Week of June 20, 2012

The Florida Garden has finished providing us with blueberries and peaches, and the citrus and persimmon trees are heavy with green fruit. Our attention then moves to the SUMMER FLOWERS that will carry into the heat of July. A particularly gaudy member of this group is the crepe myrtle, which are severely pruned back in March or April but bursting out with new foliage and massive flowers by June. We have four mature bushes, the most showy along the front walk. All four emerge in June with rose or pink, with white and red varieties also in the neighborhood. The front walk is also lined with society garlics and their dainty blue flowers. The peacock gingers wait for June to emerge with their dainty blue flowers. The passionflower vines have been vigorous for a couple of months, but now show their intricate blue flowers and will have the caterpillars from the Zebra long wing and Frittilary butterflies. The hydrangeas have withstood the heat and dryness now with nice blue blossoms . The hot, sunny days and daily afternoon rains make for great growing conditions, as the garden remains colorful and healthy.