The turning of the year is a time for taking stock of what you have and looking forward to the future of what will be added to the garden. Here is what is currently in bloom in my garden.

This is an Aechmea Bromeliad and outstanding in its interesting flower. I have a feeling I am going to find out that is a bract or something.

This is an unnamed cultivar of Heliconia, I see it called Parrotflower in the trade. I have yet to see a parrot.

Sweet Begonias are new to me, Begonia odorata, I rarely catch the scent from this, but it has been blooming nearly nonstop since last spring.

Doesn’t everyone have a Purple Oxalis?

This may be my new favorite plant, a native groundcover used for controlling beach erosion, the Dune Sunflower was planted in the middle of summer in an unirrigated bed by the side of the road. I bought the plants on sale for $1.oo(US) each because they looked bad and the grower wanted to get rid of them. A couple of months later and a little TLC and these are madly blooming with little care. What’s not to like?

The Tibouchina is another sporadic bloomer, love the purple though. The Shrimp Plants have been blooming nearly nonstop since last spring on my porch. I have unsuccessfully tried to root them.

 

Some of these plants bloom nearly year round like the Ixora below, I call this the Azalea of South Florida because most people who garden have a few. A reliable plant that comes in several colors and sizes.

Dwarf Red Ixora
Ixora taiwanensis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I feel as if I have been making steady progress in the garden having started it almost three years ago. I have definitely learned a lot about tropical plant material, and am looking forward to learning more.

My next project is to divide the bromeliads as the cooler weather has them sending up pups:

Then replant my herb garden, I found Lemon Thyme here last week after a three year quest and am very happy.

Happy New Year and Happy Gardening.