Succulent Blooms

I find it strange that succulents thrive in Florida, but they do.  I think of them more as cacti living in hot dry desert environments, but that shows how much I still have to learn.  There are numerous types of succulents tucked here and nestled there in my garden.  Their unusual forms are appealing and provide great interest to the landscape.  They provide extra special interest when in bloom!

This Sansevieria Cylindrica Skyline is of particular interest to me.

Its gray-green cylindrical leaves grow to 2-5 feet tall,

beginning with a thick base

and terminating to a pointy end like a spear. 

Their fanning habit draws the eye.

Notice the light banding on each leaf.

I knew nothing of this plant when I spotted it last year but instantly fell in love with its unusual appearance.  I was so pleased when I noticed a bloom spike a couple of months ago.

It blooms once a year

in the spring or mid-summer. 

Although we are officially still experiencing winter,

the temperatures have been relatively mild. 

The 1 inch blooms are tubular with a pinkish tinge.

Pretty!

Another unusual and showy succulent bloom

is the Kalanchoe daigremontiana, or Mother of Thousands.

From above, the show is not very impressive,

although the base has an interestingly waxy look.

The show is from underneath!  Stunning!

The plant itself is interesting, too. 

The leaves have a striped or mottled look. 

It produces hundreds or thousands (thus it's namesake)

of babies from the tips of each leaf point. 

The babies fall off and root where they fall.

I don't have a good photo of the babies

but you can see a picture of them by clicking here. 

Understandably, this plant must be kept under control.

Another in bloom right now is the lovely Kalanchoe pinnata. 

These lantern-like blooms mesmerize me

with their lovely pink/red/green color

while dangling daintily from their stems.

This is the source of the pretty lanterns or pinatas. 

This plant multiplies and grows fast,

demanding careful control like its relative above. 

The Kalanchoe pinnata is designated as an invasive in Hawaii.

One other succulent

that is blooming in my yard is this beauty. 

I looks like a Kalanchoe to me, but I don't know its name.

The delicate little buds open

to expose a protruding stamen. 

Again, I enjoy the green and pink colors

of the blooms, along with the clustering effect!

And this is the actual plant

that produces these pretty blooms. 

Given to me by a friend, this plant enjoys

a lovely location in a pot

that sits in an old wicker chair

near a bird bath and feeder. 

The stems, now joined by the sweet blooms, 

cascade over the front of the chair

providing a peaceful view

from my kitchen window.

Changing the subject,

I had to check out the status of my landscape

after some rather chilly nights. 

Some cold sensitive plants

have a few crispy leaf edges

such as my new Stromanthe along the front steps

and some of the gingers. 

The edible ginger shriveled right up,

although I'm hoping it'll return from the ground. 

Other plants lost leaves

such as the hibiscus

but are already producing fresh growth. 

 

I was pleased to find my

Encyclia tampensis

looking rather healthy.

Since this variety of orchid

is native to Florida,

there is little fear of losing it to a chill,

especially in my zone (10a). 

This youngster seems quite happy

where I found it, snuggled

in the boot of a cabbage palm. 

It's rooting nicely to the trunk. 

I can't wait for it to mature

and produce its magnificent blooms!

The chill didn't effect these bromeliads in bloom.

And my Nepenthes

that I had placed under a Saw Palmetto stand

as a last ditch effort is actually coming back to life! 

It was not phased in the least

by our low 40's.

In fact, it seems to like it.

It's producing new growth!

And the existing growth is a beautiful green,

although there is no sign of pitchers yet.

I'm hoping it will recuperate and return to its original beauty!

One last update...

in South Florida, we are now in our dry season. 

Not too long ago

during an unusually wet late fall,

many of my plants were struggling for life,

drowning as the pond overflowed its banks. 

Now, only a couple of months later,

the pond has receded tremendously! 

Just last fall...

I made an emergency "save"

as I dug up a newly planted bromeliad

that is NOT appreciative of soggy conditions,

let alone standing water!

While I enjoy a mild winter 

I am aware that many of my friends

are experiencing cold temperatures

and tundra-like conditions. 

Spring is just around the corner!!