The Croton, Coontie, Copperleaf - Popular Tropical Plants
The
Croton, Coontie, and Copperleaf represent
three tropical evergreen shrubs highlighting many
warm climate landscapes. I like to call these
plant specimens the
three C's of the tropics.
Each of the plants have their own unique
color and shape and can compliment each other
in a garden setting. One of the most noticeable
features of the three C's are their leaf structure.
Below is some basic information on all three and
a couple of photos so you can see the shape
and color of the plants.
The
Croton is one of the most popular
shrubs in many central and southern Florida
gardens. It is native to Malaysia and also grows
well in the Eastern Pacific. Notice the beautiful
color tones in the leaves. The plant will grow
in the warm climate of zones ten and eleven
in the United States. It can take full sun but
will survive also in partial shape. This specie
will mature anywhere from two and a half feet
to eight feet tall and three to six feet wide.
The maturity will depend on the variety.
The Croton is a slow grower and will do well in different
soil conditions. The
Jan Bier has variegated leaves
of green and yellow. The second picture above is of the
Codiaeum Variegatum. The multi-color tone of the
leaves really gives this plant a great look around solid
evergreen shrubs or trees in a garden. Any of the
varieties will do well as a hedge, border, along foundations,
and even in a container. When I was in southern Florida
a few weeks ago, this plant specimen was highlighted
throughout many different style gardens. Take a peak in the
garden project section and see if any of these style gardens would work with the Croton plant.
The
Coonite is a true native
plant to Florida. This unique specimen
will grow one and a half to four feet tall
and two to five feet wide. It does best
in the shade, but can take some sun. The
Coontie is truly a versatile shrub as it will look
great in a container garden. It looks striking in
mass plantings and will accent other variegated
plants. The Coontie will do well in zones eight
through eleven. In zone eight if there is a frost,
the plant should be sheltered from the cold spell.
I feel this is an ideal plant to put with a variety of
outdoor features.
A decorative pond would definitely be an ideal
place to plant this specimen or around a swimming pool setting. Even though the leaf structure is a little different from the fern family, it does remind me of a fern. This is a great plant for any tropical garden.
The Copperleaf is the third C and also
creates a wonderful look in a landscape. The Copperleaf
is native to the Pacific Islands but will survive in zones
nine through eleven in the United States. This plant
specimen is a fast grower and will mature anywhere from
eight to twelve feet tall and wide. It can take full sun
and prefers rich and moist soil. It will grow in other
soil conditions as long as it is kept watered. The
Copperleaf produces a few varieties.
The picture about is
the Java White. The Ceylon specimen has a striking purple
and ruby tone. This shrub should be pruned twice a year
in the spring and fall.
Properly pruning
the Copperleaf will keep its shape and also
produce a lush and full plant. Any of the varieties
of this plant will do well along a foundation as well
as a screen or hedge. The Copperleaf reminds me
a lot of the Aucuba family as the color of the leaf and
shape are similar.
The Copperleaf is also another great plant to accent
with solid green evergreens. A Sago Palm is a nice
specimen to incorporate in the same
garden as a Cooperleaf.
The
Croton, Coontie and Copperleaf are definitely
three tropical specimens to consider in any landscape
area or a specific garden. The three C's are favorites
of mine and I hope you have gained a little information
on each one of these plant specimens.
