We have moved our blog to http://www.ExoticaTropicals.com

Please click the link above to continue on at the new site.

We are opening a new tropical plant nursery in Indian Harbour Beach, Florida – just off the A1A  on Pinetree.

As a result, the new location for plant sales is in Indian Harbour Beach rather than in Melbourne Beach, so a name change was necessary.. the new name is EXOTICA TROPICALS and will cover the live tropical plants nursery, the imported cut flowers service and our website.

GARDEN TOURS will still be held on occasion at the garden in Melbourne Beach. Please check the new site at http://www.ExoticaTropicals.com for dates and times.

Heliconia Rostata Bloom Beginning:

Unusual Hibiscus : “Fiji Island” one of our favorites, that has been blooming in the garden for years.

Huge Red Feather Palm frond that just opened

New leaf flush on the Sausage Tree

All the old leaves and flowers..

New flower stalks on Sausage Tree

The Sunshine Tree is putting out new growth quickly after its early seasonal trim.

The shade will be back soon.

Various Heliconia speeding towards their blooms with all the rain..

A potted Heliconia Rostrata (for sale) peeking out its new bloom

Another new Rostrata bloom

Costus Barbatus blooms getting taller..

Tahitian Gardenia  pumping out the best smelling flowers

(Heliconia Collinsiana in the background)

Alocasia Portdora getting bigger..

Alocasia Calidora pushing new leaves:

A cool new Cordyline (Ti) Variety:

All the rain has swelled the trunk of the Rainbow Eucalyptus, and its bark is peeling fast

New flower stalks on the orchids:

That’s all the photos for now- the garden is getting into full swing.  If you would like to stop by and check out the changes, or are interested in any plants,

Contact me directly at:

MelbourneBeachGardens@gmail.com

or call 321-960-8928

My neighbors blew a gasket about the recent plant sales, so I am in the process of securing a new retail location- but its too early to post any more info. However, I should have a good place to sell unusual tropical plants soon   I will still hold Garden Tours however.   If you are in need of any plants, just contact me and we can arrange a meeting.

I will have live tropical plants and exotic cut flowers imported from Central America for sale.

If you are looking for tropical plants, I suggest getting there early for the best selection. (see below for list of plants I will bring)

I will have my garden cart with me, and you can use it to wheel plants back to your vehicle, since they block off the road. (Just bring it back, heh)

I WILL ALSO HAVE A FRESH SHIPMENT OF EXOTIC CUT TROPICAL FLOWERS AVAILABLE ON SATURDAY.. These come directly from the jungles of Central America.

They are available as prebundled bouquets that include Red Ginger, Large Upright Heliconia, Smaller Accent Heliconia, Tropical Foliage and Cordyline and Dracaena Tips (you can plant these later and they will grow!)

Bouquets are $20 each and will last approx. a week and a half in a vase (or make your own arrangement)

- If you contact me ahead of time, I can also make an arrangement for you (slightly more, but worth it)

CLICK HERE TO VIEW MORE PAST TROPICAL ARRANGEMENTS

Plants I should have with me:

Heliconia Tagami
(all the plants that were blooming have sold, but this is what the bloom looks like)

Alocasia Calidora (gets HUGE)

Red Tower Ginger (costus barbatus) at blooming height

Bilbergia “Windii”

A tough bromeliad that can take sun and has a pink heliconia-like hanging bloom

Good for tying in the crooks of trees, etc.

Heliconia Latispatha “Distans”

A very reliable bloomer for our area- stays low around 3-4′ and will fill beds nicely.

ALSO:

Heliconia Stricta “Iris Banochie”

Heliconia Stricta “Firebird”

Heliconia Rostrata

Costus Barbatus (Red Tower Ginger)

Black Alocasia “Nigra”

Philodendron Speciousum

Philodendron Gloriosum

Variegated Crinum Lily (Crinum Asiaticum) (white stripes on leaves & white flowers)

Purple “Queen Emma” Crinum Lily (Dark Purple leaves with purple flowers)

Sun Bromeliads such as Aechmeas and Neoregalias as well as

Potted, Rooted and Blooming Plumeria

Have any questions, or inquiries? Contact me directly at:

MelbourneBeachGardens@gmail.com

or call 321-960-8928

I plan on having some NEW tropical plants available at this tour that were not there last time.

Browse through the garden at your leisure, or follow along as a tour is given, discussing the plants and their care.

Of equal interest is the pool enclosure garden, which houses plants such as blooming Heliconia, Blue Ice Calathea, Anthurium, Costus Barbatus and Xanthosoma. Come see what does well under a screen enclosure and get some ideas for your own.

At the same time we will also be holding a casual plant sale- we have lots of Heliconia sprouting up now, and we also plan on having some beautiful full-sun bromeliads for sale.

I have alot of fully rooted (and currently blooming) Plumeria for sale. Some are 3-4 feet tall. Varieties include the very easy to grow/cold hardy very fragrant Aztec Gold, as well as the always awesome “Duke”

ALL PLANTS WILL BE 10% OFF MARKED PRICE ! (10% off usual plant sale prices)

Live plants will include:

Heliconia Stricta “Iris Banochie”

Heliconia Stricta “Firebird”

Heliconia Latispatha “Distans”

Heliconia Rostrata

Costus Barbatus (Red Tower Ginger)

Alocasia “Borneo Giant”

Alocasia “Calidora”  (huge leaves)

Alocasia “Portdora”  (huge leaves)

Black Alocasia “Nigra”

Philodendron Speciousum

Philodendron Gloriosum

Variegated Crinum Lily (Crinum Asiaticum) (white stripes on leaves & white flowers)

Purple “Queen Emma” Crinum Lily (Dark Purple leaves with purple flowers)

Sun Bromeliads such as Aechmeas and Neoregalias

Potted, Rooted and Blooming Plumeria

and some more NEW stuff (will post the names this week)

The garden is located in South Melbourne Beach, not far from Sebastian Inlet and Long Point Cafe- so you can make a surf & turf beach day out of it

Hope to see you there on Saturday!

Have any questions, or inquiries? Contact me directly at:

MelbourneBeachGardens@gmail.com

or call 321-960-8928

UPDATE:

Here are some photos of new plants that will be available at the open garden + sale:

(taken 4/25)

Heliconia Tagami

Monstera Deliciosa (Swiss Cheese Plant)

Alocasia Calidora (gets HUGE)

New Hybrid Alocasia – Also gets BIG and has purple underside of leaves

Red Tower Ginger (costus barbatus) at blooming height

Red Anthurium with Red Emergent Leaves

Alocasia “Stingray”

I’m located not far from Sebastian Inlet, so you can make a beach day of it.. Long Point Cafe, located about 8 minutes to the south, is a great place for lunch or brekafast.

Browse through the garden at your leisure, or follow along as a tour is given, discussing the plants and their care.

Of equal interest is the pool enclosure garden, which houses plants such as blooming Heliconia, Blue Ice Calathea, Anthurium, Costus Barbatus and Xanthosoma.  Come see what does well under a screen enclosure and get some ideas for your own.

At the same time we will also be holding a casual plant sale- we have lots of Heliconia sprouting up now, and we also plan on having some beautiful full-sun bromeliads for sale.

I have alot of fully rooted (and currently blooming) Plumeria for sale. Some are 3-4 feet tall.  Varieties include the very easy to grow/cold hardy very fragrant Celadine Yellow, as well as the always awesome “Duke” (these are cuttings)

ALL PLANTS WILL BE 10% OFF MARKED PRICE !  (10% off usual plant sale prices)

Live plants will include:

Heliconia Stricta “Iris Banochie”

Heliconia Stricta “Firebird”

Heliconia Latispatha “Distans”

Heliconia Rostrata

Costus Barbatus (Red Tower Ginger)

Alocasia “Borneo Giant”

Black Alocasia “Nigra”

Philodendron Speciousum

Philodendron Gloriosum

Variegated Crinum Lily (Crinum Asiaticum) (white stripes on leaves & white flowers)

Purple “Queen Emma” Crinum Lily (Dark Purple leaves with purple flowers)

Sun Bromeliads such as Aechmeas and Neoregalias

Potted, Rooted and Blooming Plumeria

The garden is located in South Melbourne Beach, not far from Sebastian Inlet and Long Point Cafe- so you can make a  surf & turf beach day out of it

Hope to see you there on Saturday!

(Garden Tour and Sale is in the Back)

Have any questions, or inquiries?  Contact me directly at:

MelbourneBeachGardens@gmail.com

or call 321-960-8928

Well, here’s the rundown-

1) We grow and sell live plants that can give your Florida yard the exotic tropical jungle look.

This is our area of expertise- plants that we work with specifically to create a lush rainforest look.

You can obtain our live plants either by setting up an appointment with me (see contact info below) or by attending one of the open garden tours, where we have the live plants available. (Check the “tours” link at the top for the date and time of our next open garden date.)

2) We import and sell colorful and unusual fresh cut tropical flowers for decorative use in the home, office or workplace.

These are available as pre-bundled bouquets and we also make beautiful tropical flower arrangements for events, parties, home decor or businesses.   We offer these flowers at very competitive rates compared to your common florist.

Want fresh flowers in your home every week? We can do that.   Need a few knockout tropical arrangements for an event you are planning?  No problem- your guests won’t believe their eyes.

Our flowers are exactly what you would see on a tropical vacation to Tahiti, Hawaii or Costa Rica, or perhaps decorating your cruise ship to the Caribbean.

We import our flowers directly from the jungles of Central America, which is why you just can’t find what we offer anywhere else!

Contact us directly for your tropical floral needs – see information below.

3) We also host open garden tours!   Melbourne Beach Gardens has been growing into a lush jungle for 10 years now, and we have great examples of  plants we sell growing on the grounds.  (See the photo at the top of our site)  Check the “tours” link at the top for the date and time of our next open garden tour & sale.   ..and yup, you guessed it, the garden is located in Melbourne Beach

Have any questions, or inquiries?  Contact me directly at:

MelbourneBeachGardens@gmail.com

or call 321-960-8928

And since you read this far, here is a picture of something you just don’t see everyday- a bathtub full of tropical flowers!        ..getting ready for a sale the next day

Need a tropical flower arrangment for home or business?  We can do that!

Email:  MelbourneBeachGardens@gmail.com  or call 321-960-8928

“Distans” grows to approx 2-3 feet tall and then puts out bright yellow and red blooms that show themselves off above the leaves.

It spreads well, filling in open areas of bare soil, making it a good groundcover for tropical gardens.

Likes sun and rich organic soil with plenty of water during the warm season, keep drier during the cold season.

Grows well around pools and inside pool enclosures.

This heliconia is very easy to grow and will spread/fill in beds from a small clump, yet is easy to control. Blooms throughout the warm months.

Can also be grown in a pot. MAKES GREAT CUT FLOWERS!

Easy to grow, this special hybrid alocasia has one of the biggest leaves in the world.  In the tropics they use big alocasia leaves as an umbrella!

Hybridized from particularly strong growing parents by Lari Ann Garner of Aroidia Research.

Loves Sun to Part Sun, moist rich organic soil and humidity.

I have grown these to MASSIVE sizes in Melbourne Beach.  Keep on the dry side over winter to avoid any fungus/rot problems if the weather gets real cold.

We will have a fresh shipment of tropical cut flowers available for sale, as well as a nice selection of live tropical plants.

The Fresh Cut Flowers will include:  Heliconia (both upright and pendant), Red Ginger, with tropical foliage (Ti leaves, etc)  they will be sold in pre-bundled bouquets, and possibly also available by the flower.  Flower arrangements for parties & events, etc are available on request.

Live plants will include:

Heliconia Stricta “Iris Banochie”

Heliconia Stricta “Firebird”

Heliconia Latispatha “Distans”

Heliconia Rostrata

Red Alpina Ginger

Alocasia Portora

Alocasia Calidora

Philodendron Speciousum

Philodendron Gloriosum

Variegated Crinum Lily (Crinum Asiaticum) (white stripes on leaves & white flowers)

Purple “Queen Emma” Crinum Lily (Dark Purple leaves with purple flowers)