Gardening in Central Florida

We've had some record-breaking heat (mid 80s) this past week, prompting me to finish running my water line to a spot nearer the garden, ...

I've been too busy, in the garden and at the office, to write much about gardening during the last month. Spring is here -- azaleas, som...

Cool Roses - American Rose Society Rosarians West Palm Beach, Florida.

Some photos of my 'Greenheart Orange' Pot Marigold, which came into bloom a couple of days ago. I don't know if I get the first ...

The past week has alternated between cool, crisp and clear days and warm, sunny ones. Lots of new growth in the garden, including my roses. ...

This site at Texas A&M has a comprehensive list of OGRs and some modern shrub roses that are suitable to the climate in North Texas. Th...

On Dec. 29, I planted in my garden: 'Celine Forestier,' 1842 (own root, from Seminole Springs). A one-quart plant that I placed n...

Crocosmia George Davidson Item# 692005 Canna Lily Journey's End Item# 673203 Canna Lily Lucifer Item# 673003 Gladiolus Albus Item# 72492...

Turning the corner of my main flower bed, I planted today: Camellia 'Dr. Tinsley' Camellia 'Don Mac' Camellia '...

A rule for roses here in Florida: There's an inverse ration between heat and bloom size. Hot weather means frequent flushes but smaller ...

Oxalis triangularis , about four weeks from the time I set it out into the pot. The flower is slightly pinky. Very striking.

I succumbed to temptation and bought a yellow miniature rose, Millenium Yellow, from Lowes. Given its growth habit, I wanted to put it somew...

At the beginning of November, I stopped by Lowes to buy some paving base for a project, and noticed the clerk rolling out a cart of $1.50 ro...

The cooler, drier weather and the shortening diurnal cycle triggered many of my orchids to bloom. Left, Cycnodes 'Wine Delight'; an...

A new orchid blooms today. Like some lithe dancing insect. Brassidium Lonlglen 'Orchid Man.'

With Central Florida's sandy, hot and nematode ridden soil, most roses are doomed to a few years' lifespan before losing vigor and e...

If you've read my previous postings on rose culture, you'll see that I'm a wonk of all things Rosa . I grow a few dozen orchids,...

left: Prosperity and Don Juan below: A closeup of Prosperity. The pinkish center fades quickly in the heat of summer, but remains when it co...

The challenges for rose culture here in Central Florida are many: sandy, infertile soils that heat quickly in the summer sun; high humidity ...