Jack Frost In Central Florida

Yes, the inevitable has happened, 'Jack Frost' visited my garden last night.  This morning I woke to what looked like a sugar coated landscape.

Agapanthus and daylilies, a little frosted.

Roses, too.

Soon after, the lovely sunshine began to chase the frost away.  

Under the protection of the oaks, the shade garden was unharmed.  The bird baths under the trees did have a thin layer of ice...

 

All is well, winter just ran behind schedule a little this season.  My Hostas will appreciate some cold weather, and the frost will make spring cleanup easier.  Here are a few photos I took yesterday...

First bloom on 'Lady Clare', Camellia Japonica.

   

Ground Orchids popping up in the shade beds.

My tiniest 'Louis Phillippe' rose is blooming.

If you'll remember, this cutting was started in July.  I had planned to keep them potted until spring, but they rooted so quickly that I planted them in December.

This is a cutting from a pink OGR taken at the same time.  All the cuttings survived, so you'll see more of them in spring.

'Mother' of the pink cutting.

I hope that your garden is bringing you joy.  If your weather is inclement, wishes for happy spring planning.

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day~September 2015~Central Florida

September is here, but heat and humidity still prevail in Central Florida.  Yesterday morning there was a slight difference in our temperature, but it only lasted until mid-morning.  Whether or not I feel the change in seasons, I can see it in my plants.  Leaves are changing, some plants have grown weary  of standing erect, and nothing is growing quite as vigorous as it was.  I've noticed the shifting sun, intent on leaving my back gardens, just beginning to graze my once, fully shaded, front porch in the mornings.

I'll begin 'bloom day' with this rose, Belinda's Dream.  If you grow this rose, you already know how carefree she is.  I have other roses that have suffered with black spot all season, including some of my Knockout roses, but this one has had beautiful foliage all year.

Belinda's Dream

Belinda's Dream

 Gene Boerner rose by my front porch.

Not sure of the name.

One more, also unnamed.

Our Saucer Magnolias always have a few blooms, but they are not as vibrant this time of year.

I have a couple Desert Roses blooming.

The ground orchids are also still blooming, their flowers seem to last forever.

Speaking of long lasting flowers, I have to mention Hydrangeas.  They change from their awesome, blue spring color, to beautiful mauves and purples, in fall.

Thryallis

Gerbera Daisy

A volunteer, Cardinal Climber, on the front fence.

On to the back gardens, Blue Ginger.

Gloriosa Lilies, still blooming in a few spots.

Hostas are also still blooming, but I can see a decline in some of their foliage.

Mexican Bush Sage...

With Pink Knockout roses in the background.

Happy Bloggers Bloom Day!

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day ~ August 2015 ~ Central Florida

If plants could talk, I know my ears would be burning.  It's August, in Florida, and I'm outside with a camera, expecting to find some beautiful blooms to photograph...hmm.  They're probably just shaking their little heads and saying, "that's one crazy lady".  At times like this, I would have to agree with them.  I know there won't be much photo worthy material, but it's 'bloom' day, so I'll take what I can get.  There's at least one new ginger blooming in the back shade garden, so we'll start there...

  

Dr.  Moy, a variegated ginger, is a new plant to my garden this year.  It's not a disappointment, I love it.

This is what it looked like, two days ago.

Curcumas, belonging to the long list of hidden gingers, have been blooming for months in my shade gardens.

The pure whites have green foliage.

The lavenders...

and variegated flowers, have foliage with a lovely purple stripe.

Pinecone ginger, beginning to brighten up.

Heliconia, with it's very tropical looking bloom.

I have toad lilies throughout the shade beds, and they bloom from Spring, until frost.

Shooting Star Hydrangea

A yellow ground orchid.

Did I mention that it's YELLOW.

Another ground orchid.

A good, small climbing rose, for Florida...Don Juan.

Not sure of her name, but she's the only other rose on the property that didn't look too sad.

This tree is one of three, 'Natchez' crepe myrtles, we put out last year.  They have all been blooming beautifully, and as an extra bonus, their fragrance is divine.

Always blooming, still no ID.

Tibouchina

Beautyberry shrub, Callicarpa americana, planted by the water's edge.  The mockingbirds will be fighting over her berries, when they all ripen to a deep purple.

I know it's fruit, not flower, but she's so luscious looking, I had to include her.

Faithful, throughout the season, aloe always blooms.  I hope your gardens are making you smile, and providing you that 'quiet place' in life.