PLANT OF THE MONTH
Codiaeum variegatum ‘Mrs. Iceton’ or ‘Mrs. Iceton’ Croton
I have been amazed by the color range of the ‘Mrs. Iceton’ croton for many years. One of the most variable of the crotons, it has bright foliage that starts with the green and yellow of new foliage, and then it darkens through tans and pinks to purple/red to black. The foliage is relatively thin, and when back-lighted is truly breathtaking.
Leaves are the crotons’ claim to glory, and ‘Mrs. Iceton’ delivers. The most brilliant foliage is usually found in the fall and early winter, but this croton is fine anytime. It is a large grower. Mine attained a leggy 8 feet until I gave some cuttings to a local nurseryman. Now it has branched more and is filling in nicely at a more moderate 6 feet.
The foliage is oval, pointed and medium-sized with leaves averaging 6 inches long and 2 1/2 inches across.
The main malady is spider mites, which strike during the winter and cause the plant to defoliate. Do not plant under the eaves of a house or grow as a potted specimen on a balcony or porch with a roof. The plant needs to be out in the open so that the mites can be washed off by rain water. My plant is grown in the open and I have not had any mite problems.
Crotons seem to color up best in partial shade. Crotons grown in full sun often are paler and more washed-out looking. Another problem is well water, which can stain the leaves on nursery-grown plants so you do not see their true beauty.
Use crotons as colorful accents in the garden. Do not use them as a hedge; most are naturally leggy and resent constant pruning. The leaves are ruined by electric hedge shears.
They are beautiful emerging from a ground cover planting with a dark background. Many individual plants used as lawn specimens have been girdled and killed by the weed wacker.
Sources include: I-95 East Nursery, 1600 SW 20th St., Fort Lauderdale, 954-523-7161; Jesse Durko’s Nursery, 5151 SW 70th Ave., Davie, 954-792-2297 and Wonder Gardens at Sears in Broward Mall, Plantation, 954-370-2872. I checked with Palm Beach nurseries and was unable to locate this croton.
Origin — Malaysia.
Foliage — oval pointed, colorful, medium-sized leaves.
Growth rate — moderate.
Nutritional requirements — low.
Soil requirements — tolerant of a wide variety of soils.
Salt tolerance — moderate.
Drought tolerance — medium.
Light requirements — medium to high.
Propagation — cuttings, air layers.
Major problems — spider mites, scale, sap can stain clothes.
Environmental problems — sap is an irritant.
Green thought
I have enjoyed my antique roses for a good number of years. I have not pruned or sprayed them, which is a big contrast to the hybrid teas with their weekly maintenance requirements. One big pain is weeding the rose bed with all its thorny bushes. Most ground covers, such as wedelia, wandering jew, asparagus fern and purple queen, can climb into the roses or other shrubs, creating a visual mess.
I am trying ‘Baby Sun Rose’ (Aptenia cordifolia), which has red or yellow small blooms and lies flat on the ground. I have never seen it climb anything yet. It likes sunny, dry conditions and the rose foliage is not that dense, so it should do well. My main concern is if the sedge-type weeds will grow through it. The theory is that shaded soil will not permit weeds to germinate.
August plant tips
If you are going to do any hurricane pruning to remove dead wood, crossing limbs and branches hanging over the roof or rubbing on the house, get it done by early August. Most hurricane activity starts about midmonth and continues until mid-October. Also finish pruning poinsettia this month.
The vegetable planting list is short this month. Plant pepper, okra and tomato now. Try to delay planting seeds until mid-October because heavy rains can play havoc with seedlings. Seedlings growing on a porch or carport will require daily attention. Trees and shrubs can be added as long as rainfall is good or you have an irrigation system. Strong winds can make bigger items dicey.
