Welcome to my zone 9 garden. My roots are deeply planted in the sandy soil of sub-tropical central Florida, where the summers are long and hot, but the rest of the year is paradise!

Monday, December 14, 2015

I'm "Seeing Red These Days"

I'm in the state of "Seeing Red" these days! Every window I look out of I "See Red" and it's wonderful!! 


Here's the backside of the photo above. In it Louis Philippe 'Cracker Rose' is putting on quite a display of happy red blossoms.

The pentas, impatiens and vincas are enjoying the warm weather.

One of my favorites is the Turk's Cap or sleeping hibiscus which is now higher than the fence. Every time I look out the kitchen window toward this corner I get the happiest feeling. I'm not really sure why, but these flowers just seem very Christmasy to me!!!

Don Juan has eyes for Pomona, and she seems to be enjoying it!!
(Roman goddess and protector of the garden and fruit trees) 


A poinsettia in the garden actually bloomed in time for Christmas. That doesn't always happen.

This Brazilian Red Cloak catches my eye every time I back out of the driveway. 

She's a real beauty!! 

 I didn't realize that I like red flowers so much!

 On the inside my Christmas tree is adorned with all my favorites - ornaments from places we've visited (Florida is well represented)  . . .

ornaments that represent gardening . . .

and our kitties from the past and present (9 altogether). My mother made this ornament for our gray kitty Gus who is no longer with us, but he and all the others share Christmas with us each year. 

I hope that everyone is "seeing red" these days and that your days are filled with the beauty and magic of Christmas. 
Wishing all my gardening friends a very Merry and Warm Christmas!



6 comments:

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

I love all of your reds in your gardens. Love your tree too. You have some neat ornaments.

Have a lovely Christmas dear Susan ~ Love & hugs ~ FlowerLady

Janice said...


Oh my, you do have the red going on...gorgeous for Christmas. There's nothing better, or more southern, than a 'Cracker Rose' and Turk's Cap. Enjoy that beautiful garden.
Susan, if you would like some seeds from the Black-eyed Susan vine, send your address to my e-mail, and I'll be happy to send you some.

Leslie Kimel said...

Wow, your Louis Philippe is looking awesome. I love how rambling and flowery and kind of "country" it looks. I have a Louis Philippe too, but it keeps getting powdery mildew so it's still very small.

The last picture is such a pretty scene. What is the plant behind the poinsettia? It looks so perfect with the palm and the poinsettia and the red bow on the wreath.

I hope you have a very merry Christmas!

Susan said...

Hi Lorraine - wishing you a very Merry Christmas.

Hi Janice - I would love some seeds from the Black-eyed Susan vine. I'll send you an email soon. Thanks and have a wonderful Christmas.

Hi Leslie - I've never had any powdery mildew on Louis even when I grew one in a pretty shady spot. Hope yours gets going in spring. That plant behind the poinsettia is a shrimp plant on steroids. It loves that spot and blooms non--stop. I've never had one do so well. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!!

Unknown said...

Hi Susan! Your red blooms are so striking and everything is looking beautiful! I've really come to see red and green as a tropical color combo since I've been living in the subtropics, where I used to think of it as only Christmas colors. Oh, I love Pomona! And your ornaments! We have remembrance ornaments from our pets (dogs) as well - your mother did a wonderful job with the one she made! Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and maybe we'll get a little cooler weather soon so it feels like it! :)

Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse said...

This is so great to have so much red in your garden right in time for Christmas! Wishing you a serene and red Christmas time!

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