April Gardenias in Lakeland, Florida

 

Gardenia bushes typically thrive in USDA Growing Zones 8–11, requiring warm, humid climates, though some cold-hardy varieties like 'Frostproof' and 'Kleim's Hardy' can withstand Zone 7 winters. They prefer full sun to partial shade, acidic soil, and consistent moisture. In zones 6 or lower, they must be grown in containers and brought indoors. 

 

The gardenia bush in the garden in the center of my condo building has been blooming for the last five days.  It is so wonderful to open my front door and step out on the 2nd floor walkway with a view of flowers. It really makes your day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Golden Trumpet Tree & Early Amaryllis Flowers

 

 

 Today I'm sharing more photos of the Golden Trumpet Tree (Tabebuia). Close to my home are several golden trumpets but no pink ones. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The azaleas at the condo have finished blooming. Here is a shot from the balcony taken last week. 

 

 

 

Although most people think they normally bloom in the winter, the red amaryllis bulbs at Christmas are forced bulbs. Amaryllis are tropical plants that will flower in late winter or spring when planted in the ground. We plant them in Florida and they flower in April, May. 

 

For those of you who visited last year, you may remember I bought two amaryllis bulbs to pot and grow here at the condo. I had them by my front door until they had finished blooming last spring and went dormant.  I kept the two pots on my balcony until the beginning of March. I moved them back by the front door for part full sun exposure.  They like bright sunlight.  One pot has had glorious blooms for the last week.  The 2nd one is just waking up (so to speak), and I expect buds and flowers in another month. I hope you enjoy the mostly white flowers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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It's Spring in Central Florida With Trumpet Trees & Azaleas in Bloom

 

 

Tabebuia, commonly known as trumpet trees, are spectacular tropical flowering trees known for their explosive, often leafless, spring blooms in shades of pink, yellow, or white. Primarily native to Central/South America, these trees reach 20–50 feet tall and thrive in full sun and well-drained soil.

 It's spring in central Florida with pink and yellow tabebuia or trumpet trees in blooms.  For a brief time, the blossoms appear like magic. I can never get enough of blossoming trees. I just want to drive and hunt for them.  

 

 

 

 Here at the condo, the garden in the center of our wrapped condo building has azaleas in bloom. 

 

 

 

 

 

 I hope you are enjoying spring in all its new life wherever you are.

 

  

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End of the Camellias Season

 

 

Camellias are popular, long-lived, evergreen shrubs (or small trees) renowned for their glossy foliage and stunning, rose-like blooms that appear from fall to spring. As staples of Southern gardens, they bloom in white, pink, and red, thriving in acidic, well-draining soil and partial shade in zones 6-10. Here at the condo, the bush in the center garden finished blooming last week. The bush by the walkway from parking to the condo building has been blooming steadily. It is slowing down, and I believe the end of the camellia season is almost here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Tulips at Publix Supermarket

 

I’ve been driving around and enjoying scenes here in my home of Lakeland, Florida. The days are mostly beautiful with blue skies.

 

 

Of course, I love to visit the flower department at my local Publix Supermarket. Some things never change no matter where I am in Florida. Floridians love the seasonal flowers that grow up north.  Spring flowers, like tulips, are very popular.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the visit. I’m wishing you blue skies and tulips wherever you are.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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