October in the Garden

 

 

My condo building is built like a square with a garden in the center. Each of the 3 floors has 4 sides. My front door opens to a walkway on the 4 sides with 2 points of access to the stairs down or up, and one elevator door. I can look sideways at the trees and sky beside the building. 

 

 

 

 

I enjoy having a small garden to greet me every day. Year-round, one of the loyal members of the garden is a peace lily. Remember, I live in central Florida with a semi-tropical climate. For most of my life I lived in south Florida, which is a zone 10, tropical climate.  Peace lilies are often planted in zone 10 shade. Full sun burns peace lilies' leaves.  Here in zone 9, I see them less often as we are exposed to times of freezing temperatures occasionally. I believe being surrounded by the 4 sides of the building helps to protect the plants. Of course, last winter's night of 28 degrees F did kill a tropical plant in this garden. Luckily, the peace lily lost some leaves but survived to come back beautifully.

 

 

 

 I hope you're enjoying October wherever you are.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                     

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Our Neighbor's White Crepe Myrtle

    

Crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia) is a genus of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs native to the Indian subcontinent, southeast Asia, northern Australia, and other parts of Oceania, cultivated in warmer climates around the world. They thrive in full sun (6+ hours daily), well-drained soil, and warm climates (USDA Zones 7–9, with some hardy in 6). They prefer slightly acidic soil and are drought-tolerant once established. They bloom on new wood, making late winter/early spring the best time for pruning. The flowers can be white or pink.

 

 On the side of the parking lot behind my condo building is a wooden fence separating our neighbor's yard. He has a beautiful white crepe myrtle tree in bloom. I had to share some photos taken from our parking lot. Flowers, blue skies, puffy clouds, and beautiful trees are gifts from God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Happy July!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Many Colors of Tropical Hibiscus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Living in semi-tropical central Florida with the hot, humid summer requires tropical plants in the garden. Tropical hibiscus are favorites in my area. I see them planted nearly everywhere. They are planted by the pharmacy drive-through, by the windows at fast food restaurants, by libraries and city hall. Today I’m sharing hibiscus photos from the archives. Let's start with single hibiscus flowers, like the fiesta hibiscus. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 My pink hibiscus was one of the first plants I bought for my garden back in 2016.

 

 

 

 

 I even added one flower to a bouquet I made.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I saw this beauty at a garden center; it's called Snow Queen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Double hibiscus have multiple layers of petals with a sort of ruffled appearance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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First Week in May

 

 

 As I reported last week, the weatherman's predictions for rain were true. Rain came Saturday and was sporadic until Sunday afternoon.  The amount of rain didn't affect the drought conditions much. Not enough rain to make up the inches we have not received in the last 6 months.

 

My red amaryllis has put on a great show in the last week. As the number of flowers increased, I just smiled more.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I hope you're enjoying May wherever you are.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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End of April at the Condo

  

 

The weather here in central Florida has been hot and dry. We've had little rain for months. Over half of Florida is experiencing "extreme drought". Like Georgia, Florida is dealing with widespread wildfires around the state. Scientists warn the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season could be the most dangerous in history.

 

 

 

 There is a prediction of rain this weekend on today's weather report. I say "from your mouth to God's ear, please".  That's enough bad news. You know I'm an optimist, so let's look at my blue views and my potted red/white amaryllis blooms here at the condo. 

 

 Note:  Amaryllis thrive in Florida, blooming in spring (typically April) with minimal care. Plant bulbs in well-drained soil with the top third above ground in partial to full sun. They are, for the most part, easy to care for, notes South Florida Plant Guide. Protect them from frost, water sparingly to avoid rot, and fertilize in summer to ensure reblooming

 

 

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