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October 19, 2015

One thing you can be sure of...things will change.


Today, we have enjoyed the bluest, of blue skies.  Autumn has finally descended on Central Florida, bringing with it winds, nearly constant for the last three days.  Changes in my gardens, due to the weather, are very subtle.  Other transformations will be more apparent.  More on that later... let me share this photo of my Jackmanii Clematis, scrambling up an Iceberg Rose, silhouetted against that magnificent sky.




Below the Clematis, another purple beauty, Tibouchina.  If you can see beyond the shrub, to the water, you can see that blue sky reflected there.





I have to share this Sasanqua Camellia again, she has only just begun to bloom.  Her petal drop is also lovely.



Turks Cap, a  Florida native plant, was  a nostalgic planting for me.  I was raised in Ocala, Fl., with four older brothers, in the 50's.  We lived in a small house, on a dirt road, within walking distance to downtown.  In front of our house, planted by prior residents, Turks Cap grew as a hedge.  Somehow, with absolutely no care, the shrubs survived year after year.  We all shared in the pleasure of sipping the 'honey' from the picked flowers...sweet childhood memories.



These shrubs are just beginning to bloom, they'll peak around Christmas, although you can find a bloom or two throughout the year.  Evidence of one of my changes is behind the Turks Cap, privacy fencing.  Our neighbor sold out, we are trying to get the fence up before the new owners move in.  



Only partially done, but we're getting there.  At one time I had a healthy stand of English Dogwood shrubs in this area, which gave us privacy on our back deck.  Over the years, they've begun to die out.  I cut them to the ground before we put the new fencing up, hoping this will rejuvenate them...time will tell.





Subtle, seasonal changes, the yellowing leaves on this Cordyline.



Hostas, in front of the Persian Shield, are going down, but the rest of the bed remains untouched. 



Hydrangeas, are a mix of everything, from this...



...to this.



Another change will be coming in spring.  For the first time in over 10 years, I'm going to plant in the ground, in this area.  The plants from these pots are now growing elsewhere in the garden.  



This photo was taken 10+  years ago, before the oak was removed.  The roots had taken over this bed before we removed it, and even though we had the stump ground out, the area was only fit to sit pots in.



Changes... trees grow and create too much shade for our sun loving plants, or we lose trees and have to find new homes for our shade lovers.  Plants die for no apparent reason, too much or too little rain, wind storms wreak havoc, but we garden on.


A few photos of the veggies, inside the fenced garden...



Lettuce



Mustard and Turnip Greens



Collard Greens



Broccoli and Cabbage



Outside the fenced garden...squash and onions.



I was concerned that the squash wouldn't have time to make if we got an early frost, but they're coming...



Tomatoes



Looking across the squash, you can see a little of  the Iceberg Rose, blooming on top of the gazebo.



While the fall garden grows, I'm thinking ahead to spring...



Once again, thank you for visiting my garden.




8 comments:

  1. It is always a treat to see your lovely gardens. Don't raccoons get into your veggie garden? They are such a nuisance. Anytime I've tried to grow veggie, someone takes bites out of things and just leaves the rest during the night.

    It was so nice to have some cooler weather yesterday, windy and gray here though, no blue skies.

    Happy Fall ~ FlowerLady

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    1. Hi FlowerLady. I know we have raccoons, but we've never seen one around the garden. This spring we had a rabbit that cropped a whole row of snap beans when they were small. Funny thing is, when I replanted them, nothing got them the second time around.




























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  2. Wow! Your veggies look wonderful! Mine are so slow-growing, I wonder if I'll get anything out of them! You have a beautiful array of colors and textures. Smart thinking, putting up the fence before the new owners move in. You just never know...
    Thank you for stopping by The Maple Hill Hop!

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  3. Your garden is beautiful. I live in NE Florida and all I see in my garden is weeds! Fortunately some weeds are just as pretty as cultivated flowers. Your memory of sipping the honey from the Turks Cap reminded me of how my siblings and I would do the same with Honeysuckle. Thanks for sharing!

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  4. That photo of the clematis against the blue sky is absolutely stunning!!! Turk's caps are nostalgic for me, too and I always have at least one in my garden. I do love the way the hydrangea flowers change over the seasons and then make beautiful dried bouquets. Your veggies look great - I am way behind this year. Can't wait to see what you do with your new planting area.

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  5. I loved hearing about your memories of the Turk's caps. It's interesting what a role plants play in our childhoods--how much they mean to us. I think that's why I wanted to start gardening as an adult--I wanted to surround myself with the plants I remembered so fondly.

    Your purple clematis is just dazzling. And your gardens look so neat and well watered. We're having a really bad dry spell up here in North Florida, so everything is kind of crispy :)

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  6. What a great variety you have in your garden! I love the pretty flowers and the veggies look like they will be yummy soon, too.

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  7. Wow, wow, wow your clematis against the sky is AWESOME! (I used to say "awesome" the first time around, I probably shouldn't be saying it now, lol. Kind of like if people wore hiphuggers the first time they were popular, they might not want to take another chance on them now, haha. Well at least in my case) Anyway, your whole post is beautiful and what fun to have a brand new bed to plan and plant! Enjoy all those lovely vegetables - they are looking so lush and healthy!

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