December in Paradise!

Not being a Florida native, tropical warm winters are somewhat new to me.  For most of my life, winter meant a cold, snowy, icy time for the garden and landscape to rest deep within the warmth of the earth until longer days brought warmer temperatures. This is not the case in my tropical zone 10a piece of paradise!  December 2011 has been unusually mild with daytime temperatures reaching the low 80s and nighttime temps dipping only into the upper 60s.  Although shorter days has triggered some plants in the garden to seek rest, many are in magnificent bloom!

My Corn Plant, or Dracaena fragrans, surprised me with very fragrant blooms.  I've never seen or heard of a corn plant blooming so this was a first for me.  

Long spikes of flower clusters appear from the foliage and bloom at night, providing a strong heavenly aroma!

Another surprise in my garden are the continuing Caladiums.  It seems the white varieties are the hardiest, although some colorful types are still lingering. 

I wonder if they'll stay all year?

The Orange Parrot Heliconia are in full bloom and are spreading.  This is exciting as it's taken a full year for my immature plants to take hold and show signs of steady progress in the landscape.

The Orange Cape Honeysuckle took a hit with the heavy rains this fall, but seems to be regaining strength and is sporting a few blooms.

My Christmas Cactus, or Schlumbergera, displayed fantastic blooms just in time!

The various tropical Hibiscus are a constant in my landscape.

One of them is typically sporting its colors,

although they are all in bloom this month!

This Tropical Punch stops me in my tracks every time!

And although quite different from the typical Hibiscus, the Rosella is a Hibiscus as well!

The blooms are difficult to spot next to the foliage and fruits that display the same color.

Some orchids are blooming such as this Phalaenopsis that I rescued last spring from a curbside garbage pile.  I did not know until now what she would look like.  Beautiful, isn't she?

Potinara Hoku Gem 'Freckles' is still in bloom.  

I've enjoyed various bloom spikes since spring. 

This orchid is amazing!

And, for the first time, my terrestrial orchid Epidendrum radicans is blooming! 

Woo Hoo!

I've recently enjoyed some new additions to my orchid collection, courtesy of my local orchid society.

These Phalaenopsis and Cattleyas were part of two baskets brought home from our holiday party!  

There's something about a white bloom!

Back to the yard, my very immature red navel orange tree is in bloom!  I probably won't enjoy fruit for several years, but it's working hard and providing a wonderful scent!

And the Desert Rose, or Adenium obesum, continues to produce pretty white blooms.  I've typically seen pink Desert Rose blooms, so I cherish the white.

In the butterfly garden, the Pagoda plant, or Clerodendrum paniculatum, continues it's bright red display.

It provides a constant food source for a multitude of butterflies!

The same butterfly flutters over to the nearby Porterweed to sip more nectar.

Although a little fuzzy, click on the photo to enlarge and

notice the butterfly's tongue inside the flower. 

Amazing!

Sweet little Angelonia has filled out and is in brilliant color.

The Mother of Thousands succulent boasts pretty delicate drops.

One of my favorite Bromeliads is sporting a bloom.  The foliage on this brom is usually bright burgandy and green when planted in dappled light.  Mine experiences heavy shade so the foliage is not vibrant.  Once it multiplies, I will propogate and replant in brighter conditions.

Finally, although there are no blooms to boast about, I've added a new hedge of Shefflera arbicola along the far side fencerow.  I originally wanted to add beautiful blooming vines to this area, but since weeding is a constant issue here, I decided a nice hedge would be easier to manage and maintain.

I hope your December is colorful, even if inside instead of out. 

Merry Christmas,

Happy Holidays,

and Happy New Year to all!