Spring is very short lived in Florida. It's already much too hot but the evenings are balmy. The garden seems to thrive in the heat but it won't be long before it suffers from the intense sun and humidity. So, for now, I enjoy every (very) early mornings and late (very late) afternoons. Won't you join me?
A garden is so rewarding but, like anything in life, it responds to care and love, without either it may survive but will suffer. Be kind to your flowers and they will love your right back. Promise!
Sweet, cheerful pansies and violas always make me smile.......
My "Dr. Zeuss" (I don't know the real name) tree bursts with fireworks-like blossoms...
Morning glories are simply, well....glorious!
This year the roses are abundant and their fragrances heavenly............
Love the white Florida wisteria. The blooms look like tiny starfish.....
I wish I remembered the name of this amazing tree with big beautiful pink flowers that smell like honey and vanilla.....
This is the last of the foxgloves. They are a favorite of mine because they seem right out of a fairy tale book....
Now it's night time and I wish you could see the thousands of fireflies lighting up the garden with their graceful flittering about......
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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It's all so pretty there, Fifi. I love all the flowers especially the Morning Glory and the Fox Gloves. We call Morning Glories the Victor Plant here since we planted two long ago for our dog, Victor. People look funny when we go to the garden center and say Victor Plant but my daughter and I always share our story.
Forgot about your Dr. Seuss plant, I was going to try to look for one here when you showed it last year... perhaps I can find one for my garden of whimsy here.
xoxo~Tracie
PS Went to TJ Maxx today and found tons of Romantic Prairie Style tops (what I call them now) with lace and pretty prints, thought of you.
Posted by: My Petite Maison | April 28, 2011 at 06:55 PM
Hello dear Fifi... your flowers and gardens are just beautiful!... I love Pansies and Violas too, and Foxgloves are my very favorite... they too remind me of fairy tales, perhaps that is why they are called Fairy's Gloves too... I wish I could see your garden at night and all of the fireflies... how lovely!... wishing you a beautiful Spring evening in your pretty garden... xoxo Julie Marie
Posted by: Julie Marie | April 28, 2011 at 06:55 PM
Hi Fifi,
I envy your green thumb. I often say, any greenery or blossoms I have are courtesy of Michael's silk flowers/plants department! :)
I wonder if your "Dr. Seuss" flower could be a related to the bottle brush tree at all. Looks very similar.
Enjoy your garden beauty -- know that my yard looks NOTHING like that. :)
XOXO
Ruth
Posted by: The Beautiful Life | April 28, 2011 at 06:57 PM
Beautiful, magical garden!
Thank you for sharing those lush blossoms...
That morning glory is gorgeous! :)
Posted by: Laura @ 52 FLEA | April 28, 2011 at 07:06 PM
Beautiful flowers, Fifi! I am desperate to get some flowers in but I usually wait until Mother's Day weekend for the last frost. I may go for pansies this weekend though to tide me over! Last year I tried an annual that I first heard of from visits to Florida - lantana. I put three plants in and they grew into bushes! Who knew! They loved our humid and hot July and August, so I'll be looking to get more this year.
Posted by: Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions | April 28, 2011 at 07:07 PM
I want your garden and your images are stunning!!! Hugs lulu
Posted by: Lu Tapp | April 28, 2011 at 07:16 PM
Your blooms are absolutely gorgeous, Fifi!
I have the brownest of thumbs, so I truly envy those of you who have the ability to create such beauty in your outdoor spaces.
Your Dr. Zuess flower is crazy but amazing looking!
Hugs,
Anne
Posted by: Anne Lorys-Fiona & Twig | April 28, 2011 at 07:33 PM
~ Such beautiful flowers~Thanks so much for the inspiration Fifi~ Hugs, Rachel
French Farmhouse 425
Posted by: Rachel@French Farmhouse 425 | April 28, 2011 at 07:42 PM
Ohh FiFi your garden & blooms look so beautiful! How lovely to sit out early...or late! Such a realxing place to be..I am trying to get my backyard that way!
Remembering to keep romance & beauty at your home...makes one relax:) Enjoy Spring sweets..
Hugs..
Deb:) xox
Posted by: DEBBIE BELL | April 28, 2011 at 08:01 PM
Fifi ~ your garden is glorious ~ Wish mine was right now but in time...Love your Dr. Seuss tree. Have fun enjoying the blooms ;-)
Posted by: Marianne | April 28, 2011 at 08:02 PM
Beautiful pictures! I have been trying to capture all my flowers this year in photos. I have kept a garden journal for years but never included photos. The flowers are amazing this year, they must have heard there was going to be a photo shoot. :) I have never seen fireflies and would love to someday... nature is so magical!
Posted by: Jacque Asselin Ferreira | April 28, 2011 at 08:40 PM
Gorgeous flowers! I hope to get gardening soon...it has been so rainy in Illinois :(
Stay Cool!!
Posted by: Stacey@A Sort Of Fairytale | April 28, 2011 at 09:00 PM
Fifi,
I am new to your blog. I bought your new book and couldn't put it down. I have a passion for gardening. Here in Utah Spring is trying to come but Old Man Winter keeps popping in. All of your flowers look so beautiful and make me full of envy! Someday, my foxgloves will be blooming, can't wait!
Posted by: Jann Olson | April 28, 2011 at 09:11 PM
Oh my goodness ...your flowers are stunning...we are still waiting for spring weather!...thank you for showing us your amazing blooms.....we get foxgloves in july!......Happy weekend!
Posted by: colleen | April 28, 2011 at 09:15 PM
Dearest Fifi,
Well, we were in Florida last week till Friday, a total of 9 days. Coming home to Georgia it feels hot here and humid already... Winter is LONG gone for the south. But you certainly live in paradise with such an abundance of blossoms!!! Enjoy it and also their exotic frangrances.
Lots of love,
Mariette
Posted by: Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder | April 28, 2011 at 09:41 PM
Absolutely stunning floral photos and such a variety!! Love the "Dr. Zeuss" plant and bright pink flowers! Wonder if those are just specific to your area? Our TX heat is unmerciful on many different plants.
Big TX Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents
Posted by: Stephanie | April 28, 2011 at 09:52 PM
what a gorgeous garden you have! i especially love the pink and yellow roses. xx
Posted by: beachcomber | April 28, 2011 at 10:18 PM
Your garden is just lovely, Fifi! We have very little blooming here in the Midwest, so it is such a treat to see all of your pretty flowers. I love the wisteria, and foxglove has always been a favorite of mine.
This is my first time to your website...how nice to be greeted by all these sunny little faces!
XO,
Jane
Posted by: Jane | April 28, 2011 at 10:21 PM
Fifì, quello che ci mostri è sempre meraviglioso!
Kiss^^
Marica
Posted by: Marica | April 28, 2011 at 10:28 PM
Hi Fifi...what a beautiful garden pictures!!...so nice !!....have a nice sunny day darling.......love love Ria....xxx...
Posted by: It's Me | April 29, 2011 at 01:33 AM
Tes photos sont si ravissantes ! ces fleurs sont toutes divines - j'adore la glycine blanche et la digitale qui semble sortie d'un conte pour petites filles ....
Merci de ce beau billet!
Bisous et belle journée Fifi!
Solène
Posted by: Solène | April 29, 2011 at 01:52 AM
Oh my! Your garden is so beautiful. I live at 5700 feet in Wyoming, and there are just a few tulips and daffodils poking their heads out of the ground. I always love looking at your blog, especially in mid-winter when I need a pick-me-up! I can't wait to purchase your new book. We don't have it at any of the bookstores in our town, so I will have to pick it up next time I go to the big city (whenever it is back in print, that is).
Posted by: Jan Leonhardt | April 29, 2011 at 03:06 AM
Hi Fifi,
It was so nice meeting you at Susie's and Mark's the other evening and what a nice surprise today to see what else I can grow here in FL. I especially love the white wisteria. I would guess it makes your sweet oasis intoxicating with it's perfume. Thank you for sharing. I do hope to see you again soon.
Hugs
Becky
Posted by: Becky | April 29, 2011 at 04:32 AM
magnificent!
Debbie B
Posted by: Deb | April 29, 2011 at 04:41 AM
your gardens look so lovely fifi. i am really jealous. we have been so rainy and cool. nothing is taking off yet. hopefully soon. have a wonderful day.
Posted by: Traci | April 29, 2011 at 04:45 AM
Good morning Fifi :) Your flowers are so lovely ~ I too love Foxglove, and mine are just starting to come up from their sleep from the winter, so it will be a little while before I see their beautiful blooms. I also transplanted several Peonies last fall, and it looks like almost all of them survived, so am thrilled about that :) We extended our landscaping by our side deck, and need to finish "fluffing" it up so that I can plant some new Perennials ( I have 3 pink Calla Lilies and 3 pink Dahlias), and whatever else I can think of to plant in it :) Thank you for sharing some of your beautiful garden with us.
Warmest hugs, Brenda
Posted by: Brenda @ Shabby Cats and Roses | April 29, 2011 at 04:46 AM
Oh my goodness these photos are stunning! I live in Florida as well, and yesterday I walked out of the house at 8:30am and thought "MY GOODNESS, should it really be this hot so soon!" Such a beautiful post. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Cassandra | April 29, 2011 at 04:54 AM
Beautiful flowers Fifi....thank you for the stroll in your garden.
Hugs,
Penny
Posted by: Penny @ The Comforts of Home and Lavender Hill Studio | April 29, 2011 at 05:06 AM
So nice to see your garden again:) have a lovely weekend Fifi~
Posted by: Monique | April 29, 2011 at 05:37 AM
Good morning Fifi, lovely photos of your flowers. Your pink tree that has a sweet honey fragrance is a Dombeya, so gorgeous. It is often referred to here in Florida as a Florida hydrangea. Sadly my foxgloves too are seeming to take there last bow but they have been gorgeous this year, they are my favorite.
Later,
Peggy
Posted by: Peggy | April 29, 2011 at 05:38 AM
Thank you so much for sharing such beautiful pictures of all your gorgeous flowers!!
What a lovely treasure to have!
Posted by: Dawn Marie | April 29, 2011 at 05:56 AM
Hi Fifi....your images are just beautiful. I adore the flower that looks like fireworks and I'm with you on the foxglove....one of my favs. thanks for sharing.
Linda
Posted by: Linda Rubin | April 29, 2011 at 06:42 AM
Thanks for all the flowers and warmth, Fifi! In the Catskills the trees are still budding and it sleets all the time!
xo
Sandy
Posted by: Sandy @ My Shabby Streamside Studio | April 29, 2011 at 07:46 AM
What beautiful flowers Fifi! You have given me hope. I moved to Florida from the UK two years ago and I so miss having a beautiful garden. Now that you have shared yours with me, I know what to look for when garden shopping. If anyone would like to share tips for planting with me, I would love to hear from you! Thank you for sharing Fifi! xxx
Posted by: Sally Ford-Whiley | April 29, 2011 at 12:27 PM
Simply glorious,Fifi! We are still waiting for our Spring to arrive in Colorado. We will have 2 warm days ( Yea!) followed by snow( Yikes!).
I lived in Florida for 15 years and could plant a broom handle and it would sprout. Miss the warmth and breezes off the intercoastal.
My best to you,
Mar
Posted by: Mar Bailey | April 29, 2011 at 12:57 PM
oh Fifi... I love all of your photos!!! One of my favorite pastimes is working in my garden/yard. It's way cheaper than a therapist ;) I too have the "Florida Wisteria" but in a pretty lavender. Here are some photos of other native plants I have in my back yard. http://justbecausekatie.blogspot.com/2011/04/love-my-back-yard-plants.html I"m going to try and find one of your Dr. Seuss trees. I remember when you first posted about your tree. It was a piece from one of your neighbors I believe? You should start selling pieces of yours ;) Thank you to the reader Peggy, that knew the name of the "Florida Hydrangea" I want one of those too... XoXo
Posted by: katie@Just Because Katie | April 29, 2011 at 01:34 PM
Your flowers are lovely!! And I bet the fireflies make it all so magical. I don't have them here and the first time I saw them, (just a few yrs ago) I asked why are there people out in the woods so late at night? I thought they had flashlights! Stupid question huh? : )
Posted by: Julie | April 29, 2011 at 03:48 PM
I love all the flower photos...just lovely! Spring is "finally" showing it's head along the Washington State coast so it's great to see your pretties :O)
Posted by: Marie @ Sally Lee by the Sea | April 29, 2011 at 05:10 PM
This pink flowering tree is Bombax ellipticum. After I saw it on your blog 2 years ago, I asked friends from California and we managed to name your tree!
XoXo,
Ewa
Posted by: Ewa in the Garden | April 30, 2011 at 02:33 AM
Your garden is so lovely, Fifi. I really love the old fashioned pink rose in the photo. Thanks so much for sharing!
Posted by: Ricki Jill Treleaven | May 01, 2011 at 01:10 PM
Hi Fifi ~ your gardens are exquisite and I have to admit that I'm abit jealous that you already have such glorious flowers blooming! We have had very strange weather in Utah this spring. It actually SNOWED yesterday for a few minutes! My roses are barely starting to shoot at the roots, but it makes me appreciate what I will have to look forward to during our hot summer months! Thanks for sharing your home with us! ~Stacy~
Posted by: Stacy Stewart | May 01, 2011 at 07:10 PM
Hey FiFi,
I love those canisters you have in your kitchen with the words bread,coffee ect.
I would love to know where I can get those
please. I love your blog.
Donna
Posted by: Donna Ojeda | May 04, 2011 at 09:29 AM
I am a great fan of yours and one of my great purchases has been praire style love love it
You are an inspiration
thank you Dee
Posted by: Dee Longmuir | June 01, 2011 at 07:49 PM
You are an inspiration!!!!!!!!!!!
www.pieces-from-the-past.com
Posted by: lisa cote | June 17, 2011 at 04:32 AM
These flowers are unusual. I have never seen them.
Posted by: freelance writers | June 17, 2011 at 07:50 AM