I am joining SOS sharing my new winter flowers and vegetables. The cool season in Florida is the best time of year for gardening. Late in the year I plant vegetables and update annual flowers in my containers. I am trying some new flowers this winter. Gardening is a constant experiment for me.
To tour other winter gardens visit Jim at GardenRuminations.
I think these are Splash Dance Violet Vogue petunias. I did not realize how many different types of the dark spotted petunias there are and recycled the tag. I also did not realize petunias are not toxic to dogs but Callibrachoa is. Sure enough, I left the Callibrachoa out of the dog reach and later observed him trying to take a bite out of the petunias! Details.
The new Callibrachoa the dog did not get to try. I have varying luck with these. They seem to look great for a short period of time and then poof! no more.
This is a new variety of Begonia called Big Pink (Begonia x benariensis). They are said to thrive in shade or sun and can grow up to 28″ tall, which seems unlikely. Has anyone tried them? Below is Big White with Fireball Neoregelia Bromeliads in a container.
The Cherry Tomato and Zinnia seedlings (in bud!) are more than ready to be planted. I am waiting until tomorrow as warmer weather returns next week.
My first Cuban or Catalina Avocado was a bust. It fell off the tree before it was big enough, there is usually twice as much fruit around the seed. I gifted the seed to a friend – in ten years or so, she might have an avocado. I am hoping for some Christmas 2025.
I am getting back in the garden this sunny Saturday morning. It is 67 degrees F/19 C, good gardening weather.
Happy December to all!
The Shrub Queen 
Just looking at these pictures makes me feel warmer. What a pretty selection.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Rosie.
LikeLike
Good to know it’s 19°C where you are when it’s 7°C with the gusts of wind from the storm… I feel better now.
The avocado looks delicious. And what a big stone!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you feel better, I have to look at the storm. The avocado was not ripe, but pretty. The fruit should have been twice the size.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That would sound like a stretch for such begonias, but some of their old fashioned ancestors grew that tall. Wax begonias were bred to stay lower and more compact as bedding plants. It would not take much to breed larger sorts from the same ancestors. I would like to find the old fashioned Begonia richmondensis. I got bored with their weird foliage in the 1990s, but should have kept them going.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have you seen pink cane begonias? huge. You can probably find B. richmondensis on Etsy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That name does not sound familiar, but I have seen some humongous begonias, particularly in Southern California. They climb into low trees, and get quite heavy. I know that I could find Begonia richmondensis it I were to actively pursue it, but will only grow it if I can get cuttings from someone else’s garden. I would be exceptionally pleased if I could get a piece of a descendant of those that I grew in high school.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There’s probably a descendant around..I like the big begonias there are a lot of Sweet Begonias around here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The region where I went to high school is barely recognizable. Only one of the kids I went to school with still lives there, but he wastes no time on ornamental vegetation such as begonias. I will look for it when I go over there to look at some old fruit trees this winter. Even if it is not a direct descendent of mine, it would be a direct descendent of the same stock that was popular back then, and probably came from the same hardware store. Antonelli’s was a specialized begonia nursery in Capitola for many decades, which is why the Begonia Festival used to be there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was pretty shocked when I went back to my high school..
LikeLiked by 1 person
As much as I enjoy living here, and do not want to ever leave, there are certain unpleasantries associated with staying.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I want to see that begonia when it reaches 28 inches. It is rainy and cold here. Freezing in the 40’s as we do on the Gulf Coast.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So do I! Although I have had Dragonwings that big. I bought a Torenia, where do you have it? sun or shade? 40 and rain, ugh..I would be freezing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mine are out in full sun. The ones that planted themselves do really well and are still blooming. Save the seeds for next year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmm, thanks. I have never seen these around, which seems strange. They are really pretty. I did not realize how many colors they were available in.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful avocado, how fantastic!
LikeLike
Begonia x benariensis appears to be a hybrid between the wax begonia, B. semperflorens, and a cane type, Angel’s Wing begonia, B. coccinea. B. semperflorens types are usually very short but B. coccinea can get 1.5m. It is being marketed as an annual but will be perennial if protected over winter and would probably grow a good bit taller in subsequent years. I haven’t seen it here but will look out for it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, the common perennial begonia here is B. odorata ‘alba’. They last for years in the garden. Pink Canes do as well and can get huge. I have a feeling these won’t make it through the summer in full sun, so am trying them in sun and shade. The experiment continues.
LikeLike
Such a treat for us storm- tossed Brits to see a bit of colour. I love callibrachoas, they come in such a lovely range of colours. I just wish I could remember how to spell them. I never knew they were toxic to dogs. My granddog never eats plants, he prefers socks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Liz.. that storm sounds like something that has happened here in summer..ugh. stay safe. Callibrachoa is a weird word. Socks may be better?!
LikeLike
But socks involve expensive visits to the vet, especially if they are thick wooly walking socks. I hope your new baby is settling in well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, surgery is expensive..a neighbor’s dog ate a sock and survived the ordeal. He is settling and loves to accompany me everywhere.
LikeLike
Bummer about the avocado, rats! The tomatoes and zinnia are looking promising.
Aside from partaking of annuals, how is your new pooch settling in?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sigh. yes. Next year?! It seems odd to see zinnia buds in December, but here we are. Cactus zinnias I have not had before. Rob is doing well and somewhat a Velcro dog in Greyhound speak. He loves hanging out with me in the kitchen and stays off the counter..so far, so good.
LikeLiked by 1 person
19°C sounds perfect. The Begonia is really pretty and if it can be grown in the sun I will have to look out for one next spring. 😃 The spotted Petunia is lovely too – hope your dog doesn’t eat any more of them! What a shame about the avocado. But next year there will no doubt be more than one and you should have enough at least for guacamole! 😉 Do you think you’ll have tomatoes by Christmas this year? Or perhaps a Zinnia?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, the weather is great. The begonia seems happier in the sun. So far! I think a zinnia is possible by Christmas but the tomatoes usually take longer. These are cactus zinnias that I have not grown before, hoping for some Dahlia like flowers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those plants look very good and I think the pink begonia will be a winner, as it already is.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Noelle.
LikeLike
It is definitely good gardening weather. Good luck with your new plantings.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I hope the cold mornings go away for a while.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Enjoy those balmy temperatures and your garden! Sad to hear about the avocado when you were so happy about its development the other week, but it was still an impressive beast when opened. Can you do anything with the under-ripe flesh? Cook with it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am enjoying the great outdoors! The avocado was just not ripe and kind of tough and stringy I think feeding it to squirrels is the best option or composting!
LikeLike