Succulent Succulents

For this month's GBBD,I thought I'd focus on our cactus garden Last spring,when we took down that big-arse Schefflera,that died in the Great Freeze of '09,we were left with two huge stumps(one was from an old oak that died,the other from the schefflera).Because that area of the yard gets sun almost the entire day,and is unbearably hot in Florida summers,we decided to make a rock garden with cactii. The Pony-Tail Palm is one we've had for years.

Bear with me,here.I'm not good with the names of the different cactii.So here we go......... Anigozanthos,Kanga Orange.

This one I know,as I saved the tag.I love the way it looks against a backdrop of Cannas(which are red,by the way)and the St.Bernard's Lily.

I have become an afficionado of succelents.They ask nothing from you.(which is alright by me!)

I love their symmetry and all the different textures.

Hens and Chickens

(I knew this one,because my mother grew them in her rock garden)

Kalanchoe.

I love the grey-ness of this one.

Posted for Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day,June 15,2009.

To see other gardens and what's blooming,visit Carol at May Dreams Gardens. Thank you Carol for hosting.

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day-May,2009

Late to the post as usual,but I'm working on it.I guess I'm still on Island time......

When we returned,after our week on Sanibel Island,the garden had changed so much.Some plants have slowed down in the spring/summer heat of Florida.and others have taken off.
Except for the heat loving veggies(eggplant,pole beans,cucumbers),the veggie garden has started to slow down.Most of the tomato plants have stopped setting fruit.Except for the grape tomatoes,which are bursting forth.They are loving this weather.As are the eggplant.I'm seeing lots of fried eggplant and Eggplant Parmesean in our summer meals.Yum!!!!

When we left,the nasturtiums hadn't even a bud on them,but when we returned they were starting to bloom!
And the canna lilies have all started blooming,which attracts even more hummingbirds to the GreatWall.We love to just sit and watch the hummingbirds,especially in the early morning and late afternoon.......

But the bestest surprise of all,one of the plumeria cuttings is blooming!Frequent readers will already know how we love plumeria,here on the GreatWall.

This one is from a cutting we got on Sanibel Island,last year.You'll notice it has the barest touch of pink on it.The pink is much more noticable on the flowers on the mother plant the cutting came from.At first,we were afraid it was just an inflo,and nothing would come from the buds.We,actually,considered cutting the "inflo" off,but,now,we are so glad we didn't.

And that's what's happening on The GreatWall,this May 15th.This time of year is slow for us Florida gardeners.It gives us time to think and plan for the fall garden.......

For more of Garden Bloggers Bloom Day,click here.....................

And The Rains Came Down......

and down they came!!Along with the wind.I know we're in the midst of a three year drought, desparately need the rain,and when we water that water runs right off the parched soil of our garden,but why does it have to come down like it did this morning?
The weather forecast was for 40% chance of rain,but I'm thinkin' Momma Nature she don't listen to those TV weather guys.'Cause down it came! And it brought high winds,too(The Weather Service is trying to decide if there was a tornado a few miles from us-where's Jim Cantore when we need him?).
It was with great trepidation I came home from work to the GreatWall.What would I find?I wasn't so much concerned with the house(knew hubs would've called with that factoid)but what had happened to the garden?So many things in the veggie garden were getting ready to burst forth.
The lettuce was beaten down...... The sun will come out tomorrow(why is "Annie" running through my head?),so it should perk right back up.
The pole beans were none the worse for wear....

A little saggy on their trellis,but should bounce back.

All of the peppers were troopers,except for one,which ain't looking too happy at the moment.Didn't snap a photo of that one.This one,though,is a real champ!It's GYPSY Sweet Pepper.

The yellow squash look a little beaten down,but not too bad(Insert clapping smiley here!).I'm thinking they should be fine,after they get a little sun.There goes that "Annie" song again!

I was most worried about the tomatoes.And they,actually,looked relieved to have the bad weather behind them.And to have a big drink of water.

I am certainly glad I picked this guy,last evening,though.

Ain't he a beaut?Would've been perfect in a salad,for tonite's dinner,if the lettuce wasn't such a mess.The Swiss Chard took a hit,but it will be salvagable.

It seems like it was the veggie garden that got the worst of the storm.The flowering plants and shrubs look pretty good.

Long time readers of this blog know I worry more about the Plumerias than anything else in the gardens(I'm addicted to them,what can I say?).All of them are doing so well after the freezes of this past winter.Certainly they were set back,but all,except for one,have rebounded(Insert another clapping smiley here).

I am convinced that Plumerias must be female.How else,could they take the setbacks,trials and tribulations that befall them and still bounce back,better than ever? OK-I shall get off my soapbox now.B-u-t ......just think about it......(insert winking smiley here).

The Sweet Onions are bulbing!

All of the flower gardens did great.They,also,looked thrilled with their big-time bath and drink.

African Daisy

Gerbera Daisy

The Gerberas have been struggling,lately.What with the heat and drought we've been having.I absolutely love Gerberas.That's why I put up with all the work that goes into growing them.Yep-I fuss over them.

I worry.....Too much,sometimes. Patience,Grasshopper.....

This is a geranium that I grew from a cutting that I took before this past winter's freezes.It has done incredibly well,if I do say so myself(Insert pat-on-the-back smiley here).

Yellow Crown-of-Thorns

Is it possible to hurt these?And that's why I love 'em.

Yep--the sun'll come out tomorrow...........

Head on over to to Carol's blog,May Dreams Gardens,to see more of Garden Bloggers Bloom Day.