Making a Comeback!

It's a topic that won't go away...the cold snap that swept across Florida with little regard for the tender tropicals that are unaccustomed to such low temperatures for more than a couple of days at a time.  We don't want to think about the cold air, the frozen moisture covering our precious plants, or the dull shades of brown left behind in our typically colorful landscapes.  We've painstakingly cut back the obvious carnage and kept a hopeful, watchful eye for any sign of new growth. 

I was rewarded today as I strolled through my garden looking for new signs of life!  One of my bottle palms has opened a new green leaf!

This dwarf canna is sending up new shoots.

The mango tree not only came through the freeze unscathed, it is preparing to bloom!

And my beloved bananas are showing positive signs of recovery!!

In addition to the Orange Jasmine, Star Jasmine, Meyer Lemon, Ponderosa Lemon and Carolina Jasmine displaying full blooms, the navel oranges are almost ripe!

The Brown Turkey Fig is sending out new growth...

Both of the Coconut Palms are sending out new healthy leaves.

I scored with this new addition that I obtained today while out for a walk...it had been left out with the trash!  Lucky Day!!

This frost bitten crinum has two new pups along with a lovely flower bud!

And this other crinum is in full bloom!

I'm still holding out hope for this sad bottle palm...it's still sporting a little bit of green.

And this firebush made my day when I found the new growth!!  I thought it was lost for sure!!!  My friend, Florida Girl (Valley in Paradise) reassured me that it would probably be ok...and she was right!!!  Woo Hoo!!!

To top things off, I recieved my first Territorial Seed Company catalog in the mail today.  They have these fantastic fuschia "Gum Drop" and brilliant "Coral Reef" echinacea plants that I feel must become part of my landscape!  Amazing, aren't they?

Finally, take a moment to check your calendar...February 6th is the Growing Green Festival in Stuart, FL from 12 noon-5pm!  Central Florida Gardener writes, "This free indoor-outdoor event features presentations, activities, resources, living plants, great food, horse manure, live music and even an award-winning Sundance Film Festival movie about dirt (http://www.dirtthemovie.org/).


You can find all the details on Central Florida Gardener's blog: http://centralfloridagardener.blogspot.com/2010/01/growing-green-festival-buffy-at-green.html .

You can also click here for a festival flyer!
www.greenpathsflorida.org/GrowingGreenFestival6February.pdf
I'll definitely attend! Let me know if you're going!!