A hot summer is continuing through August here in Central Florida with quite a few thunderstorms. My stand-by in the garden besides tropical hibiscus is my faithful periwinkle.
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My First Amaryllis Blooms of 2022
(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.)
Rosemary: If you live in USDA plant hardiness zones 7 or below, rosemary will only survive if you bring it indoors before the arrival of freezing temperatures. On the other hand, if your growing zone is at least zone 8, you can grow rosemary outdoors year round with protection during the chilly months. I live in zone 9B, semi-tropical, here in central Florida. I can grow amaryllis outside while northern climates can grow traditional spring bulbs like daffidils and tulips. I cannot grow those.
Friday began at 2:00 AM as a thunderstorm raged over my house. By 2:30 AM we were under a tornado watch for 15 minutes. Then the lightening and thunder passed followed by quiet rain. I was wondering if my amaryllis buds that I shared on Thursday survived the wind and rain. Luckily they did. At 8 AM I saw a pink flower opening. By 4:30 PM, 2 flowers were open and 1 bud was starting to open. Photos were taken Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. I cannot grow northern spring flowers like tulips as Florida is too warm. Amaryllis is a semi-tropical bulb that flowers in spring in warm climates. You see them in homes at Christmas and they are forced bulbs. I hope you enjoy my first amaryllis blooms this season. This pink and white plant is right by my expanding rosemary bush.
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Tropical Anthurium
Anthuriums are herbaceous epiphytes native to tropical America, a genus of more than 800 species found in the New World tropics from Mexico to northern Argentina and Uruguay.
Spectacular red spathes make Anthurium andreanum a popular houseplant. Most winters I have one to bring a bright spot of tropical beauty to my home. Today I’m sharing just a few photos of the pretty red spathes or “flowers”. The spathes can last more than a month.
January Orchids in Ft. Lauderdale
Photos are courtesy of my friend Beverly in South Florida. I personally can not grow orchids. They always die. I do love orchids and enjoy flowers grown by friends.
My Favorite Flowers & Nature Photos From 2021
Monday we looked at the top posts of 2021 in terms of visitors and link party features. At the end of the first year of my little blog, I did a post of my favorite flowers from the year before. I included flowers in the garden or in a bouquet. If you’ve visited me before you probably know flowers are one of my great loves. Several years ago I also included a few nature shots, another great love. Today’s post is some of my favorites photos of flowers and nature from 2021. I hope I included some of yours too.
Red Hibiscus & Frangipani
Tropical Hibiscus, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis: Tropical hibiscus grows permanently in the landscape in warmer U.S. Dept of Agriculture zones 9 through 11, unless they are taken indoors in winter. Outdoors, one freeze – below 25 degrees Fahrenheit – will kill them A hibiscus flower usually has five petals (a single hibiscus).
The white frangipani (Plumeria alba) is a deciduous plumeria tree that is native to tropical areas
I picked a large red single hibiscus and several frangipani flowers for a blue vintage bowl on the table. For one day, I have flowers to brighten my room.
Early Evening June 12th
Last Saturday was a beautiful day here in Central Florida with blue skies and of course, lots of sunshine and heat. Around seven PM is a great time to stretch my legs and take a little walk down the street. The sun is lower in the sky and the heat of mid-day has lessened. There is a slight breeze in the air.
Orchid Time
Many orchids thrive in Florida’s heat and humidity and can do well in the home and around the yard.
Today’s photos are just a few views of my friend Beverly’s orchid blooms. In the fall I shared Beverly’s October Flowers and November Orchids. I just love seeing her beautiful flowers. She lives further south here in Florida and has perfect trees that provide sheltered light in her yard. Her lanai is also the perfect habitat. Her orchids thrive. I have never had luck growing orchids, but I love to see the blooms. For information on growing orchids, see The Spruce’s How to Grow Orchids Indoors.