Mandevilla

Carlos and I got a pink Mandevilla the other day and I finally put it in the ground this morning. It is in the arbor and I would need to cut it off if we get a hurricane warning. We would need to bring the arbor inside so anything that I plant there it is going to get cut. I put the coral vine on the other side. I can't believe it is growing so well. It was a dried stick when I got it at Ricky's swap

Bulbine

I finally finished the bed with the bananas and pineapples. It took me weeks but it is done. I got bit by red ants near the bed so I could not plant the arboricola around the palm tree.

I also put in the ground the bulbine I got from Ebay. It is orange/yellow

Joanmary's Plant Swap

I had a fun day today. I went to Joanmary's (from GardenWeb) plant swap and I loved it. She has an amazing garden, with lots of special plants. We all loved what we called her secret garden, full of butterflies and birds. She was very generous and gave us plants and cuttings of her most prized plants. I didn't take as much as I wanted because I still have lots of things that I need to put in the ground. When I got home I was able to plant most of the cuttings and repotted some of the plants. I put the Florida violets under the tree, it is still a young tree so it doesn't have shade yet.

Epcot's Flower and Garden Show

We went to Epcot and I was lucky enough to see the Flower show once again. I just love looking at all the beautiful displays and flowers. I got inspired and this morning I worked a little in the garden. I know I should be cleaning the house but it was a perfect morning to be outside. It is cloudy today and not too hot.

Fertilizer

I usually don't fertilize my plants but they told me I needed to fertilize my banana trees or they won't grow and set fruit. I bought some fertilizer at the Mounts Sale and I finally put it on the banana trees this morning. I need to start using more organic methods to improve the quality of the soil. So far I have put newspaper and cardboard under mulch to prevent weeds from sprouting and to improve the soil. When I change the fish water I use it to water my vegetables. I also use the caterpillars poop for my vegetables. It is not a lot but enough for a small pot. I also use Epsom salt. They have told me I should use alfalfa pellets but they said they smell a lot and I am not sure Don or the neighbors will be happy about it. My dream of course if to go across the street from the development's entrance and ask for horse poop. They have lots of horses there and I could get so much!!! Maybe one day I will do it.

I finally put the Memorial Day rose on the ground. Mimi's has grown a lot and she said it had 3 roses this morning. I love the smell but my roses don't last much, they only look good for a day

More blooms

Some of the plants I got at the February Swap are giving me blooms. JoanMary gave me the plant with the redish/brown flower. It is Aristolochia fimbriata, a native of Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil. They said it is best used in hanging baskets. It is a delicate plant, the flowers are approx. 1 inch tall.

The blue flower is Butterfly Pea or Blue Pea Vine (Clitoria ternatea). I got it from Chippi. I love the color of the flowers. I think she also gave me a double one but it has not flowered yet. I can't wait to see it.