Tag: tropical garden

August Orchid Mania

Carol 24 Comments

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.

Today I’m sharing four more photos from my friend Beverly. It is a blessing to see beautiful orchids growing in tropical Florida . One began to flower at the end of July and several others joined in in the last week. Beverly calls it her orchid mania. She has so many beautiful orchids. I hope you enjoy the exotic flowers.

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Aloe Flowers in July

Carol 28 Comments

Aloe is a genus containing over 560 species of flowering succulent plants. The most widely known species is Aloe vera, or “true aloe”. It is called this because it is cultivated as the standard source for assorted pharmaceutical purposes. Aloe plants are tropical and originally from southern Africa. Their flower clusters are tubular-shaped and come in many colors.

In my backyard, I have lots of Aloe plants. I have a few Aloe Vera plants which stay small and do not flower, and another type with nasty thorns. I have not identified which thorny species I have, but it blooms every July. Their flowers are a lighter color than the deep orange or orange-red of most aloe flowers. It is more a coral with a showing of blue-green on the tubular flower. (A visitor using an app has identified it as Aloe Maculata.)

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Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida

Carol 61 Comments
Leu Gardens. 1920 N Forest Ave, Orlando, Florida
Leu Gardens
Open daily 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (closed Christmas)

This post was originally shared on July 5, 2018. I have updated it with current information. Photos were taken over several seasons.

The next time you visit Central Florida and the Orlando area, take a day to visit beautiful Leu Gardens.  The gardens are an amazing 50-acre botanical oasis minutes from Downtown Orlando. Each garden is designed specifically to further the mission: inspire visitors to appreciate and understand plants. The garden and historical home were donated to the City of Orlando in 1961 by Mr. Harry P. Leu and his wife, Mary Jane.  Admission is a reasonable $15 for adults, $10 for children 4 – 17, and free for children 3 and under. You can purchase admission tickets online. The following first Mondays will be Free Admission days at Leu Gardens:  July 4, 2022 – August 1, 2022 – September 5, 2022 – October 3, 2022.

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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.

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Spring Arrives in Central Florida

Carol 9 Comments

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. Amaryllis flower in the late winter through early spring in central Florida.

For several weeks central Florida kept getting cold spells as storms crossed the country.  Not cold like up north but below our average for winter.  I wasn’t out seeing the neighborhood or noticing neighbor’s gardens.  This last weekend it warmed up and I’ve been riding and going out in the car a lot this last week.

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Fairchild Tropical Gardens

Carol 61 Comments

This post was orginally posted on 3/7/2019. I’m re-sharing it today as I love the beautiful Fairchild Botanic Tropical Garden in South Florida.

Fairchild Botanic Tropical Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road Coral Gables, FL 33156 

Fairchild is dedicated to exploring, explaining and conserving the world of tropical plants. We are one of the premier conservation and education-based gardens in the world and a recognized international leader in both Florida and international conservation. Currently Fairchild has field programs in over 20 countries including support to protected areas in Madagascar and Africa and botanic garden development and renovation projects in South and Central America, the Caribbean and the Middle East.

 

For many years I lived in South Florida. I moved to greater Miami back 40 years ago.  Later I moved slightly north to the greater Ft. Lauderdale area.  I have many friends in Dade County, Broward County and even just north to Palm Beach County and love visiting my favorite spots when I come back. Read More