White Spring Flowers in my Semi-Tropical Florida Garden

Carol 23 Comments

Gardenias are subtropical plants that thrive in warm, humid weather. Most gardenias are hardy in zones 8-11, though a few varieties hardy to zone 7 have been developed and a few are only hardy in zones 10 and 11.  Gardenias can be grown in pots and brought inside in cold climates. See How To Care For Gardenias  for more information.

I live in Central Florida, growing zone 9B which is semi-tropical. Amaryllis is a subtropical bulb that belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family and is native to South Africa. It is grown as a potted plant in most parts of the United States but can also be grown outdoors year round in warm areas like Florida. The red amaryllis you buy at Christmas are FORCED bulbs.

In the last month I’ve have shared lots of spring blooms. My large white amaryllis has bloomed for about a month. This last week was the final stalk with 4 or 5 blooms.

Read More

7 Ways to Take Care of Ourselves

Carol 5 Comments

When it comes to your health, you’ve probably heard everything in the book. On the blog we’ve discussed what foods you should eat, how much daily exercise you need, how many hours of sleep you need, and what you can and can’t put into your body. Basically, there’s this whole long list of what you should and should not be doing to your body and some of it actually contradicts itself. In theory, staying healthy is easy. But of course, it’s not that easy in practice.

Read More

Sky Watch Thursday With Flowers

Carol 13 Comments

One of my favorite linky parties is Sky Watch Thursday. The skies shared cover the range from sunrise to sundown and lots of beauty in between. Today my post is my view of the Florida blue skies over flowers. First is the view from the front yard over my frangipani tree. It was late afternoon and my front yard was in shade. (My house faces east and the sun crosses my house mid day.)

Read More

Decorating Mistakes of First Time Home Owners

Carol 4 Comments

Buying your first house is a major milestone for most of us. Not only is it intimidating to get a mortgage, save the down payment, and orchestrate a move, now the question is what do I do with this empty house? You’ve made a long term commitment buying this house and getting a mortgage. You may have certain indulgent ideas from a fantasy of the younger you. Your dream could be owning an oversized bed, or integrating a fireman’s pole from ceiling to floor, or designing truly magical children’s rooms. Whether or not it takes shape depends on your circumstances and updated sense of taste.

Yet sometimes, great décor decisions are not just about what you hope to achieve but also what you should avoid. That might sound negative, but actually, knowing a few limiting parameters can help you reign in your creativity to a reasonable and sensible degree, often to the point where decisions you make are fully justified, pointed, and appreciated.

Read More

Last Day of April in The Garden

Carol 24 Comments

Plumeria is a genus of flowering plants in the dogbane family, Apocynaceae. Most species are deciduous shrubs or small trees. The tropical species are indigenous to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, and as far south as Brazil, but are grown as cosmopolitan ornamentals in warm regions. Common names for plants in the genus vary widely but Frangipani or variations on that theme are the most common.

Yesterday I went into the front yard checking my plants around 10 AM. The sky was blue with white clouds and the temperature was about 81 degrees F.

Read More

5 Tips to Improve Your Home’s Curb Appeal

Carol 4 Comments

Many of us love our homes and enjoy doing small projects that make it special. This is certainly true of your home’s exterior. Whether you are looking to sell your home, or you just want to give your home a fresh look, view your house from the street. At first glance, is the yard welcoming? A well-maintained garden can add beauty and value to your home, while a neglected one can make it look run down and unkempt. Let’s consider basic easy steps to make your home’s exterior pleasant and appealing without breaking the bank.

Read More

Early Plumeria Flowers

Carol 41 Comments

Plumeria is a genus of flowering plants in the dogbane family, Apocynaceae. Most species are deciduous shrubs or small trees. The tropical species are indigenous to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, and as far south as Brazil, but are grown as cosmopolitan ornamentals in warm regions. Common names for plants in the genus vary widely but Frangipani or variations on that theme are the most common.

April is still the dry season here in Central Florida with few rainy days and lots of blue skies.

Read More