Before & After: Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila)

It used to be, that just about every nursery or plant seller had a "1/2-OFF" or markdown table where the plants that were unattractive, damaged, non-sellable (at least at full price) went, as an alternative to the trash.

And that's where I found this tree..

Acquired: Dec 10, 2025 - Home & Garden Center - $7.50 + tax.

There was an accumulation of debris, dead leaves,"suckers" run amok..air roots that had become pseudo-branches, curling around & entwining the trunk. 

Some major pruning to clean-him-up & remove dead foliage & branches, including root reduction, re-potting into a training pot, I let him rest for the last 6 months.

And this is how he looks today..reduced in height from about 36 " to a compact 15". With a gnarly, twisted trunk & new foliage beginning to re-populate the canopy.

For those that might be interested in knowing more about how all this happened, you can access a complete photo-history at Creeping Fig

You can also access the Photo/History page for this tree & all of the trees in our collection by using the menu on the r-hand side of every page.

Update: Cape Honeysuckle (tecomaria capensis)

(excerpt from Photo/History page for: Cape Honeysuckle (tecomaria capensis)

Now this is more like what I've had in mind..the canopy is developing, looking the best I think it's ever    been..the rock still isn't right, but I think it will find it's place, eventually.

April 2026

Update: Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides)

 exerpt from the Photo/History Page for Star Jasmine

April 10

The Jasmine is in full-bloom. Not bad for an $8.00 plant from Walmart! My first (successful) "Blooming Tree", but not to be the last. This may even encourage me enough to try (another) Azealea.

Update: Hibiscus (Rosa sinensis) 'Brilliant'

 (excerpt from Photo/History page for Tropical Hibiscus project: 

April 10

April 2026

Removed the "sacrificial" branch & the Hibiscus immediately rewarded me with new growth from the stump left behind. I took the branch because it was foliating, instead of back-budding on the trunk & branches...as you can see now, that problem is solved. There is new growth from both branches & the main trunk. 

    

If you've followed this project, you know that it's one-big crapshoot, starting with my predilection for      "projects" & cheap raw material. Quite frankly, I'm more than a little surprised that this strategy is working out better than I expected. 

He's only been in this pot for 2 months, but I would like to downsize again, however, I don't want to interfere or inhibit the foliage..I've been hearing about using growboxes & that may be the solution for this tree.. I need to do some research.

Update: Cape Honeysuckle II (tecomaria capensis)

 (excerpt from Photo/History page: Cape Honeysuckle 

April 10, 2026

April 10, 2026

Just 3 months in the training pot, but Honeysuckle II(a) slipped right into a tray without a problem. Minor pruning on both ends, top & bottom & it looks like he was born to it.

Honeysuckle II(a)

One could never guess that this specimen had major surgery less than 6 months ago..I probably could have skipped the plastic tray & gone directly to a ceramic container, but I want the trunk & base (nebari) to mature & to "put some age" on this tree before we go any further.