Messy Flower Petals

Porches are important anywhere, I presume, but in the south they are ideal for our everyday lifestyle. We make use of them all year long. Often they help blend the inside of our homes to the outside.

Hoe & Shovel has yet to realize our dream home which would include a large craftsman style wrap around porch graced with plentiful rocking chairs. It's important to keep our dreams alive with images of what could be. But I digress.


Until then, we make great use of our humble and quite ordinary style screened lanai (or porch). It is partly under roof arranged with a couple of area tables and chairs for eating and relaxing. The remainder of it is open-air but fully caged with typical Florida-style pool decking and screening to keep all the buggies out. A brick paved patio just outside the screening transitions the hardscape to the back garden.

Countless family and holiday gatherings around the pool area have been the center of activity over the years. Most of our daily evening meals include cooking on the gas grill and then having our dinner (and many times breakfast and lunch, too) on the back porch.
The look of naturally aged cedar appeals to me more than paint at the moment so I've chosen to let the adirondacks weather naturally with time. Situated in the far corner (above) of the pool deck with the back garden in clear view, this is a primary summer spot for hubby and I to chit chat and enjoy coffee together. These days we wait until the intense temps of daylight taper off after sundown. A dip in the pool first helps us forget about the lingering humidity. During the rest of the year when temps are heavenly (winter and spring) and the sunshine is welcomed these chairs are privy to every visitor's conversation. This is "my corner" where I can be found doing much of my blogging, reading, and phone conversations.

Would you like to have a look around at the container plants making a mess on my back porch?

Container plants are 're-arranged' a few times each year. Much like a planting bed it becomes necessary to switch out plants as they no longer produce or sometimes I just do it for the season (like Christmas) because they are easy and fun to plant out.

Flower debris falling on the decking can be very messy. I go through stages of deciding I'm weary from the extra work they create then I'll make a definite effort to plant only colorful foliage. Yes, leaves are also messy but not nearly as constant as the tiny petals of indigo spire and mona lavender.

Sometimes it's as if I don't remember how the flower petal debris gets into the pool and on the pool deck and then requires so much more attention and I find myself planting flowers again. This spring I forgot.

I've forgiven myself for this lapse in memory, however, since the indigo spires (sometimes called mystic spires) and mona lavender have done so well in these pots providing so much softness of color and texture right through these sweltering summer months.

The swimming pool has given our family hours of entertainment and relief from the summer heat for all these many years. Much to our joy now our grandchildren are practicing their swimming skills in it as well. It is a blessed treat to take a dip after a day of long hours in the garden for me too.

The angel wing (or dragon wing?) begonia has a permanent home in the far corner year round. It is the one container that I don't change out due to its almost continual show of blooms. It is very messy dropping leaves and petals consistently. But since it has found a perfect home there I'll happily clean up the messes it makes.

The cobalt blue glazed pots in the opposite far corner were new this spring. I've been especially pleased with the lime green contrast of the creeping ginny and the variegated shell ginger (dug out of the garden) against the bright blue.

Darkness is pushed away each day as the sun comes up in view over the back garden. Even before the sun rises this is the table where most mornings I start my day with coffee and my Bible. I'm energized and refreshed by the sights and sounds of the outdoors as the day is dawning with all its promises for what lies ahead.

In the two pots to the left of the adirondack chairs I've combined african iris, dark pink polka-dot plant, miss muffet caladiums, variegated liriope, english ivy and mona lavender. It's been necessary to trim all the plants on the back porch back a few times since spring and still they are spilling over the sides of their pots.

This weekend I'm going to be busy with some renovation. Digging up some non-flowering plants from around the garden to create less-messy bouquets in these pots which will help solve the petal debris issue. I'm certain for a season I'll rejoice at less mess and then, who knows, when spring rolls around again and those pretty annuals are in the garden store, reason (and memory) is likely to fly out the window again.

Well, thanks for coming along with me on my back porch. I wish you could each sit in my adirondacks with a glass of iced tea and chat with me about your gardens.

Enjoy your weekend and happy gardening. Meems

Drippy Wet Garden

Most of the weekend brought us typical Tropical Storm type weather. Weather that missed hitting us dead on thankfully but affected us even while skirting around us to the south, east, and north.

The Remains of Fay
Fay was traipsing back across the northern part of the state from the eastern coast the last couple of days. From her slow movement we got some squally winds and bands of rain sporadically with intermittent relief and even a little sunshine in between. During this kind of pattern it's quite unpredictable when the rains will start and stop.

Saturday morning I was able to get out in the garden for a couple of hours to do some weeding and trimming. It was not so bad that I couldn't keep working through some of the light rains. But just when we thought we might be clearing up for good, out of nowhere, the heavy downpours started again. Taking a walk around my garden with the camera, in between the rains, I took a few photos of my drippy wet garden.

Before the heavier rains started, my almost 80 year old neighbor, Helen, who lives across the street, called over to me from her front garden. Not an unusual thing. We often see each other out and about and then find ourselves chit-chatting in one or the other of our gardens. She can be found gardening almost daily in her nearly-acre lot. Helen has generously given me many cuttings or transplants from her garden over the years.

A view of her front gardens (above) taken from my front driveway reveals her natural, no lawn, style of landscaping. She's not real happy with some of the plants in this front section right now but a closer look would bring to light a wide variety of tropical goodies she brought up with her from south Florida when she moved here 15 years ago.

She kindly let me dash home for my camera and so I could take some photos of a few pretty things in her garden. From her pagoda flower (above) she cut a couple of branches a few years ago and passed them along to me. I literally stuck mine in the ground at the base of an oak tree, kept them watered until they rooted and now it is one of my favorite tropicals in the garden. I have several now as they are quick to drop seeds and reproduce without any urging.

Meandering through the pathways of Helen's garden, I just like to hear her talk about her plants. Interestingly, she rarely knows the names of them. She just knows how to take care of them. The butterflies often fly from her garden across to mine and then to my next door neighbor's. They have plenty to keep them busy between all of us.

If I were to try to count how many different plants Helen has given me over time, I couldn't. There are so many and so much variety. Some of them are plants that one doesn't find in the plant nurseries around here.

It isn't proudly that I admit how reluctant I used to be to take clippings from her. I was hardly excited about them years ago when I didn't have as much time to garden nor the patience for nurturing transplants. Well, needless to say, I have grown to LOVE even the idea of getting pass-along plants as there is so much to cherish when a garden is shared. Not only that but I have come to value even the thought of cultivating a cutting into a treasured plant in my garden.

The yellow flower (above) is growing as tall as her house under her oak tree canopy. A few years back she gave me a transplant from a red one just like this one... I still haven't found the name of it anywhere.

Pink Brazilian Plume Flower

Tibouchina urvilleana; Princess Flower

Just like so many other times in Helen's garden I came home with more cuttings. I'm not sure the Tibouchina urvilleana will root but it is in the dirt along with some other tropical beauty neither one of us can name.

It felt good to get outside and garden some this weekend even if it required dodging the rain off and on. Being stuck indoors for a few days is unusual around here. We've finally seen the last of Tropical Storm Fay. So getting back to sunshine means gardening in the early morning hours with regularly scheduled afternoon thunderstorms.

Happy summer gardening!

Meems

Is It Possible They Know?

Swallowtail Butterflies: Tigers, Giants, and Spicebush
... notice some have tails missing and some have tattered wings (usually indicates older butterflies).

Tropical Storm Fay has yet to trounce our part of the state which is the place she was predicted to hit head on initially. She has criss-crossed all around us dumping copious amounts of rain and winds below, beside and above of us but not yet even a little rain has come our way from her trail. We may still get a rain shower from some of the feeder bands today but that is what they've been saying for the past three (or is it four now?) days. (Our prayers go out to the folks on the East Coast and in other areas of the state who have been pounded by some flooding rains for two days as Fay came to an almost stand still).

No rain but we have had uncommon and fairly steady winds and mostly grey clouds hanging over-head for these few days. Nothing we can't manage mind you.

Typically butterflies do not agree with gusty winds and cloudy days. So they are not usually so visible on these sorts of days. They require sunshine to energize and heat up their wings which in turn gives them the fuel they need to fly, so to speak.

So seeing them these last few dreary days dancing about throughout my gardens defying the winds while holding onto flowers as they do with such deftness has drawn my attention to them even more than usual ... if that is possible. I've been watching them with curiosity when inside from my kitchen window, from my working spot on the back porch, and as I do my gardening.
I find myself wondering... is it possible they know a storm is brewing? Is it possible they are storing up nectar for when the rains come and they must find shelter for an extended period? (Notice the bee sharing the penta nectar in the above photo-- I didn't even see it until I viewed the pic ... photo bonus).

It is as if they DO have an instinct about the weather and what is to come so they are busily flitting around taking their chances in spite of the wind that blows them about while they sip nectar with inate skill.

It occurred to me to attempt some photos in between the worst of the winds. I was certainly happy when any of them turned out viewable. These are all swallowtails but I've seen so many sulfurs, monarchs, zebra longwings, and fritillaries holding on to flowers for what appears to be dear life.

Again (photo bonus above) don't miss the smaller flying critter following closely in the path of the Giant Swallowtail.

I have no scientific back up for my theory of butterflies storing up nectar whatsoever just my own wandering mind observing their behavior. If anyone does know I am all about learning something new today.

Hummingbird Moths... Lots of Them

I have been purposely visiting the garden each evening at dusk just to watch the hummingbird moths enjoying their time alone in the garden (well, them and the bugs). With poor lighting and their habit of constant movement I gave up on capturing a still photo. I finally resorted to a video which is less than fantastic quality but I thought I'd share a clip (30 seconds) of them with you just by chance you might share my excitement for these fascinating creatures who only visit the garden as the sun has dropped below the horizon.

Stay safe everyone and have a fabulous Friday, Meems

Compatible Couples

While 'Florida life' is paradise in winter/spring and even though this Florida native is quite used to the summer weather patterns, each July/August I am reminded (not sure why I forget so easily) the way this heat wraps around you and wishes to discourage any sort of outdoor activity.

On the bright side, our day and night humidity is the factor that affords us growth of many variety of plants not seen elsewhere. The mild weather in other months keeps us growing vegetables and flora and fauna throughout the autumn and winter months. Isn't all of life a big trade-off? Always the pros and cons to deal with.

Let's have a look (above) at one view from the back garden and you will note it reveals numerous combinations of colorful foliage, shades of green, a variety of texture, and a few flowers taking us through these summer days with color blends and texture. 

I've walked around the garden with a tight angle on the camera lens to view some of the groupings of duos and trios up close. If you'd like to join me we'll examine the area with a keener eye (some above and some below).

I certainly don't have it all figured out yet, but lots of trial and error over the years has been the case learning what works together to bring any excitement to the garden this time of year. The intensity of long summer days can be very stressful on most annuals.

This summer the fairly regular rains have helped the garden tremendously compared to last year. The grass hasn't appreciated it as much as the foliage and is now suffering with all kinds of fungus... again... pros and cons. I'll take the rain any day even though it will take a while for the grass to recover.














Thanks for having a look at a few of the combinations keeping the garden perky through these dog days of summer. Always enjoy having you along... wish I could offer you a seat in the garden with a tall glass of iced tea (and a fan... or two).

***I'm happy to ID any of the plants upon request.

Hurricanes and Tropical Storms

For the past 48 hours we have been closely watching the developments of Tropical Storm Fay now encroaching the shores of South Florida. It was initially predicted to hit our area square on.

We have learned, being good Florida natives, not to be too alarmed early on. Just sit tight and watch. The latest local reports indicate it could still possibly turn into a hurricane over the warm waters in the next few hours and hit land around Fort Myers sometime in the wee hours of Tuesday morning.

With modern day technology and 24 hour coverage it is kind of frustrating trying to get a good read on exactly what is happening. The forecasters talk it up like it is already a hurricane. One has to really count on common sense not to get alarmed and overly excited about the possibilities. Our entire county, as well as all those surrounding, are shutting down tomorrow... no government offices or schools will be open. Sand bags are available. Shelters will be open. I can only imagine the tax dollars being spent ... but that's a rant for another place and time.

My predictions are that it will remain a tropical storm, hit land and break up.

Our area will be fine and will probably only get some rain and possible winds tomorrow afternoon. We pray no one is harmed in any part of our great state.



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UPDATE ON TROPICAL STORM FAY
August 19, 3:15 pm
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Thank you all for your well wishes and kind thoughts for Florida.

Tropical Storm Fay didn't turn into a hurricane over the warm gulf waters and she is staying much further south than initially predicted. In the Tampa Bay Area we haven't even squeezed out any blessed rain from the turbulance. Taking advantage of the cloud cover and the winds cooling things down just a hair I worked in my garden for several hours today. We are now more concerned about the fact that the storm is strengthening over land. This is very unusual behavior.

Typically land will break up and disorganize rather than strengthen. Her pathway has been quite interesting from beginning until now. The forecasters are now wondering if it might turn back around and come back across Florida once it gets out into the Atlantic. We are keeping our eyes open and still praying for those folks in central Florida and the East Coast who are getting winds, rains, and tornado watches this afternoon.

Florida's Steamy Hot Summer Blooms: GBBD August

Jatropha integerrima grows as 8' trees here. In summer they are full of red blooms offering plenty of goodies for the butterflies.

Princess Flower, Tibouchina... one of my favorite summer blooms.

It was rainy all day yesterday and today so my photos are drippy wet for the most part. I took a couple of photos earlier this week I'm including in my August Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day.

Other than the colorful and prolific caladiums we are dependent upon for spicing up the summer garden, August is typically a stressful month for flowers in my Florida garden. The long days with high temps and extraordinary humidity coupled with intermittent rainstorms leaves tender flowers wondering what to do.

Looking around the garden for blooms it was thought to share for the most part what has recently started blooming. There are some standards thrown in as well if they have proven to be a good summer bloomer and not shown recently on this blog. As my camera made its way around the garden it was finding more than I initially imagined would be available to share.

Impatiens are a staple all year round at Hoe & Shovel. Almost all of them coming up from self-seeding. This deep pink is one of my favorites. Every imaginable color pops up here and there. This summer they have managed to not get as leggy requiring a good pruning ... I'm supposing due to ample rain this month.

Mona Lavender, Plectranthus in container pots continues to bloom all summer when trimmed up at the tips regularly.

Common Periwinkle, Vinca Minor: I haven't planted these in at least ten years. The seeds must be very strong because these sweet little hardy annuals show up every August without fail.

Cardinal Flower

August encouraged the blooms on four cardinal flower plants I experimented with this year for the first time. I ordered six bare root plants in February not knowing what to expect at all from the cardinal flower. Those roots were so small when they arrived I laughed at them. It was a risk for me so I babied those teensy roots for all these months. What a pain! (did I say that?) They need lots of water. The jury is still out on whether to add to this collection. I'm hoping they re-seed themselves. I DO love the red!

Hibiscus blooms all summer but since I haven't featured it yet this summer it is included here. Not my favorite color but it was a gift.

Oooooh... speaking of gifts. I just had to share the blue ginger beginning to flower. Afterall it may not last until next month. My neighbor gave me one stalk last year. It has bushed out nicely after getting frosted by our one freezing night last winter and just this week pushed out its purply blue buds.

A lone day lily decided to reappear this week. It's a bright spot among the greenery of lily of the nile and other day lilies long finished blooming.

Fire bush is a summer bloomer. I planted two of these last fall for the first time. Had to cut them to the ground after the freeze but now they are attracting butterflies galore.

Yellow Allamanda

Blue Porterweed is a subtle beauty perennial... a new plant for me this year. It is a butterfly attracter (especially zebra longwings) so I thought it a needful addition. It is shown here in the north garden behind the butterfly bush (I'm now training the butterfly as a single stalk like I learned from Frances- thanks, Frances, for the superb idea) and next to the yellow bush daisy. I've put porterweed in several places throughout the garden.

The close up reveals its tiny delicate flower of purple.

I'm so happy with this new-to-me color of lantana. It is by far the hardiest of all spreading out over 5 feet wide and in the sunny spot of the SE corner it serves up nectar for all sorts of butterflies and bees.

Lastly, summer would not be summer in Florida without the deep blue flowering shrub of Leadwort; Hardy Plumbago. Two large groupings of these plants are flourishing in the back gardens where there is plenty of room for their bushy habits in August. The butterflies love them and so do I for their faithful display in the hottest time of the year.

Thanks to Carol at May Dreams Gardens for creating Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day. My, how the participation has increased since I first joined in the excitement last year. It is really fun to go visit as many blogs as possible to see what's growing in other gardens.

Happy August, garden bloggers, and thanks for having a look around with me today.

Meems