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"Possibility and promise greet me each day as I walk out into my garden. My vigor is renewed when I breathe in the earthiness and feel the dirt between my fingers. My garden is a peaceful spot to refresh my soul." Meems






Welcome to my Central Florida Garden Blog where we garden combining Florida natives, Florida-Friendly plants, and tropicals.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Late For A Very Important Date


There is one lone Amaryllis blooming so far. The freezing temps this January melted the healthy leaves that feed the plants for flowering.

The azaleas must have loved those colder temps. Even though they are rapidly fading they have been the focal point in this garden for over a month.
This is the time of year when more time is spent in the garden than on the computer. My apologies to all the Garden Blogger's Bloom Day participants for being so late to join the party.
Here's a quick run down of some blooms that brighten my smile as I diligently work on my spring garden projects at Hoe and Shovel.
Bacopa, planted in January, is bordering the onions, carrots, lettuce, and leeks bed in the vegetable garden. The bees love this little lavender cutie. It's new-to-me this year so I'm not sure if it will last much longer than April or whenever the humidity kicks in full time to our days and nights.
Speaking of the vegetable garden... radishes harvested today. They are as pretty as a bloom anyway.

Pink Firespike ... Significant bloom because the huge mother plant was cut back to the ground after freeze damage. The four plants placed around the garden in January from cuttings are all blooming now. I LOVE this plant.
Pentas

Indian Hawthorne
Me thinks (that's for the ancestors -- my St. Patrick's Day speak) the Hawthorne liked the cooler temps, too. It's not a favorite of mine but it is noticeable that they are blooming more profusely than ever in our area.

And we'll leave you with a bit of a Gazania review. These wonderful Zinnia-like flowers open up in the morning and close at night.

All their pretty variety of colors and detail are bordering the bean family bed in the vegetable garden.






My personal favorite in the parade.
Thank you to Carol of May Dreams Gardens for hosting the day (which is the 15th of each month) when bloggers everywhere share what's blooming in their gardens.
Last week and this week arrived with temps in the 80's and the garden is responding. There's no stopping Spring now.
Blessings,
Meems

46 comments:

  1. You have so many beautiful blooms Meems. I am so glad you came late to the party and rather than not at all. You must be busy. I hope all is well and good at your house and garden. Happy St Patrick's Day.

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  2. "Me loves" the Pink Firespike!! LOL No harm being a couple days late with posting. This way we are all done checking the other blogs and can get to your immediately!!! Enjoy those blooms!

    Michelle @Getting Dirty in Texas

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  3. We will take a look see at your blooms late or whenever!! Just beautiful, my Firespike that he freeze killed has new growth on it, YIPPEE! Send me your address at rusdar@hotmail.com, it looks as if April will be busy for us. Not sure how much we will be home. Want to get that pineapple sage to you.

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  4. Gorgeous blooms, Meems. The pentas look great--I did plant some gazanias too, this year. You've got some lovely patterns on those blooms.
    Happy GBBD!

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  5. Meems,

    Your flowers are so lovely! I must look into Firespike to see if I can at least grow it as an annual here.

    Cheers,
    Cameron

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  6. Hi Meems, Beautiful garden.. Yes, Spring has Sprung! I love the Pentas and the Bacopa---but of course, I love the Azaleas. Thanks for sharing all of the beautiful colors.

    Happy St. Patty's Day.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  7. happy st. patty's day sis,
    we are supposed to warm up today so me and dh are headed outside to see what we can do. our ground is saturated so we will see. dh has the fence partially down in the veggie garden so as to expand the borders.
    all your blooms are so beautiful. i love the bacopa,it has really taken off. i love seeing your radishes i am sure you will be munching on that crunchy goodness tonight.
    we are going to the cardinals for dinner tonight. shepard's pie and other st. patrick's day fare are on the menu.

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  8. Dear meems, I am so glad that your garden is rebounding...it looks lovely today....I imagine it smells wonderful, too! The Bacopa is a beautiful lavender blue...the radish is delicious looking and please how come I can't have gazania that looks as happy as yours! Happy St Pat's Day to you my friend and have a wonderful day in your garden...I am heading out there, too...I've got to see what the construction grew is up to! gail

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  9. Temps in the 80s ?? Wow. Now that sounds like summer to me. You must be basking. And your blooms are as awesome as your photography skills. I had the pink gazania for a few years now but I think I lost it this winter. What is the botanical name of Firespike? I am also intrigued and want to look in to it. Great post.

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  10. WE grew Firespike.It roots so easily and lasted thru many winters.But finally got old,or spent,or whatever,and finally faded.
    All your flowers are beautiful.
    And the weather has been beautiful,but we do need some rain,soon.

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  11. I'm late to the party too, Meems. In fact, I was thinking about not even posting what was blooming on the 15th, but even if I'm late to Carol's party, I still want to post for my own records. I hate when I'm late though! I hope Carol will forgive me!

    You have some GORGEOUS blooms! I had a feeling that once things started to recover from the freezes, it wouldn't take long for them to start looking like their old selves again.

    Your photo of the Pentas is beautiful. They just don't get that big here.

    I'm working in the garden here, too. Today will be near 70! But I'm doing clean-up. Still, it's fun! You can see where you've been!

    I like the Gazanias, too, for the same reasons you do. I still have to buy some seeds for this year, because I forgot to save them last year. :-(

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  12. Nobody can blame you, Meems, for spending time in the garden when the weather is so beautiful rather than on the computer. We were thrilled at temps in the high 60's this weekend, and I spent more time outside than in, too:)

    I love those gazinias, but I've never had much luck with them, probably because I'm always putting them in the shade instead of full sun.

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  13. Everything is lovely. I plan to start Bacopa from seed this year...my first time with it. Last year was my first for Gazanias and I loved them! 80's sounds delightful...we may hit 6o today so that will have to do for now. :-)

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  14. So you are a couple days late. George Tabor is as handsome as ever.

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  15. Hi Meems....it is the colour that amazes me......everything is so hot hot hot.....

    I love Gazania......I grow them from seed every year.....I have sown some seeds in the greenhouse....with the help of a heater, they should be ready for planting out in May......

    Lovely post, bright, colourful and cheering......

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  16. Oh Meems I am soo happy that your garden is on its' way now. Your blooms are just too lovely! I saw a pink fire spike here on the island so I will be getting a piece.

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  17. How beautiful everything looks Meems! Your hard work really shows. I love the azaleas, and your gazanias are gorgeous.

    I'm not sure how bacopa does in your climate, but it's been very happy through the heat and humidity of midsummer here. I hope it holds up - it's so pretty and delicate.

    Mmmm. . . the radishes look yummy! Happy St. Patrick's Day!

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  18. Lisa,
    Thank you. And thanks for coming by always nice to see you and chat with you in my garden. All is well... just whittling away at two big expansion projects mostly. Happy St. Patty's to you, too.

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  19. Michelle,
    The pink firespike has been a big hit. Grows fast, roots easily and blooms profusely... In December! Thanks for visiting.

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  20. Darla,
    That firespike is a hardy sort! I'll e-mail you. Thanks.

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  21. Kanak,
    Oh, the Gazanias are charming. I hope yours do well for you, too. It's another one I'm not sure if they will make it through out summer. We will see.

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  22. Cameron,
    The Firespike is hardy in zones 8-11. There is a more common variety that is red.
    Here is the scoop on them for you to look up:
    Pink Firespike
    Family: Acanthaceae
    Genus: Odontonema
    Species: callistachyum

    Red Firespike
    Family: Acanthaceae
    Genus: Odontonema strictum
    Common Names: firespike, cardinal guard, scarlet flame

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  23. Hi Betsy,
    The azaleas have been especially vibrant and long lasting this year. They liked the cold temps for a change.

    Hope you are warming up from your icy vacation. Spring is barreling down upon us now like it does so all of a sudden it seems. It's great to get out and enjoy it.
    Hugs to you,
    Meems

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  24. Marmee,
    Happy St. Pat's to you as well. You are probably enjoying that dinner at daughter #1's about now. Give her my love.

    Sounds like you and DH have your work cut out for you. It's nice you are doing it together.

    I am really pleased with the bacopa... it has spread very nicely and is doing the job I had hoped bringing in the bees and some smaller unidentified flying critters.
    Hugs and love to you and your clan!

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  25. Dear Gail,
    Thank you. I am really loving the bacopa as a ground cover and right next to the gazania they make a nice pair. I'll have to keep you posted on the endurance of the Gazanias. They do seem happy right now but with our heat cranked up in a few weeks you never know. It is one I hope likes it for longer than the spring.

    You must be having a blast with all your new stuff. It is looking so beautiful and inviting.
    meems

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  26. Grace,
    I know. 80's is a little too warm for me this time of year. I follow the shade around in the afternoon and this time of year that means a few degrees cooler.

    Here's the same information I gave to Cameron. Hopefully this will help you track it down to see if it will work for you.If you find it - give it plenty of room- they get really large.
    Pink Firespike
    Family: Acanthaceae
    Genus: Odontonema
    Species: callistachyum

    Red Firespike
    Family: Acanthaceae
    Genus: Odontonema strictum
    Common Names: firespike, cardinal guard, scarlet flame

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  27. Chris,
    We are desperate for rain. And today, well, we were told we had a slight chance for some but it never came.

    Firespike was new to me last year but I have made several new plants from one. You are right ... so easy to propagate. I'd be happy to share some cuttings with you.

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  28. Kylee,
    I DO hope she forgives us. It's kind of rude to be THIS late but it is sort of an informal invitation wouldn't you say? I do hope you get your blooms up... it will make me feel better that we are both so late. :-)

    Things aren't exactly looking like their old selves yet but they are showing signs of growth with all the sun and warmth we've been having. At least things look promising again. It will be a while before things are back to normal. In the meantime, we are making the best of it working on the new beds and the veggie garden. Lots of stuff and lots of time involved but HEY... I love it!

    I've planted some wildflowers from seed. We'll see how they do. Glad you are getting out and starting that clean up. It's nice to get out I'm sure.
    Hugs,
    Meems

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  29. Rose,
    If I can be outside it is difficult to tie me down inside. Not much housework getting done these days. LOL The Gazanias like it hot... lots of sun and supposedly poor soil is fine. I have them in some rich soil so I hope they forgive me for that. thanks for stopping by - always good to see you.
    meems

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  30. Connie,
    This time of year I prefer 60's. But for some reason our sun is just hotter here. LOL Glad you are warming up there. It won't be long and you will be out and about, too. Interesting the Gazania does well there. That's what makes me wonder if it will last through the summer. I'm learning about this one. :-)
    Meems

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  31. Cheryl,
    I don't even think of that but now that you say it I can see why. I do lean toward the bright and vibrant and they are so readily available here. YOu will plant your Gazanias in May and I'm hoping mine make past May. Always fun to try new things. I'll be making notes on how well it does.
    Meems

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  32. Leedra,
    Thanks. It's fun playing with those close-ups. So much detail to focus on.

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  33. Helen,
    The garden is making every effort to return. Oh, you are going to love the firespike in your garden. It will fit right in. They get very large so give it plenty of room to grow.
    Meems

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  34. Linda,
    This year the azaleas were a particular stand out. Not only because they popped out right when everything had been frost bitten but they really bloomed outstandingly. It was a nice distraction from all the brown, dead stuff.

    The bacopa has been a nice addition. Good to know it holds up for you. When our nights stop cooling down and start to stay hot and humid like the daytime is when some things just can't make it. The spring garden will start to decline by then too. (right about the time yours is taking off)So, I'll be watching the bacopa and the gazania to see how well they hold up. No matter - I've already enjoyed them for almost 3 months so they have been well worth the investment.

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  35. Meems, that is called "making a grand entry" in the partying world ;)
    What an amazing feast of colours and blooms! Absolutely lovely.
    I've got those Pentas blooming for me too. They're so cheerful, arent they?

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  36. Sunita,
    HA! The kind where you don't want to be noticed but you do? Yes, the pentas are standards here... out performing year after year. I have some that are 10 years old... they just keep on blooming and almost all year long. Thanks for stopping by ... always a pleasure!

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  37. Meems, so glad you did a bloom day post. What lovelies you have blooming! Those pentas are just gorgeous and I love the colors. But I was blown away by the colors of the gananzia. I must look for some of those. Thanks for taking the time away from your garden to share with us. :}

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  38. Meems-would love a cutting of your Pink Firespike.
    I must try Gazania again.Grew those a few years back.Your's are so glorious,it makes me want to try them again.

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  39. I always marvel at the variety of plants you have. I recognize many of the blooms you show as grown as annuals here.

    I grew pentas last year for the butterflies. It was my first year trying them and I loved them.
    Marnie

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  40. As always, your garden is breathtaking, Meems. Azaleas, a favorite ... can't wait for mine to bloom in May. Though not a fan of Gazania in my garden, they look stunning in yours. Happy Spring!

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  41. That second picture - with the large treet trunks in the middle of lush beds - looks like heaven. Thanks for your encouraging words on my blog this morning. I'm glad to have established gardens like yours for inspiration.

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  42. Beckie,
    I'm with you. Those gazanias have given the vegetable garden lots of pop since January. They are so fun the way they open up with the sunshine and close up with sundown.

    Marnie,
    Pentas are a mainstay here. They grow to 3 or 4 feet and just as wide. So many butterflies are attracted to their cheery blooms. They live for a very long time - I have some that are 10 years old.

    Joey,
    Thank you. Some years I can take or leave the azaleas ... never paying any special attention to them. This year they out-performed with a profusion of color and blooms. Some years are like that.

    VW,
    Thank you. That is a portion of my front yard. Those oaks were here when we purchased 25 years ago. I am grateful for the shade and canopy of leaves they provide the understory. I'm sure with your determination and your hubbys help you will absolutely have all your gardening dreams come true.

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  43. I love seeing the bacopa planted in the ground (I've only grown it in containers here). What a pretty, delicate flower it is.
    I have a red Amaryllis blooming at the moment..in the house, of course. They must be so wonderful in the garden!
    What a happy sight the firespike blooms must be for you. I love the color.
    Happy Bloom Day, Meems. Late doesn't matter at all. Much, much better late than never :)

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Have a blessed day,
Meems


September 2010

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