Garden Appreciation

I am so appreciative of my garden...the many colors, textures, forms and inhabitants are never boring, always soothing, typically interesting and sometimes surprising. 

This is the fiery bloom of an

Aechmea blanchetiana orange bromeliad. 

I have several of them scattered around the property, all in brilliant bloom! 

 

This is the first time my Beauty berry bushes

have retained their lovely purple berries.

 

 

They are a favorite food source for birds and other wildlife.

 

 

More bromeliads in bright bloom.

 

 

These blooms boast an interesting purple tip. 

Breathtaking!

 

 

The Monk Orchid is delicate and tiny. 

Some consider it an invasive species so I keep mine in a pot

and quickly collect the seed pods when they appear.

 

 

A new addition to my landscape is this Thryallis bush

that I purchased for $6 from the High School plant sale this weekend. 

 

 

Thryallis produces clumps of pretty yellow flowers in late summer/fall

and year-round if temperatures remain warm.

 

 

I also purchased this plant in the Anthurium family for $4. 

 

 

The leaves appear similar to those of a birds nest fern

but the tell tale spadix gives a clue to its true identity.

 

 

Although not very impressive right now,

I purchased this coco plum

from the High School sale for $3.

It replaces the wild one that was accidentally mowed down.  Hmmm!

I like native plants, and this one produces a tasty fruit for the wildlife.

 

 

I'm very sad to report that my beautifully exotic Lady Margaret passion vine

did not make it through the flood of TS Isaac after all. 

She sat in water for over a week and finally lost the battle.

 

 

I will eventually purchase another since she's one of my favorites!

 

 

A native vine that survived the flood is the wildly fragrant

White Twine Vine, or Sarcostemma clausum. 

It is a host milkweed for the Queen butterfly. 

 

 

This vine grows wild along my fence row.

I'm always careful not to mow it down.

 

 

The flood didn't just take some of my plants, it provided a perfect environment

for frogs...hundreds of them...all over my yard! 

These tiny babies are literally everywhere. 

I think they're cute!

 

 

Finally, the annual blooming of my favorite, and first,

Dendrobium orchid

announces my birthday is near.

This orchid never disappoints and produces more sprays every year!

 

Happy Fall everyone!