My Coastal Florida Yard
The summers are hot in Jacksonville, so I can’t duplicate plants or flowers that grow in NE Georgia. Although the winters are mild compared to our northern friends, we do have occasional freezing temperatures, which can kill tropical plants. I was so proud to have started an avocado tree from a seed. I nurtured it indoors until it grew tall enough to go outside. It grew to about 6-8 feet, and then came winter, and we had enough days with below-freezing temperatures, and my beautiful avocado tree died.
This year, I added some color with the zinnias. These were Dollar Tree seeds that I thought I would try. They’re looking great for $.25 a package.
I was given some marigold seeds last year, and I saved the seeds when I picked off the dead ones, and I have a nice little pot again this year.
There was a plant in the yard when I moved in. It was growing in a clump and needed to be separated, so I dug it up, and I had enough rhizomes to plant a bed on one side of the house. Each year, it graces me with lovely blooms.
I have a couple of Pygmy palms, some milkweed for butterflies, and usually a few papaya trees.
I got a mini rose from a co-worker for my birthday. I have not tried growing roses, but if this one survives, I may give roses a try.
It’s interesting to see the differences between my two yards. I do admit that I don’t have a lot of time for the outdoors, so whatever I put out needs to adapt.
Happy gardening!
