Hollis Garden is a 1.2 acre free public garden on the south side of Lake Mirror in downtown Lakeland, Florida. It’s a beautiful environment filled with flowers and doesn’t seem to be crowded.
Read MoreCategory: Come To The Garden
Flowers and gardens, Eco-friendly Gardening

Peach Hibiscus by the Parking Lot
You know we should enjoy the simple things in life. For example, there is a large tropical hibiscus by the parking lot close to where I park. It just seems perfect to me that it’s a peach hibiscus bush. The other day it was covered in flowers.
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Azaleas in the Courtyard
I came out of my apartment on Tuesday to a beautiful day with blue skies and azaleas in bloom. Using my phone, I had to try and capture the wonderful moment. This is the view of the courtyard and blue sky from my second floor home.
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Tabebuia Trees Spring Blooms
Common name(s): Golden trumpet tree
Family: Bignoniaceae
USDA hardiness zones: 9B through 11
Origin: native to Central and South America
This last week I was surprised by the sudden blooms of bright yellow on trees in the neighborhood. I wasn’t familiar with the species. I did some research on the golden trees. Tabebuias are from the West Indies, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and Central America, but several species are very well adapted to South Florida. I was thrilled to find the golden beauties here in central Florida. Since they are tropical plants, they WON’T SURVIVE HARD FREEZES.
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5 Reasons to Make Your Garden Organic
With Gardening Resource List
This is an updated post (2024) with information to help our pollinators. Several years ago I wrote about what to do to help bees, Make Your Garden A Haven For Bees, and butterflies, 5 Steps for a Butterfly Garden. Does it seem strange to write about gardening in February? No, now is the time to dream and plan. Forget the snow, and imagine a spring day.
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Tulips at Publix Supermarket
I’ve been driving around and enjoying new places here in my new home of Lakeland, Florida. The days are mostly beautiful with blue skies although the temperatures have been chilly.
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Ways To Make The Garden An Extension Of Your Home
Even though we are in winter and many of us have snowy yards, today I want to discuss making our gardens useful places to visit. For many of us, our gardens often feel like a separate outdoor space that isn’t used that often. The problem people have is that perhaps they find that their outdoor space isn’t really a user friendly space. You may have a large lawned area, perhaps planted a few plants at some point, and maybe it is good for sitting out when the sun shines or watching your children play. Now consider how it can be a space that can be used for all kinds of things.
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September Yard In Central Florida
September is the height of hurricane season. It’s been hot, and we’ve had rain which means everything is growing. After years of getting up with an alarm clock, I wake up early most mornings. Sometimes I see a beautiful pink sky.
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