December - plant some color

Yesterday, while working in the front yard, I had a 'happy moment'.
I love it when people stop and talk plants with me, this just makes my day :)

Angelonia

So, a lady stopped her car, and came over saying "There are always flowers blooming in your yard". She explained she is from Michigan and new to Florida and would like to know which flowers she should plant this time of year. She told me her front yard is facing South, while mine is facing North-West,  the Impatiens she admired may not be the best choice for her since they prefer some shade.



Of course annuals are frost sensitive, and the ones I planted yesterday may well be mush in a few weeks. But the bursts of color and the instant gratification at their low cost make it worth it for me.

Dusty Miller


Here in our subdivision every yard has a sprinkler system, so water is not an issue, but sun or shade is to be considered. If your flowerbed is in full sun, you can plant all the flowering Annuals  the boxstores have available. For a shaded flowerbed, you may want to pick  from the rainbow of colors Impatiens and Coleus have to offer.

Wax Begonia


Here is a list of Annuals I plant in Myrtle Glen for the winter months

  • Marigold

  • Pansies

  • Johnny-Jump-ups

  • Petunia

  • Snapdragon

  • Wax Begonia

  • Dianthus

  • Dusty Miller

  • Kalanchoe

  • Angelonia

  • Verbena

There are of course many more, those are just my favorites :-)

To the lady stopping by yesterday, I also suggested to plant a Knockout Rose or two. Of course this rose is not an Annual, but  pest and disease free,  it won't mind the occasional cold spell, and is well-behaved and maintained with a snip here and there. Perfect plant for Central Florida!




2 comments:

  1. I adore Angelonias too & usually plant the pinks & purples together :) But mine are usually attacked by mealybugs though.
    Lovely rose! Coincidentally, I was just reading a post on roses by another Blotanist, AutumnBelle at her blog.

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  2. thanks for the nice comment :-) so far I am lucky, no mealybugs on my angelonias.

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