Bahama Strongbark
Borreria succulenta
Bahama Strongbark is native to the Florida Keys and West Indies. This is a fine shrub or small tree for instant curb appeal.
The half inch, white, fragrant flowers are attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies during the day and interesting moths at night. The half inch orange fruit are eaten by local birds and are not toxic, or tasty either.
The branches droop like a weeping willow and are dense. You can keep this plant at six feet in height for a great wildlife attracting hedge or let it grow to 15 feet or more.
Bahama Strongbark is tolerant of mild cold weather, drought and salt. Do not plant north of Palm Beach County due to the cold.
Use with low ground covers like Beach Creeper and Coontie and wildflowers including Dune Sunflower, Twinflower, Red Salvia and Beach Verbena.
This is a great plant for the front of the property where everyone can see it. Use this instead of the extremely cold sensitive Orange Geiger.
I particularly enjoy seeing this tree growing naturally in the Key Largo area. Sometimes a lone tree can be found that is tall, round and full of orange berries, like the one in this picture. This is quite a sight in late summer to early fall.
You may need to trim some of the excess of branches and twigs of a young tree in order to develop the structure that the tree will keep throughout its life. Look for crossing branches and too closely spaced twigs. Also, stake the central leader if you want a straight trunk.