The Simpson Stopper: A Versatile Florida Native for Your Landscap
The Simpson Stopper (Myrcianthes fragrans) is a Florida favorite that offers year-round beauty, attracts butterflies and birds, and is surprisingly easy to care for. This versatile native shrub or small tree can be a fantastic addition to your Miami garden.
A Showstopper in Every Season:
The Simpson Stopper’s evergreen foliage ensures your garden stays vibrant throughout the year. New growth boasts a delightful contrast, emerging in a range of colors from pale chartreuse to deep wine before maturing to a rich green. The naturally exfoliating bark adds further visual interest, revealing reddish-brown tones.
Aromatic Delights and Fragrant Blooms:
When crushed, the Simpson Stopper’s leaves release a pleasant spicy/citrusy scent, reminiscent of nutmeg. Adding to its sensory appeal, springtime brings clusters of small, white, fragrant flowers. These fragrant blooms transform into bright orange-yellow berries later in the season, attracting a variety of birds to your garden.
A Butterfly Buffet and Bird Bonanza:
The fragrant flowers of the Simpson Stopper aren’t just beautiful – they’re a magnet for butterflies! This native plant provides a vital food source, making your garden a haven for these fluttering friends. Once the flowers transform into berries, they become a tasty treat for feathered visitors, creating a lively atmosphere in your outdoor space.
Sun or Shade, This Plant Adapts:
The Simpson Stopper is a remarkably adaptable plant. When planted in full sun, it forms a densely growing shrub, perfect for creating a hedge. In partial shade, it maintains a more open growth habit. This flexibility allows you to incorporate it into various parts of your garden.
Low-Maintenance Delight:
Here’s the best part: the Simpson Stopper is a low-maintenance plant! It’s drought tolerant, meaning you won’t need to worry about constant watering, and moderately salt tolerant, making it suitable for coastal gardens. It even thrives in less-than-ideal soil conditions.
Planting Perfection:
Sunshine or Partial Shade: The Simpson Stopper adapts to your garden’s lighting conditions.
Hedge or Specimen Planting: This versatile plant can function as a privacy hedge or a standalone accent piece.
Grouped for Impact: Plant several Simpson Stoppers together to create a vibrant border or a colorful groundcover.
Embrace the Native Choice:
The Simpson Stopper is a fantastic alternative to non-native plants. By choosing this Florida native, you’re supporting the local ecosystem and creating a beautiful, low-maintenance garden that attracts butterflies and birds.
Visit Flora of Miami Today!
Head to our garden center and ask about the Simpson Stopper. Let our friendly staff help you find the perfect Simpson Stopper for your garden, and start creating a beautiful, butterfly-friendly, and bird-welcoming haven in your own backyard!
