The Results Are In!

Today was the first day I was able to closely inspect my garden after the frosty temeratures South Flordia experienced within the last two weeks.  I can only report on my observations, not the final results that won't be known for perhaps months.  However, the findings were grim, but not grave.  Thank the Lord in Heaven!!

Not surprising...the bananas were devestated.  I'm not sure how the pups will fare...they look brown too.  But bananas are filled with water, so hopefully the pups stayed warm enough to withstand the cold, especially somewhat sheltered by the adults that did not fare well.  The real bummer is that I use these tropical beauties as a privacy screen and I've lost that for at least 6 months.  UGH!

My second concern is the Bottle Palms.  I have two of them, and both are young, although they've both been in the ground at least a year.  One looks better than the other, although both have some green.  Who knows?  I can only hope for the best!

A couple other beauties appear to have taken a huge hit...the pink mandavilla vine looks completely dried and crumpled with the exception of one little shoot of new growth.  HOPE!!!

The Oyster Plants look like the wilted salad my grammy used to make (quite delicious, actually!), until I gently moved the limp top layer away to discover live healthy foliage underneath.

The Petra Croton had similar findings...discolored, wilted top leaves and colorful, healthy lower leaved protected during the frost.  Although I have no prior experience with such devestation in this tropical climate,  I must assume that the main structure of the plant is unharmed and will rebound like a champ!!!

The Plumeria, or Frangipani, cuttings were well rooted, but still very young to withstand such a harsh freeze.  I'm not sure how these sweet little starts will fare.  Again, I can only wait, hope and pray!

Others that took a punch but will heal beautifully sooner than later include the various hibiscus in my yard (so far I have the Presidential, Fort Meyers, El Capitolia, and an unknown - red with yellow streaks)

...the brown turkey fig (I dutifully covered this one with a tarp)

...Lantana

...Heliconia (the shoots that were under cover are reluctantly perservering!)

...the young Firebush looks dead, but notice the green coloration in some of the branches.  My native Floridian friends are encouraging me to leave this little one alone and let it recover on its own!

...the Crinum lilies don't look nearly as pretty as usual...but one of them actually sent out a cluster of gorgeous blooms, despite the cold!!!

...the Ti plants were hit, but already sending out fresh new pretty pink and fuschia leaves!

...and the Elephant Ear and Dragon Plant show some damage but are basically healthy.

And some plants acted like nothing ever happened!

The honeysuckle is displaying pretty berries for the birds to enjoy and getting ready to debut a new set of blooms!


The Ponderosa Lemon is in full bloom (amazing!) and the Meyer Lemon is following suit!

The two new Giant White Bird of Paradise rooted and transplanted only a few months ago along the fencerow as an additional privacy screen are sending out new growth...

...as is the newly transplanted Orange Bird of Paradise at the front door!

The dwarf Canna lilies and Pentas somehow made it!




The pretty Ground Orchids and Hen and Chicks continue to step up to the plate, no matter the weather!

And the ferns are as feathery as ever!

The Tropicanna Canna Lilies, Blueberries, and Mango continue completely unaffected!

My precious Ponytail Palm also appears to be just fine.

And to boot, a family friend provided me with pretty bright yellow blooms to cheer me up!  NICE!

To summarize, I think it'll be alright!!!

 

Inspecting the Damage

After a full week of freezing temperatures, the sun is out, slowly warming the air and the ground.  There's plenty of damage, although I think most everything will bounce back, eventually.  The worst part is that we all have cabin fever, and I won't be able to touch the garden for another week while I wait "patiently" to see what is damaged and what is simply hiding from Jack Frost.  Additionally, I'm a firm believer in not cutting back damage until I KNOW we're out of frost risk...this might be awhile, since it's only January.  Here's a sampling of my garden on this sunny, warmer afternoon...

We'll start with the bad news...ice in the bird bath! The birds were understandably MAD! The kids thought it was great fun!

The bananas were devestated!  Not sure about a couple of the "medium sized" pups, but the little ones look like they'll be fine.

This photo of the new front patio garden isn't promising. The bright, cheery Petra Croton is anything but cheerful, the oyster plants look like a wilted salad, the Heliconia is dried and shriveling, and the vincas are definitely toast!

Only the top of the Presidential Hibiscus is damaged. The little blooms look ready to open and show their pretty red faces!

I have 2 young Bottle Neck Palms that show plenty of frost bits (note the yellow/brown, dry leaves) but will probably be fine

The brown turkey fig is damaged but still shows signs of life...it was covered...it'll be fine!

Now to the better news...some plants seem less than fazed by the week-long freeze...

The Giant Bird of Paradise in the front and the two transplants in the back seem to be fine!

The Muscadine Grapes don't look fazed at all!

The Ponderosa Lemon and Meyer Lemons are still blooming with new growth to boot!

The Queen Emma Crinums looks fine...

The young Mango tree look undisturbed!

The Kalenchoe, Ground Orchids (that had cover), and Gilliardia greet the sunny day with a smile!

The Carolina Jasmine is cold hardy and shows off it's golden blooms.

And one of the Agave plant continues to bloom, no matter what!

Of course, while the temperatures were freezing outside, we huddled inside and made a gingerbread tree.  Sophia and her friend, Daniella, had a fun time!