Simpson's Stopper (Myrcianthies fragrans) is blooming outside the BioWorks Flight Encounter! This native Florida shrub is just a nice green bush for most of the year, but in the spring, it’s suddenly covered with sweetly scented delicate white flowers that are a huge draw for pollinators in the area.
Simpson’s Stopper, also commonly called Twinberry, is hardy to about 25 degrees, making it generally evergreen throughout the winter months. It’s fairly slow growing, and will top out around 15 feet tall or so, although you can easily prune it to suit the space where its planted. This is a nice shrub for areas ranging from full sun to full shade, and it’s very drought tolerant once established. In the fall, this shrub provide nice deep orange berries that songbirds love.
Although this shrub is listed as threatened in the wild, it’s making a real comeback in Florida-Friendly yards around the state. You’ll find it for sale at almost any native plant nursery. It’s an excellent addition to any native wildlife garden.
What a coincidence! I need to plant a hedge next to my driveway & I've been reading about all of the Stoppers. I'm going to plant Simpson Stoppers about 3-4 ft. apart...I read that they're slow growing but not sure what that means...less than a foot a year? Also, I couldn't find any info about the berries being poisonous for pets... I have a little French Bulldog who tries to eat plants and berries if he can... I gave away my Necklace Pod & I keep him away from the Beautyberry but not sure about the berries from the Simpsons Stopper...if you have time would you tell me if you think that the Stimpson Stopper is a good choice for a hedge? Also do you have a White Stopper at The Garden?
ReplyDeleteI love mine (planted two, one still going). Mine is pretty slow-growing, but does look very nice. It only got berries and flowers the first time last year, after about 3 years.
ReplyDeleteIs beautyberry poisonous for dogs? I make jelly out of it!
To my knowledge, neither Beautyberry nor Stopper berries are poisonous to dogs and are both in fact safe for human consumption. It should be perfect for a hedge, as it grows slowly enough to be kept easily in check (definitely less than a foot a year) and shears well. For more info, click the link in the post to read what the UF Extension Office has to say about this native shrub. (Oh, and no, we don't have any White Stopper at the garden - in my experience it's a little harder to find for purchase.)
ReplyDeleteall of this time I thought that my Beautyberry was poisonous for my dogs , not sure why. I'm happy to find out that it's not true. I do remember reading that it's used to make jelly. I'll follow the link to the UF Extension office to read more about the Stoppers. Thanks for your help.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it was Pokeberry that was poisonous to dogs also?
ReplyDeletemaybe it was the Pokeberry or the Florida Beauty ...my Beautyberry is huge and right now it has berries and flowers...I'm so grateful that I didn't rip it out when I thought that it was poisonous,,,usuallyif I'm not sure about what I hear about a plant I look to see if it's on the Best Friends or ASPCA plants that are toxic for pets list and then research from there to get more details...About the Beautyberry, I think I'll copy Rock Wear Gems idea and try to make jelly!
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