We’re not throwing shade — we love seeing these trees bloom. | Photo by @alexander.mclendon
The end of winter in Swan City is always marked by the blooming of pink and yellow trumpet trees, but how much do you know about these flowering flora?
Most trumpet trees are scientifically known as Tabebuia (pronounced ta-buh-boo-yuh), but some were reclassified as Handroanthus. Their more common moniker comes from the trumpet shape of their pink, purple, or yellow flowers. They can reach up to 30-40 ft in height and 25 ft in spread, so you can’t miss them when they start blossoming in late winter, just before their leaves grow back in the spring.
Forget Groundhog Day — it’s the sight of a blooming trumpet tree that means spring weather is on the way in Lakeland.
Trumpet trees are native to Central + South America, and they’re Florida-friendly plants. They can survive winters in the USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 9b-12, which Lakeland falls into. Keep reading for rules of (green) thumb on how to care for one.
Study Hall Hours | 2-6 p.m. | Pressed Books & Coffee | Free+ | Students can head to this independent bookstore and coffee shop for $4 beverages with a student ID.
Tasty Tuesday + Tunes in Munn Park | 6-9 p.m. | Munn Park | $25 | Grab your tickets to eat your way through downtown while listening to live music in Munn Park.
Wednesday, Feb. 19
New Parent Support Group | 9-9:45 a.m. | The Carol Jenkins Barnett United Way Children’s Resource Center | Free | Caregivers + infants can connect with other families while learning language development skills.
Thursday, Feb. 20
Smart Meal Prep: Take Back Your Time & Health | Thursday, Feb. 20, Tuesday, Feb. 25 | Times vary | Lakeland | $10 | Registered dietitians from local UF/IFAS Extensions will teach you nutritious meal prep with live instruction.
Revitalizing 92 Public Meeting | 6-8 p.m. | Coleman-Bush Building | Free | Share your feedback on the future of Memorial Boulevard with city planners and project consultants.
Caribbean Carnival! BSP | 5-9 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park | Free+ | Caribbean Carnival BSP returns with a family-friendly evening including a Black + Caribbean-owned market, food vendors, and kids’ activities.*
Lakeland City Commissioners delayed a public hearing on water fluoridation that was planned for yesterday’s commission meeting until Monday, March 3. Some officials will attend tonight’s public workshop featuring state + national experts from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Bartow Civic Center. (The Ledger)
Ranked
Publix Super Markets made Forbes’ list of “America’s Best Large Employers” for its 10th year in a row, ranking No. 96 out of 701 organizations. The Lakeland-headquartered company employs 253,000 people who look great in green.
Pets
Polk County’s top dogs showed their stuff at the Lakeland Winter Haven Kennel Club’s Strawberry Classic last weekend, competing in events like the 100-yard dash and obedience. To become a club member, attend a meeting on the first Wednesday of each month at the Cleveland Heights Golf Club. (Fox 13 News)
Award
Nominations are open for the 2025 Lakeland Entrepreneur Awards’ People’s Choice Award. The honor can go to any entrepreneur making an impact on the local business community. Cast your vote by Friday, Feb. 28 — Catapult will announce the winner in April.
Job
Florida Polytechnic University is searching for a Chief Development Officer to lead the school’s fundraising efforts. Know the person for the job? Apply or nominate someone by Friday, March 14. Pro tip: If you’re hiring, find candidates by listing your positions on our jobs board.
Biz
You might want to line up early for this deal. Starting at 10 a.m. this Saturday, Feb. 22., the Nick & Moes gas station at 4410 Kathleen Rd. will become a fuel’s paradise as the first 100 cars receive free gasoline, plus a complimentary chicken tender combo + beverage.
Lakelander
Ronald Shell, a math coach at Jesse Keen Elementary School, was featured by ABC Action News for his dedication to local students. A Polk County graduate himself, Shell has now been a finalist for PCPS Teacher of the Year for three consecutive years.
Active
Cats and cardio are the purr-fect combination. Zumba with Liv will host a dance fitness workshop at Purrology Cat Cafe on Saturday, March 1 at 10 a.m. Work up a sweat in a beginner-level class, then enjoy 30 minutes cooling down in the cat room. Spots are limited.
Kids
Spring break will be here before you know it, and the schedule is already set for Bonnet Springs Park’s “Full STEAM Ahead” events. Bring your little scientists, engineers + mathematicians to the park Monday, March 17 through Friday, March 21 to try free activities together.
Health
Need quick, convenient care? Lakeland Regional Health’s fourth urgent care location is now open at Lake Gibson. Located at 930 Marcum Rd., the friendly and expert team can diagnose and treat non-emergency health needs, like colds, the flu, sprains, and more — all in one place. Find an urgent care near you.*
Eat
Good Chop delivers high-quality American meat and seafood right to your door, including 100% grass-fed beef, USDA Prime steaks + organic chicken. Get free ground beef with every order.*
Outdoors
Outdoors
🌤️ Our guide to getting outside
Snap a selfie with the metal dog sculptures outside On Dog Time. | Photo by LALtoday
The US is in for its coldest polar vortex of the year this week, but you could’ve fooled us here in Lakeland. Temperatures are expected to be pleasant over the next few days, making it the perfect time to explore parks like these:
On Dog Time
There’s more than an acre to run free at Lakeland’s newest park just for pups located within walking distance of Lake Mirror, The Joinery, and other downtown places of interest. Don’t forget to paws for a picture at the photo op by the entrance.
Saddle Creek Park
Relax under big oaks and bird watch on the Great Florida Birding Trail at this park that’s tucked away in east Lakeland.
Lake Parker Park
Picnics, play dates, soccer games, fishing — you name it, Lake Parker Park has it. Spend the day getting active on the soccer fields, shuffleboard courts, or lawn bowling greens.
All this talk of trees has me excited for this Saturday’s Plantae-Palooza Garden Festival from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Vendors will be set up in Hollis Garden selling plants + garden experts will be on hand to answer your questions. As if I needed another reason to visit Hollis Garden.
}})
