I think I probably can grow the Michelia in ground here, Lin, but I want to grow it a little bit bigger in a pot before I commit it to a spot in my jungle. It will have to compete with so very many oak tree roots that I think a bigger plant will stand a better chance. I got this one last fall and it is only about 18in. high and wide.

Right there with you on the blankies for plants! I have imported all my orchids into the house for this week, and it's a jungle in here, too. We won't get quite as low temps as you, but mid-40's really can put a stop to growth on a lot of my tropical divas so I do protect a lot of things. Sunny and lovely out there right now, but brrr! It sure does cool off fast once the sun goes down.

This is my Banana Shrub; I just moved it onto the screened porch where I think I'll just leave it for the next month or so.

Interesting plant and great foliage! I'm going to be kicking myself if I lost any plants because I haven't been covering them and they are outside. Only plants I brought in are the Vandas . Although I have some in the covered porch.

You probably won't lose them Gigi, but they may go dormant for a couple of months and then sulk for the whole summer. Did you get frost last night? It was pretty darned cold here.

It was predicted to drop to 31º here with freeze warnings last night but thank goodness it never got anywhere near that cold! The lowest I saw when I checked the thermometer at 2:30 this morning was 42º and I am so happy about that! I was concerned that even with covering a lot of plants, there would be cold damage. Whew, I'm so happy it didn't drop so low. I'm holding my breath for the next month and hope that we get by without any freezes!

The lowest I saw was 37. I just walked around the house and the only thing that looks bad is the porterweed, and it's been on its usual decline for a week or so now. It bounces back super fast in the spring, so I just have to look at it be ugly for a few weeks. Of course, it doesn't help that I planted it right in front of the walkway to the house. Everything else looked fine including Bromeliads, Jatropha, and even my Brugmansia! And look, my Passiflora 'Lavender Lady' is covered in blooms. Only found one caterpillar. They get their time with the plant; I get mine. All's fair in the garden.

When I got home from work last night at 10 it was already 34. Scary, our coldest doesn't happen until bout 6 in the morning. Soooo it was in the 20's this morning. I slept in until 7 cuddled in the blankets nice and cozy. I can't remember sleeping that late for years.

The plants week moved a couple weekends ago are doing well. Luckily, I've learned what is hardy here and although the entire place looks like cwap now, I know they will all be back in the real spring.

If course I look around and can't remember certain things. Like do the large turks cap hibiscus come back from the root or old branch stock. I know the rose of sharon do. The variegated purple fire spike come back from the roots. The one I have is huge, so am making plans to prune that back in the spring. I won't do any of this until last frost as I don't want the freeze to creep down the cut and freeze the roots.

So now that everything out there has that gloomy winter look, we need a picture. Let's see what I have.

This is a red cardinal that got in the path. I put an empty paint bucket next to it to remind me not to mow it....3 years ago. This summer it was 4 feet tall.

Red Hibiscus

And its bloom

Elaine I did not see a frost last night. Weather.com has been my constant companion these days. Lincoln a forecast of 31 seems pretty cold for you.

Melanie and Molly, those are gorgeous plants.

Just got in from doing yard work, cant believe after the cold windy week, Im actually hot as a firecracker. Reminds me how much I really need to do before the real heat sets in. Overwhelming amount of stuff

I was thinking the same thing as I was walking around yesterday. So much to do and I better get it done before the heat sets in! Last year it got hot so early and I wasn't ready for it. I guess I better get cracking!

The "Be Floridian" page on Facebook posted this the other day and I thought you all could relate.

I sure can identify. My red mustang is in the carport.......or is it a yellow mustang????? Battery is dead again and can't get it out to wash it.

But the good news is.....spring is really here. The turkey oaks know best.

Luckily I do not suffer that nasal thing many people do over this.

I haven't experience the pollens yet, my oak tree is just waking up. Here are plants blooming in my Florida garden:

My nun orchids



My Vanda's re bloomed:





These pics are over 2 weeks old but the color of my succulents are still this gorgeous, they love this time of the year:

The succulents are really pretty, Gigi. I have brugmansias blooming like crazy these days. Along with my mango tree, the smell out in the garden is overwhelming at night.
This is my double peachy one called 'New Orleans Lady'. The other one is an old plant I started from a cutting called 'Monster White'.

Love those Brugs, Elaine!

Gigi, those succulents are outstanding!

I have a Brom that has finally bloomed for me for the very first time. I think it's a Vriesea carinata.


Was heartbroken to have lost a Spiraea, to the dreaded and highly invasive Cat's Claw vine. There was absolutely no way to save it. This horrible vine had totally devoured the plant and the root ball.


Found a "friend" hanging out in the Boxwoods.

Nice brom there, Tara. Love the shot of the black snake in your boxwoods. They are really fun to watch when they're climbing. I've seen a couple up quite high in the oak trees lately, guess there's lots of baby birds and squirrels . . .

those Brugs are gorgeous Elaine.

Tara I googled spiraeas and I'm sorry you lost them.

Love your little black racer, Tara...I have 2 or 3 that I see in my yard all the time, they're so FUN!

Thanks all.
Gigi, this is what it looked like April 2014. Heart breaking loss as my late MIL had gifted it to me more than 20 years ago. It was a beauty. The only down side was it only bloomed once a year.


Elaine, and Patty, I too love these little guys. They are very fun to watch.

Oh dear! That was a beauty Tara.