When I (with my first husband) first moved to Florida,back in the early 70’s,my Dad warned us that gardening in Florida was not like gardening up North.
“It’s not the same.You’ll learn.”
We were young.
It was the 70’s.
We didn’t listen.
Who did?
He was of that generation,after all.
I grew Baby’s Breath,Carnations,Shasta Daisies.He grew 8 foot tomato plants.
What did Dad know?
He really was of that generation…
Ahhhh….but how quickly we I learned….
Move to a semi rural area.
Get a divorce.
Try gardening again.
Whoa…..
It’s a whole new world!
That northern schitt really doesn’t work down here!
The plants aren’t behaving like they should.
I know…
….I’ll try Florida natives….
They’ll behave…
…..not really…
.
Dad always told me gardening in Florida was just one big experiment.
“Give anything a try.”
”What do you have to lose?”
So,with that in mind,this year I have been gardening by the seat of my pants.
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A year ago,at this time,TheTree went down.
Leaving the semi-shaded garden in total sun.
Then the old,cracked pool was taken out and rebuilt.
A screened lanai was added,for the most tender of tropicals and orchids.
But the garden itself was still left in total sun.
What will happen to the shade loving plants?
They adapted….
….that’s what….
A banana,that was bought for it’s foliage…
Was never,ever supposed to produce anything,but beautiful foliage….
is now doing this….
Camellias (both are natives) now have buds….
YellowTop,Flaveria linearis,another Florida native,became a bully in the garden.
So,contrary to popular opinion,in July,I whacked it back.
It was overgrowing everything.
It was even over taking,and choking out,the Jasmine…
Now,look at it….
The azaleas are blooming again….
What’s up with that?But,already,there are signs of Autumn in the garden….
Bat Faced Cuphea is blooming.
I’ve had this one for over two years.I love it!
A little early,but in time for Halloween…
and Stoke’s Aster…
Hostas are still blooming…
Gerberas….
go Gators!!!!I just figure,for once,I’ll listen to my Dad…
“The garden is going to go where it wants to go.
Just listen to it.
You don’t own it.
It owns you.”
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and besides the garden,Miss Emma just turned two!
“I’m a big girl,now,Gramma!”
I know,Emma.I know……
Please stop growing up so fast…
6 comments:
Your garden must be beautiful with all those blooms brightening things up! Insert clappy hands here for the baby bananas!!!!
Wonderful blooms from your FL gardens. Where do you find FL native plants? Camelias, wow.
Happy gardening southern Fl style.
FlowerLady
P.S. Your grand-daughter is a doll.
Flower Lady-I get most of my Florida natives down around Ft.Myers/Sanibel.Sadly,the west central part of Florida doesn't have too many nurseries that specialize in natives.Hope that will change.
Chris, please ignore the message I sent you. I think I figured out the secret decoder thing at the bottom. Ugh. That picture thing is new, I think. Don't remember it.
Anyway, that is a nice clump of bananas you have there! I agree, it is difficult to get the gardening thing figured out here in Florida...lots of trial and error.
And Happy Birthday to Miss Emma! Is she really two already?!! She looks adorable feeding her little "lookalike" babydoll. : )
I can't believe Emma is 2 already. She's still as adorable as ever. You are so right about gardening in Florida. You definitely have to be open minded and willing to experiment. Looks like you've got it down now though.
Susan-I can't believe Emma is 2 either.It seems like just yesterday we were getting the panicked call from her dad,saying she was coming early and could we come.But she has been the best blessing ever!
And I only wish I had the gardening experiment down.Better to be lucky than good....
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