Florida Gardening:: A Seasonal Re-Cap

It's the time of year when it seems Florida either has loads of rain or none at all. Our plants already have to adapt to sandy soil, sweltering temperatures, and unbearably high humidity. By this time, they've recovered fully from winter's random freezes, waited patiently (with help from irrigation) through our dry season (which is oddly during spring), and summer rains have kept them nourished in plenty. Plants and humans alike breathe a sigh of relief once the atmosphere is right for the 'hit and miss' pattern of rains to get started.
We learn to choose plants sutiable for our summer heat and humidity because we know at the outset they have to endure a long period of these tough conditions. Right plant, right place is a Florida-Friendly principle to practice for the greatest success rate in any Florida garden.

All the summer rain means the plants we chose to survive sunny, dry conditions (Mexican sage, bulbine, beach sunflower, sedum gold, achillea to name a few) can become very unhappy with days-on-end of rain. Other plants can suffer from the onset of fungus and disease with so much moisture.

Gardeners are well aware our fall season is likely to feel and act just-like-summer with the added factor of hurricane season in full force. Once in a while some of the cool air from the northern states might push its way this far south; then we enjoy some refreshing dry air for a brief visit. It's all random. The cool (dry) air doesn't stay very long.

Nevertheless, these September days are ever-so-gradually getting shorter and the sun is obviously making its rotation into the southern sky. I revel in the beauty of the autumn shifts in light and shadows.

The understated changes in Florida's seasons are keenly noticed by gardeners. Dormant caladiums that sprouted in March/April are gradually fading and going to sleep for the winter. Although the bulbs I planted in July/August remain perky and bright. That's why I like to hold some of them back to plant in mid-summer. It extends the foliage display well into fall.

Thanks to Classic Caladiums for giving me many new selections of bulbs to trial this year I've had a blast experimenting with them. Many of them are from their 'Sun Series' exclusive varieties which you can read more about here.

From the sun series 'White Wonder' has decidedly captured my attention and my heart. Giving it the ultimate test, by taking the chance it would perform exceedingly, I planted it in my front garden. More precisely, at the driveway entrance and along the roadside. It has not disappointed from any aspect.

This variety is bred for full sun exposure~~an amazing quality for any caladium. It has a mounding habit and tops out at 18" tall which makes it ideal for borders. They are planted on a slight slope where the soil drains rapidly. Flourishing with rainfall alone all summer and quite a bit of sun exposure 'White Wonder' passed the love-test in my garden. I will miss them greatly when they fade away for a winter reprieve.
Some beauties hold out for autumn to begin their bloom time. Such is the case with this young Brugmansia suaveolens grown from a small cutting that Chris from the Great Wall of Lutz passed on to me two summers ago. The first-ever buds on it froze in last December's early freezes. So this is actually the first time it has flushed out with success.

Intriguingly simple beauty from these complex trumpeted blooms.

After two weeks of virtually no rain we've gotten about 3 inches in the last 3 days (loads or not-at-all). I'm grateful and so are the plants that thrive on moisture like the magnificent Australian Tree Fern.

In the midst of end-of-summer dry/wet conditions and the continually high heat index ~~even though it is officially fall ~~ now is the time to crank up the vegetable garden again. It is always a guessing game depending on your location in the state. My green beans are putting on their second set of leaves. If it stays too hot they won't like it. A warm season vegetable that seems to like it less humid. Slightly cooler, drier air would be perfect for them to live a stress-free life. At least that's been my experience. Seeds are cheap so I keep trying even when conditions are not ideal.

[Take a look at this vegetable planting guide for dates of when and what to plant.]

Okra on the other hand respects the heat AND humidity ... growing well in the worst part of summer. It's a good thing we happen to like this odd vegetable. It's one that causes many noses to scrunch up in distaste at the mention of it.

The Cuphea ignea is taking up lots of valuable real estate in one of the framed beds in the back corner of the edible garden. Hummers and butterflies favor the long tubular flowers that bloom almost all year long. They visit frequently so the flowering shrub remains even though veggies would vie for that sunny spot. It's all about the choices we make.

Learning what grows well in our own gardens and placing them where they will be happy is what makes Florida gardening so thrilling. We do our best with the conditions thrown our way and we learn as we grow. All that said... I'm looking forward to some drier, cooler air... what about you?

** All photos are from this past week in my garden. Clicking on them individually will take you to captioned photos on my Picasa Website.

Summer Reflections

If August is wonderful for Florida gardeners, and it is, September is even better. Why? Because the garden is bursting at the seams from a long hot, rainy summer.

Although my garden is well-suited for sauna-like conditions and actually thrives in it, the gardener is very appreciative of the promise September holds for autumnal changes.

Subtle and incidental differences like night-time temps eventually dropping below 78F are the first indicators we are transitioning to a new season.

I've learned to focus on the positive side of every stage in the garden but I have to tell you the prospect of upcoming cooler weather gives me feelings of giddiness.

In the late summer garden blackberry lilies are still blooming sporadically.

Although many have transformed from the lily ~~to the berry. Every phase of this plant is easy and carefree. It was just a couple of years ago these were gifted to me by fellow gardeners. Each year they have multiplied from the seeds the berries drop. Shout-outs to my friend Kathi and Susan of Simply Susan ~~(((hugs))) for sharing.

Our characteristically muggy climate lasts for more months than I prefer. Showy flowering plants are not the normal sight in a shady Florida summer garden. Wisdom beckons us to adjust our garden choices to texture and foliage for summer glory. Why fight the elements? We learn to flow with them.
Companion plants of caladiums, coleus, ferns, bananas, irises, begonias, variegated plants, crinums, grasses, alocasias, philodendrons and many more ~~ give our gardens the sense that Florida is a tropical wonderland.

Down my tropical pathway where the shade gets thicker and thicker with each passing year it is the forms and textures that draw me there.

And, of course, the deep cooling shade.

After being out of town for several days recently I returned home to wander the pathways and breathe in the beginnings of this favorable month of September.

Blue butterfly (Ugandese Clerodendrum) is a consistent summer-through-fall bloomer. I have several bushes located in partial sun situations. The large cone-shaped bloom heads are comprised of individual butterfly replicas. So sweet... and blue!

What begins in spring with tiny pink flowers on American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)bushes turns into these plump, juicy-looking clusters of magenta by late summer.

Birds of all sorts have already begun to nibble from their naturally-good bounty.

This summer the Stromanthe (not trio-star) in between the central perennial pathway and the tropical pathway turned into small trees (well, maybe not trees) forming fountains of foliage way above the mother plants at ground level. I adore the deep burgundy underside of the broad green leaves. No flowers... just simple texture and form beautifully contributing to the back gardens.

The tropical pathway might give the illusion of ending where bromeliads of all sizes,colors, and shapes hug the ground beneath 'plumbea nigra' alocasias and a red banana (Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii'). But once your feet travel down this path there are actually more sights to see. Turning left ~ options to follow tributary trails through the central perennial garden or the way-back garden will keep you wandering.

Turn to the right and you'll circle the backsides of the tropical garden as well as the butterfly and wildflower gardens. Or make a quicker turn and this trail (above) with 'moonlight' caladiums, buddha belly jatropha (podagrica), and giant oyster plants take you further back to the compost piles and bird feeders.

The wildflower garden on the back side of the circle garden is just that... kind of wild. But a cluster of 'Red Flash' caladiums tucked at the foot of the arbor and below the candlestick cassia brings some order to the summer view.

Another clump of 'Red Flash' caladiums in front of the cassia and the arbor draws the eye as well as strolling feet beyond the circle garden, under the arbor, and to the outer edges of the back garden.

Sulphur butterflies continue to lay eggs on the candlestick cassias in the front and back gardens. These plants are every bit of 12' feet tall and full of golden 'candelstick' blooms that even the hummers visit. I fancy this variety of cassia for the large leaves that fold up at night fall.

Summer's last days mean more rain with the slightest hint of cooler weather. Even though these factors signify an eventual decline in garden growth I look forward to the switcheroo this season brings. Are you looking forward to fall in the garden?

Large Leaves::Simply Exotic

There's nothing that speaks tropical quite as boldly as enormous paddle-shaped leaves of banana trees.

Non-fruit-bearing Red 'Ensete Maurelii' bananas are just so lovely amidst the shade garden. It is here where moisture is naturally retained better than any other parts of the garden.

Mixing in elements of any large-leaved specimen adds a particularly appealing dimension to the garden. Feelings of exotic rainforest gardens come to mind and hot humid environments are the perfect place for them.

Large leaves come in various shapes and color tones. The rounded shape of Begonia 'rotundifolia' leaves, at the base of a Red Banana, are accentuated by the magenta hued veining they sport.

Queen Emma is known for her elongated presence and stately stance in the tropical pathway. All the Queens are wearing deep battle wounds from their plight with Eastern Lubber Grasshoppers that make her their first choice with voracious appetites. Makes. Me. So. Sad.

At the back end of the tropical pathway is one of my very favorite Alocasias. The 'Plumbea Nigra' is noted for its very dark, 18"-24" leaf length and puckering foliage surface.

The top of the leaf is dark green with the underside and stem being black-ish magenta. Just a beautiful stand out next to the Red Banana and bromeliads at their feet.

Philodendrons of all sorts say "tropical and exotic". The 'Rojo Congo' must be kept in the shade but requires little else.

The bright red petioles against its deep green, large leaves that emerge redish-brown just take my breath away. I've kept 3 of them in containers so they can be moved for protection against frost.

Caladiums most certainly fit into the category of large exotic leaves. Summer comes alive with their happy heart-shaped faces throughout the garden. 'White Queen' pops in the central pathway with cast iron leaves of green next to her.

'Red flash' is one of the largest leaves of any caladium variety.

Elephant ears of Alocasia 'Portadora' are without question the largest leaves in my garden. Easily 3' long and almost as wide. Half of me could hide behind them. Their upright habit is very different from the drooping leaves of most common elephant ears which I do NOT prefer. This one not-so tiny trait makes all the difference for me.

Snuggled up under this particular 'Portadora' (there are three others in the berm) is the show-off Colocasia 'Mojito'. And still another layer beneath them is more White Queen caladiums (barely seen in this photo).

'Mojito' grabs attention with its very large lime green leaves and black/purple-ish splotches randomly splattered about each large leaf.

The ever-so-common Split-leaf Philodedron or Selloum is in close competition for being the largest leaf in the garden. I take them for granted. They are so easy and care free. Standing at least 12 feet tall and almost as wide several of these monsters create the foundational backdrop for my back gardens. Under the shade of the oak trees they rarely even freeze back.

A young (second year) Musa 'Siam Ruby' banana is causing me to question whether it is sited correctly. It has me guessing if it is getting enough sunlight as it is not quite as tall as I would have expected by now. I chose it for the odd leaf-coloration and red stems. It's a cheery addition and I'm keeping my hopes up for it liking this spot.

As I write this I realize I left out a few others that I seem to take for granted just like the Selloums above which are such stalwart foundational plants. My garden is full of Saw Palmettos (Serenoa Repens) that I adore. I should give them their very own blog entry they are so valuable to me.

What are your favorite large leaves in the garden?

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Feel free to wander over to my most recent Lowe's Creative Ideas Post Entry.
Hard Working Liriope

Humid With a Chance of Rain

It's a good thing there are some summer bloomers that don't mind humid, hot conditions.

The July garden offers just that. Day in and day out. We start out warm and we end up warm. Crape myrtles come alive at the onset of summer and thrive in our humid conditions.

Florida's rainy season begins in summer following our long, dry spring.

We are grateful for the six plus inches of rain that started the rainy season off with much needed heavenly liquid.

As a result of our consistent warmth and rainy conditions the garden grows like a jungle.

Frequent walks through the garden to pick up fallen branches/sticks, pull weeds, soft prune and to pick off dead flowers is beneficial.

Getting out very early (or late, or both) and staying in the shade through the middle part of the day is advised in this kind of heat.

Weeds grow as fast as the plants and can get out of control quickly if ignored.

It's the season that reveals the plants we've sited correctly (or not) for size, sunlight needs, and water requirements. Putting the right plants in the right place is essential for summer happiness.

It is easy to see which plants are quite content as they continue unfurling new growth.

There are a few Agapanthus blooms that first appeared in May still scattered about in the midst of July.

Their numerous trumpeted flowers shaped into large round orbs atop tall scapes are providers of nectar to all sorts of flying critters.

In the front garden where spring's new plantings replaced the last bit of the lawn there it's easy to see how rapidly they are filling in with all the rain.

Caladiums have popped out of the ground so happy to be a part of the summer scenery. Some return each year. New ones planted to fill in the gaps go in the ground June/July every year also.

There are pests that thrive on summer's feast of overgrowth and hide in its lushness. The Eastern Lubber grasshoppers are my biggest problem in the summer garden. Without a predator (except me) to ward them off they eat huge portions of my big-leaved tropicals leaving them tattered and unsightly. This one unpolitely chomping on the sweetly scented blooms of butterfly gingers.

Colorful foliage of Stromanthe in the shade resembles a water color painting from the back side of their lovely leaves.

Over in the sunny edible garden weeds have gone awry and need to be tamed. Soon. But the flowering perennials and annuals loving summer's heat draw the hummers and pollinators regardless of the overgrown weeds.

Gardening in the summertime in Florida can be challenging. It's when I am MOST grateful for my mostly shady garden that protects me (and the plants)from the direct sunlight as I work.

Like every other season the garden is where you'll find me in my free time. And like every other season the summer garden has its glories. I want to be right there in the face of them so I don't miss a thing.

Happy gardening wherever you are! Meems

**All photos taken Sunday during a stroll around Hoe and Shovel. For photo identification click on the photo. You'll be taken to my Picasa Web Album where each photo is captioned. Back click to return to this post.