To be a 'favorite' plant in Central Florida, you have to stand up to our heat and humidity. Daylilies always, and another is the White Gaura. I have it everywhere, so lovely when the breeze sets her in motion. Deadheading is simple, cut all the spent flowers at once, when they slow down, and it will repeat bloom beautifully. I've planted several of the pink variety, but they've never returned after winter. You just get so many chances in my garden, so, white it is from now on.
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| Another gaura. tucked in on the left. |
My hydrangeas are changing from their beautiful spring blue to the mauves of summer. They are still setting a few new blooms, the gardener just needs to deadhead, and I will, right after I catch up on the roses.
The shade garden is the heart of the garden for me. To be present when the first rays of sunlight penetrate the canopy, and dust the leaves with golden sunshine, is quietude at its best.
Caladiums, hostas, coleus, curcumas, bleeding hearts, you name it, if it loves shade, I love it.
Just a few more blooms...
My only hibiscus plant.
I have several gardenias in the garden.
Pentas, always great for summer. Look closely, and you'll see a Gulf Fritillary butterfly enjoying them. Have a great day, whatever you're doing...hope it includes gardening.
Your garden is beyond beautiful. Reminds me of Meems' garden from Hoe and Shovel ~ pure perfection.
ReplyDeleteThanks eli...I'll take that as a compliment! I've been working on it 19 years, but it's still a work in progress. Honestly though, I am a bit of a neat freak...inside and outside.
ReplyDeleteYour summer garden looks lush and beautiful! I love the way the hydrangeas change color and eventually dry. I have trouble throwing them away. I had gaura in my other yard but had forgotten to plant it here. Interesting how the white variety seems to be more cold hardy. To you notice butterflies on it?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susan. I've never seen more than a couple butterflies on it, seems to mostly attract bees. I've dried my hydrangeas before, but haven't lately.
DeleteYour photos are always so beautiful! I love your birdhouses, gates, figurines and birdbaths - all things I can have in the winter months and then have to drag them in during hurricane season or they could be potential missiles, lol! I agree with eli, your garden does remind me of Meems, truly gorgeous and perfect! Happy deadheading! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lynn. Every now and then, not as often as you, we have to bring in the patio furniture and what not. Knock on wood, it has been several years since we've been threatened.
ReplyDeleteI loved seeing more of your gardens, they are beautiful, peaceful and full of color. I've tried the pink guara before but it croaked. I'll be on the look out to find the white somewhere. These photos made me want to go out to work in my gardens, but even early this morning it was like walking into a sauna when I opened the door. :-(
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely weekend ~ FlowerLady
So many beautiful blooms-and all so different! Enjoy your lovely space.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Daisy. Hope you have a lovely weekend...stay cool.
DeleteI have a love/hate relationship with gauras.I love them,but they became invasive in my garden.I'm still ripping them out.I don't have much shade,or else I would grow hydrangeas.I love them!
ReplyDeleteLucky you, I've had to buy all of mine. Seriously though, I hear you...I've got a couple other plants that I wish would just go away, or at least, stay put.
ReplyDeleteWell, that was fun getting to see your beautiful shade gardens. LOVE, LOVE all your Caladiums.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting. Oh yes, what's not to love about Caladiums? I probably anticipate their return each spring, more than anything else in the shade gardens. It's like seeing old friends again.
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