If the transition from winter to spring in South Florida is subtle, the one between summer and fall is practically invisible. While autumn is already a few weeks old — according to the calendar and posts from northern gardeners — the weather forecasters in Zone 10 say that anything resembling fall (temperatures below 70) will not arrive until sometime in November — and that will most likely happen while I’m fast asleep.
Still, there’s something in the air. While daytime temperatures have “cooled” by a hot degree, evenings have become slightly more comfortable — and that makes for very enjoyable sunset walks.
That, combined with two very long posts in a row (about an organic farm and a groundbreaking book) and another on the way (with a giveaway), has brought me to this autumnal interlude of what’s blooming here and now.
Ixora
Yellow Shrimp Plant
Chenille Plant
This is one of the newest addition to the garden. When I spotted it in a local nursery, it looked as if it had experienced heat stress. Now that it’s had some extra care and water,it seems to have bounced back. These are the first blooms since planted.
Desert Rose
Australian Tree Fern
Two fronds are getting ready to unfurl. This plant adores hot and humid weather, so growth will probably slow down in the next few months.
Bromeliad
This bromeliad still looks amazing, weeks and weeks after blooming!
Coconut Palm Tree Sprouts
Vinca
I have to give a special shout out to Vinca, which behaves more like a perennial here. It can handle the heat and iguanas seem to ignore them — so now I have a flower option for the backyard.
Earlier I hinted at an upcoming giveaway. It’s on its way and will be part of a long-form post, an interview with The fascinating author of a New book about an equally fascinating gardener.
Lots of really beautiful sub-tropical plants in your garden that I’m familiar with having spent many years living in Sydney. None of them (except vinca, as an annual) would be very happy in my present garden though, so it’s good to be reminded of how lush and colourful they are.
Fall hasnt really come to our garden either. We seem to just jump from summer to our version of winter. I grew up in the northeast and miss the colors and cool weather of fall. Your “fall” blooms look great!
Hey, Plant Geek. It has taken me some time to get used to the South Florida season — which is hot and hotter. I sometimes miss the colors, but I do not miss snow and cold — I guess that’s the trade off. I do, though, love those chilly evenings in late January. I open all the windows, wear a sweatshirt, and even use a blanket while I sleep. 🙂
Autumn’s arrival in Southern California is very subtle, but I love the shift. It is still hot during the day, but the night is very cool and the slant of the sun, shorter days, and squirrels running around burying acorns, even though they don’t need to store up food, tells me it’s Fall. Your beautiful flowering plants are so vibrant and appealing, Kevin. I particularly love the bromeliad! Gorgeous and a true standout!
Hi Debra. I so get what you mean about the change in sunlight. Although it’s hot during the day, I love the light from the setting sun. It has a golden glow — and the sunsets have been so colorful lately! By the way, the weather forecasters here have talked about a “cold” front that just won’t make it down the entire Florida peninsula. I guess Fall still hasn’t fallen here . . . yet. 🙂
Living a couple of hours north of you on the Treasure Coast of Florida, I know exactly what you mean about fall weather. I’ve got some of the same plants but one thing we don’t have…at least not yet, is iguanas!
Hi Karen — be very, very thankful you do not have iguanas. They eat everything, and as their numbers have swelled, they’re munching on plants not part of their diet. For gardeners and homeowners in South Florida, they can easily and quickly devour a garden. Enjoy the chill! Thanks for commenting.