Author: Tommy Clarkson

--- Tommy Clarkson is a bit of a renaissance man. He’s lived and worked in locales as disparate as the 1.2 square mile island of Kwajalein to war-torn Iraq, from aboard he and Patty’s boat berthed out of Sea Bright, NJ to Thailand, Germany, Hawaii and Viet Nam; He’s taught classes and courses on creative writing and mass communications from the elementary grades to graduate level; He’s spoken to a wide array of meetings, conferences and assemblages on topics as varied as Buddhism, strategic marketing and tropical plants; In the latter category he and Patty’s recently book, “The Civilized Jungle” – written for the lay gardener – has been heralded as “the best tropical plant book in the last ten years”; And, according to Trip Advisor, their spectacular tropical creation - Ola Brisa Gardens – is the “Number One Tour destination in Manzanillo”.

Asparagus Fern- I Planted Roots In Mexico

December 1, 2014February 4, 2019Tommy Clarkson

By Tommy Clarkson from the December 2014 Edition Asparagus Fern, Protasparagus densiflorus ‘Sprengeri’ Family: Strelitziaceae (Known by no other names) What we commonly call Asparagus Fern is, in fact, neither not an asparagus as we think of them (though in the same family) and not a fern! If the truth be known, they are actually members of […]

Old Man Plant- I Planted Roots In Mexico

November 1, 2014February 4, 2019Tommy Clarkson

By Tommy Clarkson from the November 2014 Edition Coccothrinax crinita Family: Arecaceae Subfamily: Coryphoideae (Also known as Cuban Old Man Palm, Hairy Old Man, Mat Palm, Old Man Thatch or Thatch Palm) As too many of we ‘more senior than most’ men have learned, at some point hair begins to sprout from physical locales other than those we […]

Tabasco Pepper- I Planted Roots In Mexico

October 1, 2014February 17, 2021Tommy Clarkson

By Tommy Clarkson from the October 2014 Edition Capsicum frutescens (or C. fastigiatum or C. annuum) Family: Solanaceae (Also known as Cayenne Pepper, Bird Pepper and Chili Pepper) Patty claims that, long ago, my eating habits burned off all of my taste buds! Hence, with my proclivity for piquant, hot foods it goes without saying that I […]

Peace Lily- I Planted Roots in Mexico

September 1, 2014February 4, 2019Tommy Clarkson

By Tommy Clarkson from the September 2014 Edition Peace Lily, Spathiphyllum wallisii Family: Araceae (Also known as: Spathe Flower, Closet Plant or Spathiphyllum) In search of a not too tall but very attractive plant for an area that’s in constant shade? Related to the Anthuriums and Alocasias, the Peace Lily may just be your plant […]

Butterfly Palm- I Planted Roots in Mexico

September 1, 2014February 4, 2019Tommy Clarkson

By Tommy Clarkson from the September 2014 Edition Butterfly Palm, Dypsis lutescens (Some call it Chrysalidocarpus lutescens) Family: Arecea (Also known as Yellow Butterfly Palm, Yellow Palm, Golden Butterfly, Cane Palm, Golden Cane Palm, Golden Yellow Palm, Golden Feather Palm, Madagascar Palm, and Yellow Bamboo Palm.) Because it is so ubiquitous throughout the tropics and sub-tropics, […]

White Bird Of Paradise- I Planted Roots In Mexico

August 1, 2014February 4, 2019Tommy Clarkson

By Tommy Clarkson from the August 2014 Edition Strelitzia Nicolai Family: Strelitziaceae Also known as: Giant Bird of Paradise, Wild Banana or Natal Wild Banana Many of us are confused by the differences and similarities of the Bird of Paradise, White Bird of Paradise and the Travelers Palm. In the genus of which the first two […]

Arikury Palm- I Planted Roots In Mexico

August 1, 2014February 4, 2019Tommy Clarkson

By Tommy Clarkson from the August 2014 Edition Arikury Palm, Syagrus schizophylla Family: Arecacecae Also known as: Parrot Beak Palm or Parrot Palm Upon looking at it, most find it hard to believe that the Arikury Palm is plant kin to the Coconut Palm – but it is! Originally from the sandy, coastal forests of Eastern Brazil, there […]

August 2014

August 1, 2014January 31, 2019Tommy Clarkson

In this issue: Entertainment At the Movies – How to Train Your Dragon – Suzanne A. Marshall Sex Tape – Suzanne A. Marshall General Interest Letters to the Editor Don’t Overlook the value of international Stock -Yann Kostic Special Attraction Danzas Folklorico Manzanillo Mexico Viva – Mark Wright An evening at the dance – John […]

The Quandary and Questions of Iraq

July 1, 2014January 20, 2018Tommy Clarkson

By Tommy Clarkson from the July 2014 Edition While, in fact, its location is the veritable Cradle of Civilization as we know it, Iraq may be now more thought of as a foul, four letter word. But, if it be a profanity, it is one in which we Americans profoundly share responsibility in creating. How could such come about? […]

Queen Palm- I Planted Roots In Mexico

July 1, 2014February 4, 2019Tommy Clarkson

By Tommy Clarkson from the July 2014 Edition Syagrus romanzoffiana Family: Arecaceae Also known as: Cocos Palm (A “newbie” to palm inquired, “So Tommy, what are your thoughts on the Queen Palm?” The curmudgeony, highly opinionated, rather grey headed grump, with dirt encrusted fingernails and torn shorts, fast responded. ”Well, right off the top of my head, tawdry, […]