Topsy-turvy

Wed, Jul 14, 2010 at 06:41:51 AM

Dazzling Gloriosa superba.

Hanging in Suzanne Kores’ workspace in the Davis House is a giant reproduction of a 1999 stamp that depicts flowers of a bird of paradise, royal poinciana, hibiscus and gloriosa lily. Kores, who is the garden’s director of program development, has taken the “stamp” with her from office to office. Outside the Davis House, a gloriosa lily is climbing a palm tree and dangling upside down flowers so beautiful they stop you in your tracks. Wavy petals in Venetian red and canary yellow make this a shooting star of a flower, entering Earth’s orbit with fiery dazzle.

A bizarre member of the lily family, this bulb has evolved to develop tendrils at the ends of its leaves in order to climb. From tropical Africa, Gloriosa superba deserves its name. Its colors perhaps warn that all

Hibiscus schizopetalus.

parts of the plant are poisonous and produce colchicine, which is a substance that plant breeders use to double the number of chromosomes in desirable plants, such as orchids.

In the hibiscus section of the garden is another upside down flower: Hibiscus schizopetalus, the fringed hibiscus. This time, the petals have taken the art of Chinese paper cutting to the top. As intricate as an elaborate “window flower” cutout, this hibiscus begs to be painted. It grows in full sun, and like other hibiscus, will drop its buds if conditions fluctuate suddenly: if temperatures go up and down, if soil moisture changes, and if humidity drops. It also likes moderate moisture. But for the sheer art of it, the gardener’s efforts are rewarded.

3 comments - Add a comment

The Gloriosa Superba is spectacular. Where is it located at Fairchild?
Where in Miami can you
purchase it?

posted by Skye, Sun, Jul 18, 2010 at 1:58 PM

The gloriosa is behind the Davis house, which is just at the south end of the garden, where the administrative offices are located. Try calling Ernesto's Good Earth, a nursery in Homestead that has unusual plants (305.245.7888). If you cannot find it locally, I bet you can find it online. I have purchased many plants via that source and have had good luck with all of them.

posted by Georgia Tasker, Fri, Jul 23, 2010 at 5:06 PM

Skye--I have been trying to call you. I have too many new shoots coming up and would love to share. TFTS newsletters have my phone number.

posted by Yonna, Sat, Jul 31, 2010 at 12:55 PM

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Georgia Tasker

Georgia Tasker was the garden writer for The Miami Herald for over 30 years and has written four books on gardening. Her blog is a must read for any gardener.