The Orange for Every Garden

May 31, 2009 by Rick

Crossandra 'Orange Marmalade' - Crossandra infundibuliformis is one of the best Florida Friendly Plants to be developed in the last 3 years. It is a reliable perennial in sunny or partially-shaded Florida gardens. It is moderately drought tolerant once established and is insect and disease free. It blooms heavily in all the warm months of the year and a little less in the winter. Protect from hard frost and freeze for best year-to-year performance of these long-lived plants. Orange Marmalade is a sterile hybrid that holds its flower petals for several days longer than the older types or seed produced varieties that have exploding seed pods. Older varieties are also very tender to moderately chilly weather and often show damage when temperatures dip into the 40's. You will easily notice the major performance difference once you try Orange Marmalade. Use it as a 'FILLER' component in a complimentary container design with flowers that are in the blue shades. Go Gators! You should readily find this at The Home Depot stores in the Warm Season.

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Orange Marmalade 

 Orange Marmalade Crossandra

Orange Marmalade has been on the market 3 years now and I am begining to see more of this perennial in home gardens as I travel around the state. Tell me if you think it is as great a plant as I do. I would like to share any photos of Orange Marmalade you have. Please leave a comment and I will contact you about posting them.


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Categories: Container Gardening | Florida Friendly Landscape | Thriller-Filler-Spiller Design Concept | Warm Season Gardening
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Comments (5) -

July 24. 2008 09:00

very pretty Rick!  Can we grow this, at least as an annual?

Renea

August 24. 2008 13:53

Yes you can grow Orange Marmalade as an annual. You might even get it to survive as a perennial if you cover it so it's roots do not freeze.

Rick

September 20. 2008 08:19

I live in Sarasota Fl and planted a large number of orange crossandras in an area that gests good sunlight. They are prolific and hardy gowers but do need to be kept watered frequently in the hot months so they are not drought tolerant. I have been disappointed in the blooming which is not as abundant as expected. I keep them watered, fertilized and they have good lught so don't know what the problem is. They also are at a point they need a major trimming.

Greg

September 23. 2008 10:19

Greg,
There might be something missing in your soil that is throwing the fertilizer out of balance but they are probably get too dry at times and something is causing them not to take up enough fertilizer or water. Stress can also decrease flowering and root growth necessary for continued flowering. I would cut them back and feed them and be sure to add at least 1-3 inches of mulch. Mulch heavier in warm months to reduce soil temperatures and stress to the plant. In reality, they are only drought tolerant in more shaded conditions with improved soil and mulch. There I have seen them thrive on their own but not in the full sun without reducing stress. Let me know how things progress and thanks for the comment.

Rick

September 23. 2008 19:26

Thanks Rick! I will give that a try and let you know the results.

Greg

greg