December has been a lovely, warm month in Florida.  Flowers are still in bloom and butterflies are everywhere!  Although some annual flowers are gone, the pollinators are visiting whatever's available.  I've been noticing Gulf  Fritillaries hanging around the Turk's Cap and wondered how they were able to get to the nectar.

  

If you look closely, you can see its proboscis - long flexible tongue - sliding between the petals.

They're after this...sweet nectar, that I also sipped from Turk's Cap as a child.    

The Mexican Flame Vine is attracting many pollinators, including Woodland Skippers.

Gulf Fritillary

Another pollinator magnet still blooming is my Tractor Seat plant.  Polka Dot Wasp Moths are beautifully colored.

Skippers

Zebra Longwings

One of my favorite plants for the shade garden.

The first Japonica Camellia to bloom is my variegated 'Laura Walker'.

A late blooming Sasanqua Camellia, 'Hima Jiman'.

A few pictures of my 'girls'.

I'll say good-bye for now...Merry Christmas to all my gardening friends and visitors.

Fabulous Fall

If you're looking for a cool, autumnal place to celebrate Thanksgiving, don't come to Florida.  Sunshine and eighty degree days are what we're looking forward to for the next few weeks, and I couldn't be happier.  Oh yes, it's quite dry - but the continued warmth is a beautiful thing!  Camellias are blooming, while summer flowers are still holding on, much like last year when winter was almost nonexistent.  This Sasanqua Camellia, Stephanie Golden', is in a mixed Camellia border that's just three years old.  They were purchased as tiny, single stemmed plants.

"Stephanie Golden'

A lighter shade of pink, 'Cotton Candy'.

'Snow-on-the-Mountain'.

Across the yard, another young Sasanqua, 'Alabama Beauty'.

This large, tree sized Sasanqua is nearing the end of its' bloom, but most have just begun to show off. Japonica Camellias will probably begin blooming next month.  So much to look forward to!

Out front, Thryallis shrubs look as cheerful as they have since spring.  They've been pruned hard twice this year as they have a tendency to get leggy, but always return with bountiful blooms.

Roses by the porch...

 My Blackberry Lily has gone to seed.  I was hoping to see some birds feasting on them, but they are too busy devouring the berries from the Firebush plants in the same area.

Flowering earlier this year...

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Around back, in the shade gardens, 'Tractor Seat' plant is brightening up an area...

It's been a tad warm for a fall vegetable garden, but the cooler nights seem to be bringing it on.  We've enjoyed radishes daily.

I always look forward to the tiny head forming in the center of the cabbage.  At that point, I feel like they're going to make it.  I've also got broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, carrots, and greens planted.  My chickens are thrilled each time I thin my veggie rows.

Until next time...

Happy Thanksgiving!

'Egg'citing news!

I can't believe it's been over a month since I've posted anything!  Lately, most of my time in the garden has been spent taming  the wild growth of summer.  Some roses have been removed and some Florida- friendly shrubs have taken their place.  I even downsized some of my gardens - removing a few layers and allowing more lawn to return.  Not to worry, there's still too much!  I'll get to that happy medium one day.  As for now, one of my favorite gingers is blooming...Blue Ginger (Dichorisandra thyrsiflora).  

If you look closely, you'll see that only one of the many flowers has actually opened.  Blue Ginger blooms will last for weeks!

This stand of Heliconia was lost in my tropical border before I began the Fall clean up process a few weeks ago.   Hell-o Heliconia!

A few wild orchids are showing up in the shade gardens for one last show this season...

Night blooming jasmine never gives up!  I have several of these that get pruned nearly to the ground several times a year just to keep them in bounds.  Their lovely fragrance in the evening is worth the effort.

 Farfugium Tractor Seat plant has been a great addition to my shade garden.  Gorgeous in bloom, but great, unique foliage even when not in flower.

Clerodendrum Pagoda Flowers have bloomed all year.  They can be a little scary - meaning they will get away from you if you're not willing to pull up their many offspring.  I do love them though, mainly because Zebra Longwings enjoy them so much.

Now for my most exciting news...my 'girls' began laying eggs a few weeks ago!  They have a couple nesting boxes, but they all use the same one.  They're so silly to watch clambering over each other to get possession of the box.  Here's this mornings offerings...

We get all sizes and colors!  It's a thrill each time we go out to collect eggs.  The 'girls' free range each afternoon - it's become our favorite time of the day to sit together outside and watch their antics.

Until next time...happy gardening!

Savoring Spring

I'm enjoying every moment of this spring!  Each morning something new escapes from winter's grasp, much to my delight.  Flower beds have fresh mulch, the vegetables are planted, and a few annuals have gone in here and there...my work is done.  Now, I'm just enjoying the coming out party.

'Climbing Iceberg' Rose

Most of my roses are covered with buds, but still only a few are blooming.  This is 'Autumn Sunset'.

'Don Juan' Rose

Desert Roses are blooming too.

First red daylily to bloom is 'Challenger'.

Also, out in the front garden, the Red-Leaf Plum trees are blooming...

I'm at the southern end of their growing range, so I don't expect fruit.  I planted them for their red foliage.

Beautiful morning...

Agapanthus and Daylilies are ready to burst.  I should have separated a few
 of the Agapanthus clumps, as some are nearly four foot wide...next year, on my list. 

One of the new beds this year has been planted with an array of seeds...Zinnias, Tithonia, Purple Coneflower, and probably some surprises.

A sweet garden adornment, from a sweet sister-in-law.

Under the oaks, the shade gardens are slowly beginning to fill.  I'm in no hurry, as I'm enjoying watching each Caladium leaf unfurl.  Hostas are popping up everywhere, and I'm glad I took the time last year to divide them ...wish I'd gotten around to those Agapanthus.

 Hostas are emerging at the front of the bed, and many more will follow.  In just as few short weeks, you won't be able to see the ground in any of the shade gardens.  I won't say, 'I can't wait'...because I'm making a conscious effort to enjoy spring slowly this year.

Rex Begonia

Farfugium japonica,  or 'tractor seat', is going to do well in my shade garden.  This plant was purchased in February, setting new blooms now.

Long post, but I have to include a few birds.  Red-Bellied Woodpecker, male, in our oak...

His mate in the feeder.  Subtle difference in their red caps , his being larger.

Pileated Woodpecker

Female, because of the black forehead.

Female Wood Duck...she's been coming to the box each morning.  After checking everything out, she goes inside, presumably to lay an egg.

Her mate swims around in the canal, waiting for her to get through.  This was the first time I've been able to get a picture of his 'good' side, with his long crest revealed.

Resident, Carolina Wren, singing joyfully.

Thank you for visiting.  I hope your spring is wondrous, and you are all doing well.