Making a Comeback!

It's a topic that won't go away...the cold snap that swept across Florida with little regard for the tender tropicals that are unaccustomed to such low temperatures for more than a couple of days at a time.  We don't want to think about the cold air, the frozen moisture covering our precious plants, or the dull shades of brown left behind in our typically colorful landscapes.  We've painstakingly cut back the obvious carnage and kept a hopeful, watchful eye for any sign of new growth. 

I was rewarded today as I strolled through my garden looking for new signs of life!  One of my bottle palms has opened a new green leaf!

This dwarf canna is sending up new shoots.

The mango tree not only came through the freeze unscathed, it is preparing to bloom!

And my beloved bananas are showing positive signs of recovery!!

In addition to the Orange Jasmine, Star Jasmine, Meyer Lemon, Ponderosa Lemon and Carolina Jasmine displaying full blooms, the navel oranges are almost ripe!

The Brown Turkey Fig is sending out new growth...

Both of the Coconut Palms are sending out new healthy leaves.

I scored with this new addition that I obtained today while out for a walk...it had been left out with the trash!  Lucky Day!!

This frost bitten crinum has two new pups along with a lovely flower bud!

And this other crinum is in full bloom!

I'm still holding out hope for this sad bottle palm...it's still sporting a little bit of green.

And this firebush made my day when I found the new growth!!  I thought it was lost for sure!!!  My friend, Florida Girl (Valley in Paradise) reassured me that it would probably be ok...and she was right!!!  Woo Hoo!!!

To top things off, I recieved my first Territorial Seed Company catalog in the mail today.  They have these fantastic fuschia "Gum Drop" and brilliant "Coral Reef" echinacea plants that I feel must become part of my landscape!  Amazing, aren't they?

Finally, take a moment to check your calendar...February 6th is the Growing Green Festival in Stuart, FL from 12 noon-5pm!  Central Florida Gardener writes, "This free indoor-outdoor event features presentations, activities, resources, living plants, great food, horse manure, live music and even an award-winning Sundance Film Festival movie about dirt (http://www.dirtthemovie.org/).


You can find all the details on Central Florida Gardener's blog: http://centralfloridagardener.blogspot.com/2010/01/growing-green-festival-buffy-at-green.html .

You can also click here for a festival flyer!
www.greenpathsflorida.org/GrowingGreenFestival6February.pdf
I'll definitely attend! Let me know if you're going!!

December Garden

After an unusually wet December and night temps briefly in the high 40's, my garden seemed happy to see the sunshine today. As I walked about my property and inspected each plant, I noticed that the blooms were not the only one's enjoying the sunshine...the bees were buzzing about, ants were busily running back and forth, lady bugs were feasting on the plentiful aphids, and even a frog rested on the orange tree.

This little guy is enjoying his spot on the orange tree!  Couldn't help but appreciate his laid-back attitude!!

The fall lemon harvest is almost finished, and new blooms are bursting open while the bananas are still ripening on the stalk.

These Ponderosa Lemons are bigger than grape fruits...a mix between lemon and citron!!!  Juicy and huge!!

Unfortunately my navel orange harvest may not be very tasty this year, if at all. It is the first year the young tree has produced fruit but is not supporting its produce well...the oranges have fallen off the tree prematurely one by one leaving only a handful. However, there are very small buds appearing, preparing for next year's harvest!

The navel oranges started out nicely, then dropped one by one on the immature tree.  Boo!!!

My long-awaited Carolina Yellow Jasmine is blooming, as is the Orange Jasmine and honeysuckle! The air is sweet with these tropical blooms - almost intoxicating! The oleander is also blooming and providing a wonderful perfume.

Other brilliant blooms showing off their colors in my garden include the burgandy and fuscia Ti plants that provide year round interest, the various tropical hibiscus, bright pentas and vincas, and graceful purple fountain grass.

I'm also excited to see some of my transplants are producing new foliage...the plumeria stalks continue to grow new leaves instead of dropping them seasonally like the others; the orange bird of paradise is sending a new shoot proving it's roots have taken hold; the giant bird of paradise I planted along the rear fencerow to provide a privacy screen is producing a new shoot, as are the bananas in the same area along the fencerow; the cacti are sending out new pups, and the agave adult is producing numerous young at it's base; the heliconia that I planted in the new front patio garden are exhibiting new shoots as is the papyrus grass.

Not everything is thriving, though. The new firebush that I planted about a month ago did not fare well during the recent cool spell. I frantically requested the advise of another DTD member who informed me that the firebush does drop its leaves but not usually this early in the year...my plant's youth is probably to blame. My only recourse is to wait and see!

My firebush looked fabulous and healthy a few weeks ago...now it looks sad and may not make it through the winter.  Hang in there, little firebush!!!!

During this winter season while much of the country is covered with cold white powder, I cherish my garden and enjoy sharing it with others! Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

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