The Azaleas are blooming!

This very large Cuban Tree Frog is hiding safely in this birdhouse NOW.....As I removed the flagstone around the old pond I stumbled across quite a scene...this big guy was halfway down the throat of a rather large Black snake, either a Racer or a possible Indigo...when I startled him he regurgitated the Frog.....Grossss...watched the whole thing......The Frog literally screamed aloud and jumped into the hole that was once a pond.....The DH scooped him into the birdhouse..I know he's an invasive species...but really it was a bad day, he gets a repreive.....Mr Snake climbed into the rose bush so I got a peeksy at his belly...it was indeed black...here's to hoping an Indigo has moved in...

Wow...what a mess...and another large project I have before me...Any suggestions for this area?

Once the Flagstone was removed from the old pond, I placed it around the front two sides of the new Above ground pond...surprised me how many were actually there. We are getting there...we will be pouring concrete caps on top of the RR ties, as a bench around the top...

the Fish are very happy in there new home...

Here in Florida we have quite a shortage of rocks...so I collect them everywhere I go and place them here and there in the garden...Some of these rocks are from The Hudson River in Upstate NY, some  from Lake George in NY, and also Maryland....And quite a few of my small flat black rocks are found right here on our own Florida beaches...No One ever sees them.....past the shells...ssshhhhhhhh...our secret! People collect beach glass, and seashells, I look for black shells and black rocks....

Can you believe the Azaleas are already blooming! I would love to have an entire garden dedicated to this bush! They have my heart!

This little guy, Blue Daze (Evolvulus glomeratus)

 has not stopped blooming since June....It has impressed me so much...

Rosa "New Dawn".....Don't forget...It's almost time to cut the roses back! An easy way to remember when to prune Roses in Florida...... Valentine's Day...a little tip I got when Giles Rose nursery was still around...

This is the most beautiful stand of grass ever! It's over 8 feet tall.....and I still have yet to figure out what kind it is......It's been suggested it's a large Fakahatchee...but I haven't been able to confirm that yet! Anyone?

It's been a great weekend...to be outside....so let the housework go,,,and get out there and spread some seed! Enjoy your week!  janine

It's January.... Need Inspiration???????

I have loved the weather so much this January... It just seems natural for me to head out coat and all to start on the big projects and  planning for the next season...I love flipping through some Spring and Summer pictures...to remember what bloomed well and when! Wanted to share some of my favorites with ya! Our Lot is just one acre and backs up to a wetland, so no one will live behind us....These first pictures are from the first year and the 3rd year..Ohhhh how things have changed....

The first structure to go in was the chicken coop, moved twice and It has since been upgraded a few times :) The back side yard can get wet during the summer, so we let nature take it's course...We placed a few Maples and cord grasses and wildflowers that first year and then let it go....

And Go it did.... That was just a few short months before The "Hurricanes" hit, all 4 of them...."Francis" flooded the entire backyard and left behind pine tree and wax myrtle seedlings everywhere...They have completely taken over the 20 feet right off the fence line...this area now is called "our woods" Crazy how amazing nature is!

The early meadow

This was our very first "born here" chick born Spring 2009

The Amaryllis at Easter

The strong and steady Zinnia in the heat of summer, they don't come much more vibrant than this!

I love me some Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia Rotundiflora)...a butterfly lover's must have!  

It is a very tall, back border plant....I have had it in my garden for 12 years now.....it started with one small seed head from Epcot during the flower show...sshhhhhhhhh.....our little secret ;)

 The always invasive but sooooo sweet smelling Honeysuckle. It now engulfs our new coop cages

 My favorite rose......"Sweet Vivian" and it does smell so sugary sweet!

 My mystery rose...One of my first roses obtained before I started keeping track of their names....Anyone want to give it a guess? I've always thought it might be "Granada" ..ANYONE?

 A beautiful salmon hibiscus

 This is redroot (Lachnanthes caroliana), it grows native around here in areas that are wet seasonally...I hope to make a small bog garden beside the butterfly balcony section dedicated to them....The swallowtails flock to them! If I can keep the Sandhill Cranes from eating them.....They think of it as their snack food...

 The Year the Aviary went in was Summer 2010...best year ever with the Susans!!! All volunteers...no planning that year...just spectacular Black Eyed Susan's blooming everywhere

Summer 2010....Oh how I'd love  that white "Iceberg" rose to be that lovely right now!

Rosa "Love"  Given to me from My Love :)  for Valentine's Day a few years back..

She is a sweet smelling Grandiflora Rose, Red with White on the backs of the petals.....

So that has definately gotten me inspired..How about You????....so while the weather is just right here in Florida, lets get out there and get to work planning our spring and summer gardens and if you are stuck in the house this time of the year then pull out those old gardening magazines and catalogs...and get ordering!

Please let me know  you are enjoying the Blog by leaving a quick hello in the comments...so I know you stopped by!  And please don't forget to spread some seed ;)  janine