The Garden's Softer Side

This past spring, I planted a Mexican bush sage in the sunny island bed.  What I didn't realize at the time was that she wasn't going to mind her manners...that she was going to infringe on her neighbors...which have become lost beneath her big, beautiful, bushy flowering spikes.
She's made sure that no other plants would spoil her debut in the island bed.

But, she's putting on such a spectacular autumn display that I have forgiven her for being somewhat obtrusive.

She definitely likes taking center stage in the front yard, so this past weekend I moved some of the plants hidden beneath her skirt. Her bulging size was a good excuse...I mean reason...to expand this garden bed, as I needed the space to move everything a little bit forward.

             
 Here's a closer look at her spectacular purple flower spikes.

Who can resist the gray-green foliage and the soft, velvety flower spikes...absolutely lovely!

Ahhh, while she IS the most dominant force in the island bed this fall...she does have some competition in beauty and softness.
The red fountain grass is giving her a run for her money.

Don't they make a wonderful couple?

The soft, magenta-colored, furry tassels on the fountain grass scream (elegantly, of course) autumn as they flow to and fro in the breeze.

So, what a wonderful surprise it was when these two plants...that have spent the summer maturing into a grand size...burst into bloom this month.

It's a good thing they'll both need a severe trim after winter, since other plants will vie for their chance at being shining stars in the island bed in upcoming seasons.

Cat Tales

Oh, I'll bet when you read the title of this post, you thought I had misspelled "tales"...especially when you saw the photo. Come on...admit it...you know you did. :-)

Well, the truth is that I have two "cat tales" to share with you. The first is actually on cat tails. The clay soil at our new house stays moist about 9 months out of the year, so we weren't surprised to see these cat tails pop up between our property and the vacant lot next to us. I've never grown "cat tails" before, so I was excited at this new discovery.

Now, for the second of my "cat tales."

 

Our two cats...Makayla and Allie...really, really like their veggies. And, since they're indoor cats you can guess what they're eating. 

YES, MY PLANTS!

Here, Makayla is munching on some parsley. I swear our cats have the freshest cat breath around, but they're putting a serious hurting on my patio plants. What am I to do? I've relocated most of them to the back deck, and I buy canned cat food that includes veggies,

but still...they keep munching.

During my last visit to a local nursery I mentioned this to the proprietor and she suggested I plant some "cat grass." She handed me a packet of Organic...can you believe it...organic cat grass seed.

So, I thought what the heck...I'll give it a try!

My daughter and I planted it in a pot, kept it damp and 'voila within a few days we had a nice crop of cat oats.

Now, for the true test. We placed it on the patio and waited for the cats to find it. Hmmm, Makayla is cautiously checking it out...giving it the old sniff test, and then....yes, a taste. Hurray...she seems to like it!

Now, for our picky eater, Allie (check out the hair in those ears). She's curious, too. Oh, goody, she's taking a bite...

WHAT!  Yikes...she's sitting on the grass. Can you believe it? Yes, you're seeing right...this indoor kitty would rather sit on the grass than eat it. Now, she's making me feel bad that I don't let her roam around outside. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to keep my plants on the back deck instead of the patio. :-)

My Favorites...this month!

September is a transitional month in the Florida garden, as the slow arrival of autumn-inspired plants join forces with the tropical blooms of summer...keeping the garden colorful with both flowers and foliage. Yes, autumn is different in Florida...but nonetheless...colorful in our own unique way.

My favorites this month are from left to right....a dwarf variety of Nandina 'Firepower' (heavenly bamboo, as I prefer to call it) whose green leaves begin to take on a reddish color if the plant is located in the sun. A red variety of Gaillardia...Indian blanket flower 'Burgundy' mixes well with its neighbor the dwarf nandina. Mexican Bush Sage that bursts into bloom in early September after spending the summer growing into a VERY LARGE bush (more on this bush in a future post). The blossoms are soft as velvet.

Firebush...a good-looking and hard-working plant that supplies endless nectar to a number of butterflies, moths, bees and hummingbirds...who doesn't love this fabulous Florida-friendly plant!  Another native, American Beautyberry sports berries that look like purple pearls.  And, lastly, the pretty foliage of the variegated Confederate jasmine...much more interesting than it's solid green cousin, and just as fragrant when it blooms. 

Still looking fresh at the end of summer!

Here's a favorite plant combo that still looks great at the end of our long, hot summer...periwinkles (or vinca) and flax lily. This particular deep pink color of the periwinkles is my favorite. It's a simple color combo, but one that is crisp and bright.

September's Simple Pleasures

Getting back into the garden!

When September arrives I sigh with relief because I know it won't be long before the best part of the year...weather wise...begins. I feel the urge to get back in the garden...weeding...trimming...planting...just enjoying being outdoors.

AND

September is the beginning of another favorite season for me....football!

I've cheered the Dolphins on since the 70's -- when I was a kid, of course :-) -- and this year will be no different. So, for 3 hours on Sunday the garden will have to wait.

Go Dolphins!

What are your favorites this month? If you'd like to join me in posting your favorites for the month, please do...they don't have to be in collage form...but do leave a comment, so I can drop by and see your favorites later this weekend.  :-) 

The September Garden

The month of September is filled with anticipation and antsiness for me because

the best weather of the year will soon be here...temps in the 80's and lower humidty! :-)

My September garden is colorful with a variety of plant blossoms. The masses of liriope border have bloomed to their little hearts content this summer, and it seems to me that 'big blue' is a more prolific bloomer. I can't forget the little yellow coreopsis in the background that also has bloomed well this summer.

And, what a sweet couple this combination makes. Soft white with a hint of pink...Seafoam, an antique variety is not letting the purple pentas outbloom it. They look pretty cozy there next to each other.

This plump little Bumble Bee is making sure he gets every last bit of nectar out of the center of this Mexican petunia.

The Swedish ivy planted in the ground has spread quickly this summer. I stuck a broken terracota plant at the base of it to look as though it is a potted plant that tipped over. Throwing out broken pots seems like a waste, so I was happy to "borrow" this idea from a photo I saw in a magazine.

 Our orchids were slow to bloom this summer after having spent most of the winter indoors. But, now many are setting buds and gracing us with their flawless beauty. Backlit by the sun...it's all aglow!

And, the buds on this exotic-looking specimen is just beginning to reveal its inner-beauty.

It definitely is not a disappointment...as if any orchid ever could be.

This spray of orchid flowers look like butterflies fluttering around in the breeze.

The never-ending worldy conflict of light vs. darkness...in the garden there is no conflict...they graciously complement each other. 

Soon the birds will be enjoying the special treat of Beautyberry. They do look like they'd be quite tasty.

Beach sunflower is so easy-going and undemanding, that sometimes I forget about it. It's located in the very back of the garden and is shielded from view on one side by larger plants. It quietly continues marching through open territory, covering bare ground...blooming its simple but pretty yellow flower all summer.  

How interesting that the pink hydrangea flower has faded mostly to a creamy white. Still very pretty! 

Texas sage is putting forth some new blooms. I love the grayish tone of the foliage on this undemanding plant.

A happy new gardening season to all my Florida gardening friends!

The Amazing World of Nature

What do you get when you cross this flower

with this flower?

Voila' ... a new Indian blanket flower!

Isn't nature amazing?

I've been thinking for awhile that my blanket flowers were cross-pollinating because subtle but different variations seem to show up next to each other. This weekend a new plant that seeded itself bloomed, and my suspicians were confirmed. Gaillardia blanket flower Torch ‘Red Ember’ (upper right corner) mixed with 'Goblin’ (lower right corner).

Have you've noticed cross-pollination at work in your garden?

My Favorites...this month!

It's August...what can I say about August. Well, let's see...hot, humid, sticky, sweaty...oh, I'll hush for now, that's enough complaining. On the brightside...fresh, thirst-quenching rainshowers!

Thankfully, there are a host of plants (and creatures...I'm just not one of them) that thrive in these conditions.

And the winners are (from left to right)...Java Glorybower Clerodendrum speciosissimum insists on showing off and blooming the entire long, hot summer...yeah for her! But buyer beware...this tropical beauty is a wanderer, and she'll take over an entire bed if you let her. You can't miss the flourescent orange bloom on the Torch bromeliad Billbergia pyramidalis which blooms in profusion this month. Hawaiian sunset hibiscus is one of my favorites with its warm color scheme.  And the bromeliad on the left looks great planted in a wire basket. I don't know the common or botanical name (perhaps Steve at Rainforest Garden can help identify it). I think it might be Indian feather...but not sure. And, lastly the cute green anole soaking up some sunshine. I always smile when I see these guys in my garden. I definitely prefer them over the brown dinosaur-looking brown anoles that inhabit the screened patio.

And, now for a few cool-colored varieties.

It looks like bromeliads are at the top of my list this month. The white portion of this bromeliad turns a pretty soft shade of pink if planted in sunlight. Sorry, but I don't know the name of this one either.  Steve...please help! Another irresistable soft pink is the Brazilian Plume Justicia carnea. It's a real standout in the shade garden. The remnants of a thunderstorm...these delicate looking rain drops look like fingernails on the tips of a Norfolk pine. Star flower more commonly called pentas Pentas lanceolata is a fabulous butterfly-attracting plant. And, lastly, the delicate blue flower of Golden Dewdrop Duranta erecta. Another wonderful plant for butterflies.

Torch bromeliad Billbergia pyramidalis

You're more apt to know this commonly found passalong bromeliad by its more common name..hurricane bromeliad...because it blooms during the peak months of hurricane season. It spreads into large clumps quickly and is even known to climb the trunks of trees. If you see these growing in someone's garden,  I can guarantee you they'll be glad to share some with you. The blooms are bright and eye-catching. Unfortunately, the color fades quickly, but on the good side they bloom prolifically and they survived our past winter undamaged. 

Summer's Simple Pleasures

 Mowing the grass in August is a good old-fashioned workout. Why pay dues at a health club when you can accomplish two tasks at once. When I'm finished I head to the pool to revive myself with a tall cold one and a few salty pistacios. A reward for my hard workout!

 Ahhh, I feel sooooo much better now.

Canna lily 'Tropicana' and a sprig of Devil's backbone.

Now, that the end of August is drawing near...what seems like an "endless summer" will soon be changing. Already, the maple and elm trees have quietly been shedding their leaves. The raintrees will soon be in bloom, and within a few weeks the humidity will begin to ease up...ever so slightly...and the morning air will contain the most subtle hint of pleasant coolness. It's subtle, mind you...so you'll need to pay close attention. I'll take advantage of the milder mornings to start getting caught up in the garden. It won't be long now until the best "gardening" days are here!

Thirsty? Not these Plants & their Friends

Up until recently, rainshowers have been few and far between this summer. It seems as though the rain has skirted around us, but we rarely find the clouds opening up and dropping buckets of water on our little plot.

And, you know what it means when there isn't any rain during these "dog days." While the plants and (surprisingly) the grass have held up pretty well, it's the container plants that insist on being hand-watered daily...lest they wither away. I think they actually wouldn't complain if I watered them twice a day during the dry periods.

Much to my relief, though, are the containers filled with succulents (and a few of their close friends) that are making my job a whole lot easier. They seem to shoot me a wink that says..."Not thirsty yet! We're doing fine."

I'm sorry to say that I don't know the names of most of these delightful succulents, but this container is one of my favorites. I love the soft green shades combined with splashes of cream and pink.

The foliage comes in so many different shapes...round and elongated or tiny and delicate...all waxy feeling and plump with water.

They don't even seem to mind being out in the full sun.

There are many varieties of aloes as I have recently discovered. The two pictured here are from my aunt's garden. The bottom plant is the steppable plant from my sister-in-law that I posted about in Summer up North.

Because these plants don't like wet feet, I plant them in terracotta pots, in the event we get a rainy spell...such as the one we've had the last few days. The pots absorb a lot of the water, and I don't have to worry about them getting waterlogged.





Here's a close-up look at the two aloes pictured above. One has more slender, solid-colored leaves, while the other has thicker spotted leaves. Both have a pretty good set of spines along the leaves.

This monster Aloe Vera is growing out of its pot, and it's also produced a number of outstanding blooms. The flower stalk is about 2 1/2 feet tall and is bending slightly from the weight of the soft peach and green-colored flowers. I grow these plants both in containers and in the ground.

Another sharp-sided succulent from my aunt...this one grows low to the ground and multiplies nicely. And, it produces a beautiful spike of yellow flowers in spring. My aunt lived in New Mexico before moving to Florida, and she's always had a small cactus and succulent garden.

This Wide Zebra Haworthia attenuata succulent is quite small.  The inside of the leaves are solid green, while the outside is covered with white stripes.

And, while this plant is not a succulent...it is worthy of mentioning because it, too, is not a thirsty plant. It can go for what seems like forever before showing any signs of stress. It's called Snake plant Sansevieria trifasciata...or more commonly...Mother-in-law's tongue (not the nicest name).

In Style, Out of Style, It Doesn't Really Matter!

Have you noticed that plants, like clothing styles, seem to be "in style" or "out of style?" One thing for sure is that roses never seem to go out of style. Although, antique roses seem to have been enjoying a return to popularity in the past decade thanks to the "rose rustlers" who began to identify and grow cuttings from plants found in cemeteries. And, fortunately so, since they are not only beautiful but very durable, as well.  Roses, in general, also received a burst in popularity due to the carefree nature of the knock-out varieties, like this Pink Double Knock Out ‘Radtkopink.’

Coleus varieties are also basking in the sun again these days due to a renewed interest, and many new colorful varieties. My sister and her husband inherited a very large powderpuff bush when they bought their first home. Every year this G-normous bush would freeze, making it a job to cut it back. Fortunately, the beautiful powderpuff is back in vogue, but in a smaller, more manageable size for the normal garden.

Blackberry Lilies Belamcanda chinensis are a hummingbird-attracting plant that's showing up on lots of garden blogs these days. If you want one, you'll need to find a friend who'll share some seeds or find a company online to purchase them from, since they can't be found in local garden centers. I started my plants from seeds I found hanging on a sad and bedraggled looking plant at my daughter's preschool some years back. So now this plant holds sweet memories for me, especially since the preschool no longer exists at the old location.

My sister's mother-in-law grew stokesia in her yard back in the 80's. Now and then I've stumbled upon this plant, like the one pictured below known as Stokes’ Aster Stokesia laevis ‘Omega Skyrocket’  in a local family nursery that's been in town forever. The blue color is absolutely fantastic, and as you can see the bees simply adore this beauty.

We had Candlestick plant...as we referred to it...Senna alata X Cassia alata in our yard when I was a kid. The plants I grow, in my garden today, come from the seeds of plants that sprouted in my mother's garden. For us it is an heirloom plant with memories attached to it. Now, some 40 years later, this plant is coming back into style which is fabulous for Cloudless sulphur butterflies who use it as a host plant.  I get very excited when I see the bush covered in caterpillars. It freezes back every year, but readily comes back from the roots...and grows very quickly and quite large. It also reseeds itself generously around the garden, but is not a nusance.

When I lived in Pinellas county, 9 years ago, I learned that fields of gladiolus' (also known as sword lilies) were grown back in the 50's in Clearwater for the cut flower industry. It seemed strange to me at the time since I had never seen them growing in people's yards, especially since bulbs can be purchased in big box stores and garden centers. Why you rarely see them is a mystery to me because they are a great filler plant that reappears each spring and produces a tall, slender spray of gorgeous flowers that look fabulous in the garden or in a flower arrangement.  

A plant that I inherited in my very first garden back in the late 80's was Rose of Sharon Hibiscus syriacus or Althea. This plant is a member of the hibiscus family, but it doesn't freeze. It does, however produce beautiful soft-colored flowers throughout the summer. The only place I've seen this plant for sale is at Lowe's in early spring.

This pretty purple variety is growing in my sister's garden. Isn't it beautiful? Both of us grow them under Live oak trees where they only receive partial sun each day.

She told me she's had the plant for about 8 years and as you can see, it has reached a nice size and has a  soft-flowing and airy look to it.

One additional plant that I haven't seen in garden centers is Turk's Cap Malvaviseus arboreus. Another hummingbird favorite. This plant is also a member of the hibiscus family and it will freeze back to the ground in a cold winter. If it doesn't freeze, it will most likely be in need of trimming back as it can grow quite tall. I found this plant for sale in a very small backyard nursery.

This is a close up view of the flower. Unlike, it's sister...the hibiscus plant..this flower does not open. That's probably one of the reasons why the hummers like it so much.

 

In style or out of style...it doesn't really matter. I'm just happy that I can still find some of these old-time plants that hold sweet memories for me, and include them in my garden. And, anytime I can passalong seeds or cuttings from these plants...I'm happy to do it. A great plant deserves to be admired and shared.

I'll have Candlestick plant and Blackberry lily seeds, this fall, available to share with anyone who wants some. Just send me an email and I'll be happy to mail some to you. :-)