Hey Bud!

While walking through my garden, inspecting the plants but seeing too many weeds (weeds grow into trees overnight here in SE Florida, especially after rain), I was encouraged by the energy of my garden! So many of the plants of every variety are making a stand against the cold that they experienced and are fighting back with  new growth. It's so inspiring!!

The colors and youth of this small white bird of paradise sprout is invigorating!

The deciduous brown turkey fig is returning with the spring warmth.

This is the first bloom my aloe has offered since I planted it 3 years ago!!

The frangipani is comin' on strong!  Can't wait for it to bloom!!

Many lost their crotons...not me. They were knocked down but they're pulling themselves up by their bootstraps and making a great comeback!!

This is my Petra Croton. The pretty Mamey are sprouting too!!

My sweet little cactus won't be held down either. He remembers the days he was left for the garbage and I rescued his poor thirsty little soul!!

Not a great photo, but my cherished bananas are only two months away from peaking over the 6' fence to provide me with my precious privacy from the neighbors!  I'm hoping the newly planted impatiense will make a pretty ground cover under the canopy of the bananas all summer! They usually can't stand the summer Florida sun.

Yep...the Queen Emmas are proving why they deserve their title!!!  One struggling mama is actually in fragrant bloom too!!

A cute little Areca Palm baby peeks out to see if the coast is clear.  Come on baby!!!

This little berry looking cluster will explode into a wonderful little powder puff!! This is new to my garden last summer.  I'm in awe of this cool shrub!!

Nope...you can't keep the Pentas down!!

Many of the Ti plants looked as if they would bite the dust.  But these rosey babes are popping up on dried out stalks everywhere in my landscape!!!

Precious, colorful Moss Rose bud...they are so hardy in my garden!

This lavendar Ruellia bud will turn bright purple!

Gorgeous Ixora...if only this little bouquet were larger...it would be worthy of a bride!!

So the first of April is ushering in my tropical Florida garden!!!  I'm rolling out the red carpet!

Happy Spring, and Happy Easter everyone!!

If you're craving more energetic blooms (or buds) be sure to check out Katarina's  Blooming Friday (her last - BOO!!!) and Maia's Macro Saturday.

State of the Garden Address

It’s not looking good! After a hard freeze last night, much of my landscape is showing severe damage! Granted, the only protection I offer is a 6’ fence (for the back yard only, obviously) and irrigation. The only plant I covered was the brown turkey fig that is very cold sensitive, and of course I brought as many pots in as possible. So I was prepared for frost damage, but not necessarily devastation, which is what I found when I inspected the grounds early this AM.

My car is proof of the icy blanket that laid rest during the night

The icy covering is easily noticed on the ground cover also

The newly transplanted heliconias are severely damaged, although the vincas are holding their own for now!

The young firebush may be a complete loss. Notice the blackened branch!

Some of the Ti plants are showing frostbite

While other Ti plants look pretty good

The Queen Emma Crinums are showing some signs of cold stress

My precious bananas are lost! I expected this, as I lost them last year too. They sent up new pups, but the harvest was late. I’ll lose 3 bunches still on the stalks this year!

The Carolina Jasmine will not be effected…it’s cold hardy!  But even a few of the potted plants on the covered porch are showing some signs of damage!

We’ve got a freeze watch out for this evening. Then it’s supposed to warm up a bit (into the 60’s, if that’s warm for S Florida!) but dip back down into the freezing range for the weekend making it a steep uphill battle for the orange and strawberry farmers! Only time will tell how my plants will fare. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for the warm air to rush back into the region SOON!