Bombax and Ginkgo; temperate and tropical trees growing side by side

[Eric in Orlando]

 

Here in Orlando we have a very interesting climate where tropical and temperate plants grow together. A good example here at Leu Gardens is Bombax ceiba and Ginkgo biloba growing near each other. Most of the foliage on the  The Ginkgo just turned its bright gold "fall" color last week. It usually turns and sheds in mid December. The Bombax usually sheds in late Dec. early Jan. and flowers in Feb. It is still holding the leaves and has begun flowering. We had an extremely warm December and early January. But the last couple weeks have had colder temperatures. Both trees are off schedule. Not too often you can see red Bombax flowers and gold Ginkgo leaves at the same time.

I wish I had gotten photos yesterday when most of the Ginkgo leaves were still on the tree. It has been very rainy and breezy the last couple days and most of the Ginkgo leaves dropped last night. Ginkgo usually shed quickly. You can see in the one photo the Bombax through the branches of the Ginkgo.

Not too far away in the Garden is a Cecropia peltata and Delonix regia (Royal Poinciana) growing next to Magnolia acuminata and Liriodendron tulipifera. Elswhere is a Kigelia africana (Sausage Tree) and Quercus macrocarpa (Burr Oak) side by side. 

 

[Eric in Orlando]

[Eric in Orlando]

[Eric in Orlando]

[Eric in Orlando]

[Matthew92]

I think Orlando area best demonstrates the phenomenon of temperate and tropical/subtropical trees growing together. Ginkgo is a great tree. Those in my area lost their leaves around early December (which is even a little later than usual). The healthiest most vigorous ones I've seen were in a full temperate climate with cold winters, but down here in Central to North FL they do fine, but seem to grow slower.

[The Silent Seed]

That's crazy! But awesome! 

They grow side by side here, too

Thanks for sharing! 

[Eric in Orlando]

15 hours ago, Opal92 said:

I think Orlando area best demonstrates the phenomenon of temperate and tropical/subtropical trees growing together. Ginkgo is a great tree. Those in my area lost their leaves around early December (which is even a little later than usual). The healthiest most vigorous ones I've seen were in a full temperate climate with cold winters, but down here in Central to North FL they do fine, but seem to grow slower.

 

I love Ginkgo trees, they are one of my favorite trees. When I go to Illinois to visit family I love seeing them in landscapes as they are very common up there. I like to scout old, giant specimens.

I have seen them down to Gainesville but never any in Orlando except here at Leu Gardens. We actually have a Ginkgo biloba collection with quite a few cultivars, most of them dwarfs. Ginkgos grow slow here and seem to take a couple of years to establish. I have been told they like extra potassium here on our sandy soils. The only other place I have seen them growing in this area is at Disney's Animal Kingdom. They have some planted in the prehistoric garden near the Dinosaur ride.

 

 

 

[Eric in Orlando]

13 hours ago, santoury said:

That's crazy! But awesome! 

They grow side by side here, too

Thanks for sharing! 

 

Where are you at?

 

 

[The Silent Seed]

In Massachusetts. 

Ginkgos are very slow everywhere. Not just down South. 

 

[fastfeat]

Nice comparisons, Eric.

Some of the biggest and best Ginkgo I've seen recently were in Lexington, KY at University of Kentucky and nearby.