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July 24, 2015

Garden Chat ~Central Florida



It's rained off and on, all day today, but I'm not complaining, I'm bragging!  We've had several good rains this week, and the plants are already responding to the extra moisture.  I did some weeding in between showers, the roots come out so much easier when everything's sopping wet.  Rainy days are the best for taking pictures too.  I'm always talking about the shade out back, and my little deck, just out the back door, here it is...



This is where we have coffee each morning, unless it's raining, then you'll find us on the front porch.



On the days we're working outside, we have lunch here, and it's where we always relax with a glass of iced tea.



Part of our live oak canopy.


We recently had branches trimmed that were heading over top of the house, but we still have plenty of shade.  There's two more live oaks to the left of these.



On to the front...the rain hasn't helped the roses too much, it's going to take some cooler weather for them.




On a whole, most things are looking refreshed.



Butterflies and hummingbirds were zooming about everywhere today, they're a big part of what makes gardening worthwhile.  The Zebra Longwing, that so nicely sat for a portrait, is Florida's State Butterfly...you may have known that, but I just learned that today.  Lately, we've had an abundance of them, as well as the Swallowtails.




Looking all cheerful.



I don't even know what it is, some kind of houseplant.  Anyway, I stuck it in this rock several years ago(hardly any soil in it), and it just keeps growing.  I wish everything was that easy.  I'll leave you for now, happy gardening. 


















10 comments:

  1. Your place is really lovely with all that you have growing and nice places to sit, relax and enjoy the fruits of your labors. The rain definitely has been nice. We only had a small gentle rain late yesterday afternoon. It looked like we were really going to get it by looking at the radar, but we didn't.

    Have a nice weekend ~ FlowerLady

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    1. Thanks, Lorraine. Gardening is a labor, isn't it? I think we'd all have given up on it, were it not a labor of love. Nature is just so calming to me.

      A lovely weekend to you, too.

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  2. Your garden always looks so manicured and neat . . . just beautiful.

    I'm jealous of your hummers. I catch a glimpse of one every now and again here in Lakeland, but rarely do I see more than one . . . and definitely not on a regular basis. I did buy some aloe plants after reading about them in one or two of your posts though. :-) I should have them on hand regardless given their health/healing benefits.

    I know you may have mentioned those red flowers before (second to last photo), but can you tell me what they are?

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    1. Those red plants are the ones I was trying to get an ID for. I got those at Seminole Seed, years ago, unmarked. The clerk said they were 'wild hibiscus', who knows? I've never seen them anywhere else for sale.

      Thank you for all your nice remarks...have a good weekend.

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  3. Those longwings really dig those pentas, huh? Gorgeous shot! I'm not complaining either, it's been raining on and off most of the day. Love being home when it rains.
    Your garden is looking so lush. And happy. Where'd you get your sense of design? ('Cause I'd like to get some of it.) ;0P
    Enjoy your weekend, rain or shine!

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    1. Daisy, it looks like it's going to be a wet one! All good, as I need to get some work done inside.

      I don't know design, but it all works together, somehow.

      I hope you have a great weekend, as well.











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  4. Your garden is just so very charming! I love the statuary and birdhouses, and the fences! We are getting swamped this weekend, and that's literally! I would love to sit on your deck and have such a lovely view! Glad you.re getting some Zebra Longwings in your garden - they are so magical! Have a great weekend!

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  5. Magical is just the word for them, what beauties! They just go from one plant to another, around in circles. My neighbors have 'green' landscape, no flowers, so they're not leaving my yard (good).

    Hope your weekend is great...stay dry.

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  6. Janice, what lovely photos! You have so much color and it all looks so beautifully and expertly maintained. I love all the sweeping vistas over the lawn. Your garden is a real credit to you! I love the Zebra Longwings too. I don't see as many of them as I do Monarchs, but when I do they are always on the Jatropha and Passion Vine. I'm trying to stay on top of the weeds too but being beaten back by mosquitoes!

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  7. Thanks for your kind comments. I was tempted to purchase a Jatropha yesterday, but then sensibility took over. They are so beautiful, and I know they do well in zone10, not so much in my area. Yes, the pests are swarming. We are getting so much lovely rain lately, but the mosquitoes are enjoying it even more than we are. Take care.

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