Sun Lovers

Hell-o!  So, our weather forecasters are predicting rain for my neck of the woods over the next few days.  I hope they've got it right this time!  I'm watering so much and feeling like I'm just keeping plants alive, but they're not as stunning as they would be with a normal rain pattern.  The hardy, sun lovers, like daylilies, agapanthus, coneflowers, and firebush aren't batting an eye at this weather, but some others are not at their best. These photos were taken during this week in my full sun front gardens.  Desert Roses love both the heat and the sun.  It's hard to capture the intensity of the red in their  blooms..

I've had both these Desert Roses for several years and have repotted them a few times, but these pots will be their permanent home.

The canes are normally very erect, but this one is bowed down from the weight of its blooms.

Lovely white Crinum Lily blooms only last a few weeks and are often destroyed by lubbers.  We've been vigilantly watching over them this year.

Firebush  is unfazed by our high temps.  I have some that are Florida-native shrubs and some non-native.  Hummingbirds and butterflies love both kinds.

Another hummingbird favorite, Pagoda Flower.  If you have one, for sure you'll have many more because she's a spreader.  They bloom throughout the summer when most plants have given up, so I don't mind pulling their offspring.

Thryallis, yellow daylilies  and Agapanthus...must haves for a summer garden.

Hands down, my favorite border is by the front porch.  Tithonia, coneflowers, salvias and volunteer zinnias to name a few...

One more great summer bloomer, Natchez, Crepe Mrytle.  This one shades the entry to my vegetable garden - smells delightful, light refreshing scent.

Gingers in the shade gardens will be blooming soon.  Until then...happy gardening.

The Blues

The blues are a cause for happiness when they're blooms in your garden, and especially so when they're agapanthus.  'Belinda's Dream'  rose in the background. 

For some reason the agapanthus on this side of the yard have gotten a jump start on the ones out by the fence.  Agapanthus are a great full sun plant in my yard, but they can also be grown successfully in part sun.

The plants by the fence are clearly slower, but they're making up for it in height.

Old fashioned, 'Lemon' daylilies are another full sun plant that thrive in my front yard.

More blue across the way... hydrangea shrubs.

Hopefully, one day this clematis will cover up the chicken wire.  Here in Florida, they're never going to perform as they do further north, but I still enjoy them.

The last of the blues...'Black and Blue', Salvia guaranitica.  She's a spreader, but not too hard to control.

Not blue, but my first Gloriosa Lily bloom of the season...inside the vegetable garden.

Also just beginning to bloom, Bleeding Heart Vines...

This Desert Rose is nearly always blooming, very easy plant if it doesn't get over watered.  I bought a new one the other day that has purple blooms, but they fell off before I got a picture so she'll make her debut later.

Like the Desert Rose, the Tibouchinas are in bloom nearly constantly.

Gulf Fritillary visiting a Zinnia...

I hope your gardens are full of blooms in all your favorite colors.

May Blooms

The skies opened and blessed us with rain today, nearly all day long.  It was a great day for just sitting on the porch, watching the much needed showers, and relaxing in the cool fresh air.  Between drizzles, I strolled around the garden and found the plants looking as refreshed as I felt.  This desert rose enjoys water as much as any plant, but it will defoliate, if over watered.  

Hydrangeas are beginning to bloom...a beautiful blue.  I don't think it's possible to give them too much water, they're heavy drinkers.

May is the month for Confederate Jasmine, and I look forward to it's arrival every year.  Not so much for the flower, although it is lovely, but for that fragrance that makes you want to linger in the garden.

I have over a hundred feet of Jasmine vine, used as a living privacy fence, alongside my driveway.  These plants run the gamut of full sun to complete shade and thrive nonetheless.

Gardenias also bloom in May, and perfume the garden with their wonderful scent.

  

'Valentine's Day' Rose is blooming by the front gate.

Amaryllis

Glorius May, she also brings Agapanthus blooms!  Every where these are planted, they are just full of buds...it's going to be great year for blue in the garden.

The blues will go perfect with this yellow 'Lemon' daylily...

Back in the shade gardens, my Devil's Backbone is blooming.

Blooms are an added bonus, I always liked this plant before I even knew it could bloom.

Inside and outside the gazebo, Jackmanii clematis is blooming.

I hope your gardens are filled with blooms during this wonderful month of May.  Happy gardening.

Garden Party

We've been having some gorgeous spring weather in Central Florida for the past few days, although today has been quite windy.  I spent most of the day outside, doing a little weeding in the veggie garden, tying up tomatoes, planting a few things...just light gardening.  We began the day with coffee on the front porch, and ended with dinner on the back deck.  I just can't stay inside this time of year, the garden's awakening is so magical, I don't want to miss any of it.  I'll share what's going on in my front garden today, which is mostly full sun.

To view larger, click on any photo...

'Gene Boerner' rose.

'Dr, Huey' rose, which is a root stock rose.

A sweet little rose, 'La Marne'.

Red Knockout, Tree Rose

Double Pink Knockout

'Don Juan' Climbers

Desert Rose

A new addition to my Desert Rose collection (can 3 plants be a collection?).

First clematis to bloom...

Still unfurling...

I  take a lot of close ups of blooms, but I want you to get a sense of what the front of the property looks like in it's entirety.  Obviously, I'm standing on the front porch...the house is about 120' from the picket fence. 

Behind the white arbor...

Beds to the left...

 Beds to the right, where  my hydrangeas live, in my one bit of shade out front.  This side of the yard is somewhat bare because I removed several roses which were diseased.  In their place is a 'Mutabilis', and a 'Mrs. B R Cant'...both good, old roses.  They're tiny now, but it won't take them long to mature.

'Mutabilis' in my garden, in 2004.

The front gardens are almost looking like summer, but there's still so much yet to come... daylilies, agapanthus, hydrangeas, gaura, zinnias, and more.

Until next time...

 We'll  meet around back, under the canopy of the oaks, and see what's growing there.

Once again, I thank you for visiting.  And as always...happy gardening!