A totally gorgeous day in s.e. FL

The weather we are having today is exactly why northerners flock here in the winter, and it's what we who live here year round, wait for every year. The last couple of days have been up in the 80's, and we've had the a.c. on. Woke up this morning to chilly temps so that we had to wear flannel shirts outside, but now it is wonderful out.

I hand watered the front garden areas, then got the hose out to do my shed garden and the secret garden, when I decided to do some trimming of the Louis Philippe rose and the bougainvillea that were taking over my shed. I did as much as I could do with the pole cutter, then asked DH for some help to finish it off. He got on a ladder first, then got up on the roof to get all that was up there. Now both plants will take off like crazy. There are only 5 roses on what's left of LP, but it won't be long before there will be more blooms. I am really bad about not pruning, so that things get gangly and overgrown. It hurts, if you know what I mean, to prune things.

When DH was finished pruning the rose and the bougainvillea, he asked, what about this dead tree. I looked up and I said "No, it's dormant now and you don't want to commit crepe murder." I told him it was a crepe myrtle. He asked if it got trimmed, and I said no because you don't want to ruin the form of the tree. That crepe last year was absolutely beautiful loaded down with blooms.

Here's a picture now, quite a shock after the pictures I've shown here recently. :-)



Here is a Chrysler Imperial rose bud.

There are a few more in different stages of growth.

I love the scent of this rose.


The next two pictures are of epiphytes that I have several of. I don't know the name of this but know Steve or another epiphyte grower will be able to tell me what it is. I'll post this again after it blooms.




Here is a kalanchoe.


The next two photos are of Desert Cassia. I grew this from seed.

I think this is the third spring.




Now I feel ready for a nap. Then it will be time to make another loaf of bread in my faithful bread machine.

Have a great day whatever you are doing. Be thankful for blessings big and small.

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"The best is yet to be."

Robert Browning

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Zone 10 ~ s.e. FL

We had rain

We had a good old-fashioned thunderstorm last night, with plenty of lightening, thunder and a good amount of rain. We are thankful. It is still warm and humid though, the storm didn't cool down the temp any at all. Right now at 7:45 a.m. it is 79 but with 93% humidity it feels like it is 89. A high of 91 is expected, and with the humidity it will feel like it's 106, which is what it's been like for about a week now. Really miserable out. Another thunderstorm is expected this afternoon, hopefully after I get home from work.

The 'tomato horn worm' is not hanging on the rose this morning. I did notice that a lot of my salvia coccina has chewed off leaves, which is in the same pot as the rose. I didn't see the worm this morning, but he's good at camouflaging himself. He was a huge worm, not one I want to see more of either.

Below is an epiphyte, an air plant which grows on host plants/trees without killing or hurting host plant. I'm not sure which kind this one is, but I'm sure someone will be able to tell me. Orchids are epiphytes, as are bromeliads, staghorn ferns, and others. It is on the palm tree out from the kitchen's screened porch. I love the green lichen on the tree also.






Here is Louis Philippe against the Norfolk pine tree's bark. I love the contrast.



Here we have Queen Crepe's purple blooms in the foreground of yet another 'shed shot'.



I want to thank all of you once again for viewing my posts and leaving your kind, encouraging comments. Glad you all liked the quote in yesterday's post.

******

The world is so empty

if one thinks only of the mountains,

rivers, and cities;

but to know someone who thinks and feels with us,

and who, though distant

is close to us in spirit,

this makes the earth for us an inhabited garden.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe


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Zone 10 ~ s.e. FL