The HOT, LOUD and PROUD Philodendron Blossom

Philodendron BLOSSOM?!?!  I thought Philodendron was a foliage plant?!?!  Well, this is true, especially being a northern transplant to the tropics, I know philodendron as a hardy houseplant.  However, in the tropical regions of zones 9-11, philodendrons can actually appear prehistoric with their massive size.  There are 400-900 varieties of philodendron, according to Wikipedia.  That's a huge range, so in layman's terms, there's a lot.  But right now, I'm focusing on Philodendron Bipinnatifidum.  I'm not impressed by the long, scientific name, but the plant and blossom are actually quite impressive!  (If you look closely, you can spot the bloom among the gigantic leaves)

The P. bipinnatifidum is a non-climbing variety, otherwise known as a tree philodendron or split leaf.  A single leaf can grow to 3 feet!  CRAZY!!! The "tree" itself can grow to 15', winding, falling over and sprawling as it grows.  The woody stem grows to 6" or greater in diameter producing stout aerial roots between leaf scars.  The stem, in my opinion, is one of the most interesting portions of the plant!

Most philodendrons grown indoors never produce flowers.  This is why I was unaware of such a fantastic sight!  However, the P. bipinnatifidum DOES produce a blossom that is quite unique.  It tends to grow underneath the umbrella of foliage so is often unnoticed.  The bloom is also not a traditional, fragrant blossom such as a gardenia or rose; just one more reason the phioldendron bloom is often passed over.  I think this brilliant bloom is well worth ogling over!  Judge for yourself!

Breathtaking, isn't it?!

The "blossom" is actually made up of the outer spathe that encircles the spadix that is the home of a mulittude of tiny flowers, both male and female.  This is really all I know about this fantastic speciman, but I found a wonderful post by Mr. Subjunctive at Plants are the Strangest People  if you're interested in finding out more. 

And if you want to check out other HOT, LOUD, and PROUD blooms, head over to my friend Noel's at  A Plant Fanatic in Hawaii for his monthly meme!!

Happy Gardening!

My Favorites THIS Month - May 2010

May has been a bit of a struggle for my garden as many favorites that were blooming like crazy in April decided to take a breather in May due to unseasonably warm temperatures and dry climate.  Not to worry, though, as there is still plenty happening!  Here's some of my May favorites...

The orchids that I purchased a couple of months ago are still in amazing bloom!  A few plants have sent up new shoots with fresh buds, insuring blooms for a couple more months! 

The young firebush is coming alive and showing some pretty color!

My first frangipani / plumeria to bloom is definitely taking its time!  It's worth it, though!  It's hard to believe that this time last year, I didn't even know what a frangipani was!  How things change!!

Hey!  What are you two doing in my May line-up?!  It looks like Louie and Chico got tired of the flowers and Lola getting all of the attention!

The vinca are keeping my landscape colorful while the rest of the garden awaits the rainy season.  And the Mandavilla produced their first blooms of the season this week.

The Pentas and Mexican Heather are also in beautiful bloom, flanked by the purple fountain grass and pothos trailing up the cabbage palm.

The El Capitolio hibiscus is growing like crazy!

The butterfly milkweed is blooming!  Come here little butterflies!!

The purple cone flower, echinacea, is also blooming in my front entry garden.

This pretty little Earth Star, planted in a giant bird of paradise stump, is producing a new bud.

The cacti are blooming now too!  Beautiful!

One of my favorite ground covers provides year-round color in green and burgandy - the oyster plant.

Someone else finds my May garden interesting...can you see him?

How 'bout now?!  He sees you!

He's our newest neighborhood resident.  He's quiet enough, but...!

He's headed over to Simply Susan's to check out all the other favorite May blooms. 

Please join him...he's friendly...I promise!! 

Heliconia and Ginger Extravaganza!

After a long, challenging week at work, overcoming stomach flu, and nursing sick children, who wouldn't be ready to kick back and relax a bit?!  I started the weekend with a Heliconia and Ginger sale at the new Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens...so excited!  You can find out about it here and here .

But first things first.  Lola and I got an early start with some lovely strawberry / banana bread and a cup-o-joe! 

Then off to the gardens for our daily inspection.  But we'll talk about that later this week when we post about what's going on in our May garden for Simply Susan's! monthly favorites (posted on the 25th of every month). 

I've been looking forward to the Heliconia and Ginger sale as I'm a sucker for tropicals but I know very little about these lovely florals.  After a little bit of research, I found out that heliconia is derived from the Greek word "helikonios" which makes my Greek husband very happy!  My household is truly similar to the movie, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" where the Greek Father, Gus Portokalos proudly announces,  "Give me a word, any word, and I show you that the root of that word is Greek."  (click to see the movie clip) Afterall, he also proclaims that "There are two kinds of people - Greeks, and everyone else who wish they was Greek."  So there you go!

Anyway, back to heliconia. There are 100-200 species, and are they gorgeous!!!  They're native to the tropical Americas and the Pacific Ocean island west to Indonesia.  Some common names are Lobster Claw, Wild Plantains or False Bird of Paradise.  This is because heliconias are related to both bananas and the Bird of Paradise.  Heliconias are also a food source for the forest hummingbird while other birds use it for nesting purposes.  I've not seen anything like that in Florida, but who knows...I'm open to the possibilities!! 

The sale included really fantastic plants.  Since I only have one type of heliconia, and I have no idea what it's called or what flower it will produce (I inherited it), I've always coveted the amazingly awesome lobster claw, Rostrata, or Pendant heliconia.  This specific variety was one of the first I saw. 

Another interesting one was the H. Splash.  The leaves look very similar to a banana, but they produce a wonderfully tropical bloom.

There were several mini-seminars re. the varieties - so much knowledge!!!  Among other topics, we learned about the difference between ornamental and edible ginger.

Apparently, edible ginger left to bloom forms a colorful cone that looks similar to the Shampoo Ginger.  I've not tried it, but the cone is supposedly squeezed to excrete a soapy substance that us used as shampoo and soap.  Interesting!!

There were several cold hardy, fragrant blooming gingers. 

These gingers are cold hardy even in the Carolinas.

Kahili Ginger

Disney Ginger

White Butterfly Ginger

It was really difficult to choose among the many varieties.  I've only highlighted the ones that I found interesting...there were many more, making the choice really hard - especially since I'm on a budget and these plants were not necessarily inexpensive.  I decided to opt for the "rare" varieties...

The Costas Amazonacus has a really pretty variegated leaf while producing a huge white bloom. The BEST part about this rare ginger is that it's native to the higher elevations of Peru so it's somewhat COLD HARDY!  The key is to protect the rhizome which will come back year after year, even after the plant above ground is be lost. 

The H. Aemygdiana is reportedly rare, and is so striking! Who could pass it up?!

But the BEST find was this Costus Speciosus.  This brilliantly variegated plant grows 5-6 feet and naturally SPRIALS all by itself with NO STAKING REQUIRED!  Isn't this plant AMAZING?!?!  As if the natural spiral isn't cool enough, it produces a spectacularly large white bloom!  Well, I HAD to have it!!!!

I also picked up this little bare root H. stricta Dwarf Jamaican for $5!  Couldn't resist!

All of these fantastic plants can be purchased from J.G's Tropical Plants.  Just check out his website at http://jgstropicalplants.com/index.html .  He will SHIP!!!!  He also travels all over the state for plant shows/sales...his website offers a list of locations.

I ended my weekend on the boat...one of our favorite summer activities, and another reason I blog less this time of year! 

Quick Update, Mouse & Trowel and Heliconia Sale!

I've been under the weather with a stomach flu, chauffeuring children, preparing for summer and camp, family events, full time work, etc....all the busy seasonal activities that take me away from chatting with my blogging friends, and even away from my precious garden!  Unfortunately, this stomach bug is really trying to get the best of me for the past few days.  I'm wilting!

Regarding my on-line activity, I'll be cutting back even more so I can do what needs to be done and still enjoy the limited time I have for blogging, sharing, and chatting.  As many of my blogging friends have already indicated, this is sometimes a difficult fact to face, but seasoned blogging buds express sympathy, patience, understanding and wisdom as they've faced this fork previously.  XOXO!

Also, CONGRATULATIONS to all the winners of the Mouse & Trowel Awards!  A special thanks to everyone who nominated and voted for me! I was honored to be among so many fantastic blogs and bloggers!  This has been a joyful and fun time for me!!  To check out a list of all the winners, click  here .

Before laying my head back down on the pillow (oh boy...I'm digging for sympathy, aren't I?!  Where's my mother when I need her so no one else has to hear me whine?!), I'd like to inform Florida gardeners of an upcoming event at the Port Saint Lucie Botanical Gardens...a rare heliconia and ginger sale taking place on Saturday, May 22, 9am-2pm.   I know my friend Steve at The Rainforest Garden, collects heliconia.  Steve, please let me know if you're looking for a specific variety at a specific price.  To learn more click here .

Happy Gardening Everyone!

Garden Blogger's Bloom Day May 2010

Happy Garden Blogger's Bloom Day everyone! What's happening in your May garden? Here's what's happening in mine...

It seems that my garden has stalled a bit.  It was showing amazing recovery from the cold, non-tropical winter and was progressing remarkably fast due to the unseasonably early rains and modest temperatures (75-80 F). However, the last 3 weeks has been hot (90 F) and dry, thus stalling my progress.  However, there are still some nice blooms to report on...

The cannas are in full bloom throughout my property.

C. Wyoming with its dark purple leaves

C. Tropicanna Gold

Dwarf Peach Canna

The hibiscus are also blooming up a storm!

Presidential Hibiscus

I don't know the name of this one but it sent out it's first bloom of the year this week...it's bright red with yellow streaks...beautiful!

The bougainvillea is spectacular!

Here's a closer look...

And really close...

 

The new Alamandas are growing fast...I'm in need of a trellis or arbor!

The Dwarf Powder Puff bush seems pretty happy right now.

And the Caladiums are popping up everywhere

I'd forgotten about this Caladium nestled among the Rhododendron and Oxalis in my shade garden.

This Caladium is snuggled underneath the Star Jasmine bush, giving some light to an otherwise dark space.

My mango and citrus fruit are in the process of growing and ripening (I'm hoping for a huge harvest this fall!) while my fig bush is producing it's first fig of the season.  This fruit is much larger than those produced last year!

The Snapdragon is still in full bloom.

Although my Star Jasmine is blooming, I didn't take a photo of it because it's in great need of a trim.  But before I'm labeled a "slacker",  note that there's good reason for it's unkempt appearance...

This is at 3 days old. Notice the one on the end has it's eyes open!

Mom and Dad get mad when I get this close!

Mama - with food, of course!

Daddy Mockingbird is doing a song and dance before he dive-bombs me!

Or perhaps he already spotted the danger lurking only a few feet away...

Although Corn Snakes (also known as Rat Snakes) are non venomous, tend to be docile and unwilling to bite readily, we decided he didn't need to be in our back yard near our precious young brood.  He was relocated to the vacant lot across the street where he can find a morsel without fighting with a broom stick.

Back to the flowers...there's two plants that are oh-so-close to displaying some gorgeous blooms, but close only counts in horse shoes and handgranades!

This Fire Bush was all but lost last winter, but my friend Florida Girl at Peace in the Valley (a Florida native) told me not to worry and not to cut it back...she said it would come back in force after the cold...and it has!

Soon, these buds will be open and the shrub will earn its name!!

This is only one of six frangipani / plumeria I have throughout my garden.  Judging by those already blooming a little further south, I'm guessing this bloom will be white with yellow centers...these seem to be the first bloomers in this region (vs. the yellow, pink or red varieties).

The buds are pretty little spirals right now.

I'm counting on full frangipani blooms next month!  I guess we'll see!  Until then...be sure to check out what's growing in everyone else's garden at May Dreams Gardens where garden bloggers post garden happenings on the 15th of each month. 

Also, if you haven't voted for your favorite blogs yet, be sure to click on the Mouse & Trowel icon in the sidebar and GO VOTE!  Polls close at 11:59pm Sunday, May 16th!

Happy GBBD Everyone!