That hard frost last month really kicked my psychological rear end. The mango tree doesn't seem like it's going to come back. The dwarf poinciana was just starting to leaf out, and now (almost two months later) there is no sign of life. We pulled out two huge ixora and will miss their constant flowering. The bougainvillea are bare and bony. We disagree on what to do about that. I say cut it way back and either it survives or not. Tom is less violent than me.
I cut the crotons back, and one of the plants has new sprouts, but at the bottom. I fear 12 years of growth is lost and we must start again. Sheesh! I'm not sure I even have 12 more years. The cabbage palms (native) survived just fine, but I notice some of the more exotic palms in other yards are still brown and limp. I'm beginning to understand these Southern plants a little after 12 years of befuddlement and wonder. They are not meant for that kind of cold, and they like a little sand in the soil. How should I proceed to replace the dead, not knowing if the hard freeze was a fluke or a portent of things to come? Native plants!
Gardening is different down here. I lived in the north for 62 years, and I appreciated the death and rebirth of the flora. I enjoyed and then managed the cold and snow as one must. Spring was pure magic as old friends poked up through the soil. They were hardy, magnificent, and I trusted them to come back. Like I said, it is different here in Central Florida. Still, the bromeliads, azaleas and cannas survived! Actually, quite a bit might grow back, and it has been fun reimagining some of these garden beds. I need to trust a bit more. Everything is going to be okay.
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| a bromeliad bloom |
I think I prefer knowing my seasons here and what will and won't survive. It would be hard starting all over again.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree. I also miss the northern flowers.
DeleteHere, too. It's disorienting to see some of our evergreens failing to thrive in our changed northwest Washington State climate while all the spring bulbs are coming up as usual and blooming as always. Love your surviving bromeliad photo!
ReplyDeleteThanks. Good to hear from you.
DeleteLike you I appreciate a moderate climate with more or less predictable seasons but it's changing seemingly everywhere. Too hot, too cold, sudden brief frost, too dry, too wet. Just read the the lady 11 years were hotter than ever measured worldwide.
ReplyDeleteAnd yet I have great confidence that the natural world will adjust, probably better then humans
I adore bromeliads.
They are bizarre and beautiful. They often make me laugh.
DeleteHaving lived through several hard Florida freezes in my time, I know what you mean. Some things recover, some things never do, and in any case the landscape is dramatically different.
ReplyDeleteYou are north of the freeze line (usually said to be somewhere around S.R. 60) so you will get freezes from time to time in winter. I wouldn't plant anything that can't take frost, although some tender plants might survive with covers and a heat source. Cabbage palms and other native plants should be fine.
Thanks.
DeleteYour last two sentences...I needed those. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
DeleteI know nothing about growing plants or trees so I'm no help to you. I hope many of your plants come back and the ones that survived will flourish!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteI hope some more of your plants survive and prosper. Interesting that southern plants are quite different from northern plants. Our plants are thriving okay in the cold weather. A severe frost some years ago looked to have killed our palm tree but it revived some weeks later.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many different growing seasons in the U.S.A.
DeleteIt's fascinating to see what you can grow down there, and when! So exotic compared to here. - Kate
ReplyDelete