SIMPSON'S STOPPER TREE Naples
One of the best wildlife plants for our area, this plant is cold hardy, salt tolerant; drought tolerant once established and grows slowly so maintenance is at a minimum. The small white fragrant blossoms appear on and off all year. The bloom is heaviest in spring, with pretty white flowers decorating the plant.
After the flowers come the fruit bright red berries that are a favorite of the Mockingbird Florida's state bird. Shrubs with berries can make a mess but in this case the berries are tiny and quickly consumed by birds and they're edible people food as well.
Plant Care: No soil amendments are necessary. However, you can add composted cow manure and organic peat moss (or top soil) to the planting hole, if you like. Trimming is a personal preference you can keep this plant evenly sheared as a hedge shrub, lightly prune it occasionally for shape and size, or do no trimming at all. Although drought-tolerant once established, Simpson’s stopper does better with regular irrigation that gives the plant plenty of time to dry out between watering. Or, after it's established, just water it well during dry spells. It can also handle areas with occasional slow drainage. No fertilizing is required, though you may want to apply a granular fertilizer in spring, summer and autumn to boost growth.
Plant Spacing: Place these shrubs 3 feet apart if you're planting a hedge. If you're placing in a mixed bed, allow 4 or 5 feet between it and the next large plant. Come out from the house 3 or 4 feet if you plan to keep the plant about 6 feet tall.
To let it get bigger, come out at least 5 feet or more so it will clear eaves and gutters once it matures. To plant by a walk or drive, come in about 4 feet. Simpson's stopper makes an excellent container plant and can be trained as a large bonsai
