by Rose H.
Member since:
January 11, 2007

The Azaleas are blooming ...

January 12, 2009 12:48 PM EST
views: 111 | rating: 10/10 (26 votes) | comments: 50

It's January and here in Florida our 50 year old azaleas are putting on a flower show!

 

 

Our azalea blooms all January long - right under my office window. 

It's sheer delight to look up from my computer and see all the pretty pink blooms.

 

 

Well, since you are here - come and take a garden walk with me:)

My favorite garden gift this year were new solar lanterns with different designs. They  light up the garden for about six to eight hours at night.

 

 A froggy on the main path to the gazebo

 

 

 A blue sunburst

 

A dragon fly - to illuminate the way

 

Let's move on - I bet Jimbo is hiding out in the Secret Garden.

Jimbo - our resident garden kitty - squinting to see if that obnoxious camera is out of his face yet:)

In the back forty (where the rejects live and the plants recuperate) I discovered a new bloom.

Wish I could remember to properly plant and feed this little flower stepchild - he's hanging out under Rudi (Rudolph the rednosed reindeer) whose lights no longer work and who can no longer be moved. 

One of these days I'll plant some ivy around him:) - I bet he'd like that.

 

 

The rainbow whirlygig in the Secret Garden is turning in the breeze - under the purple Bougainvillea branches, which are growing into our wild Golden Raintree.




I think the little flower fairy in the old mint pot prefers the company of the self-seeded white impatiens over the mint, which didn't survive our hot summer.

 

I don't know about you, but I'm ready for a break and refreshment.

On the way there let me show you today's new hibiscus bloom. 

 

 

Come and sit a spell, let's enjoy this beautiful day together.

 

Have a seat ....

All images taken by Rose H.

copyright 2009
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Comments: 50

DIANE D. Jan 12, 2009, 12:51pm EST
Wonderful essay~
Kat W. Jan 12, 2009, 12:51pm EST
This is lovely Rose. I can't wait for spring to arrive in Atlanta.
April H. Jan 12, 2009, 12:51pm EST
What lovely flowers! Our camellias are blooming right now, but will probably freeze off this week, unfortunately! We went from shorts weather last week to sweater weather this week!

Where did you get those solar lights? I like them!
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Jan 12, 2009, 1:12pm EST
You photos make me believe it is spring outside even though it's only 48 degrees here today. This was wonderful.
Ada D. Jan 12, 2009, 1:13pm EST
Wonderful photos! The colors are quite lovely, especially for those of us in freezing weather where not even a snowdrop has yet to raise its head.
Rose H. Jan 12, 2009, 1:14pm EST
April - I found the solar lanterns at Marshals. They are supposed to come in orange too - but they only had green and blue. There was a hummingbird design one too, but unfortunately it was damaged.
I do hope they last at least two years - in Florida everything dies of rust.
Rose H. Jan 12, 2009, 1:17pm EST
Thank you all for your nice comments - I appreate every one of them.
You are making me dream of spring & summer, I'm missing anything green these days~
Marianne R. Jan 12, 2009, 1:22pm EST
Pretty collection of photos from your yard.

I noticed that some of the azaleas at Calloway were beginning to bloom, as were the tulips and daffodils. Am afraid they'll be frozen since we haven't gotten through Febrary yet.
Alex In Wonderland Jan 12, 2009, 1:27pm EST
Azealas in January- lucky you! We have one azalea bush out back but it won't grow any bigger. When it does bloom it has tiny flowers but it still is really pretty!

I love the solar lanterns. You can beat free lighting and they are very cute! Maybe when we get a new place someday I will get pretty solar lights. I would be afraid that either my dog would ruin them or someone would steal them here!

Jimbo looks like a thug kitty- he is very cute.
All of the flowers are so pretty. Thank you for sharing!!
Cristina S. Jan 12, 2009, 1:29pm EST
so beautiful!!
Svetlana Goryacheva Jan 12, 2009, 1:29pm EST
Absolutely beautiful! :-)

Blessings and best wishes - S.
Marianne M. Jan 12, 2009, 1:34pm EST
The azaleas are spectacular and I love your solar lanterns ... just gray and cold and snowy here ... sometimes I wonder why we've stayed here all these years!
Denise E. Jan 12, 2009, 2:16pm EST
Great photos! We're looking for a couple inches of snow in the next couple days, so I am really wishing I was Jimbo warming myself in the sun!
Lilith Dorsey Jan 12, 2009, 2:16pm EST
Really nice, those lanterns are great.
Dorine H. Jan 12, 2009, 2:18pm EST
Oh my! Here in the Delaware Valley they will bloom in May.
Jean, just the teensiest bit odd, F. Jan 12, 2009, 2:20pm EST
It's so nice to see that, SOMEWHERE, there are flowers! I HATE WINTER!
William Dotani Jan 12, 2009, 2:39pm EST
I like the frog the best. These are lovely photographs.
William Dotani Jan 12, 2009, 2:41pm EST
I take it you have the froggy because you family becomes very fond of frog legs whenever anyone says a French word by accident. Be careful with the potatoes.
Rose H. Jan 12, 2009, 2:47pm EST
William - you are a stitch:)
Robin G. Jan 12, 2009, 2:55pm EST
Thanks for sharing your post with us on Point Monster
Amy C. Jan 12, 2009, 3:21pm EST
gorgeous photos! It is going to be 0 here friday brrrrrr!!!!
j - Frugal Mom - r. Jan 12, 2009, 3:35pm EST
Your photos are absolutely gorgeous Rose.
Maria W. Jan 12, 2009, 3:44pm EST
I enjoyde the stroll thru your beautiful garden.
Jennifer N. Jan 12, 2009, 3:54pm EST
When things are cold and dreary here it just blows my mind to see the beauty surrounding you!

I just love the colors of the flowers and those lights are so cute. Looks like they light up green?
Rose H. Jan 12, 2009, 4:06pm EST
Jennifer - two light up blue and two light up green - I'd love to get two orange ones. I will keep checking at Marshals:)
Connie C. Jan 12, 2009, 4:33pm EST
Oh my gosh. It is so cold and snowing here. I so want to see flowers and be warm again. :(
Heather ~of the Whippets~ M. Jan 12, 2009, 4:35pm EST
Beautiful. There definitely aren't any flowers blooming around here.
Sue * Jan 12, 2009, 4:35pm EST
Thanks for the touch of color on what is preparing to be a very cold, awful week here. You lucky thing!
Dagmara H. Jan 12, 2009, 5:08pm EST
beautiful
Katrina Hall Jan 12, 2009, 5:23pm EST
Ahhhh, nice to see green instead of snow, Rose! Lovely pictures!
Penny M. Jan 12, 2009, 6:51pm EST


Thanks for sharing on Endless Points
Jennifer K. Jan 12, 2009, 7:11pm EST
Marvelous garden, Rose! Thanks so much for sharing. I need to get a closer look at that last plant. And I have no IDEA what that yellow bloom is?!
Lucky Stars Jan 12, 2009, 11:38pm EST
Thank you soooooo much Rose!
I needed a garden/green things fix. Yes, the snow is lovely and all but I"m a gardener. I'm done resting and ready for spring!

Your garden is lovely as always and I love the new laterns.
Lucky Stars Jan 12, 2009, 11:39pm EST
PS- I'm sure you know Rose but Jennifer, that yellow bloom is a datura.
Rose H. Jan 12, 2009, 11:47pm EST
Yes - the yellow bloom is a datura, but I've no idea what the last one is - the red one in the small pick. It's my last mystery plant, except for one herb and I'm getting ready to do a little post on them - maybe someone can help identify.
This comment is to let you know that this content has reached at least ten comments, and as such has been removed from Comment Speedway! Congratulations!
Amy H. Jan 13, 2009, 2:37am EST
Thanks for posting your content to the Group: We comment back
Wilma M. Jan 13, 2009, 9:58am EST
Lovely pictures. Those lanterns are really neat. Since all I see around me is snow, I especially appreciated your flowers.

If it weren't so far away from my grandkids, maybe I'd move to Florida!
Tory H. Jan 13, 2009, 3:31pm EST
Gorgeous! I'm yearning for springtime...
Victoria H. Jan 13, 2009, 4:41pm EST
Thanks so much for posting this to my group All Photo Essays Here !!
René Allen Jan 15, 2009, 5:12pm EST
Rose ~ You may want to SERIOUSLY think about staring your own MAGAZINE. A real HOME & GARDEN ~ Rose Style! I really enjoyed this.

HUGS ~
Rene
Mariana T. Jan 15, 2009, 5:16pm EST
Rose, these remind me of the azaleas "back home" - back in Louisiana but only in the summer - thank you for this lovely photo essay - it is so inspirational and lovely to look at especially in the winter! I think we're all looking forward to the spring - in ways, here in Santa Barbara, it's already here. In fact, I think I'm going to plant an azalea bush and call her Rose! Hope you've posted this to the Pregnant Onion Club - Salud
Selene N. Jan 18, 2009, 3:55am EST
How pretty!
Selene N. Jan 18, 2009, 3:55am EST
By the way, Azaleas are the "City Flower" of Taipei. :)
Erin E. Grunewald Jan 18, 2009, 11:12pm EST
I've always thought azaleas were so beautiful and colorful. My mother has a ton of them planted in the yard, but they have not started to bloom yet. It looks like you are feeling the first traces of spring already, however. You sure do have a beautiful assortment of flowers.
Christine Zibas Jan 22, 2009, 3:14pm EST
There is always something new to see in your garden, Rose. I love these photo essays. My favorite today is the colorful whirligig. Is it hanging in the tree? I love art out in the garden, and your solar lights are very creative too! So much fun to visit via Gather.
Amanda C. Feb 6, 2009, 9:57am EST
Lovely photos of your garden, and I love how you always have a pic of your beautiful cat in there!
Amanda C. Feb 6, 2009, 9:57am EST
Thanks for submiting this to my group Flower Fanatics

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