calathea, Aglaonema, Alocasia, Stromanthe, Sansevieria, Philodendron, Ficus, Carnivorous Plants. Dracaena, Croton, Dieffenbachia, Ginger, Bromeliad, Air Plants, Aralia, Zig-Zag, Farfugium, Wandering Jew.

Assorted Housplants

 

  • Palms / Trees
    • Chamadorea Palm, Neanthebella Palm, Majesty Palm, Cat Palm, Raphis Palm, Old Man Palm, Ficus Tree, Yucca, Japanese Fern Tree, Assorted Bonsai Trees.

 

  • Flower-focus
    • Begonia, Anthurium, African Violet, Dwarfed Hibiscus, Cyclamen, Hydrangea, Bromeliad, Air Plants, Ginger, Japanese Peace Lily, White Bird of Paradise, Stephanotis, Hoya, Medinella.

 

Have other questions? Give us a call, or stop in at either of our locations and talk with one of our trained experts to give you the upper hand!

Cactus / Succulents

Cacti and succulents have become increasingly popular in recent years. From specialty growers and collectors to stores, websites and collectibles, it is no wonder they have become such a trendy houseplant. This popularity is no doubt due to the fact that all these plants are inherently easier to take care of compared to most other houseplants simply because they do not need much water or attention to survive.

There are vast numbers of different cactus and succulents that thrive in south Florida, as they are both grown around the world with relative ease. In fact, the word succulent is a general term to describe a plant with fleshy leaves. Since the term is so general, there are thousands of different kinds, from a wide variety of different plant families, that are considered succulents. In fact, a cactus is just a succulent with thorns! With such a vast assortment of different types from all over the world, it is no wonder these plants come in a variety of sizes, colors and growth habits. From ground-covers to trees, these plants have a plethora of different uses as both houseplants and landscape specimens.

Many may not think of south Florida as an ideal location to grow or purchase cacti and succulents due to our heavy summer rains. Although they are known for living on the dry side, many can be kept happy as a houseplant or out in the landscape as long as they are planted in well-draining soil. For this reason, we at Driftwood keep our succulent selections inside our covered shade-house in order to have full control over the watering. If kept as a houseplant, these plants need as much bright light as possible, so by a sunny window is best. However, most varieties can be transitioned to take full sun if acclimated slowly.

The key to watering these plants is to give them a deep, thorough  watering and then letting them dry out completely before watering again. Depending on conditions, this could mean watering them once a week to only once a month. For this reason, it is best to use well-draining soil and plant them in pots that have drainage holes so that the water can run right through. Regular fertilization with an organic or granular slow-release fertilizer is recommended to maintain overall health.

 

 

Below is a short list of popular plants in this field:

*Selection may vary by location / time of year – list does not directly reflect current inventory*

  • Cacti
    • Mammillaria, Euphorbia, Parodia, Opuntia, Cereus, Espostoa, Notocactus.

 

  • Succulents
    • Echeveria, Aloe, Kalanchoe, Sempervivum, Sedums.

 

Have other questions? Give us a call, or stop in at either of our locations and talk with one of our trained experts to give you the upper hand!

Orchids

Oncidium

Orchids are often thought of as an exotic plant that many gardeners are intimidated by. However, most orchids are easy to care for, and can quickly become an addictive hobby. The orchid family is one of the largest flowering plant families on Earth, with an absurd  number of varieties encompassing its name. Technology is allowing specialty growers to create hybrid orchids, creating an almost endless possibility of flowers, colors, leaves and fragrance.

Thankfully, most orchids are easy to take care of. Phalaenopsis is one of the most common species, and are often available in a wide array of sizes, blooms and colors. This particular orchid is known for its long-lasting blooms and ease of care.

Various Phalaenopsis

Different types of orchids will require different types of care, but some can be treated similarly. Many will flower at different times of the year, and some blooms will last longer than others. To best take care of any specific orchid, it is best to ask our experts.

It is important to use an orchid specific mix when potting up orchids for best results. This allows good drainage and avoids over-watering, which can cause problems. Typically, orchids are fertilized with an orchid-labeled liquid feed for them to look their best.

 

 

Below is a short list of popular plants in this field:

*Selection may vary by location / time of year – list does not directly reflect current inventory*

  • Orchids
    • Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium, Vanda, Oncidium, Cattleya, Epidendrum, Paphiopedilum

Have other questions? Give us a call, or stop in at either of our locations and talk with one of our trained experts to give you the upper hand!

Herbs & Vegetables

Lavender

Growing your own herbs and vegetables is an empowering and rewarding hobby. Growing something in your own backyard is a healthy way to learn what goes into our food. The effort that is put into making the plants grow and produce our own food teaches people young and old that investing time and energy is the best way to make things grow.

Tomato

Our herbs and vegetables commonly come in 4” and 6” containers making it easy to fit them into a small bed or container. During the vegetable growing season, we will often carry many unique varieties of vegetables including tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and even lettuce! Not only will you find classics like better boy tomatoes and bell peppers, but we often get in more uncommon heirloom varieties.

We carry many different varieties of more common herbs as well as some unique variations on old classics. Peppermint and spearmint are staples in any herb garden, but have you ever tried chocolate or pineapple mint? We often try and stock many less-than-common herbs as well like nasturtiums and lemongrass. Be sure to check back often to see what we have in stock!

Herbs and vegetables require regular care and watering. Many want a thorough soaking before drying out again. We recommend planting these assorted herbs and vegetables in a well-draining potting mix that has lots of organic matter. When planting in the ground or a raised bed, it is important to enrich the existing soil with compost or other organic matter. We recommend fertilizing quarterly with an organic fertilizer to keep your plants looking their best.

 

 

Parsley & Friends

Below is a short list of popular plants in this field:

*Selection may vary by location / time of year – list does not directly reflect current inventory*

  • Herbs
    • Mint, Rosemary, Basil, Lavender, Thyme, Oregano, Parsley, Dill, Chives, Lemongrass, Nasturtium

 

  • Vegetables
    • Tomatoes, Peppers, Cucumber, Lettuce, Eggplant

“Amazel” Basil

Have other questions? Give us a call, or stop in at either of our locations and talk with one of our trained experts to give you the upper hand!

Bedding Foliage

Caladuim

Bedding plants are traditionally thought of as small flowering plants, but this is not always the case. Many great bedding plants have bright, colorful foliage that can add a pop of color to any landscape. Many stay relatively small, and are easy to maintain. In general, these plants prefer full to part sun, but many can also do well in the shade.

Various Ground-cover

A lot of these plants are versatile and can be used in several different ways. The spike plant, a type of dracaena, grows upright with a bare stalk and has foliage on top. It is common to find them as a centerpiece in planters to add both color and height with little maintenance. On the other hand, low growing plants like sedum or lysimachia can be found spreading across flat areas for low-growing coverage or grown as cascading plants over the sides of pots for a more overgrown and natural look that many gardeners try to accomplish. Other plants like coleus and caladiums, come in a wide variety of colors, patterns and sizes, perfect for adding a splash of color to any landscape.

Watering plants thoroughly and then allowing time to dry out before the next watering is essential to many plants in southwest Florida, so it is best to use a well-draining soil when planting. Using the appropriate fertilizer is important for plants to thrive, so it is good practice to do it on a regular schedule to ensure good plant health. We recommend fertilizing quarterly with organic or granular extended-release fertilizer for best results.

 

 

Dusty Miller

Below is a short list of popular plants in this field:

*Selection may vary by location / time of year – list does not directly reflect current inventory*

  • Foliage
    • Coleus, Caladium, Sedum, Sweet Potato Vine, Persian Shield, Dusty Miller, Spike Plant, Dichondra, Licorice Plant, Waffle Plant, Asparagus Fern, Oyster Plant, Lysimachia, Ivy, Grass, Alternanthera, Glechoma, Iresine, Ajuga.

 

Have other questions? Give us a call, or stop in at either of our locations and talk with one of our trained experts to give you the upper hand!