June Crawford Sanders
June 28 at 3:23 PM ·
Don't remove all the stumps!
Fall color is here
Come and relax at Fairfield Farms Nurseries and breathe the fresh air.
UF IFAS Marion County Master Gardeners
September 5 at 11:00 AM ·
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly
Did you know that the eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly (Papilio glaucus Linnaeus) has two forms? One is yellow, and the other is black. All tiger swallowtails exhibiting the black form are female; in many areas of its northern range, most females are black.
Tiger swallowtails are found from New England, west to the southern Great Lakes, through the Great Plains and south to Texas and Florida. A variety of plants are used as host plants for egg laying in the northern range, but in south Florida sweet bay (Magnolia virginiana) is used almost exclusively. In north Florida, the tulip tree (Liriodendrum tulipifera) and several other plants may also be used. The adults are attracted to various flowers for nectar; the yellow female pictured is feeding on firebush blooms.
The distinguishing characteristics of the adult yellow form include four black bands on the front wings, and black wing margins with a marginal row of yellow spots. The back wings of the female yellow form have a distinctive powdery blue patch divided by a wavy line. The female black form shows some remnants of the tiger banding pattern on the undersides of the front wings, and also has a blue patch on the back wings.
For more pictures and information, go to http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/bfly/tiger_swallowtail.htm
Hanging Baskets available now
UF IFAS Marion County Master Gardeners
October 20 at 11:42 AM ·
Camellia pests
Are the leaves on your camellia (Camellia japonica and Camellia sasanqua) trying to get your attention? The pests that maybe attacking your camellia leaves are Aphids, Scale and/or Spider mites or Southern red mites.
Most of you are familiar with the aphid. They like the new green leaves, buds, and stems to suck out juices. Of course, that will generally produce Sooty mold. You may see aphid ‘mummies’, which is a sign that there is natural biologic control happening. If you have live aphids you can use insecticidal soaps, oils or approved insecticides. Be sure to read the label instructions before using. Insecticides should only be used as a last resort.
Scale, Tea scale is the leading scale found on camellias. There is a variegated look to the leaves and on the underneath side you will find white fuzzy areas, which is where the scale sucks the juices out of the leaves. Horticultural soaps or oils are the safest way to get rid of these little guys and avoid harming any beneficial native predators. To combat this pest, you can spray the leaves covering top and bottom. Applications every 7-10 days probably 2-3 times should take care of the problem. If you are unable to rid your plant of the scale use pesticide as a last resort. Read the label before using any application.
Spider Mites, Southern red mites are seen in cooler, moist times of the year, while the two spotted mite is found to be active during dry, hot weather conditions. To identify this pest on your camellia you will find bronzing on the top of the leaves. Using Insecticidal soaps, horticultural oils or miticide if necessary. Reading labels for application instruction before applying.
I have attached a UF/IFAS publication for more information for other problems you may find on your camellia. The pictures attached show damage caused by the pests discussed above.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep558
A NOT so secret garden. is with Vasilka Dueva and 37 others.
October 13 at 5:59 AM ·
How amazing is this grafted Bouganvillea grown in my home state of Queensland, Australia. Photo by Ivan Kelly.
Sasanqua Camellia blooming now
Poinsettias are here.
If you have seen a flamethrower palm . The red lasts for 10 days. Cold hardy to 25 degrees. We have them in stock now.
UF IFAS Marion County Master Gardeners
13 hrs ·
PONYTAIL PALM (Beaucarnea recurvata)
Did you know......Ponytail “Palm”, a.k.a. Bottle Palm or Elephant Foot Tree are not a real palm. The Ponytail is a member of the agave family. As a succulent it requires sun to partial sun. It can be planted in the ground, but only in zone 10 o 11 which would be south of Lake Okeechobee. As a native of southern Mexico, if you want this plant and live in North Central Florida a container plant is your best choice. I have a Ponytail in a container and take it outside in early spring. Then back inside when the weather turns too cold (55 to 70 degrees).
When it comes to caring for your ponytail palm be sure to remember that it is a cactus. Being a cactus, it stores it water supply in the large base of the plant.
If your Ponytail plant starts showing brown or black tips on its leaves you can trim them off. Do not trim back to the trunk. Trim just enough to take the discolored tips off.
When you start seeing suckers or better known as pups at the base of the main plant you can cut the little ones off with a clean, sharp knife or pruners. Plant the pups in individual pots with a cactus planting medium or a gritty potting soil for good drainage.
Refer to the publication from UF/IFAS for more information.
http://lyra.ifas.ufl.edu/TREESServlet?command=getFloridaTree&classoid=1016
http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/trees/ponytail.html
UF IFAS Marion County Master Gardeners
December 4 at 7:00 AM ·
Florida Friendly Landscaping (FFL) Principle of the Week - Right Plant, Right Place
When we moved to Ocala 2 years ago, our new home was landscaped with some plants which do not meet FFL guidelines. A plant should: grow in our zone 9a, have proper sun requirements, soil requirements, water requirements, and be low maintenance.
This picture shows our before and after picture. The boxwoods in the top picture, which were planted by the landscaper, should grow no warmer than zone 8 and were not doing well. This location gets morning sun only, so we wanted to replace the boxwoods with a plant which likes shade. We chose Coonties which are native to our area, do well in shade and need very little maintenance.
Choosing a native plant when possible, helps native insects and animals survive in our yards. Don’t you think they look better too?
For more information: https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/
Let our friendly staff help you choose some great looking annuals and perennials.
One of a kind handmade items. We carry local artist items on consignment. Visit our gift shop ti see more.
UF IFAS Marion County Master Gardeners
Yesterday at 12:00 PM ·
Friday Florida Friendly Landscaping (FFL) Principle of the Week – Fertilize Appropriately
Has your lawn gone very quickly into dormancy due to the cold snap we had? Our plants and lawn need a rest too. Based on FFL principles, no fertilizer should be applied during plant dormancy.
Understanding how to fertilize follows these basic FFL principles:
1. Think before you apply – apply recommended rates of fertilizer at the correct time in the growing cycle
2. Read the label – look at the label to ensure you use products with slow or controlled released nitrogen and low amounts of phosphorus
3. Apply iron – chelated iron or iron sulfate can be applied instead of other fertilizers in the summer to green up lawn without causing excess growth
4. NO weed and feed products – fertilizer and pesticides should be applied when needed not together
5. Compost – turn your kitchen and yard waste into garden gold
For more information about fertilizing appropriately: https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/
Winter tips for your Florida lawn: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/lawns/lawn-care/your-florida-lawn-in-winter.html
UF IFAS Marion County Master Gardeners
December 13 at 9:40 PM ·
Camellia Pests and Problems
Camellias are a favorite cool-season bloomer, but while you are enjoying their beauty keep an eye out for signs of damage. This is a condensed version of the UF/IFAS publication, Key Plant, Key Pest: Camellia, covering some of the common disease, pests, and deficiencies that afflict camellia plants. Follow this link to learn about the diseases and pests.
http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/pests-and-diseases/pests/camellia-
UF IFAS Marion County Master Gardeners
December 22 at 7:05 PM ·
Fig Trees
Did you know….you can grow Fig Trees in Florida. UF recommends the common Fig Trees are best suited for Florida. Common Fig Trees are cold hardy and do not require pollination from anything, this is called parthenocarpic. The common fig trees to look for are Celeste, Brown Turkey, or Ischia. These trees require 100 chilling hours (temperatures below 45 degrees) to produce fruit from the small insignificant flowers. They can grow to 50 feet, but not in Florida. For more information on growing figs please refer to the UF publication I have attached.
http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/fruits/figs.html
UF IFAS Marion County Master Gardeners
December 21 at 12:00 PM ·
DWARF HOLLIES - Hollies are well known for their evergreen leaves and bright red winter fruits. They come in many forms, from large trees to dwarf shrubs, and are drought tolerant once established.
For smaller spaces and even containers, consider a dwarf holly. These smaller shrubs can also be used as hedges and foundation plantings, and there is a dwarf holly for all areas of Florida.
Dwarf Cultivars
Hollies are dioecious, meaning there are separate male and female plants. So if you want a shrub that produces berries keep in mind that only the female plants produce them. (Here's a fun fact: holly fruits are not in fact berries, they are actually drupes. But they're commonly called "berries," so we'll stick with tradition.)
With glossy green foliage and red berries, ‘Burfordii Nana’ grows well in North and Central Florida. ‘Burfordii Nana’ is a dense and compact shrub with a mature height and spread of 5 to 8 feet.
‘Rotunda’ and ‘Carissa’ take up very little space with a height and spread of 3 to 5 feet. Both are adapted to North and Central Florida and form dense shrubs with stiff, dark green leaves that have sharp spines. These and several other cultivars mentioned here are sterile, and won't produce berries.
‘Bordeaux’ is a dwarf cultivar of the native yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria). It forms a dense, fine-textured shrub with leaves that emerge maroon. It also does not produce berries. ‘Bordeaux’ is quite compact with a height of 2 to 3 feet and a spread of 3 to 5 feet.
‘Nana’ is another dwarf cultivar of yaupon holly that has a dense, rounded form and fine texture. ‘Nana’ rarely produces berries. The small dark green leaves have a yellow tinge when they emerge. ‘Nana’ has a mature height of 3 to 5 feet and a spread of 3 to 6 feet.
small shrubs with tiny green leaves
The dwarf, compact form of Ilex cornuta 'Rotunda'. UF/IFAS.
Another dwarf cultivar of yaupon, ‘Schillings Dwarf’, grows to a height of 4 to 7 feet and spreads 6 to 10 feet. ‘Schillings Dwarf’ has a dense, rounded form and a fine texture. This holly is a male cultivar and doesn’t produce berries. It has small, dark green leaves and reddish new growth. Both ‘Nana’ and ‘Schillings Dwarf’ grow throughout the state.
‘Taylor’s Rudolph’ has a mature height of 3 to 4 feet and spreads 4 to 5 feet. Small green leaves emerge with a purplish tinge. Mature shrubs are rounded and dense with fine texture. This cultivar of native holly produces red berries and grows throughout the state. Follow this link for more information about these beauties. http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/shrubs/dwarf-hollies.html
We will be closed January 1st and reopen January 2nd at 9 a.m.
Pandemic, Covid, masks, isolation, loneliness, cold, dreary... all these can bring us down. What can we do to pick ourselves up out of this slump and rut? Of course, exercise, eating healthy, prayer, but another way is go out and buy a plant: an annual, a perennial, a little bush, a little tree and plant it or just keep it in the pot, water it, and take good care of it. I work at Fairfield Farms in Oxford and love just walking out in the fresh air, walking through the green houses and property; and even wander in their cute little gift shop in the “pottery barn”. Just buy one plant to brighten your day!!
UF IFAS Marion County Master Gardeners
December 26 at 7:00 AM ·
Houseplants for the Forgetful Gardener
Even the most avid gardener sometimes wants a plant that doesn’t require a whole lot of time and attention. Here is a list of houseplants that area low enough maintenance for even the most forgetful gardener.
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/houseplants/houseplants-for-the-forgetful-gardener.html
UF IFAS Marion County Master Gardeners
January 3 at 4:24 PM ·
Cold Damaged Plants
Do you know…. how to treat your plants that are suffering from cold damage. We all know that January and February are our most cold months. What to do for your plants that didn’t have protection from the cold.
No pruning or cutting back the brown on the plant. The pruning and cutting back will come when you start seeing those little green leaves telling you Spring is arriving. The brown cold damage can help protect the plant from a late seasonal cold snap. Wait for the green to start showing up on the plants before you prune.
If your plants did get damaged check the soil to be sure your plant needs water. If the soil is dry water to help the soil warm and your plants can recover. Even damaged plants need water.
No fertilizer until the ‘spring green’ shows up. Minimal feeding is best to help the plants recover.
Once the ‘spring green’ starts showing you will need to find the point on your woody plants that need to be removed. Lightly scratch the woody branch, you will see green or dark brown or gray. Green your plant is alive and needs the cold damaged part of the plant removed.
Herbaceous plants like begonia, impatients may have collapsed from the cold. If this is the case cut them back to the ground to avoid fungal growth in your garden.
http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/weather/treating-cold-damage.html
We have them in stock.
UF IFAS Marion County Master Gardeners
January 9 at 12:00 PM ·
European Fan Palm
When people think of Florida, oranges and palm trees often come to mind. The first thing many newcomers want is a palm tree in their yard. There are many kinds of palm trees that will grow in Florida, but in North Central Florida homeowners need to think about palm species that will survive freezing temperatures.
The European fan palm (Chamaerops humilis) is a great palm for this area. It will withstand temperatures as low as 10 degrees once established. As a bonus, although it is native to Europe, it’s on the list of Florida-friendly landscaping plants.
This palm slowly grows to 8 to 15 feet tall with a spread of 6 to 10 feet. It usually has multiple trunks, although suckers can be removed to create a single trunked tree. Its fine textured fronds have a range of colors from light green to silver.
Palms can be planted in any season in Florida, but the best time is during the warm, rainy summer months. The European fan palm will grow in partial sun or partial shade, growing a little more quickly in sun but with smaller fronds. One word of caution – there are wickedly sharp teeth along the stem of each frond.
These websites will tell you more about the European fan palm.
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/palms-and-cycads/european-fan-palm.html
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/FP/FP12300.pdf
Bumpers for sale off a F250 2015 pickup. 199.99 or obo.
Coming attraction. We have 1 of each in stock now. We will order more in as it warms up.
First photo is a Stictocardia Hawaiian sunset vine.
Second photo is a Ipomea Brazilian Morning Glory vine
UF IFAS Marion County Master Gardeners
January 13 at 7:00 AM ·
Camellias are native to Asia and were introduced in the United States in 1786 in the Charleston, SC area. Camelia japonica, C. sasanqua and C. reticulate are the three varieties commonly found. Camellias generally bloom in fall and winter which is wonderful since many other plants are dormant. It is advisable to do your research before selecting a camellia as the light requirements and bloom time vary among the varieties. There are also dwarf varieties available. Generally, most prefer part shade and acidic soil. Buying varieties with different bloom times and light requirements will insure color in your garden for a longer period.
For more information about selection, planting and potential pests, see the link below.
www.gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/camellias.html
UF IFAS Marion County Master Gardeners
19 hrs ·
When to Prune Flowering Perennials and Shrubs
The recent cold frosty weather has taken its toll on many plants. It’s a real temptation to get out and prune everything right now, so we won’t have to look at those dead leaves and skeletal branches. But depending on the plant, it is probably best to wait just a little longer.
Shrubs that flower in the early spring should not be pruned now. These include azaleas, oakleaf hydrangeas and camellias. The general rule is that shrubs that flower before May should be pruned shortly after they finish blooming, because they set flower buds for the next year in the fall.
Shrubs that flower after May, like crape myrtle and gardenias, can be pruned in late February or early March before they start their spring growth.
Wait until mid-February to prune roses, or when the daytime temperature consistently reaches 70 degrees. Pruning earlier may result in frost damage to new growth and reduced flowering.
Some perennials and shrubs will die back completely in cold weather, and they will eventually need to be cut back to the ground. Again, it is best to wait until the stems are completely dead, which should happen by February. Scratch the stem to look for green or yellow tissue under the bark. If there is none, it should be safe to prune.
With a bit of patience and some careful pruning at the correct time, your perennials and shrubs will look great once warmer weather arrives. There are many online articles addressing exactly how to prune specific plants, including trees. Here are two with general information from the University of Florida.
http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/washingtonco/2015/12/16/hold-off-pruning-back-perennials-and-ornamental-shrubs/
http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/okaloosaco/pruning/
UF IFAS Marion County Master Gardeners
January 25 at 12:01 PM ·
HUMMINGBIRDS OF FLORIDA
Time to plan your hummingbird gardens for their arrival in March. Of the 338 species known, 16 are found in the United States and 3 occur in Florida. Black-chinned and rufous hummingbirds occasionally can be seen in Florida during the winter. The ruby-throated hummingbird is by far the most common hummer in the state and the only one to breed in Marion County. This feathered jewel is about 3 inches (7.5 centimeters) long and weighs as little as a penny (¼ ounce). Its name describes the most brilliant part of the mature male's plumage. The throat feathers contain air bubbles that give off an iridescent red tone in full light. Their backs are metallic green and they have two sets of tail feathers: two green ones in the center that cover eight outer black ones when they're folded. In females and juveniles, the black feathers have white tips; males lose the white tips as they mature.
The ruby-throat's breeding range extends from central Kansas to the east coast and from Saskatchewan to central Florida. Although some birds may stay in south Florida year-round, most winter in Mexico and South America. Males arrive in Florida in March. Females arrive about a week later.
Nesting in Florida begins in April. The nest is a walnut-size structure of plant down, adorned with lichens, moss, and bound with spider webs or fine plant fibers. Nests frequently are built over water. The female lays 2 eggs less than ½ inch (1.2 centimeters) long. After 20 days of incubation and 4 weeks of growing, young hummingbirds leave the nest.
Flying Feats
One of the most fascinating things about hummingbirds is their helicopter-like flying stunts. Not only can hummers suspend their bodies in midair as shown in Figure 2, they can also fly backward, upward, even upside down. These maneuvers are possible because of an unique design that allows the wing to move very freely and in almost any direction at the shoulder. Soaring is the only maneuver they can not perform. Contrary to popular belief, hummingbirds do not hum. The sound is made by their rapid wing movements (50–200 beats per second).
To acquire enough strength to support all of this high-speed activity, hummingbirds need to consume large amounts of high-energy food. Adult hummingbirds feed primarily on nectar. Young are fed insects by their parents, but are switched to a mostly nectar diet by the time they leave the nest. Nectar is an energy-rich food that is used rapidly. One hummingbird may need nectar from hundreds of blossoms every day to maintain its body weight.
Hummingbirds are well adapted to a liquid diet. Long needlelike bills and specially adapted tongues allow them to reach nectar in deep tubular flowers (Figure 1). The last half-inch of the long tongue is divided into equal halves, each grooved on the outside edge to form two tube-like structures. Nectar is drawn into the tongue much the same way liquid travels up a straw. Hummingbirds can lick at a rate of 13 times per second, and their stomach is capable of holding about 0.18 ounces (5 grams) of nectar at one time. They also feed to a lesser extent on insects.
For their size, hummingbirds have among the largest appetites in the bird world. They feed every 10 or 15 minutes from dawn until dusk. During this period, they eat more than half their weight in food and 8 times their weight in water. Hummingbirds have developed 2 adaptations to help them survive the hours of darkness when they cannot feed. First, they eat as much as they can just before dark. During the night, their heart rate and body temperature drop to conserve energy. If they did not go into this sort of daily hibernation stage, they likely would starve.
Artificial feeders will attract hummingbirds. Because feeders can be placed almost anywhere, they increase your opportunities to view hummers from inside your house. However, feeders should not be the sole source of food provided. The sugar solution may appeal to the hummingbirds' sweet tooth, but it provides little nourishment. Nectar is much more than just water and sugar.
It is easy to make your own nectar rather than store bought, that may contain dyes that can harm them. Prepare your own solution with 1 part white, granulated, cane sugar to 4 parts water. Boil the sugar solution to help dissolve the sugar. Then allow it to cool before filling a feeder. This concentration is about the same as that in wildflower nectar. Using a sweeter solution, sugar substitutes or honey could be lethal to hummers. It also is not necessary to add red food coloring. The birds will be attracted to the red feeders.
Several different feeder styles are available. The ones with perches are not necessary, but they do provide an unusual view of this bird without its wings beating rapidly. The upside-down jar-and-tube feeders have a tendency to leak.
Most feeders come with bee guards (Figure 2). Although hummingbirds will feed right next to bees, clusters of these insects will keep them away. If ants are attracted, moisten the hanging wire with cooking oil.
Hummingbirds are very possessive of feeders and usually will not tolerate another bird feeding from the same feeder at the same time. The less dominant ones just wait their turn. Juveniles are a bit more sociable than adults. If you are using more than 1 feeder, arrange them at least 10 feet apart so that all can feed peacefully at once.
Place the feeder where rain will not dilute nectar in the end of the tube. Also avoid direct sunlight as heat stimulates bacterial growth.
Sugar solutions must be kept fresh. Florida's hot weather can cause rapid bacterial growth in these feeders and birds that drink contaminated water could die. To avoid this, change the solution every 3-5 days. Clean the feeders with hot water and white vinegar. Do not use soap or chlorine bleach (Clorox™).
To be successful in keeping hummingbirds around your house, you must garden for them. The ideal flower color is red, orange, or pink. Hummingbirds are not born with an attraction to certain colors but learn by trial and error which flowers give the best results. Because most nectar-bearing flowers within the range of the ruby-throat are red and orange, they quickly come to favor those colors. Hummingbirds also have been known to show an interest in red-colored lipstick, fingernails, and clothing.
Tubular flowers that are either large and solitary or in loose drooping clusters are best. Generally, tubular flowers hold large amounts of nectar at their base.
Blooming season is another important gardening consideration. Nesting hummingbirds will need nectar from March to September. Therefore, your garden should have numerous nectar plants available throughout this time. It is best to plant a variety of species and to arrange these flowers in several groupings. Nesting hummingbirds are very aggressive and territorial around their food source. Having more than one flower garden will allow several hummers to feed at the same time without conflict. For a list of plants to attract Hummingbirds to your yard year after year follow this link and enjoy .
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw059
UF IFAS Marion County Master Gardeners
Yesterday at 7:00 AM ·
Loropetalum (Loropetalum chinensis) is an evergreen shrub that is native to China, Japan, and the Himalayas. Despite its origin, it is well-suited to our Florida landscape. The shrub usually has small oval burgundy leaves and delicate pink flowers which bloom in the spring. The burgundy foliage provides an attractive contrast to green plants. Some varieties do have green leaves and white flowers.
Loropetalum prefer acidic, well-drained soil and does best in full sun. It is hardy in USDA zones 8-10a. This shrub can grow 6-15 feet tall but can be pruned to 5-6 feet. There are also dwarf varieties available.
This Florida friendly plant adds a lacy quality to your garden. For more information on varieties that are available, see the link below.
www.gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/shrubs/loropetalum.html
UF IFAS Marion County Master Gardeners
February 19 at 7:00 AM ·
Getting your beds ready for Spring Gardening
Be patient and get prepared for the Spring Gardening ahead. Now is a great time to weed your beds, remove dead or cold affected parts of perennials around March 15th, plant cold weather plants, start seedlings inside and dream of Spring gardening which is right around the corner for those of us lucky enough to live in Central Florida!
Florida Vegetable Growing Guide: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vh021
UF IFAS Marion County Master Gardeners
February 24 at 7:00 AM ·
Plumbago is an easy-to-care-for shrub that brings interest to many Florida landscapes. Its clusters of cool blue or white flowers make it a favorite among traditional garden selections.
Although the genus Plumbago contains a dozen or more species, two are most frequently found in Florida: Plumbago auriculata and Plumbago zeylanica (also called P. scandens).
Plumbago auriculata is the classic blue plumbago, native to South Africa. Though non-native, this species is considered a Florida-Friendly plant and labeled by the UF/IFAS Assessment as “low invasion risk.” It is sometimes called Cape plumbago, leadwort, or sky flower. The names plumbago and leadwort have been passed down through history from an ancient Roman naturalist, Pliny the Elder. Something about the ethereal bluish hue of the plant reminded him of lead; thus plumbago, Latin for “resembling lead.”
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/plumbago.html
The Chickasaw Plum (Prunus angustifolia) is a native shrub or small tree that produces an edible fruit for humans and animals. The fruit is often made into jelly. This deciduous plant has thin thorny branches and produces tiny fragrant flowers in late winter to early spring before the leaves appear. The shrub or tree can reach 25 feet but usually grows between 6-12 feet. It can be pruned to be a small specimen tree or left unpruned to form a thicket as it produces suckers at the base of the plant. The thicket provides a home for birds and small animals. It can also be used as a bonsai specimen. Plant the Chickasaw plum in full sun or light shade; once established it is fairly drought tolerant. It can tolerate a large range of soils but does best in an acidic soil. It is also resistant to most pests and diseases. For more information about this native shrub see the link bellow.
www.edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/ST/ST50400.pdf
EDIS.IFAS.UFL.EDU
edis.ifas.ufl.edu