Q. I have two plants in urns. One bloomed and the other did not. What is the name of the plant and why is it dying? How do I care for it? New shoots are coming from the base of the blooming plant. _ Betty Zinman, Boca Raton
A. Your matching plants are agaves or century plants. They flower once and then the mother plant dies but produces suckers which will be the new plants. The agaves have nasty thorns and are not good near a walkway. I would replant with the cardboard palm for a matching look that is safer. Plant the agaves out in the back yard away from people. They like sunny dry locations and need minimal care.
Q. Can you identify this plant from the enclosed picture? It is a big plant that hangs over my lawn with daisy-like yellow flowers. _ Mary Nelson, Coral Springs
A. Your plant is the Mexican sunflower, which gets to be a big perennial growing to 15 feet tall. It always causes comment and is good for blocking out bad views. The plant is excellent as a background plant. Jesse Durko’s Nursery, 5151 SW 70th Ave. Davie, (954-792-2297) carries Mexican sunflower.
Q. What is the name of this tree? It has shallow roots that are cracking my driveway. _ Mrs. F. Collins, Pompano Beach i
A. The tree is pongam, which gives good shade but has shallow invasive roots and is messy. The tree is quite strong against wind.
Q. My tree in the back yard has black fruit in summer. Is it edible? Enclosed is a picture and leaf. _ Ed Rosado, Fort Lauderdale
A. Your tree is the jambolan plum. It produces edible fruit that can be used for jams, jellies, wine and other uses. It grows to be a very large tree but is remains strong against wind gusts.
