Hell-o to all! Spring has been altogether lovely this year in Central Florida. We've had a mix of true spring-like weather, along with some typical, sultry Florida days. My plan today was to do a post about all my different hydrangeas, but I got side tracked. I started a new flower bed last fall, which consisted mainly of moving a lot of pots out of one area. My goal was to have an orange and blue bed, with Pagoda Flowers, Mexican Firebush, and Hydrangeas. Looking from my new bed to my older Hydrangeas...this is the effect I'm looking for.
Pagoda flowers and hydrangeas...
I'm starting to achieve it on a very small scale with Mexican Firebush and hydrangeas.
The hydrangeas are not quite a year old, they're the ones I started from cuttings last June.
The 'mother' plants.
The new bed has a long way to go, but I'm a patient gardener.
Anyway, I started following around a beautiful Tiger Swallowtail butterfly this morning, and realized I have better things to post about than Hydrangeas in shade gardens...so on to something new. Shade gardens will keep, but right now spring has presented me with a lavish display of beautiful blooms to share, and they won't last forever. Agapanthus could only get better by being adorned by a lovely visitor.
One of the two 'Red Leaf Plum' trees we planted last fall. My front gardens were lacking in plants with height after we lost our Dogwoods, so these will serve that purpose without getting too large.
A look at a slice of the garden behind the front fence. Notice the height of the Agapanthus in the foreground...they're amazing this year.
I don't know if you can see it, but my white Crinum is blooming.
Trapped behind rose canes.
Another visitor to the garden, a Great Crested Flycatcher, who is nesting in a birdhouse out back.
Red 'Challenger', and yellow 'Lemon' daylilies. Oranges to follow soon.
'Challenger'
Looking back toward the house, to the rose garden...
Looking back toward the house, to the rose garden...
Zinnias, by the front walkway, with Coneflowers grown from seed. Waiting (patiently) for the Purple Coneflowers to bloom.
Thryallis is just beginning to bloom, and anything yellow is most welcome now.
Thank you all for visiting my garden. Please come again.
Hello Janice! I love all your pretty color combinations and the new orange and blue bed is going to be wonderful - that is my favorite color combo in the garden. I love the blues, whites and yellows too that you have and the addition of the butterfly made it even more special!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kate. Butterflies are bouncing all over the garden lately...can't get too many. _Janice
DeleteHi Janice, What a blooming paradise you have! So many beautiful flowers in wonderful color combinations. Can't wait to see your new bed at Summer's end. Blue and orange is a favorite color combo of mine. You must be spending every possible minute in your garden drinking in all the beauty that surrounds you. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteSusan, thanks. I absolutely love to be out there in the cool of the morning when everything's fresh. _Janice
DeleteWhat a lovely, flowery Eden you have created in your gardens, Janice -- Those hydrangeas behind the bench are magnificent! The birds and butterflies are so lucky to have such a paradise to alight in. Thanks so much for sharing with us! -Beth
ReplyDeleteHi Beth, and thank you. Hydrangeas are a favorite of mine, even though not the easiest plant to grow in Florida. _Janice
DeleteOh my, another wonderful visit to your lovely gardens. I LOVE your hydrangeas. They are not happy this far south, so I'll just enjoy yours. I did buy a baby Dombeya burgessiae or tropical hydrangea, but it has pink flowers, not your gorgeous blue.
ReplyDeleteYou have such a wonderful variety. This post is more inspiration to keep working in my own gardens. Thank you ~ FlowerLady
Thanks Lorraine. I'm a sucker for hydrangeas, even though they do better in cooler weather. I stick them in my deepest shade and they do pretty good for me. _Janice
DeleteBlue and orange? Are you creating a "Gator" garden? :-) Very beautiful.
ReplyDeleteFrom the looks of your expansive garden, you may not have this problem ~ but I sometimes wonder what the neighbors think as I slowly creep around my little space with a zoom lens camera. Better than binoculars I suppose.
I hear the flycatchers and see them dart out of the mulberry tree from time to time, but it sure would be nice to have some nesters. I'm still quite envious of those bird houses of yours.
Always love to start my week off with one of your posts . . . thanks for sharing.
Hi Eli. I'm not a football fan at all, but I've got a brother that loves the Gators. And, oh yes, my neighbors think I'm certifiable for just working in my yard the way I do. So yeh, when they see me out, getting in all kinds of positions to get a shot I want...no telling what's going through their mind. I like to keep them guessing (ha-ha). Janice
DeleteGorgeous, as ever. Your color combos are truly stunning! I am looking forward to having many more zinnias and sunflowers soon.
ReplyDeleteThryallis will be one of the plants I will be profiling in a series next month. It is such a giver.
Enjoy your paradise!
Thanks Daisy. Thryallis is a great plant, so easy. Looking forward to your profile. _Janice
DeleteEverything is just beautiful - love all the color!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Lynda. Hope you're having a great spring. _Janice
DeleteWow, I love your zinnia bed! How colorful and fun. I think zinnias are just the most adorable flowers. And they look so awesome in a big mass like that! Love all your colorful daylilies too!
ReplyDeleteThanks Leslie. Some folks find zinnias ordinary...I think they're extraordinary! But then, I favor flowers with a past. _Janice
ReplyDelete