Candles in the Garden

When I was a kid my mother grew ~ what we called the Candlestick plant 'Senna alata' in her garden. I've heard it referred to by many different names - candle bush, candle tree and candelabra bush. It was always one of my favorites and I have grown it from seeds in every yard I've ever had.  

I first grew it because of its memories from my childhood but later learned that it is a host plant for the Cloudless Sulphur butterflies. Apparently, they are attracted to this striking plant as much as I am, but for different reasons.  

 As you can see by the photos - I really LOVE this plant! I used it to fill in empty spaces throughout my newly established garden and within a few warm (I mean HOT) summer months it now is the shining star in my garden.  

 It's towering presence has quickly created the cozy, jungley feeling I'm in search of, and even though these plants will be cut back they will return next summer with their brightly shining candles.

One of the Best Things about Being a Gardener

One of the best things about being a gardener is cut flowers.

(Lotus begonia blooms)

There's always something in bloom that can be brought indoors to enjoy.

And, if there aren't any flowers, there is plenty of interesting foliage that looks pretty in a vase, too.

This year we've got gardenias blooming for Mother's Day.

Every year when I see the first flowers on the bush, I quickly run inside and grab my clippers. The sweet-smelling scent of just a couple of gardenias makes the entire room smell heavenly. They get special treatment at my home...they get to float around in a very pretty china bowl.

Have a great Mother's Day, and I hope each one of you receives some beautiful flowers!

A New Favorite

This Indian Blanket flower is one of my favorite new plants. I planted one plant last summer and it has bloomed continuously since then, only slightly slowing down periodically to produce a new batch of stunning blooms.

It made it unscathed through the winter months with lows in the upper 20's, and the patch has spread to be about 2' x 2'. The eye-catching vibrant bold blooms cover the entire plant and can be seen from anywhere in the front yard, including the road. It does not spread by rooting in but instead just lays on the surface of the ground like a blanket would - perhaps that's where the name comes from. Now with all that being said, it is definitely a keeper.

I have been in search for more of these plants this summer and just recently found some at a local nursery and also at Wally World. My mom and sister did find another variety (Torch Blanket) pictured below at a nursery in their area. When all of the tiny little flowers open on this variety it looks like a ruffly mum. It also is very pretty but not quite as vibrant as the Indian Blanket. I would definitely rate this plant as a "10" for Florida gardens!

My Favorite Color Combination

I love soft muted pinks and whites in the garden but I have to say that my very favorite color combination is cherry red, purple and yellow. They're a bold combination of colors that grab your attention, and it works well in our large front yard.


The cooler color (bluish purple) is up front while the vibrant red Knock-out roses and yellow daylilies command you to look deeper into the garden. Orange is also a great color with yellow and purple. I discovered that once when a Mexican petunia came up next to an orange lantana. That was a very eye-pleasing combination.
Even from a distance the roses and daylilies refuse to go unnoticed. For summer purple color I'm going to add some pentas and maybe some lantana.

Spring Speaks for Itself

Tabebuia Tree


Indian Hawthorne


Begonias

Louis Phillipe Rose

Orange Blossoms

Spring Bouquet

Crinum Lily

African Iris

A Distant Memory

Here's what's left of my angel trumpet after cutting back the damaged branches from January's cold weather. It's amazing how tough this tropical plant really is. Last year the bark on the main trunk actually split away from the tree. At that time, I thought the tree would die back to the ground. Instead new shoots shot up from the main trunk.

Here's a photo before it succumbed to the freeze. I took it just days ahead of the cold weather because I knew all the blooms would be gone. Its lush canopy was covered in sweet-smelling blossoms. I really hated to see it all turn to mush.
The trumpet-shaped (hence the name) blossoms are about 10 to 12 iniches long and dangle from the branches. I'm guessing the other part of the name "angel" must come from the heavenly scent of the blossoms. It's such an unusual flower and a real eye-catcher in the garden.

Here's a stunning view of the tree from underneath. A mixture of green and apricot that just looks so cheery!
And, a close-up view of the gorgeous trumpet blossoms as they hang suspended in air. The bees really have to travel deep into the heart of this flower to reach the hidden nectar. The good news is that the angel trumpet won't be a distant memory for long, as new green leaves are already emerging from the scarred trunk. I look forward to her return and can't wait for the first bloom later this spring.

The Flowers of Summer

It seems the hotter it gets, the more these tropical beauties take it all in stride. There are no delicate debutantes or wilting impatiens among this group. These sunworshippers can take the heat. As a matter of fact, the hotter it gets, the better they like it!

The Fragrant Gardenia - Can You Smell it?

My nose catches the sweet fragrance of gardenia as I walk to the mailbox each day. Without even thinking, I am irresistably drawn to place my nose right up close to this flower for another wift of its potent scent. A few cut flowers placed in a bowl will soon envelope the entire room in fragrance. This pretty plant has a commanding presence in the garden when it is in bloom. She makes it difficult to ignore her.

A Bouquet of Hollyhocks

The hollyhock is outdoing itself. It is adorned in clusters of beautiful flowers and continuing to reach for the stars.

The Angel Trumpet Heralds the Onset of Warmer Days

The angel trumpet is one of my favorite garden plants. I have planted an offspring of the one in my mother's yard at all four homes I have lived in. I don't know which I enjoy better, the gorgeous ivory and apricot blooms or the intoxicating fragrance. It is such a striking looking plant with all of those trumpets dangling from the branches. And the fragrance that seems to float through the garden, especially at the close of the day is absolutely wonderful. I thoroughly enjoy this plant!