------------------------ I suspect most folks living in Florida have been trying to figure out just how to keep their plants from coming down with the cold weather blues. The unusual arctic cold has been here all week and it is a effort to protect the tropical plants. One of the benefits to my gardens poor soil is that most of my plants are in containers that I have brought inside to avoid the cold. Best as I can figure a lot of the plants that I have here are like people in that they like the same conditions temperature wise. Freezing weather and tropicals just don't mix.
Besides bringing plants inside I was able to get some pictures of some of the garden critters who are coping with the cold outside. The top picture is a
White Peacock butterfly getting some sun on a Mexican Sunflower bloom.
Next is the Florida State Butterfly a Zebra Heliconian or Zebra Longwing Enjoying the Sunflower bloom also. It became our State Butterfly on April 26,1996.
White Peacock butterfly getting some sun on a Mexican Sunflower bloom.
Next is the Florida State Butterfly a Zebra Heliconian or Zebra Longwing Enjoying the Sunflower bloom also. It became our State Butterfly on April 26,1996.
The birds have been visiting to feeder several times a day to eat as much as they can. Perhaps they know they will need extra energy to cope with the cold temperatures.
The Bluejay above and these Ringneck Doves are everyday visitors to the garden and enjoy the free handout.
This Coconut Palm is loaded down with a fresh crop of Coconuts. It is a reminder 
that this is after all South Florida and the cold weather here is only here visitin' from up North.
that this is after all South Florida and the cold weather here is only here visitin' from up North.----------------sandddune------------------------------------
Thank you for visiting my blog and commenting. I hope your crape myrtle grows fast; they do here. I think they enjoy their winter snooze.
ReplyDeleteI remember when the Zebra Longwing became the FL state butterfly. I'm acquainted with Mrs. Julie Neel, the Thomasville, GA butterfly expert who helped them choose. We used to get Longwings here, but not in the past several years. Plenty of Gulf Frits, so it isn't that there's no food.
Love the coconuts. I bought one at Christmas when the grocery ran out of bagged coconut, have yet to crack it open.
Hi Nell Jean,
ReplyDeleteMy Crape Myrtle has been in a container for several years behing my shed. I put him out in the yard where it will get the full sun so hopefully now it will prosper there. Right now it is just sticks but should releaf soon.
I have seen more of the Zebra longwings in the garden this month but actually they rarely show up even though they are the State Butterfly.This one was cold and allowed me to take it's picture.
And yes, South Florida is full of Coconuts. Some even grow on the trees here.
I hope all your plants survive. The bird and butterfly pics are great. my hosta needs a freeze to go dormant. Hope all goes well.
ReplyDeletejim
Hi and thanks for stopping by my blog. Is good to visit another Florida Blog, I hope your garden came through ok from the recent cold weather.
ReplyDeleteI haven’t seen any butterflies around my garden after the cold weather arrived
I hope the butterflies, as well as all those gorgeous tropical plants that grow in your area, survive the cold weather. Our temp is suppose to warm up into the 50s this week. Enough of winter; I'm ready for spring!
ReplyDeleteJim G,
ReplyDeleteOur Florida cold snap this week is nothing by your standards up North. It's just that no one expects a winter here. We usually have just two seasons here hot and less hot.
Rusty,
ReplyDeleteI'm still getting a lot of Gulf Fritillarys along with a few White Peacocks and zebras.They all go to the flowers from my Mexican Sunflower bushes which are the best attractant plant in my garden.
Deborah,
ReplyDeleteHeard on the radio that it will be back up to 80 here by Saturday. Most of my plants came inside and I am only worried over the Orchids that are attatched to a Avacado tree outside. I would hate to see the Hillbilly Orchid which has survived four Hurricanes outside be done in by cold weather. The pot of Tulip bulbs I just planted have got to love this cold weather.