Fall in South Florida

It's true that fall in zone 10 is not like my native Midwestern zone.  Fall there is full of orange, yellow and red colors, and the air is crisp and cool. Admittedly, fall in zone 10 is not as brisk or colorful.  However, I find it challenging and gratifying to see fall in my tropical zone.  Without going into great detail, which is more work than play, I've lined up a typical autumn day in my beautiful Garden in Paradise....

Magnificent Croton display amazing fall color all year long.

The many patterns and colors add great interest!

 

Fall is the time of year when my dwarf Poinciana bloom...

 

 

one of the most beautiful blooms in the world...

in fall's orange/red and yellow flaming colors!

 

 

Bromeliads are glorious throughout the year. 

However, this one is usually shaded by palms during the summer.

In the fall and winter months, when the sun dips lower in the sky,

it receives more sunlight, turning the leaves brilliant colors!

 

 

 

OK...this is not your typical fall color in display. 

However, my dendrobium orchids bloom religiously in the fall

(and for my October birthday) every year without fail.

Although a Midwest girl, I accept this fantastic exotic gift of tropical fall color!

 

Speaking of orchids, my spider orchid is bursting in bloom right now too.

The purple tones mix well with the other purple and burgundy tones.

 

 

Although I've recently posted this photo,

I would be remiss in leaving out my fabulous Roselle. 

This Hibiscus relative is a great imitation of a red maple...

even the leaves mimic the maple leaf pattern. 

This lovely specimen produces fantastic burgundy blooms as well as fruit. 

Nothing less than spectacular!

 

 

Not everyone appreciates Lantana as much as I,

but I truly love it!

The tiny trumpet shaped blooms explode in a miniature bouquet full of color.

Lantana comes in many colors. 

I have the purple, gold mound and this weedy red/orange and yellow

version in my landscape. 

I love them all, and so do the butterflies!

 

 

Angelonia seems to thrive this time of year.

 

 

The Acacia trees, although considered an invasive in S. Florida,

are in full bloom and quite attractive. 

Too bad they do not benefit our native habitat.

 

This Hibiscus provides an outstanding show no matter what time of year,

but I really appreciate her orange tones in the fall landscape.

 

 

The American Beauty Berry is in full autumn display.

These berries are an important food source for native wildlife and migratory birds. 



 

 

Cassius pops into full bloom this time of year.

 

 

The handlebar mustache is spectacular!

 

 

These buds of the Rosary Pea plant/vine are pretty

but very invasive in my area.

They bloom into pretty pink flowers and

produce a brilliant red 'bead'

with a contrasting black spot on each seed. 

Although brilliantly red and attractive,

they are, indeed, extremely aggressive

so I continually attempt to eradicate them.

 

 

 The large White Bird of Paradise has finished it's seed scatter for the year.

 

 

I've collected several handfuls to plant in hopes of fantastic tropical plumage.

 

 

This fuzzy orange and black seed resembles Cousin IT in a way, don't you think?

 

 

Speaking of strange creatures, this Pipevine Butterfly caterpillar

is devouring my Dutchman's Pipevine.  

That's OK...that is why I purchased the host plant... 

 

 

...so I might enjoy the beautiful Pipevine Swallowtail when it matures!

 

 

And, although it's fall, the frogs have not retired for the winter yet.

They look so sweet resting on this leaf. (Albeit the leaf is scale infested)

 

Happy Fall everyone!