There were also lots of plants that appeal to gardeners. I was surprised to see many plants that I recognized from Austin, Texas,
including Agaves and Salvias.
Not surprisingly, the gardener was out working in her garden. Like gardeners everywhere, she informed me that her garden didn't look its best; there had been record cold the previous week that damaged many things.I couldn't detect any damage anywhere, and it all looked wonderful to me.
I just loved what the gardener did with that little strip of land between the driveways.
Even though I can't grow most of these plants, the structure of this little garden area has much to offer. By substituting plants with similar shapes and textures, Northern gardeners could achieve a similar effect.While walking, I was reminded of VP's interest in traffic circles (roundabouts).
Roundabouts are about as rare in South Florida as they are in the Chicago area.
I think this one took a hit in the cold.
At least these flowers still looked good.And now, a little gratuitous floral exuberance.
These shots of color are just what I needed, now that I've returned to the frozen tundra, I mean Northern Illinois.
38 comments:
What a pretty garden, so full of color and texture and form. I couldn't see any winter damage either. But I guess the gardener knows their own garden best. To me, it all looks like paradise.
I almost had to get my sunglasses out to look at all the colorful flowers. I'm too used to winter's drabness. Thanks for taking us along to see this garden with you!
Carol, May Dreams Gardens
So beautiful. I hope you had a really good vacation - I'm very jealous.
Thanks for the shot of color, MMD. It's still a white wonderland here in upstate NY, and snowing again this morning, so I truly appreciate seeing this beautiful Florida garden.
I can imagine how a frost would put Florida gardeners into a panic. I was just reading yesterday about Meem's frost damage. Very sad.
This garden still looks wonderful in your lovely photos.
Glad you were able to soak up some warmth to help carry you through until April.
So glad you had a sockless toe in the warm sands adventure in the middle of your winter. The garden is beautiful and the structure is excellent. We are so used to brown (and white in your snow covered world) that I don't see the frost damage, just the magnificent blooms and greenery. Thank yopu for sharing your winter break with us!
gail
Wow, that is indeed a gorgeous garden! I know it made your vacation that much more special. That purple duranta in the 4th picture reminds me that I need that variety. I think I'll make EM stop at a nursery when we're in town today. Maybe a couple of nurseries. Three at the most.
The gardener is her/his own worst critic! Love these shots of plants I cannot grow but love to see. Glad your toes got some freedom.
Now that's what I call a dream garden, MMD. I know exactly how you feel to just walk about without any socks or boots and to soak up that wonderful sunshine. When I really retire its my dream to move back to a warmer climate where I can garden year round. Of course gardeners never retire from their gardens they just spade away :-)
I love that little "pocket garden"! I see you spent some time in the Florida sunshine too. Don't you wish we could have brought it back with us? Such beautiful flowers and plants down there!
That's a wonderful garden. Much of the landscaping I saw in Florida when I've been there has been utterly without character, but this garden has a lot of personality.
I remember those blue flowers. (though not what they're called)
Those are indeed much-needed color injections! And that is a very lovely garden, indeed. It's so true we all apologize first for however our garden looks!
I was hoping you made friends with the gardener and got invited to (iced) tea. If you visit that area every year, wouldn't it be nice to have a fellow gardener to look forward to chatting with?
Now that's what I call a winter vacation, visiting gardens! I always check to see if their are botanical gardens or such when I travel. And you found a real treasure there. Beautiful
Wow, I needed that today!
Hi MMD, were you wearing flip flops? That is the epitome of spring and summer, the lack of confining footwear when toosies can breather freely once again. Ahhhh. Thanks for showing us that gardens are really growing happily someplace in the US. If there is damage from frost, it doesn't show up in these great photos.
Frances
I think it wonderful you got to vacation in sunny Florida! And what a lovely gardener. I bet you enjoyed talking with the gardener as much as seeing her garden. Just lovely color, not so here-it is freezing! Stay warm in the tundra-oops-Illinois:)
Lucky you to be able to spend some time where it is warm enough to barefoot outside. My kind of place for sure. And to find such a delightful garden-wow! Some of those Floridians really know how to pack an area full of beaty don't they.
I see where you have had more snow since returning home. Makesyou want to turn right around and head back south doesn't it! :)
Carol - it's almost hard to remember seeing flowers that color! We're so used to white, yellow & a little purple.
Victoria - the trip wasn't long enough, but it helped a lot.
Kerri - we had a nice 5" of snow yesterday, so I can't even see my Snowdrops now. Thank goodness for gardenblogs!
Gail - I think a lot of us could use a winter break. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Cindy - so that's what it is, a Duranta. I loved the color and the flowers reminded me of my Phlox. I'd grow one if I could.
Layanee - it's so true! We can grow some of those things - as tiny houseplants and as annuals.
Carolyn Gail - LOL! Yes, I can imagine that if you're from the South, putting up with Chicago winters can get pretty old. Heck, it gets to be too much for Chicago natives.
Kylee - I wouldn't want to bring the 80s back, but I could go for 40s & 50s.
EAL - The blue flowers look a lot like Plumbago, but the plants seemed too small.
Monica - I'm happy to provide a service for color-starved Northern gardeners.
Kathy - I probably will take a walk over there every year now. The garden is only a couple of years old, so it'll be interesting to see how it matures.
MsRobin - my kids aren't interested in visiting gardens, so I have to find flowers where I can. Fortunately, that's very easy to do in South Florida.
MA - great!
Frances - I was wearing those hot pink Croc-type sandals that I posted a photo of last May/June. It was so overcast that morning that the colors of the garden almost seem muted.
Tina - there's nothing I like better than talking gardens (except maybe seeing them).
Beckie - it's hard to believe that just a week ago I was wearing a swimsuit, flying a kite and playing in the ocean. Sigh...meterological spring begins in a week!
Even those of us in North Florida are a little evnvious of gardens like this. Great photos and thanks for the tour. Glad you got to let your feet breathe!!
Ahhhh, MMD, you were south of me but that yard design looks oh, so, familiar to me from my visits in that area. It is a wonder how much more tropical it is down there... I even drool over their landscapes. It still amazes me how far south that freeze went. It's unusal for us but REALLY unusual for south Florida to get freezing temps.
I've been excited to see the use of so many more round abouts on our coast... especially in the beach towns. They do slow things down a bit. The blue flower used there looks to be Blue Daze.
Kind of comical... I get excited when I get to wear covered toed shoes... like my boots. Flops have become so common place year round.
So glad you get to come to Florida for a brief getaway. This is the one of the best times of year to be here. I'm not looking forward to summer.
Glad you enjoyed your trip. The garden was very beautiful and it's good to warm up for a while.
I know summer has arrived when I can walk around the house in bare feet!
How wonderful to even think about a tropical vacation. And even more wonderful to think how a gardener made such a beautiful garden for passersby to enjoy. We have snow and wind and are not enjoying it this am.
Darla - South Florida really does seem to be another world, especially near the ocean.
Meems - it was so cold there, the manatees were huddled near the power station where the water is warmer. I've been to South Florida during the summer a few times. It's no hotter there than at home and, unlike home, there are no mosquitoes, as they get blown inland. I guess it is paradise.
Easygardener - me too! It's also a sign of summer when I can sleep barefoot.
Pat Leuchtman - hang in there, it's almost March. Things are going to start changing really soon. I can feel it. (Alright, I can't feel it, but maybe if I pretend I can...)
The Florida garden looks like a tropical paradise to me! The narrow garden certainly is more appealing than a strip of lawn or concrete, a little urban oasis.
Thanks for showing the "roundabout"--I wasn't quite sure what VP was talking about.
Sorry you had to come back to the reality of Illinois winters:)
I'd forgotten your parents are in Florida. I believe you went last year, too... didn't you?
Beautiful photos! I'm sure you had a wonderful time without your winter coat and snowpants! ;-)
Spring is coming!! yea!
What lovely pictures of a lovely garden. I so enjoy visiting other people's gardens, especially when they're in full bloom while mine is buried under snow! Glad you could enjoy some sun - VW
Photo nr1: WOW
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Amazing !
LOL!
Linda
What a pretty Florida garden. I recognize some of those plants that grow in Austin too. But overall it's definitely not an Austin-looking garden to me. All those lush, big-leaved plants would just shrivel up in our dry summers.
I thought Meems' comment was funny about getting excited to wear boots. That's how I feel! Our boot weather is limited indeed.
Rose - I'm glad I was able to clarify the roundabout issue. Now I'm singing that Yes song "Roundabout."
Shady - a trip to Florida makes spring come so much sooner (or at least it feels that way).
Thanks, Linda Lunda! A little tired of winter, are you?
Pam - it's interesting how the same plants. The soil of this garden is probably mostly sand, but all the rainfall allows for the lush effect.
Loved your first sentence ... that's me ... hate socks :( What a pleasure to walk the beach and catch a few rays :) Sounds heavenly as are your photos. Thanks for the mini-vacation!
What a treat to see this during our hard winter. Kind of gives us hope that soon we will have color in our yards.
Hope you had a nice break.
The pics of the Florida garden had some lovely form and texture
Love the stepping stone pathway.
K
Ha! I call it the frozen tundra here too.
Looks like you had a wonderful respite from brown, drab, cold, snowy, damp, etc.
So much green and so much color are sights for winter-weary eyes.
Joey - I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Balisha - it's hard to believe, but in a little over a month, our gardens will be bursting with Daffodils and Tulips!
Karen - there were so many wonderful vignettes in this garden, I wish I had had space to post photos of them all.
Garden Girl - at least it's not permafrost around here.
MMD, It looks gorgeous. You must have had a wonderful time. I would like nothing more than to spend a week in FL right now:) My daughter is coming home in a week for spring break, but I don't think we're going to get there:( My son has spring break the week after her--so things just aren't that 'smooth', DARN:)
Good to see you back and refreshed. What a lovely garden to be able to explore. It looks chocked full of tropicals to me. It makes me warm just looking at them.
Jan - you'd think these schools would consider your needs when they schedule breaks. ;^)
Lisa - those hot colors are just thing, aren't they?
A friend from choir's off to Florida today. Sigh.
Great photos and thanks for the roundabout - I've added the link into Out on the Streets. Your good/bad planting sounds like they'd be good too.
VP - thanks for adding my post in. I must admit that there is no place quite like Florida in January.
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