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. 

Sentimental Garden Journey

Have you ever taken a trip down memory lane and kind of wished you hadn't?  After going through some old garden photos, I was somewhat bummed out, o.k., a lot bummed out.   Ten years ago the busyness of life caused a slow down, a detour if you will, in my gardens progress.  At the same time, other changes out of my control also transformed my garden space.  Two old Live Oaks, too close to the house, were removed.   Later that year, some nasty winds uprooted several Old Garden Roses and a Drake Elm.  It was about that time that I began downsizing the gardens, trying to get them to a less time consuming size.  A year later, we removed some of the garden space and installed sod.  I know, what was I thinking?!!!  Still, so grateful for what I have and looking forward to what my gardens will be ten years from now.  Here are some pictures of then and now.



Then... the two Live Oaks that were removed ten years ago.



Now... so barren, but the new roses will make a beautiful garden by fall.



Then



Now





Ten years ago...many more roses than now.

Then... garden was fuller, wilder.



Then... the beginnings of our Confederate  Jasmine vine, so, there are some improvements.

Jasmine vine today.

Then...my shade gardens were overtaken by fern, not much to look at.

Now

Now...yes, I  think all the shade gardens are improved.

Now

Now, but this is on my list for a change.



Now



Then... last picture, but first in Grandma's heart, my grandson playing in the lilies.


















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