The rainy season in South Florida officially starts June 1. And it has! One day early. Which is a good thing, because the garden was getting parched. I toured the garden before the rain started to fall and the typically clear blue skies were overcast – one look at radar confirmed it, water would be falling from the sky shortly. Rain Dance successful. My six images today reflect typical garden sights that start the season. To see more tours with six items of interest from the garden the world over, visit Jim at GardenRuminations
A sure sign of a quenching rain. New growth on Mango trees. This happens when the fruit is nearly ripe. It reminds me of fall color, a rare sight in South Florida.
Rangpur limes coming along. I fertilized all the fruit trees ahead of the rain. They are very happy.
Wildflowers are making their presence known. This is a White mouth Day flower (Commelina erecta) I have no idea where it came from, but I enjoy these every summer.
This is Vitex trifolia, a Chastetree that grows this far South. I planted this for butterflies. They like it. I have mixed feelings, it is difficult to prune into anything attractive. I am considering a round bush concept.
The great indestructible Shrimp Plant (Justicia brandegeana).
Another harbinger of the rainy season. These are either called Flaming Torch or Hurricane Bromeliads (Billbergia pyramidalis). I prefer Flaming Torch, if the light hits them just right – that is exactly what they look like.
SOS mission complete! Happy Summer!
The Shrub Queen 
Vitex trifolia does not look familiar. I thought I saw it it Arizona, but now that I look it up, what I saw was more likely Vitex agnus-castus. The foliage is glossier, and the bloom is darker purple.
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June 1st is also the start of hurricane season. The mango leaves do look more like fall colors. The only plant I recognize this week is the Shrimp Plant. They always do well here.
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The shrimp plant is fun. Plus I like the delicate day flower.
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I once had a chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus) that grew well for several years and one day, I don’t know why, it didn’t survive. I thought it would be due to a cold winter but no, it died in the middle of summer, perhaps from drought?
Nevertheless, the bees and butterflies loved it.
This blue flower is very pretty and I didn’t know it!
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I saw the chaste tree gowing wild round the monastery at Mystras in Greece. I wonder if the monks planted it originally. It got its name from its supposed properties as a suppresser of sexual urges so they probably found it useful. I thought your mango was dead at first, what a relief. I get a vicarious enjoyment when you show us your luscious mangoes.
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I wasn’t familiar with this Vitex until moving South. It has a weedy reputation. I planted it for butterflies. Just sort of odd. I didn’t realize that it made you chaste! I think I have 14 mangoes on the kitchen counter! It is odd to see the trees with bronze new foliage in June.
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Actually, I got it wrong, it was Vitex agnus- castus I saw in Greece. I don’t know whether your variety would be so useful for monks.
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It’s still considered medicinal, just not quite the same.
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Your garden looks lovely. Beautiful images and colors!
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Thank you.
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The flaming torch is quite attractive. 👍🏼
Rain is good, but they can keep the wind. 😉
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thanks. I agree – if I lived any closer to the ocean the wind would drive me crazy.
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Glad you got rain, long may it last. All plants are fab, didn’t know this Vitex, it’s probably not fully hardy. Ours is full of bees and butterflies at the end of the summer. I’d love mango and lime in the garden 😀
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Yes, it is still raining. That is a tropical Vitex called Arabian Lilac. I’m too far south for V. agnus castus.
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I love the Flaming Torch bromeliad. I think I have one. It’s not flowered yet. Does it need full sun?
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Thanks, mottled or full sun without western exposure here.
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Okay, I think I have just the spot.
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Ah, that blue flower — beautiful and so desirable in the garden.
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An ephemeral favorite.
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The mango foliage is a lovely color. Nice to see the shrimp plant in situ.
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It really is!
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Love seeing new growth spurred on by a rainshower. Happy summer!
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