A Warm Greeting to Palm Coast on Arbor Day! 🌱
Thank you for celebrating Arbor Day with us and adopting these incredible plants: Persimmon, Fig Celeste, Loquat, Olive Tree, Milkweed, Redbud, Yaupon Holly, and Eagleston Holly! These selections are perfect for adding beauty, sustainability, and productivity to your gardens. Below, we’ve provided detailed planting instructions, care tips, and information on how to ensure your plants thrive. Remember, you can find more premium plants at Flowing Well Tree Farm.
Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana)
- Zoning: USDA Zones 7–10
- Planting: Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil. Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and the same depth. Position the tree so the root collar is level with the ground, backfill, and water well.
- Soil: Prefers slightly acidic soil (pH 6.0–6.5).
- Water: Water weekly during the first year. Once established, it's drought-tolerant.
- Pruning: Prune in late winter to shape the tree and remove dead branches.
- Fruiting: Produces delicious fruit in late fall, usually 2–3 years after planting.
- Care Tip: Mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
Fig Celeste (Ficus carica 'Celeste')
- Zoning: USDA Zones 7–10
- Planting: Select a site with full sun and well-drained soil. Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball, place the tree in the hole, backfill, and water deeply.
- Soil: Thrives in loamy, nutrient-rich soil with good drainage.
- Water: Water regularly during the growing season but allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings.
- Pruning: Prune in late winter to maintain shape and remove old wood.
- Fruiting: Yields sweet figs in early summer, usually 1–2 years after planting.
- Care Tip: Avoid over-fertilizing, which can reduce fruit production.
Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica)
- Zoning: USDA Zones 8–10
- Planting: Plant in full sun or partial shade. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Water thoroughly after planting.
- Soil: Prefers slightly acidic, well-drained soil.
- Water: Water deeply once a week, especially during dry spells.
- Pruning: Prune after fruiting to maintain size and shape.
- Fruiting: Produces clusters of sweet, tangy fruit in late winter to early spring.
- Care Tip: Fertilize in spring and summer with a balanced fertilizer.
Olive Tree (Olea europaea 'Arbequina')
- Zoning: USDA Zones 8–10
- Planting: Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil. Dig a hole twice as wide and as deep as the root ball. Water thoroughly after planting.
- Soil: Requires sandy or loamy soil with excellent drainage.
- Water: Water weekly during the first year. Once established, it's drought-tolerant.
- Pruning: Prune lightly in late winter to shape and encourage new growth.
- Fruiting: Produces olives in late fall, typically 2–3 years after planting.
- Care Tip: Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring for optimal fruit production.
Milkweed (Asclepias Perennis)
- Zoning: USDA Zones 4–9 (varies by species)
- Planting: Plant in a sunny location. Space plants 18–24 inches apart.
- Soil: Thrives in sandy, well-drained soil.
- Water: Water regularly until established, then water sparingly.
- Pruning: Cut back old growth in late winter.
- Care Tip: Essential for attracting and supporting monarch butterflies. Avoid using pesticides near milkweed plants.
Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
- Zoning: USDA Zones 4–9
- Planting: Select a site with partial shade or full sun. Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and of equal depth.
- Soil: Prefers moist, well-drained soil with a slightly acidic pH.
- Water: Water weekly, especially during the first growing season.
- Pruning: Prune in late winter to remove dead or crossing branches.
- Fruiting: Produces small seed pods in late summer.
- Care Tip: Mulch around the base to retain moisture and regulate temperature.
Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria)
- Zoning: USDA Zones 7–10
- Planting: Plant in full sun or partial shade. Dig a hole twice as wide and the same depth as the root ball. Backfill and water deeply.
- Soil: Adaptable to most soils but thrives in sandy, well-drained soil.
- Water: Water weekly during the first year; drought-tolerant once established.
- Pruning: Prune in late winter to shape and remove dead wood.
- Fruiting: Female plants produce bright red berries in fall.
- Care Tip: Excellent as a hedge, screen, or ornamental tree.
Eagleston Holly (Ilex x attenuata 'Eagleston')
- Zoning: USDA Zones 6–9
- Planting: Plant in full sun to partial shade. Dig a hole twice as wide and as deep as the root ball. Water well after planting.
- Soil: Prefers slightly acidic, well-drained soil.
- Water: Water weekly during the first year. Once established, it requires minimal watering.
- Pruning: Prune in late winter to maintain shape and size.
- Fruiting: Produces red berries in fall, providing a food source for wildlife.
- Care Tip: Perfect for privacy screens or as an accent tree.
Need Soil?
Signature All-Purpose Soil Mix
Create the ideal foundation for your plants with this premium, all-purpose soil mix. Specially designed to promote healthy root growth and drainage, it’s perfect for a variety of plants and garden applications. Whether you're planting trees, shrubs, or flowers, this mix ensures optimal nutrient absorption and soil structure for thriving growth.
Elevate your gardening success with this versatile soil blend!
Learn more and purchase here.
For more details, visit the Flowing Well Tree Farm product page.