Sunday, August 22, 2010

Butterfly Garden and Potting Area

It's been almost 2 months since I gave you the list of newbies. Well, I'm happy to say after much strife and worry, they are all in place. My new beauties have settled in their little holes and are starting to spread their wings.


This is my most faithful helper, Chance. We have just entered the butterfly garden through the fence gate. Hot sun most of the day; this view is on the east side of the house, nearest the fence, or the left side of the unfinished walkway. Here is a princess flower with its gaudy (but beautiful) purple blooms, yellow gallardia, red verbena, red coleus, native coreopsis, rosemary for remembrance (who all can guess whom it makes me remember?), butterfly weed, and red-leafed guara. That tall green stuff in the background is the famous bamboo wall.


This is red Mexican sage. There is a big bird of paradise behind it, which will soon find another home elsewhere in the yard as it is not happy here. The dark ruffled coleus in the front is absolutely stunning, and I adore it in any form and color.


As you look toward the back, you will see a pile of bricks poking up the side of the fence. One day, these are going to miraculously form a step down from the patio...one day...

So far, you've only seen the butterfly garden to the left of the walkway. This is the end of the garden on the right side of the walkway. I've attempted to hide the AC unit with canna lilies and purple fountain grass. It's worked from this view, but I'm still pondering what to do from the opposite angle.


As you progress along the walkway toward the "backyard", a large shade tree houses the very first bed I created here at Cannon Ball. This is a view.


This is a Lady Di heliconia, and yes, the image is dark. There was a thunderstorm brewing yesterday when I returned home from the Garden Fun. More on that later. The backdrop is an oak leaf roof over the shade bed that started this garden madness. The fern is a kangaroo fern, and it wants to be divided, but I've been a little lazy this summer. Yes, those are plastic pink flamingos in the backyard. I'm in Florida. I had to have some.


They guard and protect my new plants, as right in front of this is the "potting area" where new plants are quarantined in the yard before they become home.


I guess the reason I've chosen this place is: it's shady so any new plants can adjust but does get some afternoon sun for about an hour. It's right off the back porch so I can easily check up on the newbies. And when they are there, they are in my face to be placed, so I don't forget them.

So, what do I have in the holding area? Let's see, 2 pagoda flowers, a red-leafed hibiscus, a jatropha that looks like marijuana, Swedish Ivy, some new elephant ears, some old elephant ears I'm trying to save, Kimberly ferns, coleus rootings, a cassia tree, 2 variegated cannas, a new begonia, some new bromeliads, a vine (which are very dangerous in this state)...

.....and some plants I've thrown out in the shade bed--only to discover a year later that they came to life in the shade bed. Another post for later--"The Bed of Life"

Well, we have another storm brewing, so I think I'll put down the computer and listen to the bamboo chatter.

8 comments:

Unknown said...

yep-we've had tons of rain since the garden fun,yesterday.My low spots in the back could hold koi.I see some trenching in my future.
Great to finally meet you, yesterday.We all should do it again. And soon!

NanaK said...

Hi! It was so nice to meet you yesterday and now to "see" your garden. Love the flamingoes and your bamboo.

Brando said...

Chris-yes, after this evening's rain, I walked out back to drain some water out of the pool before I had fish in the house...and I think I am going to construct a French drain very soon. The area between my row of bamboo and the yard is about a foot deep. Our dog was in heaven--he had his own ocean.

NanaK--thank you. I like the flamingos too! I used to have this perception of Florida when I was a kid of trailers and pink flamingos...and I think they're just great. A garden isn't complete without them.

I agree with you both! I had so much fun yesterday, and it was such a delight to meet more fellow plant fanatics and hear stories and what plants irk us all! We really should do this again. Maybe I'll plan a garden event in the next few weeks.

Floridagirl said...

I love your garden! It is so full and lush and beautifully tropical. Don't know how I missed your Florida garden blog all this time. (Thanks to NanaK, I found it today.)

Meems said...

Brandy,
This is SO great to 'see' your garden. I LOVE the butterfly garden area and your lovely shade tree. How fortunate to have both spaces to plant all kinds of plants. The bamboo wall... so nice!

It's a good idea to keep those cuttings where you can't forget them. I do the same thing. Close to a water source.

You had me imagining that lovely, peaceful sound of it swaying in the wind. Hasn't this rain been divine!

So nice to see you again Saturday.
Meems

Brando said...

FloridaGirl-thank you for the compliments. I need to post where my yard began so you can see how much "lusher" it is compared to when we moved here two years ago!

Meems-thank you! Yes, I should have posted photos long, long ago. Well, look for more now. I absolutely love this rain; however, we need a French drain in one corner, and while that is a daunting idea (not to mention task). The butterfly garden looks like it's grown since Saturday.

Susan said...

Hi Brandy...I'm so glad to see you have a pair of flamingoes. You can't have a garden in Florida without some of them. Your butterfly garden and backyard look great. And, it looks like you're going to be busy planting this fall when the weather is a bit more enjoyable for working outdoors. I love the sound of bamboo creaking in the wind. Very soothing.

de said...

I just started receiving my emails on Central Florida Gardening, and I clicked on your blog and just love your garden. I live in Pasco County and our property jets back in the tropical jungle... talk about nature at it's best. I love it! The peace of mind and the array of wildlife, plants, & trees are a sight to behold. Our goldens love it as well. Hope to read more of whats happening with your garden..as I have alot of the same plants...lol. de