Q&Artistree: Why is Turk’s Cap rarely seen in Sarasota County?
“I’d love to hear why Turk’s Cap isn’t used very much around here. I recently went to Cabbage Key on Pine Island and saw some beautiful ones in various landscapes.” — ArtisTree Account Executive Johnny Kartheiser
Thanks for your question, Johnny. We passed it on to three of ArtisTree’s Plantopinions experts, and in a nutshell, they all agreed that Turk’s Cap isn’t too keen about being planted in HOA communities located in Sarasota and Manatee counties. Instead, it’s a free-spirit kind of shrub that prefers island living and different soil conditions that provide for good drainage. Here’s their take, short and sweet. For a full rundown on this Florida-Friendly tropical shrub, we recommend this excellent source.
Joe Mantkowski, ArtisTree VP Landscape Design:
Turk’s Cap isn’t usually on an HOA’s accepted palette. It also needs soil that’s well-drained, and most of the newer communities in our area have moisture-retentive soils. That said, you’ll sometimes see them in naturalized settings such as “Old Florida” gardens.
Brian Clouser, ArtisTree Landscape Designer:
I’ve never used Turk’s Cap and had to look it up. Appears no one is growing it around here. I also discovered it’s referred to as “Sleeping Hibiscus” because the blooms never fully open (to me, they look wilted). I recommend using regular hibiscus shrubs instead. They have full and open flowers with a lot more color options.
Turk’s Cap is a tropical plant that thrives in warm, well-drained soil. It doesn’t tolerate cold well, so it can survive along the coast, or in this case on an island, where the average temps remain higher due to warmer gulf temperatures. Turk’s Cap can handle a temperature of 68 degrees, but anything lower can cause dieback and damage or kill the plant.
Hummingbirds love feeding on Turk’s Cap flowers. Shrubs can reach up to 10 feet tall and spread 10 feet wide. Turk’s Cap can be seen more often in “Old Florida” landscapes.
ArtisTree VP/Landscape Joe Mantkowski & landscape designers Clinton Lak, Chris Culp, Brian Clouser, Elisabeth Owen, plus Landscape Operations Manager Conan Michel.
ArtisTree “Plantopinions” is a roundtable debate between ArtisTree experts on the virtues of various plant specimens. Sometimes there’s consensus and sometimes not. In the end, you are the judge.
Contact ArtisTree Landscape 941.488.8897
To get your landscape renovation started now, browse ArtisTree’s portfolio and then call Jenni Lassen at 941.488.8897, ext. 312, to meet with one of our award-winning designers. We proudly serve Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and South Hillsborough counties.
