Favorite Blogs

I finally got around to adding a couple blogs as favorites. To the right side of the page are links to a couple blogs I enjoy. Wicked Gardener is in the Ocala, FL area in the same county I am in. Melanie of Melanie's Old Country Garden is on Long Island, NY and like me, is a member of the American Hemerocallis Society mailing list. Now, I need to getting around to seeing how to link up on Blotanical. I am grateful to both ladies for telling me how to get this blog started.

Feeding Birds

I feed the birds, and get several different species around. One of my favorites are the Doves mentioned in earlier posts. But, look what else likes the bird seed...

Favorite Blogs

If anyone who is used to Blogger can tell me how to add a list of favorite blogs, like on the right side of the page, please let me know.

Dogwoods and Redbuds

Shown are two spring blooming trees that are native to this area, though not common. These are Dogwoods [white] and Redbuds [pink-purple]. Both are deciduous and and bloom in the spring. The Redbuds can start blooming in late January or early February depending on the weather. Dogwoods are March bloomers, and are at peak bloom as of today. Both have done well even with the occasional freeze up until recently. We still could have a freeze down here though.

Camellias

I used to live in Kentucky where the winters were bleak and frequently icy. Nothing bloomed during the coldest weeks. Upon moving to Florida, I found there were three Camellias planted by the house. After seeing them bloom, I added several more.

I have two "tribes" of Camellias. The two Sasanqua Camellias I have start blooming in late October and bloom into December. The Japonica Camellias start blooming about the time the Sasanquas are finishing. The Japonica Camellias bloom into early spring.

This year, the Japonica Camellias were disrupted by some brutal [by Florida standards] cold snaps, but have since started blooming again. Tonight we freeze again darnit. The blooms shown above are all Japonica Camellias.

Thinking Spring

Also in early spring comes "Cracker Days" at Rainbow Springs State Park. This year, it is February 21- 22. They try to time it the weekend closest to peak bloom for the Azaleas and Camellias. After the severe freezes, nothing is currently in bloom but there is still time for things to bloom out some.

There are a variety of events at "Cracker Days" including a native plant sale, historical speeches and displays.

I hope that a large font may be easier to read. It looks like that cold wave is finally behind us, but I am not sure winter is done with us yet. But, the native Chickasaw Plums are starting to bloom. I am including a photo of some of the flowers of this species taken Sunday, February 8.