FLORIDA

Blooming Trees
Plant a tree that starts flowering in late winter now. This gives you color at a time when few other plants are flowering. North Floridians can grow a variety of deciduous magnolias (such as saucer magnolia, shown at right). They usually begin blooming in February and have huge numbers of flowers, from pure white to varying shades of pink or purple. The tree size depends on the selection. For example, 'Alexandrina' grows to 30 feet, whereas 'Ann,' one of the "Little Girl" series, only grows to 10 feet. The Hong Kong orchid tree (Bauhinia x blakeana), which can be grown in Central and South Florida, blooms in the winter and is prized for its orchid-like flowers in shades of purple, rose, and pink.

Entire State
Pruning--Before spring growth begins, cut back cold-damaged perennials such as firebush or perennial salvias (shown at right). Leave a foot of stem above ground level to prevent you from inadvertently damaging the crown of the plant as you work in the garden before new growth emerges this spring. Prune shrubs now, too, except for those such as azaleas and hydrangeas that will flower in the spring. Cut roses back except for early-blooming climbers such as Lady Banks's rose.

Grasses and ground covers--Prepare ornamental grasses, such as silver grass, for spring growth by cutting off the dead leaves just above the new emerging green leaves. The same trimming technique can be used with monkey grass (shown at left) if older leaves have become spotted badly.

North and Central
Lawns--Be patient. Wait until late March or early April to feed the lawn. If winter weeds emerge now, keep the lawn mowed to prevent the weeds from reseeding. Most of these weeds will die once warm weather arrives.

Shrubs--Get a jump on spring by planting shrubs now. This month's cooler weather is easier on new plantings than the coming months will be. Remember to water every other day for the first few weeks after planting.

Central and South
Citrus--Once the weather warms consistently, start planting citrus. Plant a variety of types so that you will have fruit most of the year. Early ripening fruit includes satsumas and 'Hamlin' oranges. Midseason citrus includes navel oranges and tangelos. Later-ripening types include grapefruit and 'Valencia' oranges.

South
Feeding plants--Unless you've had a soil test indicating that your soil needs phosphorus, use a no-phosphorus fertilizer such as Vigoro Centipede Turf Fertilizer 15-0-15 on the lawn, shrubs, trees, and flowers. Feed palms with a special palm fertilizer such as Vigoro Palm & Ixora Food 6-5-12 or Lesco 8-10-10 Palm and Tropical Ornamental Fertilizer.