Fill Your Yard with SNAKES*, SPIDERS*, and MONSTERS* to Really Get Buyers Attention with Tropical Curb Appeal!

Is your curb appeal giving potential buyers the fright & flight syndrome? Is the situation in your yard, grave and bone chilling?

Why not fill it with Snakes*, Spiders*, and Monsters* and turn that ghoulish haunt of a yard into a tropical paradise!

Try adding some easy, low maintainence, tropical warmth with SNAKE plants, SPIDER Lily's, and MONSTERA deliciosa and really get buyers attention!

*SNAKE Plant, (Sanseveria trifasciata)

The Snake plant is so named because of the shape of its vertical growing, snake like leaves. Also known as mother-in-law's tongue because of it's pointy sharpness. In Japan it is known as Tiger's Tail and in Brazil it is commonly known as espada-de-são-jorge (sword-of-saint-george). A yellow-tipped variant is known as espada-de-santa-barbara (sword-of-saint-barbara). Rich in foklore this popular plant finds its origins in Zaire, Africa where the plant is used as a protective charm against evil or bewitchment. In China, it is used in Feng Shui as a houseplant because it is believed that the Eight Gods bestowed their eight virtues on those who grew them. These virtues include long life, prosperity, intelligence, beauty, art, poetry, health and strength. The Chinese often kept this plant potted in a pot adorned with dragons and phoenixes as the dragon attractive qualities of this plant is said to be magnetic. Even NASA has recognized the Snake Plant for it's air purification ability and to curb "Sick Building Syndrome."

The Snake plant is a low maintenance, super sturdy succulent that grows just about anywhere. Its leathery sword-shape leaves are often marbled with gray green and may be edged with yellow or white. Although snake plant grows best in medium or bright light it will tolerate low light levels too. Let the soil dry between watering's as over watering is common. It grows best in temperatures from 30 to 50 degrees Celsius.

*Variegated SPIDER Lily (Hymenocallis caribaea variegata)

Spider Lily is a tropical and subtropical species in the Tropical Hymenocallis category, and this bulbous perennial herb, blossoms all year long. Hymenocallis caribaea (Caribbean Spiderlily, Spider Lily, White Lily), produces bulbs, flowers, and remarkably giant sword like foliage.

Its long sword-shaped leaves are 40-70 cm long and up to 6 cm wide at its broadest. Smooth-textured and glossy, Spider Lily leaves are erect and somewhat curved at the top end. The sessile leaves are dark green and sometimes variegated red. These grow best in shade to part sun but will grow in full sun if watered regularly.

Spider Lily's blossom at night releasing a lovely aroma from dusk til dawn. Tropical Spider Lily's are much larger than their temperate, delicate, and Iris like cousins found on the mainland.

*MONSTERA, Split-leaf Philodendron (Monstera deliciosa also called Ceriman, Swiss Cheese Plant (or just Cheese Plant), Fruit Salad Plant, Monster fruit, Monsterio Delicio, Monstereo, Mexican Breadfruit, Locust and Wild Honey, Windowleaf and Delicious Monster)

This monstrous creeping vine native to tropical Central American rain-forests is a climbing relative of the philodendron from Mexico and Guatemala. It is popular yard plant here in Hawaii and in tropical and subtropical areas around the globe, growing well in partial sun but best in shade. If you have ever driven the Road to Hana or spent any time on the Windward sides of all the Hawaiian islands you will see this plant growing abundantly. The plant starts bearing fruit after three years and is a popular houseplant as well, however, it rarely fruits or blossoms indoors.

The large oval leaves are perforated with oblong holes and the plant produces a 9", dull, deep green, cone-like fruit which develops from a gigantic version of the philodendron like flower. The fruit is covered with hexagonal scales that dry out and separate as the fruit ripens very much like corn or maize, revealing the edible white pulp inside. It takes a little longer than a year to mature to an edible stage. Unripe fruit, if eaten causes mouth and throat irritation due to the high levels of oxalic acid. You may induce the fruit to ripen by picking it when the base has started to wrinkle and wrapping it in a bag for a few days. When unwrapped, the scales should have separated. Special note: This plant can be poisonous to pets due to the oxalic acid so if your cat likes to nibble on plants keep this one out of the house.

One amazing characteristic of this plant is that the seedlings will grow in the direction of the darkest area of the yard until it encounters the base of a tree to attach to. Then it will climb towards the light which is generally high in the tree canopy.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Fill your yard with Snakes, Spiders, and Monsters to really get buyers attention with Tropical Curb Appeal!

JDS Consulting- Hawaii Home Staging and Decor Design. Providing Real Estate Merchandising services including: Home Staging, Interior Decor, Turn Key, Landscaping, Remodeling, & Open House Hosting. Diamond Head, Kahala, Waikiki, Kapahulu, Kailua, Makiki, Tantalus, Hawaii Kai, Manoa, Nu'uanu, Ala Moana, Waialua, Haleiwa, North Shore, Kapolei, Makaha, Honolulu.

Kimo Stowell Copyright ©2009