Too juicy ... Our Wild Orange Tree

I discovered that late December to mid January is the best time to harvest our oranges from the wild tree out front.

It's organic of course and totally left to it's own devices - partly because it's out front and I have neither the energy nor a hose long enough to take care of it.

Nevertheless, it produces the best tasting orange juice.

You know how when a dog shakes water off it's fur - well, that's how you see the juice particles flying. 

The oranges aren't really suited to eating - it's more like you are drinking fruit than eating it, way too juicy.

The neighbor kids like them too - they stop and pick a couple on their way home from school.

Since you dropped in - let me show you around my garden.

Today's new hibiscus bloom...:)

Lavender blue Butterfly Bush

See how the blooms look like a butterfly?:)

Over here is one of my favorite places to sit, a bench-rocker, made from cypress wood by a local craftsman. The cypress chair was donated by a friend of Richard's about twenty years ago.

Richard is a big football fan - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - so for Christmas I gave him two Bucs lanterns.

We placed them on either side of the bench during our open house party Dec 28.

These only take candles, but I am planning on getting battery operated LED lights to put inside to light up our next bucs football get-together.

The sun lights up the design during the day ....

I could use some help from you my gather garden friends in identifying a couple of my current mystery plants.

Do you have any idea what this charming red plant might be called?

It came in a pot of something else I bought from the local rare plant society.

It spreads easily - likes lots of sun and seems to be some sort of succulent - the blooms last about three months. It needs no attention and thrives on its own.

Here it is blowing in the wind....

The second mystery plant is a white blooming green herb, the leaves have jagged edges and a weird scent, but the flower itself has a mild honey scent. The stems are getting woody - almost like a little bush.

I know I purchased it at a plant fair, but it never had a tag and I don't remember what kind of herb it is.

On the way to the Secret Garden ..... getting a bit too wild....

I wish I'd captured the blue jay which came to visit the bird bath this morning.

Can I offer you some afternoon refreshment in the sun?

I already turned on the fountain for you ....:)

This pretty purple bougainvillea is trying to take over the Jasmin bush.

Next week will be in the seventies so I'll be out here bringing some sort of order back into the plant beds.

Black Knight - elephant ear.

The golden yellow African bush daisies are staging a come back.

Jimbo - our resident garden kitty - says hello.

He likes to greet all visitors personally:)

Red geranium  

Thanks for coming along for our garden tour - it's been my pleasure.

All images taken by Rose H.

Copyright 2009

Update: Here are three shots of the mystery plant - do you know it's name?