Saturday, April 16, 2011

Favorite plants

Joewood (Jacquinia keyensis), for a small tree, stands out. A native to the Florida Keys and Bahamas, Joewood has a thick succulent like leaf with a downward curl that is fairly easy to spot while exploring local hammocks. I have found this plant far off the beaten path growing in solid stone, cycling between flood and drought conditions, and looking none the worst for it. Although a very slow grower in the harsh conditions of the Keys, when grown in a garden with supplemental water and fertilizer it preforms like a champ.


This 4' tall Joewood was found on Sugarloaf Key
and is approximately 40 years old. 

A close up shows the thick leaf and the
globular seed. The small cream colored flower
is extremely fragrant, reminding me of Lilac.

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About Me

I am a landscape designer based in Key West, Florida and Surry, Maine. I place much attention with the house, not as an adjunct to the garden but as an integral element. This symbiotic relationship will always produce the best and most natural environment. The best description for my views on the relationship between the garden and the house comes from the naturalist Charles Keeler, “landscape design with occasional rooms in case of rain”