Central Florida is usually hot and sunny. Even during December and January when we can go down to freezing once in a blue moon, we usually have warm, sunny afternoons. The heat wave that crossed the country finally came down to Florida. Yup, I recognized it as more like August weather for us. When I first moved to Miami back in the 1970’s, it took a while to get used to the summer heat. For the last few years here in semi-tropical central Florida , August has become such a hot and humid place. It seems worse than previous years. I have been staying in a lot and when I go in the garden, it’s early morning. Last Saturday I walked briefly in the yard at 9:30 am, and it was bright and hot. The temperature was 86 degrees F. The afternoon will go into the 90’s with a heat index of more like 104 F. My house faces east and the garden is Florida full sun on 95% of my yard. Mornings are worse in the front yard. Afternoons are worse in the back yard. My photos are mostly from the side yard and back yard today. I hope you enjoy the flowers.
Several weeks ago Vickie and I planted my potted yellow tropical hibiscus in the backyard. It seems much happier, and I hope it will grow well there. During the summer I rely on tropical hibiscus and periwinkle or vinca for flowers. They both love hot sunny days and thrive.
(African iris (below) grows best in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. It will tolerate several hours of shade but requires at least 6 hours of bright sun to bloom well. USDA Growing Zones 8 to 11)
Wishing you blue skies and flowers.
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…stay cool.
This is beautiful, Carol. I especially love the African Iris. I know what you mean about humidity — it wipes you out. It’s been in the 90s here but with a nice breeze and not much in the humidity line so it’s actually rather pleasant. But if it was humid — too much!
BEAUTIFUL flowers!
Lindo jardin te mando un beso.
Carol – we all have to adapt to the weather in the places we live, and now more than ever as it appears to be getting more extreme. I love the Iris you shared in your post! Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday!
beautiful blooms
Yes, I see Carol, you have the heat too. Of course,, we have summer, but this hot degrees are to mucch for me. Isn`t? Your garden is wonderful. I enjoyed reading.
Happy MosaicMonday
We had a bit of a heatwave last week and I enjoyed it, it’s back to grey skies and rain now. lol Your gardens are doing well, the flowers are so pretty.
Your blossoms are lovely. Have a good Monday. I am at 18 on the linky today
Much?love
Gilliena – which link party are you referring to? I want to come visit you.
Your summer blooms are very beautiful. I always love vinca and it grows good and multiplies! It’s nice and green and lush right now! Enjoy your week.
I love vinca or periwinkle too. (I really call it periwinkle as the name is cuter). My neighbor gave me 3 baby purple flowers to start and the wind brought me white ones. Periodically I take a baby from one place and plant it in another place to spread them around. I have lots now.
Despite the heat, your garden is looking fabulous! Well done, Carol!
-Soma
Beautiful photos as always hope its not too hot for you, one day of heat in London and they say it’s a heatwave lol
Have a cooltastic week ?
Beautiful, Carol!
I especially love the African iris.
Happy Tuesday!
Happy Tuesday!
Even in a heatwave, your flowers are pretty. Do you water a lot? Your weather sounds very similar to ours. Last week we suffered heat indexes of 105 – 108. It’s horrible. I’m not a summer girl anyway but it gets worse every year, but lot of that is our own fault. I feel really bad for the animals like polar bears and penguins where the ice is melting and they need that to survive.
You have a beautiful garden. I hope it cools off so you can enjoy it more. Thanks for sharing at #aclwcc. Pinned & Tweeted.
You are seeing plants that love hot sunny weather and they get water at least once a week
Your pictures are beautiful Carol – I could feel that tropical air and smell the gorgeous scents of your flowers! So fun to find you though Thursday Favorite Things. Thanks for the little visit to Florida for this PNW girl. Off to visit you at Pinterest – hope you have a lovely 4th of July weekend!
thanks for the sweet comment Barbara – isn’t it fun to visit new blogs and make new friends? I enjoyed your blog also. So many beautiful flowers. Happy 4th of July!
Stay cool and a beautiful garden
Lovely blooms ! Your garden is blooming profusely in spite of heat waves, Irises and hibiscus looks lovely. Thanks for sharing with Garden Affair.