Pictures

You'll find pictures of these plants at the Florida Nurserymen and Growers Association (FNGA) Web site.

The 2002 Plants of the Year are chosen by plant experts from around the state. They make the selections two years ahead of time so growers have enough time to bulk up their supplies. The FNGA, 1533 Park Center Drive, Orlando, FL 32835, then promotes the selections as proven to do well in Florida climate and soils.

If you can't find these plants at your local nurseries, and they say they can't find them for you, try calling Julie Markowitz at the FNGA headquarters in Orlando.

2002 Plants of the Year:
The best picks of the landscape

These plants were selected by the Florida Nurserymen and growers Association as 2002 Florida Plants of the Year:

Compact Walter's Viburnum (Viburnum obovatum): A native evergreen shrub used as a low hedge, 4 to 6 feet tall, or as a specimen plant in full sun to partial shade. New growth is red, becoming green with age. White flowers appear in early spring and red berries turn black in the fall.

Perennial Peanut (Arachis glabrata): Native to South America, this perennial peanut's tolerance of drought and mowing makes for an excellent turf substitute. It likes a well-drained soil, sunny location to produce bright yellow flowers from spring to fall on plants that grow up to 12 inches high. They are a good choice for a container grown plant as well as a groundcover. Do keep in mind that Arachis do not like acidic conditions.

The foliage will die back in the event of frost, but the plant will come back as long as the rhizomes don't freeze. In the ground, they usually grow several feet deep and thus are well protected. This plant is prone to whitefly so be sure to carefully inspect your plant before purchasing. Whitefly is easy to identify because you will see a puff of white coming off the plant when the leaves are brushed. If a plant that you already have in the garden should get infested, you can treat it with various chemical or organic methods. Once these plants are established, they require little or no care.

Oak Leaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia): Reaching 5 to 8 feet, this deciduous flowering shrub is a native plant. Grown alone or in a mass planting, it requires light to medium shade. The large creamy white flowers are fragrant and borne in clusters. In the fall, the leaves change to red-orange to add color to the landscape.

Simpson's Stopper (Myrcianthes fragrans ‘Compacta’): This native evergreen shrub, growing 5 to 10 feet in height, sports glossy leaves. Small white flowers in late spring are fragrant and turn to reddish-orange berries, which are relished by birds.

Bismarck Palm (Bismarckia nobilis): Large silver-blue fronds stand out on this robust palm, which grows from 30 to 50 feet. Cultivating the plant in Central Florida may be pushing its northern boundary, but Harry P. Leu Gardens in Orlando has been doing so for a number of years.

Orange Plume (Justicia spicigera): This plant is also known as Firecracker Plant, Mexican Honeysuckle and Desert Honeysuckle. It can be used as bedding, in a container, in masses or an accent plant. Bright orange tubular flowers bloom during the warm months and attract hummingbirds. Orange Plume prefers full sun, but can tolerate light shade and reaches 4 to 6 feet tall. It may need occasional trimming. Pinch it back to encourage fullness. It will freeze at 25 degrees, but recovers rapidly in the spring. The plant is also susceptible to iron chlorosis. Feed it with iron if the leaves turn yellow.

Robin Holly (Ilex x ‘Robin’ 9486): This 10 to 15 foot high evergreen can be grown as a specimen shrub, as a hedge or as a tree and is drought tolerant. New reddish-maroon growth changes to a dark glossy green leaf, highlighting its red berries.

Giant Plume Ginger (Curcuma elata): Whether planted singly or in groups in light shade, this massive ginger commands attention with a height of 8 feet. This is a robust, hardy Burmese plant that is very cold tolerant. The broad green leaves have a faint, but distinct wine red flush to the midrib. The bright pink-violet inflorescences, produced in the spring when the foliage returns after winter dormancy, make excellent cut flowers.

Hidden Ginger (Curcuma zedoaria): Alone or as a ground cover, Hidden Ginger grows to 4 or 5 feet in the shade. Before the broad, tropical-looking leaves emerge, maroon inflorescences with yellow flowers appear in the spring. They are commanding in cut-flower arrangements.

Jewel of Thailand Ginger (Curcuma cordata [petiolata]): In a shady spot, this short (d feet tall) ginger brightens the garden in warm weather with attractive pleated leaves. In the fall, outstanding pink inflorescences with yellow flowers grow to 1 foot in height.

“ZZ” (Zamioculcas zamiifolia): Originally from eastern Africa and an adaptable plant, “ZZ” can be grown outside or inside in a high indirect-light location. Outdoors, it's an eye-catching ground cover or accent plant. Indoors, use as a striking decorating detail. A mature plant is 2 to 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide, and the leaflets are thick and glossy.

Mammy Croton (Codiaeum “Mammy”): Unlike most other crotons, Mammy has interesting narrow twisted leaves. In full sun outside or high light inside, the leaves are an orange-red with variegations of green and yellow. In the landscape, the plant is 3 to 5 feet tall when grown in full sun and is suitable for use as a hedge, a specimen or as an accent.