Although my mailing address is a few miles north of "the border," in my heart, I live in FL. In 10 years, when my feet will join my heart, I fantasize about having a yard just like yours. In fact, I REALLY, REALLY like yours... really! Do you happen to have any thoughts about moving in 2022-2023? (That felt weird to type, are those numbers genuinely real dates?) Thanks for the tour!!

I love seeing your garden, Hester. I wish I was there now. Would like to see mine, too, but probably won't until early November. My garden in PA is not at its best right now--that was in May. It's been very hot and dry here. Maybe I can get some photos of the butterfly bushes blooming and add to your post. (This summer my Florida neighbor is minding the begonia plants I grew from your cuttings. I have two pots--one for her and one for me. She said they've been blooming all summer.)

I really like the tea cup alocasia. I'll bet the little frogs will like it, too.
Marcia

I am in love. Tell me more about Calliandra, please. It's just gorgeous.

What does it like (sun, shade, dry, wet, temps), fast grower ? Slow grower ? Common name ?

Where can I get one ? ! and where should I put it.

Gorgeous gardens.

Oh, Hester, your garden looks spectacular!!! It is so lush and has so much color! Every time you show it I see so many things I haven't noticed before. You need to show the side yard with all the bromeliads/begonias. Certainly one of my favorite spots in your garden.

I went to your nursery yesterday. Wasn't expecting to, but ended up by 17th street, so thought I should check. Didn't have much cash on me (fortunately), but did leave with a teacup that was planted today. BTW, your beautyberry was left behind.

Anna

Hester,

It's GORGEOUS! All your hard work certainly shows. My gardens are starting to look tired and I've started pulling the annuals for fall planting. Nothing photograph worthy for sure.

Love your choice of plants and the pathways. Just beautiful.

Terri

Hester, you motivated me to get out my camera. However, I'm just going to show some close ups and bug photos--my Pennsylvania garden is just not a happy place right now.
Marcia

alstroemeria

swallowtail

black swallowtail

this must be a special flower :)

katydid on daylily--my garden is pretty much a no-kill zone.

cardinal flower

balloon flower, which is more purple than this photo shows.

butterfly weed

Anna shared cuttings of this justicia with me. They will be returning to Florida with me in the fall, as will the Epiphyllum oxypetalum that I've had for 3 or 4 years but has never bloomed.

Anna, I can't remember the name of this plant. I hope it will grow faster once in the ground in Florida, but I have kept it alive. I think I'll transplant it into a bigger pot--the second time.

Hester, your garden is lovely. I love seeing pictures of it. You have really worked hard on it. I am sad to admit I've never learned to use the camera and post the pictures.

Marcia your photos are lovely as well. :o)

Thanks all - glad you enjoyed
Marcia...your pics are wonderful. I'm sure your garden will be fine upon your return! I have that justica from Anna also and it is huge!
Cocabeach....Calliandra called powderpuff - there is another very common variety but the one in my pic is calliandra haematocephala. It gets HUGE! mostly sun is good and little care except chopping back although I'm letting this one turn into a tree. You can this one in local nurseries and the big stores carry the more common kind.
Ana - I'm going to post pics of the side garden on a new thread! Glad you got a tea cup plant (I think the nursery is too full of overgrown stuff so I'm glad you found something in good shape!)
Katkin - posting pics is so easy! Try it, you'll like it!
Hester

Hi Marcia,

Love the butterfly/flower photos from your PA garden. Wish I could grow a butterfly bush. Really love them. I am not patient enough to get a good photo of the butterflies. You've done an outstanding job! The alstroemerias are beautiful too.

The justicia is called 'golden flame' and is a favorite of hummers and cloudless sulfurs in my garden. You've done a great job rooting it and it will get big as Hester says. All the more color, though. That thing blooms more than just about anything in my yard. The second photo is a bird's nest anthurium. Mine get 5-6 feet tall, so they get really big too. Yours looks wonderful! The leaves will get wavier as it gets larger. It likes to have some of its roots exposed as it is an epiphyte. It looks like some of your tall pink pentas rooted also. Great growing!

Anna

Hester, the photos are gorgeous! I'm really wishing my yard could be so worthy, lol. But alas, I sm still relegated to mostly the pot-ghetto life.

Randy

Great pics heres a few of my yard ive only been here a couple years and havnt done as much as i like with a health issue.
[IMG]http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/yy102/Mike8560/flowers/31c78a2a.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/yy102/Mike8560/flowers/1ce36e3d.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/yy102/Mike8560/flowers/abae4c36.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/yy102/Mike8560/flowers/fc2bc5c0.jpg[/IMG]

Ive got to work pn the front yard next.

Nice garden and nice setting. Where are you located, Mike? And is that cutie white doggie yours?

Randy

Charlotte county Randy and yes that is my girl GiGi a bishon.

Awww, Hi GiGi !

Mikem, I love bishons. I just rescued a 2 year old deaf one from a shelter after loosing my first one to cancer.

Mike - Issac kept me off GW so I'm late in posting..thanks for the photos..You have some nice plants! I envy you being on the water, too.
Hope you didn't flood over the last few days!
Hester

Nice plants, Mike, and so is your view. My husband and I are snowbirds in North Port during the winter.

Thanks for the reminders about the plants I'm growing, Anna. I noticed a hummer on the golden flame flowers yesterday--guess she enjoys them here in PA, too.
Marcia

Hester, I'm just south of you in englewood. Just moved in and there is nothing. Your photos are inspiring. Thank you.