The Kampong

09/30/2026

🎨 Why are leaves variegated?

Variegation is a genetic mutation where some leaf cells lack chlorophyll, creating those stunning white or pink patches. Other times, it's just natural patterns written in their DNA, or tiny air pockets reflecting light to give them a silvery glow.

🌤️ Plant Tip: Because the white parts can't absorb light, these beauties need indirect sun to keep from reverting back to solid green.

09/24/2026

American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) is one of the most eye-catching native shrubs in the garden.

In late summer, its branches fill with vibrant, magenta-purple berries that wrap tightly around the stems. Being a great source of food for pollinators, we have these in various places in the garden. Can you spot where?

09/22/2026

The Texas Star Hibiscus (Hibiscus coccineus) has an iconic 5-petaled, deep crimson blossom that can stretch up to 8 inches wide. It needs full sun and plenty of moisture and it thrives near ponds, rain gardens, and low-lying landscape spots.

09/21/2026

09/14/2026

Looking for high-impact Florida native biodiversity? 🤍 🤍 🤍 Meet Chiococca alba or Snowberry (Rubiaceae), a vining native shrub found throughout tropical and subtropical hammocks across Florida, the Caribbean, and Latin America. Its glossy, opposite leaves, pendulous flowers, and bright white fruit make it a standout for native landscape restoration and wildlife support.

09/12/2026

Ever wonder why there are tiny bags tied around flowers in the garden? 🧵👇

It’s one of our favorite low-tech, high-impact seed-saving tricks! Slipping a light mesh or tulle bag over flower heads does two critical jobs: 1)Prevents unwanted cross-pollination so we harvest pure, open-pollinated seeds; 2)Catches ripe seeds the moment the seed pods shatter, so none are lost to wind or birds.

Saving these seeds allows us to build a robust local collection keeping resilient, regionally-adapted plants thriving for seasons to come

09/10/2026

Small flowers, massive impact! Aloysia virgata (Sweet Almond Bush) is a fast-growing woody shrub in the Verbenaceae family native to South America. While its arching stems and serrate foliage are striking, its real power is ecological. The dense terminal flower spikes produce an intense almond-like fragrance that acts as a beacon for local pollinators 🐝🐝