Maidenbush  Savia bahamensis

Maidenbush is a plant that you don't find in too many books.  It's just another soldier in the army of shrubs struggling to survive along the fringes of diminishing coastal hammocks throughout South Florida, the Keys and the Caribbean area.

But this maiden is no ordinary soldier.  Think of her as Joan of Arc, ready to stand up to the onslaught of redtip cocoplum and silver buttonwood (the two most frequently used native plants in this area).  

She calls out to you; her plea consists of one single word: 

"Diversity"

 

	She would be easy to ignore, but the truth is that maidenbush is a charming, low-maintenance shrub of the extensive Euphorbia family, known for their ability to thrive in tough conditions. In nature, it reaches a mature height of ten feet.  In your landscaping, with annual pruning, it can easily be kept under six feet.
These two photos show a 4' high specimen in the landscaping here at the nursery. This is a great plant for low screening around an A/C unit.
	At left, and in the two photos below, are garden specimens, 6' high by 6' wide.

Think of your property as an island continent, with the roads as the ocean (this is an especially apt comparison in new communities that don't have a lot of shade).  Put a grouping of maidenbush in the hottest coastal spots; their slightly open growth habit is great at diffusing heat, especially the reflected kind.  Then you can work in other less heat-tolerant plants and not worry about them getting baked. 

 

	Tiny flowers develop along the branches, adding another nectar source for pollinators in your paradise.
Maidenbush has both staminate and pistilate flowers on one plant, with some branches being covered with one type of flower.  At right, a staminate flower.  The pistilate flowers develop into brown seed pods at the beginning of the rainy season.
	At left, maidenbush in 3-gal. pots.   Plant them in a staggered line on three foot centers.

Plant Creations

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Last updated:  01/22/2008