As promised, I took a walkabout today and will therefore begin a new thread. We came from http://cubits.org/orchids/thre.... I know some in the colder climates enjoy seeing the bright blooms a warm region winter garden can support. I wish Fred would fade back in to help me out and perhaps Carol will chip in as well. Speaking of Fred, I wonder how he is doing with that new greenhouse now that we're getting some cold weather. The first thing I saw when I went out the front door was this datua and it is a great way to start.

Jim

I'll call this views from the yellow garden. If you want to know the name of a particular flower, just let me know.

Jim

Keeping with a yellow theme, this is duranta 'Golden Mound'. It is always yellow, grows to about three feet and makes a nice hedge.

Jim

A nice double flowering hibiscus high in the sky. The bush is about 12 feet tall and sits at the front corner of the house.

Jim

This is the ornamental grass garden I planted in September. The ground cover is chartreuse sweet potato vine. You just take a little cutting, stick the end in the ground and get out of the way.

Jim

On the way over to the rose garden, we have to pass this agave or century plant. I just love the shape.

Jim

Entering the rose garden we walk under the Cherries Jubilee Allamanda. Got to love these giant flowers.

Jim

Thanks for the tour Jim! I can't believe how that sweet potato vine has grown..seems like you JUST planted that bed
I love the picture with the duranta 'Golden Mound', the little bit of the water showing makes me just want to go down there
and check it out, nicely done and the Cherries Jubilee Allamanda...is that a form of mandevilla? ..really pretty!

Let's see which roses are out today. Again, if you want the name of a particular one, just ask.

Jim

Here is a firespike in the rose garden. Wonder how it got there?

Jim

Just beautiful, Jim! Love the Datura.
Oh, joy! Roses, too!
Such a lovely respite to see your flowersand gorgeous vistas, as we are quite barren here at the moment.
Oh, and thanks , Lindsey, for reminding us of the Brent and Becky's 50% off sale. I ordered alot of daffs and other things this AM.

Leaving the garden, we pass the fountain.

Jim

How very pretty! Enjoyable walkabout, and I am smitten by the Allamanda!

Blue plumbago is always in bloom.

Jim

Citrus is coming along nicely. Another week or two and I'll be high on vitamin C

Jim
cocktail tree (orange/grapefruit/lemon/tangelo)
pummelo
Wekiwa tangelolo (mandrine X grapefruit X grapefruit)

We can wash the citrus down with some papaya. I see one is starting to turn.

Jim

This is thryallis. Great blooms with almost no problems.

Jim

Giant bromeliads in bloom.

Jim

I have more pics but that is enough for now. The old thread was too long and I fear now the new one may be as well.

Lindsey, we have plenty of room so don't be shy. There are a couple of nice orchid nurseries nearby and then there is always Apopka. Our lake is only about 50 acres but it feeds via canal into a much larger lake. We opted for the smaller lake to keep the jet ski noise down. They still come in here but not so bad.

Allamanda 'Cherries Jubilee' is from the family Apocynaceae. I don't think it has anything to do with Mandevillas. The regular allamanda has yellow flowers of the same trumpet shape.

Jim

Thank you, Janice.

Ursula, would you like a piece of allamanda? You would have to protect it in the winter but I think it would grow for you. It doesn't start from cuttings so I would have to dig up a piece and start it in a pot. I haven't been smitten is so long I had to look the word up.

Jim