You Go for it Girl! Sounds good!
Container Renovations! (smile)
Kat, thanks for the great update photos! I always love catching up on this thread! Your "eye" for plant and especially foliage combinations just keeps getting better. WOW!
Ok Kat, it is time to feed our addiction to your plants and containers. What did you do this weekend?
Ahhhhh...Thanks Critter! Didn't do anythng that give's instant satisfaction this weekend...Fertilized some plants in the outside yard and planted 200 Caladium bulbs in my front entry! Now that was back-breaking work...If they all come up., it's going to be fantastic!
My problem is that I'm working with a cover of Pine Bark mulch...so I just can't dig a hole and plant. Got to scape the bark off, then dig. Fill and recover.It got to the point were I was digging up bulbs I had already planted! Got smarter today though...I marked them with those little bamboo skewers you thread meat and stuff on for parties. If nothing comes up..I've got a "stick garden" hahahaha
I love Caladiums and the ones I planted last year are all starting to sprout...The cool thing is that you put them in the ground and they come back up year after year. And if you're in a cold climate, you jus have to dig them up and replant.
Here's some that I planted last year, already popping out of the ground.
Here's the ones that are starting to poke through the ground now and seem to be fuller than they were last year...I love Caladiums (Last years picture0
This message was edited Apr 13, 2008 11:03 PM
Hahaha!
Tina...If you read the post before, it's all been maintenance and boring "I have to wait bulb stuff."
However, blooms are crazy! I posted about this Calabrachoa a few times as the foliage was just amazing..but no blooms. Was ready to yank it when it just started going crazy,
We all have covered Lanai's here in SW Florida and I visit friend's with no plants or vegatation on their Lanai and it just looks so clean and unobstructed...
Sometimes I think I have a Jungle going on and it's out of control...but personally, I Love it! Maybe next year I'll go "minimalist" hahaha
This is why I call the back bar "The Lizard Lounge" hehe
There are so many of these little devils running around my lanai right now...All sizes and shapes. Gotta love them though. They say they eat their weight in bugs everyday. They really are kind of cute and other than my dog's terrorizing them (or vice versa), they're great to have around!
This message was edited Apr 13, 2008 11:09 PM
Great job! I love Caladiums as well! Boy that is one big lizard.....what a thick tail it has! We have some big ones here, but their tails are usually skinny.....
I also like the "Jungle" look! My daughter thinks I have a jungle.....I just think it looks "lush"!
Enjoy!
Jeanne...Don't you think they're kind of cute though? That guy is a little "thick" though.
Read a great article in Florida Gardening Magazine and these are apparently not Lizards..they're "Anoles" ??? hehe!
The letter to the editor was from a lizard...He said he was mad as Hell and is not going to take it anymore! Some of his reasons were...
1. I am not here for the perverted amusement of your Cat.
2. We are not here SO your children can make us bite their earlobes and wear us as earrings.
3. We are not here to save you money on your car Insurance! hahahaha
The Anole compares himself to us Humans...He considers himself a very gracious and regal lizrard species that inhabits all of Flordia. He also thinks he's not so different from us humans...
1. We molt frequently and shed off pieces of skin. Humans continuously forget or refuse to use sunscreen and end up doing the same.
2. We grab and consume prey almost as big as we are. Lizards have seen your so-called Sno-Birds at a Sunday afternoon all-you-can-eat-buffet....need I say more?
3. We breed anywhere from late March to early October. You breed anytime, anyplace.
He further states that if he should get into your home by accident and is spotted clinging to the wall..
They are NOT amused by being chased around by some crazed , hairy brute of a Susquatch with a piece of Tupperware, while the mate is doing a River Dance on the couch screaming....Eeeeecck...It's a lizard! For crying out loud...do you know how BIG you are???
I thought the closing was the best though...
The Lizard writes...
What really frosts me about you Humans...It's when you refer to your politicians and attorneys as "lizards" What did we ever do to deserve that?
I just thought it was cute!
That is ADORABLE!
One of our green lizards did get inside the door in the foyer the other day. I did do the River Dance and went and got DS who came and retrieved him, putting him safely back outside. I have been told that they can make cats very very sick.
During the winter a medium size green lizard decided to take up residence in my plumeria leaf. He had a very long tail, but gently curved it inside the leaf with him.
When I first walked by, I totally missed him because he blended in so well. He was so cute, I had to go get the camera and take his picture. Ours are very observant, and if you talk to them they cock they head to one side and roll their eyes! They are probably thinking....."What a crazy human!!!"
They are cute. We have some pretty big ones. I saw a couple yesterday out in the garden. Here's the one in the plumie leaf....
Oh my Goodness..
And How Cute is he??? That's a great picture Jeanne!
It's very rare that I get them in my house, but I just love having them outside. I don't know about the green lizards, but if you happen to catch one and try to relocate them, the tails come off! Or if you have 2 crazed yorkies that hunt lizards and jump up and grab them...no tails left!
They do grow back though!
My little male dog is so mesmorized with Lizards, it's unbelievable. Is there such a thing as temporary autism in dogs? When he's fixated on a Lizard I use words like - treats, go for a walk, go in the car, somebody is at the door, time to go to bed...Nothing works!!! hehe!
Lucky for the both of you. Unfortunately, I live in the frozen tundra so the only way I get to see a lizard is for me to buy one. I'm seriously thinking about it anyway, I like the bearded dragon and the pet shop has a mated pair. I also like the anoles, but I must admit that after living on Okinawa for 5 years I really love geckos. Tina
go "minimalist" next year? Oh, Kat, please, no! We need your "jungle" for inspiration and to fuel our zone envy... your lush plantings give me something to drool over on bleak winter days!
I tta with Critter. Even when we move to Oklahoma I'll still have zone envy, just not as bad hopefully. I didn't get a chance to do anything today, but tomorrow is the day for me to get it together.
Tina? Where(and when) are you moving in Oklahoma? I think you will find a huge difference here. You'll have a growing season form April til about November.
But, I still have zone envy... especially when looking at Kat's pictures!!!
Brinda,
We will be moving to Oklahoma in November. My dh is being transferred to Tinker. I love your picture. Do you overwinter your plants.
Tina, we lug all of them into the garage every winter and I have really good luck with them.
My DH is retired Navy and TAFB is only about 25 miles from here. Will you be living on base?
If I could box some of these cute little lizard guys up for you and knew they would survive, I'd send them. Funny thing is...my friends who used to live across the highway didn't have any in their yard and we would actually try to catch a few (after cocktails). They really are great to have around though. They never get to the point of being obnoxious or obtrusive, they're just there and kind of cute!
Minimalist? Just kidding! hahahaha.
(Look closely...I think Grouchy Rastifarian has become King of the Anoles!)
KatG~
Did you ever find a source for Thai Envy caladium? It is magnificent!!
Kat, I just planted 30 caladium bulbs. I was inspired by your beautiful pots and gardens. Thank You. I can't wait for them to come up and see what they are. 20 were in a grab bag at Walmart
Brinda.
We are still thinking about it. We are leaning towards it though. The problem is that we have 4 pets and on base your only allowed 2. My dh is going to retire in about 18 months so I might leave the other ones with my mom or sister. Dh wants to get a job on Tinker after he retires though so we will be looking to buy a house in about a year.
I still haven't had a chance to plant anything yet. I just started a new job with Walmart so it has been a couple of days away from home. I also got the bag of 20 caladiums, but I also have 2 dahlias and 2 arums to get into pots. Monday, my day off is going to only get into the 40's after being in the 70's for 3 days. I guess I'll plant some today before I go in and tomorrow after I get home. I have to buy more potting soil though. Tina
KatG speaking of cute little lizards....how would you like to have a gross slimy looking reddish salamander.(my DIL said it was) He appeared on my newly built porch yesterday. We are working on the old homestead and a lot of magnolia leaves were under the old porch that was removed. I think he was living there and was disturbed. I have lived here for years and never saw such a creature here before and hope I never do again. He freaked me out and that is not easy to do.. I would be happy to send him to join your friends in Florida . I tried to identify him but could not find a picture that I thought was right. oh yes I love all your plants and check back often to see what you are doing....shirleyt
Tina, I'm thrilled you're moving here. I'm always looking for a 'partner in crime' for my plant expeditions! LOL
Brinda,
I can't wait. We will have so much fun. Tina
I'm so glad that I haven't had time to get into the yard since it is now snowing!!!!! Yep that is right it is almost the end of April and we are having snow showers. Gotta love North Dakota. Guess I'll be working on containers for awhile. I actually bought some plants today to put into containers. i bought a red banana, and somw elephant ears. I also bought a white clematis and a very pretty pink pelargonium. I can't wait to get them into their new homes.
Snow? Oh Tina, you poor thing! It's very warm here today and I'm even breaking a sweat running around tending to all the babies!
I think that I'm going to sprinkle some sand on my floors, put up a plastic palm tree, have a drink with a paper umbrella in it and pretend that I'm on the beach. We are due for some more snow tomorrow. Gotta love North Dakota.
Sounds like a GREAT idea to me! I will join you in spirit! I'll have a virgin Pina Colada, Please!. (The sugar alone is enough to get you much less the alcohol!)
Ever listened to Bruddah IZ (Israel Kamakawiwo'ole)? He is a wonderful Hawaiian artist! He will definately put you in the right mood!
I'll have to find him so I can buy it and then kick back with the pina colada.
hey KatG where are you and what are you doing?
Probably working too much! Hey Kat......we need to chat!!!!!
Hey Kat -
Love your lizard lounge - it's beautiful - I wondered why you hadn't posted lately - read your journal - Hope you are feeling better. I'm in the Dallas area - This is my 3rd year working on my tropical pool garden - It's getting there - but never done - you know - What I'm looking for currently is a bottlebrush plant - ever seen one - butterflies and hummingbirds love them. Take care,
Esther
Kat, Just love everything about your gardens, plants & pots. Everything is soooo beautiful. Spectacular! Some serious envy going on here in Zone 4. Lots of drooling,LOL. Would love to see how your fountain planter is coming along.
Hope you are feeling better! Take care of yourself and get well soon!
Kat,
You are sorely missed here, so hurry up and get better so that we can chat some more. Tina
Ahhhhh...Thank you all so much for the good wishes! I have no idea what I picked up, but it's been brutal and finally after about 2 1/2 weeks, I'm feeling much better. I just hate going to the Doctor and my Dear Man got me some antibiotics (I know...don't take other people's meds) but it's worked! Bring on the Pina Coladas and Margarita's! hahahaha.
Things are growing so well...Sometimes you never know what you're going to end up with when you plant a container, but I'm really liking this one!
Another interesting combination of plants! I really love the Persian Sheild!
These are working out very well - underplantings for my huge pots of Chinese fan palms.
You really never think of Florida as having seasons...but you know that Spring is here when the Magnolias are in bloom!
