According to some Floridians, the bitter end of Snowbird season is Mother’s Day. (Snowbirds are people from cold climates who spend the winter in Florida). Mother’s Day is May 8. I suppose that is a cultural and seasonal shift. As a year round resident, I welcome the departure of the crowds. I also welcome the shift to the classic warm season scents in my garden.
This week, the Frangipani and Gardenia started flowering. They are about 20 feet apart and to stand between the two fragrances and inhale…ahhh, and then realize the traffic is dying down, too.
Life is good.
The combination of the two scents is lemony and so reminiscent of my childhood in Atlanta, it left me looking around for a flowering Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) – there aren’t any in my garden. Southern Magnolias will grow here, at the far end of their range, usually looking puny, thin and in search of a large martini to cope with all the Snowbirds. Too much heat and stress for the iconic evergreen Southern Belles to remain fresh and beautiful.
I am not sure what inspired the fragrant flowers in my garden, though I can imagine the arrival of some long overdue rain helped things along, unless the plants are glad to see the Snowbirds leave, too…
Closer views:
The clear yellow flower in the back is Frangipani (Plumeria spp), this is a passalong from a friend, I would love to know the name; blue flowers are Chinese Forget Me Nots (Cynoglossum amiable); white flowers are Tropical Gardenias (Tabernaemontana diviricata), not a true Gardenia, but close enough for me; chartreuse flowers are my next generation Envy Zinnias; yellow flower in foreground is Goldmoss Sedum (Sedum acre)
The other side:
There are a couple of white Nigella lurking behind the Gardenias…
Happy May to everyone.
Thank you to Cathy at http://www.ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com for hosting. Follow the link to visit other gardens via vase…
The Shrub Queen 
So, too many Snowbirds? I’m sure learning to garden in Florida was kind of like how I had to learn about so many different plants coming from the Northeast. We also use a lot of substitutes that are close, but not the same. No lilacs or tulips here.
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Wayy too many. And many poorly behaved. I feel bad for anyone who works in a restaurant. Somebody always wants lilacs…I have a tropical one with one leaf on it. Will see if it ever does anything.
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I tried to grow a “southern” lilac and it promptly died. It is sad to hear about people behaving badly. I’m not sure what ever happened to manners and acting properly in public. No one feels embarrassed anymore.
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I may have to send you a picture of this lilac, I think it is West Indian or something and pitiful. I agree about manners in general and even people my age who should know better. I am channeling my mother – I think so!
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Another gorgeous vase filled with tropical fragrant blooms….I can almost smell them here!
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Thanks, Donna. we need scented blogs?!
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Absolutely
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Those frangipani blooms look really appealing – are they waxy in texture? They look even more wonderful next to the cynoglossum. I am so thrilled with your success with zinnias – here, I am nearly ready to plant mine out although they are still quite small.
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I love the Frangipani, too. I think the closest comparison you would have is Camellia flowers. I think you have Yuletides? That is what the petals are like. I am thrilled about the Zinnias too. The pink cactus are budding…
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Yes, my Yuletide is looking healthy
although it did not have flowers this year (its first with me)
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I love the mix of colors in this arrangement, Amelia, and as always I envy you the Plumeria (even if I did get a handful of flowers last year). I laughed out loud at your description of the Southern Magnolias in your climate “usually looking puny, thin and in search of a large martini to cope with all the Snowbirds” – that’s a priceless description.
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Thanks, Kris. the Southern Magnolias are a sore point with me. They look so bad here.
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Nice form, and I love the yellow and blue contrast… such a vibrant and delicious cobalt blue!
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Thanks, Eliza. I am enjoying the blues..
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This is so pretty, Amy–the colors are so bright and clear. Especially enjoyed seeing your Frangipani passalong!
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Thanks, Susie. I especially like the clear yellow Frangipani.
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Is that Plumeria the common sort that blushes as it ages? Does it grow as a round topped tree? If so, it should be somewhat easy to identify. I really should know what that one is.
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It will grow as a round topped tree if you can figure out how to prune it, Mine are weird looking. The outside of the flowers blush pink.
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Brent’s tree developed the form naturally, although it was awkward while young. It grew all squiggly until it reached the height of the roof, and then spread out nicely. I believe that it is a straight species, rather than a fancy cultivar or hybrid.
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Beautiful arrangement and equally well photographed. You made me giggle with the Magnolia looking for a Martini 🤣. We do get lots of crowds during the summer and although it’s nice to see some life in the village, it’s also nice when it gets quieter again from September onwards. Lots of Magnolia grandiflora growing here, majestic and lush, fab trees. Wish we could share scents through our posts…well, maybe one day, who knows! Enjoy spring
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Thank you, Annette. It seems your Magnolias look at they should – you can see the trunks through the foliage on the ones around here, pitiful.
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I am loving your zinnias. (Mine have germinated! 😃) And I could just detect the shy Nigella at the back. 😉 It’s a lovely arrangement with a nice compact shape too.
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Thanks, Cathy I am, too. Glad you will get some soon.
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