Should I Mow the Weeds?

Unless you irrigate, there's not much to mow in South Florida during the winter/spring dry season.  The dust swirls around the mower like a miniature sandstorm in the desert!  But then, there's the weeds that pop up loud and proud in the middle of my otherwise dry flat landscape.  Should I mow them?  Should I pull them?  (I don't use weed killer or weed/feed products)

This year, I'm doing what I've loathed in the past...I'm leaving them to grow. 

 

The roadside in front of my house...a sea of flea bane!

Some of my neighbors with lovely manicured landscapes may be cursing me for it,

but I'm enjoying the influx of birds, butterflies, bees and other pollinators 

that feed on the nectar, fruit and seeds. 

A favorite "weed" is the Blue Eyed Grass, Sisyrinchium atlanticum. 

No way I'm mowing this beautiful bloom!

In the past, I've mowed and pulled the Spanish Needle, Bidens alba, with a vengeance. 

However, I leave it now not only for the pollinators,

but for my sweet bunnies who provide me with golden "bunny blessings" (fertilizer). 

It's one of their favorite foods...and it's FREE!

It's also a Florida native, relative to the aster, and serious butterfly attractor.

 

This pretty Tickseed, Coreopsis lanceolata, will not be mowed. 

I'm happy this grows wild on my property.

The most abundant currently is the common Flea bane, Erigeron annuus. 

Contrary to it's name, it does not repel fleas or insects. 

I've decided they're nicer to look at than the dry dusty ground underneath,

so they're staying for now.

Tassel Weed is usually the first to go...

although the little tassels are cute little pom pons waving in the breeze. 

Fortunately for the Tassel Weed, it's another favorite munchy of my bunnies. 

However, once I see the colorful puffs, I pull them for the bunny buffet.

 

The Mexican Clover, Richardia grandiflora, is mowed

but prolifically bounces back so I have no remorse.

 

Pretty little pea flowers pop up as ground cover.

 

I always find it interesting to hear who mows and who doesn't, along with their reasons.  I also enjoy hearing who purchases these "weeds" and plants them in their garden beds. 

As any gardener knows, a weed is simply an unwanted plant!

 

Identity Crisis

I'm certain the purpose of
Carol's monthly Garden Blogger's Bloom Day meme
is to post what is currently blooming in your garden...
that's the obvious, correct?  However, in South Florida,

where the weather is conducive to year-round blooms,

much of my landscape does not change from month to month,

with a few exceptions...

Giant White Bird of Paradise!

This is only the 3rd time these birds have bloomed since I've lived here!!

VERY EXCITING!

Another exception is this colorful heliconia...

Lady Di (I think)

New to my garden right before last winter's frosts

and finally blooming! Beautiful!

Identified as H. Orange Parrot by One.

The Red Porterweed is in bloom

attracting butterflies and dragonflies alike!

This Dreadlock Croton is new to my garden...

I purchased it on the clearance rack for $2

after it was neglected and dried out. 

Crotons are not drought tolerant so it shed it's leaves. 

All it needed was a drink!

And although my crinums bloom throughout the year,

this bunch is so beautiful and huge, it's worth featuring!

It's larger than my hand!

Although most of the blooms are the same throughout my landscape,

this is NOT the case along my neighborhood roadside. 

However, I'm having a CRISIS

as I'm not able to IDENTIFY most of them,

 even after researching the web!! 

For instance...

This red seed pod is amazing!  It caught my eye immediately. 

This is the shrub.

Indentified as Jamaican Caper by Myamuhnative.

I have no idea with this peachy cassia-type bloom is. 

This tree is really spectacular. 

It might be the Carolina Willow, but I'm not sure. 

The leaves are similar as are the bristley blooms.

NOTE...I was able to identify this tree as an EARLEAF ACACIA.
It's a fast grower with a very strong root system.

I DO know what this one is...

The native Spanish Needle

And another native...

Goldenrod

Is this a form of Goldenrod too?

This is a close up of the bloom.

Identified as smooth rattlebox (Crotolaria pallida)

by Floridagirl. She informs us that

it is host to a very unusual and

striking diurnal moth--the Bella Moth.

Another seed pod that caught my eye...

I THINK it's called Momordica Charantia, or Bitter Melon. 

Here are some better pictures I found on the internet.

Courtesy of http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/forums/showthread.php?t=9068  

I also found this vine with the prettiest bunches of white flowers.

These photos were taken at dusk, so they're a little on the dark side.

These are the leaves of the vine. 

However, my Daddy taught me, "Leaves of 3, let it be!"

so I didn't touch it in fear of some type of poison ivy.

Still unidentified although

Myamuhnative and Floridagirl agree

that this may be a form of Hoya,

even though it's not thick and waxy.

Further research is required!

UPDATE...my friend, Floridagirl

identified this variety as a

WHITE TWINEVINE, native to Florida

 wetlands and hammocks.

It is host to butterflies

in the Monarch and Queen family.

Thanks FG!!!

And this lovely pink spike.

All assistance is welcome to alleviate my Identity Crisis!!

And if you'd like to see what is blooming in other gardens around the world,

please stop by May Dreams Gardens and say "HI" to Carol! 

Happy Garden Bloggers Bloom Day!!

Where the Wild Things Are!

Where the Wild Things Are! 
What a fantastic children's story written by Maurice Sendak.

As a child, I was fascinated by this story of a little boy's adventure into the wild forest after being sent to his room for causing mischief.  The rebellious little boy, Max, sailed into the wilderness and to the land where the wild things are.  They were terrible fearsome beasts whom Max tamed by staring into their eyes without blinking.  They made him king of the wild things!  But Max became lonely and homesick so he sailed back home. Upon awakening from his dreamy adventure, he was greeted by a warm supper, proving that he's loved even when he's ill behaved.

What does this walk down memory lane and children's literature have to do with gardening?  Well, it reminds me of untamed wild flowers, of course, which I've spotted quite a bit of lately. 

So let the wild rumpus begin!!

 

This Indian Blanket Flower, or Gaillardia,
populates the fields around my house, as well as my personal garden.

White Star Sedge - this lines my roadside.

Bidens Spanish Needle

Cassia Fasciaculata (mimosa)

Here it is close up...beautiful, isn't it?

Here's a white version.

www.ecoyardfarming.com via flickr

This is Blue Flag Iris. 

(My photo turned out very blurry so I've borrowed this one courtesy of www.ecoyardfarming.com via flickr)

I LOVE this one!!!

Tickseed

I think this is wild azalea?  It lines my roadside and is really pretty!

NOPE...not wild azalea, but Tarflower Bejaria racemosa...thankyou Nell Jean!

Echinacea, or Purple Coneflower is native to Florida.
This one grows in my garden as well as my roadside.

Creeping Ox Eye

Fleabane

This is a close up of a Prickly Pear blossom with a bee inside.

Salvia Rubra - this is a macro shot of the tip of a red salvia.

Puncture Weed

I have absolutely no idea what this pretty posey might be...any takers?!

Thank you Myamuhnative and Lotusleaf for providing the identity to this Pink Porterweed!

How 'bout this pretty white unknown?

And while you're at it, does anyone know what this one is?

At least I know what this one is...

Blue eyed Grass

And this one too...

Rattlebox

The next two are Tassle Flowers

This WILD THING fits right in!!