Graceful Cottage Gardening

Memorial Day Stroll

2011-05-30T14:02:00.000-07:00

Our stroll today is mostly going to be in the shade area, because it really hot out today. This bed has walking iris, caliduums and coleus.

This great green plant is lemon line hydrangea, it is two years old and this is the first time it has bloomed.

Everyone this visits my garden asks where I get all the really cool calidiums, sorry to tell them mail order. I was really surprised how big this one got, its called moonlight.

Last year I ordered over 100 of these very pretty white with just a very narrow border of green, it really show up in dark areas of the garden.

This calidium is new year and I got from a company that Meems talked about on her garden blog. I cant remember what it is called, sorry.

This one looked like a slice of watermelon, its gingerland very pretty paired with red pentas.

Fern growing on a rock, anyone know what the name is?

Now out in the hot sun for lions tail, it just started bloomimg had to move due to too much shade. Great Florida plant full sun, sand and little water.

My favorite new vine, here is the link so you can see what it looks like when the flowers go to seed, this is how its get its name http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/1845/. This is the end of the tour, have a safe Memorial Day. Janis

Easter Morning Stroll in the Garden

2011-04-24T12:31:00.000-07:00

Easter morning in the garden was very quiet, only the sounds of two cardinals that are nesting in my garden, flying back and forth looking for food.

When I am on the computer this is my view out of the window, it draws me to hurry and get outside. My husband laid this red brick patio many years ago and I think it add to the charm of a Cottage Garden.

My knockouts are on their second flush of the season, they make the view even more inviting, calling me to come brag on them.

The shade garden has be a difficult project, fighting all the roots of the grand oak tree, but this year I am happy with how it looks.I will be adding more calidiums this year.

When the city took up the old street bricks they threw them in the river, we re- purposed them in our garden, to make more paths. When there is a hard rain you can find old milk bottles that were also thrown in the river.

This is trellis number two and houses two new birds nest.

This is the old barrel garden,, can you see the old water pump in the back?

Now this garden reminds me of plants of the dinosaur times, the shape of the foliage I guess.Now the kitchen is calling me, so have a blessed Easter. Janis

Cottage Seating and Daylilies

2011-04-17T09:10:00.000-07:00

We love seating at Graceful Cottage Garden, Mr. Grumpy just scraped all the old paint off the set and put a new Spring color on. The cute little dish garden came for Greenfest.

I move around the garden all day long to escape the hot sun, this is the about 2 pm seating I take.

Can you see the jasmine all around the arbor, smells great in the morning and evening.

My old garden cat Pooh pick this old alley found bench to rest on.

This is in the front rose garden, Weeping China Doll tree, between two chairs that are suppose to look like shutters.

Now the day lily part, the future bloom.

I do wish I could tell you the names but I can't, most have been ordered from Paradise Gardens. Paradise Gardens premium daylilies, the BEST on the market.

If my blog had not go down and Meeems came to the rescue giving me tips on posting and my Daughter Jessica came over and fixed it I would not be able to share with you guys. Thanks you Meems and Jessica. Janis

God Grows Roses in the Spring

2011-04-16T07:33:00.000-07:00

There is a saying God grows roses in the Spring and man has to do it the rest of the year.

I love roses and have over 100 bushes in my garden, a real gardener knows all of the names, but I don't.

Most of my roses came from Hardins in South Tampa, some mail order from The Texas Rose Rustlers. They go to old cemeteries and take cutting of OGR , they figure if they ares still alive after 100 years them must be hardy.

This is one of my favorite roses, Weeping China Doll, so many clusters of roses hanging over the fence. Makes me very :).

This is Prosperity, just beautiful.

If your ever in the neighborhood, stop and smell the roses. Have a great gardening weekend. Janis

Hillsborough High School's Garden April 2011

2011-04-12T15:10:00.000-07:00

The schools garden is growing like crazy, the background is the butterfly garden.

When the teachers and students turn the corner this is what they see, just beautiful.

This is The Big Red rose garden, the plaque says is it maintained by Janice Harvey Vogt in memory of Deanne Ray. Deanne was my best friend that passed away last year.

Any one that has grow Double Knock Roses knows they bloom like crazy with little care.

My first go at a tropical garden, inspired by Meem's garden. Meems you said pack in the plants, so I did.

This is a close up. We had a tree for shade and they cut it down, so I planted banana trees from my yard to give them shade in time.

I was standing in the back and thought this was a pretty picture, so I took the photo.

There are the roses for the Tampa fallen officers, Officer Curtis and Officer Kocap. Just a reminder for the students the sacrifice the officers made. Please have a great week guys. Janis

This is only a Test

2011-04-08T15:06:00.000-07:00

I was sitting is my front yard last week and this is what I saw from my chairs, so I took this picture. Is'nt is pretty the plants are foxgloves and mona lavendar. My blog has been giving me trouble so this is just a test. Janis

Trying To Wake Up

2011-02-20T16:26:00.000-08:00

Sunday morning in my garden. I thought my garden looked better then this, but pictures do not lie. Do you ever think that if you just stare at your garden this time of the year it will grow? All my roses are cut back and new growth has started a few more and weeks and I will post lots of rose photos. Very tired tonight have a great week garden friends. Janis

City Chickens

2011-01-22T06:46:00.000-08:00

This is where the future eggs will be laid. We all knew my country cottage garden would not be complete without chickens, so my neighbor Sally gifted me three Golden Laced Wyndotte . It used to be my neighbors would come to see me, not any more they head straight back to see "The Girls". Before we all started getting chickens I called code enforcement and asked about the rules the lady said "If you name them they are pets and you can have them". My neighbor Sally did name hers, but I just mine "The Girls".

Who would have know they like their picture taken? I know they really think the camera is food and that's why they are standing so still. The girls are about four months old and we are not having any odor problem, we just top dress the area with pine bedding we got at the feed store.

Mr. Grumpy built two door so I could rake the area and use the chiken poop on my roses for fertilizer. I did alot of research to make sure we did not get an odor, another thing we do is throw their food on the ground and they scratch it and thats works the soil and keeps the odor down.

Mr. Grumpy wanted the coop to be very special so he added a cute vintage brass door knob. Poor chicken she wants food not her picture taken again. OK, now you guys go and get some chickens!

Missing Blooms

2011-01-09T06:40:00.000-08:00

I have been missing all the blooms in my garden, so a trip to the garden center was in order. Straw flower will do well on my patio in full sun, so this was my first pick.

This is a plant I bought in October, it never stopped blooming thru the freeze. The name is hummingbird, it looks like little hummers in flight. It seems to have thrived in the winter weather. Maybe another two would be better than one?

Shasta daisy has been in this pot for 4 years and also has thrived in the freezing weather, another keeper.

I saved the best for last, this is purple Aster, it been in the ground for about 6 months. It seems like the perfect plant for Florida, but I never see it in the garden centers. Full sun, draught tolerant, freeze tolerant. Whats not to love. When I find these again many more will be added to my garden. Happy New Year.

Presents from the Garden

2010-12-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

Budgets may be tight this year and not so many presents under the tree, but the garden does not know this. When I walked outside this morning with coffee in hand the garden had many gifts for me to see, all I had to do was look around.
You guys know this is my signature plant at Graceful Cottage Gardening, but after last winter big freeze in Florida I thought maybe not so much. The trumpets are still small compared to last year but what a great sight to see this morning. They remind me of musical note on a pages of sheet music. It's kind of strange most of the time variegated plants grow slower than the non variegated sibling. But my variegated angel trumpets seem stronger than the others.
This is one of my oldest, its a white one and has a very long flower about 14 inches, so very fragrant at night.
Merry Christmas from me and my potting bench. Have a blessed Christmas. Janis

Christmas Garden Decorating

2010-12-06T14:26:00.000-08:00

With the weather report of freezing temperatures tonight I thought I should get outside and take some pictures of what my garden looks like today. Over the past weekend I had about 40 to 50 friends thru my garden and thought this is were I would be spending Monday afternoon after work. Wrong, too cold for this Florida girl.

I really like to decorate everything around me, this snowman screen door was a gift from a very good friend a couple of years ago. Someone reminded me that is the charm of a cottage garden you can have stuff or junk every were and it looks cute.

Well, my garden does look like Fall has hit, many things have gone to sleep, calidiums, Rose of Sharon, inpatients. I wonder what will happen tonight? Pictures to follow.

My garden Santa looks serious, like he is on watch to make sure all my plants survive. After the big freeze last year we thought all was lost in the garden,but almost all the plants came back. So get out to the mall and help the economy, since its to cold to work in the garden. Merry Christmas Janis

Fall Cottage Roses

2010-11-15T16:44:00.000-08:00

We really love Fall at my home and garden. Everywhere you look you see signs of Fall from my fence garland to the very happy roses below.

This is one of my favorites, White Christmas, just a perfect tea rose. The fragrance coming from my front yard stops side walk traffic.

Graceful Cottage Garden used to only grow floribunda roses, that was until I saw White Christmas and St. Patrick below at Hardens Roses in South Tampa.

If you live in Florida this is a must for a Tea Rose, this rose is St. Patrick and dries just like this and the petals do not fall off. Don't let the up coming holiday drive you crazy, stop and smell the roses. Pumpkin

Graceful Cottage Morning

2010-10-30T06:41:00.000-07:00

Living in Central Florida this time of the year the weather can get hot again and it did this week. But this morning it feels like Fall again. When I wake to a morning like this and look out into my garden it takes my breath away and I always think of the song How Great Thou Art.

This is one of the plants that took my breath away this morning, its called Musical Notes, such a beautiful green and the pure white blooms that look just like musical notes.

I got this last year a a plant sale, its a shredded Philippine Violet, purple is one of my favorite colors.

The Tropical Dogwood it looking perky this morning as well. I hope I gave it enough room to grow. Graceful Cottage Garden had this years ago and I don't know what happened to it. This morning I feel very grateful to my Lord for all the beautiful mornings he has given me. I would like to ask you to say a special prayer for the Hunt family today, if you live in the Tampa Bay area you know today is the funeral for their 25 year old daughter that was murdered and no Mother should have to bury their daughter. Thank you Janis

A Florida Autumn Morning.

2010-10-17T08:01:00.000-07:00

As I am enjoying my Sunday morning coffee and looking around my garden for plants to share and to join in with Hoe and Shovel, My Garden Path and Simply Susan on plants in bloom now. This is what I found. This is Chinese Hat Plant it is still small in size, but next year will be about 10 feet tall.

This is not a fragrant plant and I am hoping you guys can tell me what it is. Grows very bushy and I guess can grow and be treated like a vine. It might be some kind of jasmine or honeysuckle?

This is new to Graceful Cottage Gardening this year, its a variegated Philippine violet. One of the best things about this plant it will reseed everywhere and I can share with other next year. If you want one let me know.

This is nothing short of fun its called Chinese Rain Bell and it grows in the shade.After last years big freeze in Florida this plant survived. I got it a private plant sale and its now just full of blooms.Please join in if you find something in your garden in bloom now.

When Pumpkin is your Nickname!

2010-10-10T10:35:00.000-07:00

The first time I went to Pennsylvania in the Fall I was hooked on pumpkins. That was 30 years ago, so living in central Florida is a challenge to find Heirloom pumpkins. How I work the season is all my friends are on the look out for Heirloom pumpkins and I drive all the stores crazy. I know this is a garden site and I did not grow these pumpkins BUT I am glad you guys in the North did. Thank you!

This was very exciting to find all these colors in one store. I have even gone as far as bringing them home on the plane from vacation, you guys bring home oranges I bring home pumpkins.

We do not get much Fall in Central Florida so we have to make do. I planted all my mums last year and they came back all white. If you know why let me know. Decorating this potting bench is another way I bring Fall to my garden. Happy Fall y'all Pumpkin

Fall Garden

2010-09-05T14:31:00.000-07:00

This is labor Day weekend and for gardeners it gives us a three day weekend to labor in our gardens. This is the north side of my house with the AC unit, so to hide it Mr. Grumpy built a picket fence to hide it. As some of you know I went to Hoe and Shovel to a garden party and the plant that stopped me in my tracks was this stripped butterfly plant. I finally found this week it is the reason I put in my first Fall garden for the season.

I pulled together all the plants that looked like Fall to me and added three pumpkins; can you find them? My nickname is pumpkin so I have to use them in my garden.

Those of us that have this plant call it petticoat. If you know a different name let me know. It is starting to send up a bloom, like the coleus does.

Now you can see my three little pumpkins, cute huh? We know the caladiums will go to sleep soon, but the small coleus will grow and hopefully fill the void. Oh before I let you go I used chocolate brown mulch for something different, it makes everything pop. Have a safe holiday. Janis AKA Pumpkin

I Went To a Garden Party.

2010-08-24T16:01:00.000-07:00

The whole time I was at Meems garden I kept thinking of the song "I went to a garden Party" although most of the guests I had never meet before I felt like I had know them for years. Most of us were thinking I need to get home and work on my own garden.

The beds seamed perfect to us, but I know Meems could spot all the thing she could still work on.

You see this great spot to just sit in these chairs and enjoy the garden, well when I got home that is just what I did, sat down and took a nap.

After the garden tour, some great folks brought some plants and cuttings for us to take home. This is what I picked a Cassia (candlestick). I took one and there were two left when everyone was done picking, so I got one for the school. The kids will really enjoy the butterflies visiting this great plant. What a perfect day I got to visit with Hoe and Shovel, Simply Susan and My garden path. As a child I could never have imagined what my God would have blessed me with. Thank you Love Janis

Schools Out For Summer

2010-07-25T15:50:00.000-07:00

School is out for summer and I am going to be sitting in my swing alot over the next 2 and1/2 months, so I knew I needed to make my pond look alot better. Riverview Farms sells to Home Depot and Farmer Rick and let several of of visit his farm, this is where I learned of Sausedge products. This is what you see around my pond, giving the old pond a clean edge. All I need to use is a pair of scissors to keep this Coleus neat and just the right height.

This is the swing I will be parking my behind in with my morning cup of coffee. Doesn't rain make everything look cleaner?

The plant to the right is another Riverview Farms Florida Friendly plants, it a Florida native Firebush. If is gets cold enough in winter it will freeze to the ground, but when it warms it it grows very fast. This one did freeze to the ground last winter, now look at it.

I added many more butterfly plants this year to my backyard, so this summer I would have free entertainment from endless butterflies.

Angel Trumpets

2010-07-24T15:10:00.000-07:00

My love for Angel Trumpets started about 15 years ago. My husband and I were coming home from a road trip and passed a little nursery, he said "do you want me to stop?" Well you guessed the answer. In the front yard was what we call The Two Sisters House, was in full bloom a peach Angel Trumpet. It was love at first sight. I bought one and went on my merry way home. This part is just plain weird a possum died that night in our back yard. In the morning my husband asked me where do you want me to bury it? All I could think about was my new Angel Trumpet so I said it will become fertilizer, so hole was dug possum placed in hole and Angel Trumpet planted.

About six months later we were passing The Two Sisters House and stopped. On a table in the back were a bunch of sticks in pots. I asked what they were and she said the same lady just sold them and until they bloomed she would not know what color they would be. She told me that she really thought the lady lied to her and they would all be the same color. I bought 3 more.

About 5 years ago during a trip to The Baltimore House I was in the garden center and they had a variegated Angel Trumpet; I just had to bring that one home. One of the great joys of gardening is sharing cuttings with others. Over the years I have given hundreds of cuttings away.

Then came the computer and I started looking up Angel Trumpets and learned the colors, sizes, bloom types are endless. This winter Florida had a horrible freeze and all Angel Trumpets were frozen to the ground and they are just starting to bloom. I will post again as begin to bloom.

Yellow

2010-07-07T06:59:00.000-07:00

This morning I sitting outside in my garden with my cup of chocolate cherry flavored coffee, everywhere I looked I saw yellow. I looked up the meaning of a yellow rose; warmth and friendship. Throughout history the color yellow was closely associated with light and warmth, the sun integral to life on Earth. This morning I feel blessed for all new and old friendships.

This is a yellow shrimp plant, great for shade gardens in zone 9, it will grow to about 4 feet tall.

Now this is Florida bush daisy, not one of my favorites, but we are in Florida and it does bloom!

I use lantana in pots, groundcover and in groupings. Some people think of this as a weed, but this Florida gardener loves lantana. It comes in white, purple, rainbow colors. Well I hope you feel Warm and fuzzy now. Have a blessed day. Janice

Roses For Fallen Officers

2010-07-06T20:24:00.000-07:00

This is Officer Jason, he has a smile on his face for the photo, BUT this was a very serious event today. My school planted two roses one for Officer David Curtis and one for Officer Kocab the two Tampa Police Officers that were slain last week. Officer Jason was not smiling when he spoke of the funeral and the look in both wives faces on the day of the funeral. He said he could not believe how many people cried over someone that they never even knew. Like many of the people in the bottom photo.

This is my friend Penny she is a editor for The Tampa Tribune and came to the school from her very busy day to cover this story. Tampa is just heart broken over this senseless murder. Planting these roses in the school garden hopefully will show the students how important it is to always remember that the police lay their lives down for us each day so we can feel safe.

My friend Debbie and Alumni from my school was so kind to come by and plant the roses, I just had surgery and could not do the bending and lifting. We placed a solar light next to each rose (kind of like a eternal flame).

This is the moment of silence at the end of the service. Plaques have been ordered and Officer Jason will come back and take a photo to send to each wife. I was told that Officer Kocab wife went into labor today, what a bittersweet event. I try to make a difference in the time I am here on Earth, I hope this did just that. Janice

Birdhouses

2010-06-13T18:44:00.000-07:00

Birdhouse show up in my cottage garden just about everywhere, this one is right in the middle of the weeping china doll rose.

The only thing that lives in my bird houses are lizards and black racer snakes.

Meems took this photo when she visited my garden and I thank her for sending it to me.

Now when I said birdhouses show up everywhere you can see for your self, birdhouse chairs. Have a blessed week. Janis

Rose of Sharon

2010-06-05T08:45:00.000-07:00

We all have our favorites and in the summer this is mine, the single white Rose of Sharon. The bible verse in the Song of Solomon 2:11 I am the Rose of Sharon and the Lilly of the Valleys.

They say North Carolina is God's country and these flowers all all over. I brought many back and the thrive in my gardens here in Tampa.They go dormant in the winter so I guess that's why nursery's do not have them.

My time in the garden is a special peaceful time to talk with God and prepare me for the next day. I hope everyone has a blessed week, and go out and buy a Rose of Sharon. Janis

I did good.

2010-05-23T09:42:00.000-07:00

This morning I sitting for just a minute to rest and noticed how good of a color combination the Gingerland Calidium and the red Pentas looked together. I said to myself you did good.

I just had to share this beautiful yellow Day Lilly with you guys, this beauty came home with me from North Carolina.

When I go to North Carolina I always bring plants home with me and the people at the garden always say poor plants. So I am taking pictures so they can see I did keep them alive. This is White Swan Cone flower. Have a blessed day in your gardens. Janis

Went To A Plant Sale!

2010-05-16T17:00:00.000-07:00

Saturday my plant mentor and I went to a plant sale and we got really cool stuff. The first plant is Mimosa, its a fast growing ground cover full sun.

This plant I almost ran to because I have been looking at in in a local Master Gardeners yard. It is a Lions Tail, just love orange full sun plants.

This is a Lion Tail as well just a different type and when I find out what type I will update the blog. I like the one in the first photo the best. If anyone has any information on these please let me know. Janis

Can I help Miss. Janis?

2010-05-13T18:49:00.000-07:00

The neighborhood kids wanted to know "Can I help Miss. Janis?" Yes! I will pay you one dollar to pull weeds. It was probable more trouble showing the kids what a weed was and making sure they did not pull the wrong thing, but I really did get to rest on the swing for a while.

Resting on the swing a few weeks ago I noticed this plant a volunteer. I think it is a Green Eyed Susan?

Depending on where the afternoon sun is, this is another favorite spot in my garden. You can see the Confederate Jasmine is in full bloom and smells so good in the evening. This is my first year growing Lily of the Nile and they are just starting to open. I think they are the perfect plant for a cottage garden.I hope guys have a blessed gardening weekend.Janis

A May afternoon in my back yard.

2010-05-11T15:10:00.000-07:00

I did not think my garden had recovered enough to post my backyard, buy to day I changed my mind. The caladiums are popping up they take a plain plant border and make it just pop.

A year ago the angel trumpets were over 15 feet tall, today just over 3 feet. Well this give us all something to look forward to, by the end of summer they should be tall enough to bloom.

My hummingbird feeders are full but not one hummer in sight, just have to be patience.

The path that you see down the middle of the garden used to be a concrete patio, buy Mr Grumpy broke it up and made a recycled path out of it and we just love the look.

Sunday in the Park!

2010-05-03T13:14:00.000-07:00

I was out of town last week and could not wait till Monday to see how the garden at the school was doing. We had three very hot days without rain and I was worried about the roses. Well you can tell they look great! During the school day with over 2000 students this place is very noisy to say the least. But on a Sunday morning it is very peaceful and I love just looking at the old brick walls and clock tower.

The garden is waking up as you can see the plumbago, Confederate Jasmine, Blanket Flower are all in bloom. In the window above the kids stop to rest and enjoy all the plants. After the hard January freeze many of the students were afraid the garden was dead. I told them just watch and it will wake up in Spring.

We are very proud of this garden and hope you have enjoyed seeing the progress. Janis

Lunch Time With The Knockouts

2010-04-24T09:05:00.000-07:00

It has been a very busy morning at my house, the doorbell rang and a man asked me how do you get your roses to bloom like this? I had just started lunch so I turned off the stove and told him the story. I put Mills Magic and Gro Mor and release Ladybugs to eat the aphids and told him the story God grows roses in Spring and man has to do it in the Summer.

Now back to my lunch, doorbell rings two ladies are at the front door one is a dear friend the other is a Master Gardener. My friend Pearl wants to show her my yard(I have not weeded in a month) but let dear Pearl show off my garden. Pearl's friend said all her milkweed died in the cold weather so I asked her if she wanted some volunteers, she did. So back into the house got out two grocery bags filled them up. Everyone is Happy now ladies on there way and I am outside eating my lunch with the Knockout roses. Janis

Heaven On Earth

2010-04-24T07:35:00.000-07:00

I can not think of a better way to spend Saturday morning, then with a cup of coffee and smelling my favorite rose. You may have guessed the name yes Heaven On Earth.

Could not just sit with that cup of coffee, so I strolled the rose garden. This is an antique rose form Texas about one year old. There is an old saying(God grows roses in Spring, but man has to get them to look like this in summer).

This is a rare find in Florida, its a Florida Dogwood, the old bird house behind it was made by Mr. Grumpy and the old metal roof was from the old duct work in our home.

I walked back outside to read the name of this one and the tag fell. All I can tell you is a real Rose grower would know the name of all their roses. OPPS.

It is good to be back out in my garden, time to go pull those weeds. Janis

Easter Morning

2010-04-04T19:31:00.000-07:00

I could not have thought of a more perfect Easter morning then to sit down with a cup of coffee and see a butterfly emerging from her cocoon.

The statue she is on is a beautiful angel. I have to admit I helped her along.

I think she was getting tired and the sun was very hot.

This is her on one of the new butterfly plants I got from Greenfest. God bless you all and Happy Easter. Janis

Worm Bin

2010-03-20T07:16:00.000-07:00

My school has a coffee cart that the Austisic kids run and I kept thinking of what we could do with the grinds, Worm Bin. So, this is Mr. Grumpy drilling the holes so the worms can breath. Below are the kids from the journalism class bringing old school newspapers which will be torn into strips and placed into the bin.

Then you wet the strips add the food scrapes, had full of dirt, and worms. Keep in shade. For more information just Google Worm bin. After about 3 months you add the glorious compost to your plants. Janis

Variegated Peace Lilly

2010-03-17T17:10:00.000-07:00

These are very busy times in my garden this week, putting down black cow, pulling weeds and the most fun plant shopping. I got a buy one get one free coupon from a big box store and found this variegated Piece Lilly! The school garden almost got one, but I planted both in my garden. There has been lots of caterpillar's eating all my milkweed plants so I hope to see lots of butterfly's in my garden in about two weeks, so look out for new photos. Janis

Vintage Sink (the correct photos)

2010-02-22T19:35:00.000-08:00

These were the pictures that were suppose to post. I do not know what happened. new to this posting stuff.

Vintage Sink

2010-02-21T14:23:00.000-08:00

Since I am a Cottage gardening person you know when I saw this vintage sink being thrown out I could not pass it by. I call Mr. Grumpy and my daughter to ask for their help and they jumped right on it. Mr. Grumpy backed the truck up to the sink in the rain and he and my daughter lifted the 5oo lb cast iron sink into the trunk. Now most of you guys are thinking what could she possibly do with that sink. See below potting table!

Doesn't this just scream Cottage gardening? My neighbor Sally and I went to Colorfields farms and picked up some news plants to pot up and decorated by new table. Let me know what you think? Janis

Plant sale Continued

2010-02-15T14:45:00.000-08:00

Have you ever been to Monica Brandies Open Garden? This is one of the stars that is in bloom in her garden in the fall it is a Chinese Hat Plant. Everyone I spoke with that day wanted a cutting of this plant. so when I found it at the plat sale I grabbed it right up. I had to be talked into this one, a little weird for me, but when she said it grows in the shade I added it to my growing pile. The name is Juanulloa Aurantiaca Gold Finger Plant.

Meems has this in her garden and it looks just beautiful, shade loving as well Clerodendrum Wallchii Bridal Veil. I used my Christmas money for these plants next is my Birthday not until July may have to slow down on plant buying (not). Janis

Plant Sale

2010-02-14T17:54:00.000-08:00

There is nothing that can stop my car faster,than a plant sale sign. This is a sampling of the plants that you will see grow up in my garden this summer. The first plant is a Split Bloom Angel trumpet, this plant will grow into a small tree.

This is a cool shade plant called Stobilanthe Flaccidifolius (Chinese Rain Bell).
Strobilanthes flaccidifolius - Chinese Rain Bell. I am going to plant this on the north side of my house.

What a wonderful scented Jasmine this one will be. She is planted next to my new swing. I bought 3 more plants that I will share at a later date. Its a school night, so I have to call it a night. Janis

Deanne

2010-02-09T08:28:00.000-08:00

Dedicated to my Best friend Deanne Fernandez Ray she has terminal cancer. Deanne shared this song with me and is living by these words. I am going to try and do a better job of praising the Lord when things are down for me.

Praise His Name

When you're up against a wall
And your mountain seems so tall
And you realize that life's not always fair
You can run away and hide
Let the old man decide
Or you can change your circumstances with a prayer

When everything falls apart
Praise his name
When you have a broken heart
Raise your hands and say
Lord, you're all I need
You're everything to me
And he'll take the pain away
When you feel you're all alone
Praise his name
And you feel all hope is gone
Raise your hands and say
Greater is he that is within me
And you can praise the hurt away
If you'll just praise his name

Ohhh,
You can overcome
By the blood of the lamb
And by the word of your testimony
You'll see the darkness go
As your faith begins to grow
You're not alone, so how can you be lonely?

When everything falls apart
Praise his name
When you have a broken heart
Raise your hands and say
Lord, you're all I need
You're everything to me
And he'll take the pain away
When you feel you're all alone
Praise his name
And you feel all hope is gone
Raise your hands and say
Greater is he that is within me
And you can praise the hurt away
If you'll just praise his name

We all could use a little prosperity.

2010-02-03T13:47:00.000-08:00

This post is for NannaK, this is the rose that Penny Mccre was talking about on your blog. I wanted you to see it, this rose blooms in these large clusters, just beautiful. If you want a climber to STOP traffic this is the rose.

To get a rose to bloom like this you bend over the branches and it sends up new shoots. I went to the Tampa society meeting years ago and learned a lot from those guys. I use Mills Magic and Gro mor that I buy from Shells Feed on Nebraska Ave. Janis

Can You Ever Have Enough Roses?

2010-02-02T15:10:00.000-08:00

My obsession with roses started about ten years ago on the way to South Tampa, I spotted Hardin's Roses on the right side of the road.I met Mr. and Mrs. Hardin, they told me they have been selling roses for over forty years. My first purchase was this Don Juan climber.

This pink one is the very popular Belinda's Dream.

This one cascading over the fence is China Doll, it is an antique rose. Hardin's will order about any rose you want.

One of my dearest friends ordered Pope Paul, it is one of the few hybrid tea roses I have. The yellow one behind it is a very fragrant Honey Perfume floribunda rose. If you are new to roses February is the month you cut them back and feed the soil with Mills Magic, Black Cow and other goodies. If you live in the Tampa Bay area you should join the Tampa Rose Society they send out a newsletter with all the information you need to grow roses in Tampa. Janis

Another Cold Florida Day

2010-01-31T11:17:00.000-08:00

Today I am cold, sitting in my house dreaming of Spring gardening, stopping by my favorite garden stores and window shopping trying to decide what I would take home that day. Instead I grabbed my jacket and camera and went outside to explore. The first plant I found was a straw flower

and red Penta,

to bad the sun is not out today, the butterflies would just love to stop by these beauties. To cold and windy, so back inside for me.

Thank goodness for the plants in the produce department and my neighbor Sally who brought this cute little planter over last week, now sitting in my TV room I have something pretty to look at. The weather forecast this week for Tampa is more rain and cold, so Spring is still just a dream away. Janis

Hillsborough Goes Tropical.

2010-01-27T16:06:00.000-08:00

During the Christmas break, I got the idea how nice it would be if the first thing the teachers saw when they came to work was a beautiful tropical path.

Hoe and shovel has the most beautiful tropical gardens I have ever seen, so I studied her planting and tried to copy them for the school. Meems is a alumni of Hillsborough High School, so I wanted to make her proud.

I am hoping on Earth Day 2010 the students can add to this path and put some personal touches to it. -Janis

Hillsborough High School

2010-01-22T19:43:00.000-08:00

This is my other garden, historic Hillsborough high school. On Earth Day last year the president of the enviromental club came to me for help in restoring one of the gardens. The kids and I planted over 300 plants, 32 knockout roses, Red pentas, yellow lantana and many other Florida friendly plants. Janis

Secret Garden

2010-01-22T19:33:00.000-08:00

This is yet another angle of the secret garden. We planted yellow lantana, plumbago, knockout roses, beach sunflower, and morning glory Plant.

Secret Garden Now

2010-01-22T19:29:00.000-08:00

This is the secret garden, keeps filling in. Janis

Red Pentas

2010-01-22T19:26:00.000-08:00

This staircase goes to the science lab when I was a student.

Very Young Secret Garden

2010-01-22T19:24:00.000-08:00

My husband Mr. Grumpy make this trellis for the kids. We planted lots of ground cover. I will post photos of how it look now. Janis

Month Old

2010-01-22T19:22:00.000-08:00

This is an earlier photo, boy have they grown.

Roses

2010-01-22T19:20:00.000-08:00

A close up of the roses.

Big Red Rose Garden

2010-01-22T19:19:00.000-08:00

We started with one gallen rose plants only about 6 inches tall, now look they are full on blooms. Janis

Positive Park Entrance

2010-01-22T19:15:00.000-08:00

When we started the garden it was a barren trash filled area, now filled with Florida Friendly Plants. In this photo is Red pentas, Fire bush and Cassandra.

Prefreeze

2010-01-17T13:33:00.000-08:00

Yet another angle one year ago.

Prefreeze Garden

2010-01-17T13:32:00.000-08:00

This is the same angle one year ago.

Post Freeze

2010-01-17T13:30:00.000-08:00

Another angle of Post freeze garden

Garden today.

2010-01-17T13:29:00.000-08:00

This is what my garden looks like today, sad.

Rusty favorite rabbit.

2010-01-17T13:25:00.000-08:00

You will figure out soon I love old or rusty things.

Susan's Butterfly

2010-01-17T13:24:00.000-08:00

Here is FOD Susan's butterfly that she made me. Very cute.

Full view of old tub

2010-01-17T13:23:00.000-08:00

Full view of the old tub.

Vintage washinf tub.

2010-01-17T13:22:00.000-08:00

The big freeze killed all the plants in this old washing tub. What do you think now?

OLd wodden box

2010-01-17T13:19:00.000-08:00

This old wodden box came from one of my trips to NC , makes a good planter.

Repotting the patio containers

2010-01-17T13:17:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I had to stay busy, so I re potted some of the patio containers. My husband was riding his bike down to ally last year and found this one in the trash, brought it home to me.

Home Sweet Home

2010-01-16T18:45:00.000-08:00

This is our little piece of Heaven. Of course this is the picket fence Grumpy made for me, I have asked for a new one for my birthday, so I will post the pictures when he builds it. The flowers cascading over the fence are antique roses.

Favorite Plants

2010-01-16T18:37:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favorite plants, Vietnamese Hollyhock. Does great in the Winter and summer.

Recycled items used as garden art

2010-01-15T18:35:00.000-08:00

If you like country then you will like how I used old windows, washing tubs, doors and other things in my garden. My neighbor Bean is an artist and he painted the garden scenes on the vintage windows and pumpkins on the old door.

2010-01-15T18:30:00.000-08:00

2010-01-15T18:29:00.000-08:00

2010-01-15T18:28:00.001-08:00

2010-01-15T18:28:00.000-08:00

2010-01-15T18:26:00.000-08:00

Prosperty Climbing Rose

2010-01-14T17:47:00.000-08:00

More roses

2010-01-14T17:45:00.000-08:00

2010-01-14T17:44:00.000-08:00

Spring 2009

Roses

2010-01-14T17:43:00.000-08:00

I'm going to share some of my favorite rose photos for awhile, hope you like roses.

Driveway

2010-01-14T15:48:00.000-08:00

I hope as time goes by I become a better writer, so this does not become boring for you guys. My driveway January 2009 one year ago.

My space

2010-01-14T15:46:00.000-08:00

This is where I sit everyday after work. All of the arbors, chairs,trellis my husband made for me. He is very talented but Grumpy.

Patio Plants

2010-01-14T15:43:00.000-08:00

I really believed these plants would all survive the freeze. They looked this good until the last night, I want to keep posting pretty things for now, because we can all look around and see dead plants.

Summer 2009

2010-01-14T15:37:00.000-08:00

Please remember this is pre freeze damage. This is the back garden in about july, thank goodness for pictures.

Another angle of the back yard

2010-01-13T18:35:00.000-08:00

These photos are precious now due to the January freeze. I will post the frozen gardens soon.

Inca Sun

2010-01-13T18:07:00.000-08:00

I cant wait for evening when the trumpets are going to open and the fragrance is unbelievable. This is a newer type that grow only about 5 feet.

Varigated Angel Trumpet

2010-01-13T17:59:00.000-08:00

Some of my Angel trumpets they are my all time favorite plant. I will be posting them alot.

Christmas Swing

2010-01-13T17:54:00.000-08:00

My Christmas swing in the back garden two weeks before the BIG Florida freeze.

Front yard garden

2010-01-13T17:32:00.000-08:00

This is my front rose garden this past summer.

Backyard garden in the summer

2010-01-13T17:24:00.000-08:00

Here is my backyard garden this past summer.