Hello Friendly Gardeners,
Can you believe summer season 2016 is in the past? It was a fun summer for the Garden Girlz. Members who are here in the summer get together monthly for fun outings. Autumn is just around the corner. You could smell it in the air this morning. Have you ever noticed that the seasons bring with them a special scent? The big box stores have started stocking Halloween and Christmas items. The garden tools and supplies are still available, but one has to search for them.
Our gardens are beginning to make a shift from warm season tropicals to annuals and perennials that like the cooler temps. The Garden Centers are offering lovely, fresh new seasonal plants. It is best to wait to purchase these tempting posiesuntil we have had some cooler air for a few weeks. I am sure all of us "seasoned" gardeners have had an experience arriving home with "melted" plants. They will melt inside a parked vehicle in the warm weather. It is best to purchase your plants on your last stop when you are shopping "overseas". If I do see plants I can't resist and have more shopping to do, I park in a shady location and place them on the ground by the driver's side door.
Members were discussing why we enjoy gardening so much on Sanibel. The consensus is it is exciting, interesting, educational and one never knows what might surprise us in our gardens. While perusing our garden frequently, all sorts of special findings appear.
You can propagate nearly everything in this climate as compared to cooler climates. I remain amazed after thirty plus years on the island at the ability to raise both desert type plants as well as tropical jungle types in the same garden. How "cool" is that?
Nancy D.'s "Mystery Pup"
Often times plants, trees and shrubbery appear without planting them at all. I am sure many of you have seen this in your own yards. Let us know in order that we can share your experiences with others. Nancy DeBenedictis has her share of "volunteer" plants wanting to be a part of her beautiful garden. Nancy is one of the "hands in the dirt" gardening girls. She works diligently laying stones, mulch and planting. You would like to place yourself in her garden if you were a plant. She was " gifted" with another variety of plant growing out of the top of one of her BILLBERGIA PYRAMIDALIS Bromeliads. It appears to have planted itself in the cup of the bromeliad.
Mystery Plant is a Hidden Curcuma Ginger
Nancy also has a "Mystery Plant". Barbara Wilgus brought a plant to our May Plant Sale. It had appeared in her garden. She did not know from whence it came. Nancy D. purchased it. It grew considerably larger over the summer and sprouted pink blooms. The blooms grow from near the lower end of the stalks. The leaves are narrower than the common curcumas. It appears to be a Ginger Lily. One possibility is Hawaiian Pink Ginger. I think it is a Hidden Lily Curcuma Petiolata which is in the same family of Gingers along with Tumeric (culinary Ginger). The "Hidden" title could be due to the fact that the blossoms are not as conspicuous.
We had a Papaya take root in our yard several years ago. It very rapidly grew to about 18' and looked very healthy. Animals and the breezes can distribute seeds to our yards. The Papaya appeared very healthy and bore large fruit. A few years later, a cold front killed it to the ground. We once had a Fiddler's Palm transplant itself in our yard. It grew into a tall plant. We have an extremely healthy Fishtail Palm that appeared in our garden. We've had it for about three years. It is easy to care for; only demanding occasional trimming. We recently had a large, lovely coconut palm with fruit cut down as we were concerned a hurricane might topple it into a neighbor's yard. It was one I started by seed. To our delight, the Fishtail Palm that was near it filled the space nicely.
I've recently noticed several unusual varieties of mushrooms growing in our purchased potted plants. I wonder where the soil is coming from. Gardening on Sanibel is a constant learning experience in the "nature of things.” One is compelled to learn and experience the beauty around us.
Yellow African Iris
In our Garden Club, we share plants and ideas with other members. I am constantly reminded of all the friends who have shared "starts" of their plants with me. Carol Strange brought in a basket full of Prickly Pear Cacti pads to share. Years ago, Mary Jo Kirkpatrick brought Yellow blossoming African Iris. They are now displaying their beauty throughout our garden and those of others. Dotty Mount gave us a start of White (with purple detail) African Iris. They are fresh and lovely and have been shared with many others.
White African Iris
As I stroll our garden, I am reminded of these and many other special garden club friends. These are a few of them....many more will follow in the future. Be sure to look for the "Mothers and Daughters" plant that Jaye Boswell gave me. I had never heard of it before. If you can't wait...google Crotons and you will find it.
The Many Colors of Gallardia
Our Gallardias are getting ready to bloom for the season. Seeds and a few plants were given to us by Glenda. The posies resemble colorful daisies. The color range is yellow to orange to deep pink and everything in between. They bloom heartily from soon till late May. We are on the bike path, and several passersby will stop to photograph them and comment on their beauty. Gallardias require no care once they are planted and watered. They enjoy the dry, cooler air and pull right up in the late spring when they grow bushy. They are delicate as cut flowers, but are nice in floral arrangements.
Billbergia Pyramidalis Bromeliad
I purchased one Billbergia Pyramidalis Bromeliad which originated from Selby Gardens in Sarasota. It has evolved into hundreds of plants in our garden and those of others on the island via our Garden Club Plant Sales. We sell our plants, seedlings and garden items for very low prices at our annual Plant Sales. It is a wonderful way to share our plants with other members. We use the monies to support our monthly door prizes.
These bromeliads require very little care. Ours originally bloomed all at one time. Now, there are nearly always some in bloom. Currently, they are blooming all over the garden. They have tiny purple flowers at the peak of their bloom which is about five days. They last longer if cut and used as an indoor arrangement. I prefer these bromeliads and others that do not have sharp pointed tips. The leaves are also very striking in green and white.
I would encourage anyone who isn't here year round to plant bromeliads. They require no care to be lovely and beautiful. They survive on their own. As with most plants, good air circulation and location are the most important requirements. Many bromeliads prefer shade, but there are some that do well in sunny locations. The Billbergia Pyramidalis does well with some sun and some shade.
Cooler days are on the way, so get out in your gardens and enjoy the beauty that surrounds us. And, don't forget to "live in the present.”
Patti from Paradise