Dombeya burgessiae ‘Seminole’ puts on a good flower show through the tourist season and should be a favorite with snowbirds.

Also known as Seminole dombeya or tropical hydrangea, it has blooms that last from October to May. The deep pink flowers occur in clusters and closely resemble hydrangeas.

This sun to partial-shade lover needs good drainage to do well. Wet areas will cause fungal root rot and plant death. The leaves are lobed and are deep green, averaging 4 to 6 inches long. It’s a large shrub growing 6 to 9 feet tall and as wide.

Sources include: Jesse Durko’s Nursery, 5151 SW 70th Ave. (Viele Road), Davie, 954-792-2297; Wonder Gardens at Sears, corner of Broward Boulevard and University Drive, Plantation, 954-370-2872; Nu-Turf of Margate, 1785 N. State Road 7, Margate, 954-972-9425; Living Color Garden Center, 3691 Griffin Road, Fort Lauderdale, 954-985-8787; Gardino Nursery, 9415 158 Road South, Delray Beach, 561-272-1416, (by appointment only).

Origin — Garden hybrid

Foliage — Lobed green leaves

Growth rate — Moderate

Nutrition requirements — Moderate

Soil requirements — Must be well-drained. Plants will die in wet areas.

Salt tolerance — Low to moderate

Drought tolerance — Moderate

Light requirements — Sun to partial shade

Propagation — Air layering, grafting

Pest problems — Pest-free, except for root rot.

Green thought

The New Encyclopedia of Daylilies (Timber Press, $49.95), by Ted Petit and John Peat, is the most thorough treatment on daylilies available. The book covers 1,400 of the latest cultivars available with more than 1,700 varieties.

The progress in the new daylily cultivars is amazing, and some are hard to recognize as daylilies. South Floridians should concentrate on the evergreen daylilies because these types do not require a dormant season. A complete list of nurseries and display gardens is included in this very thorough book. Call Timber Press at 800-827-5622 or see timberpress.com.

January to-do list

Plant: Annuals, vegetables, bulbs and herbs can be planted now. Woody plants and trees also can be planted. It is important that a reliable source of water is available to irrigate the new plantings. The wet season does not resume until June.

Irrigation: Water new plantings every day for the first two to three weeks and then every three days after that till the wet season in June. Check the irrigation system regularly for breaks in the pipes and broken heads. Inspect your water coverage so all plantings are getting water. Adjust heads so driveway and walkways remain dry.

Pests: Insect pests reach a low during January when most plants are in semi-dormancy. Spider mites and thrips are active this month on crotons, avocado, mango, copperleaf. Annuals may be attacked by cutworms. Fungal problems may occur on annuals and vegetables that are over-watered.

Prune: Cut away dead wood and crossing limbs on your plants. Suckers and water sprouts can also be removed now.

Robert Haehle is an author, freelance writer and horticultural consultant. He lives in Tamarac.