December Gardening (iris, landscape, grow, Hibiscus)

[jean_ji]

We had cold overnight temps for SWFL last night, 42 degrees, and I woke up to see my one hibiscus with three blooms open this morning. My Everglades tomatoes are beginning to produce and rosemary and parsley are doing great, but my year and a half old basil had become too woody. My curry leaf plant flowered and now the seeds are ready to harvest and plant. My Meyer lemons are almost done, but I should have enough to get me through the holidays. My vanilla beans are changing to a slight yellow on the tips so I need to keep an eye on them for harvesting. There is never a time without gardening here.

My learning curve for planting here had been a long one, but I’m happy here with the differences and challenges. I used to say my two favorite seasons were gardening and then Christmas, but now I enjoy them together at the same time.

[Parnassia]

Pretty! December gardening here tends to be monochromatic but straightforward. Only requires hat, gloves, insulated boots and a grain shovel.

[gentlearts]

The frost here got to the basil and bananas, but the camellias, roses and salvia are in bloom.
This weekend, the botanical garden is having a sale on Louisianna iris for this climate (Zones 8+9), so I plan to get some.

We’ll be getting our tree this weekend, too, so it’s also Christmas plus gardening here in GA.

[webster]

Here in VA, the elaeagnus is in full bloom as it always is in Dec. It is very fragrant. Its also considered invasive in the south, so be careful, though I have not found it to be and I have a hedge of it by the road, but a local botanical garden is taking all of their's out its such a problem. The mahonia is getting ready to bloom.

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.o...taxonid=279924

I was on a large landscaped property the other week and they had just one trained to a standard which was magnificent.

[jean_ji]

Originally Posted by webster

Here in VA, the elaeagnus is in full bloom as it always is in Dec. It is very fragrant. Its also considered invasive in the south, so be careful, though I have not found it to be and I have a hedge of it by the road, but a local botanical garden is taking all of their's out its such a problem. The mahonia is getting ready to bloom.

Elaeagnus pungens - Plant Finder

I was on a large landscaped property the other week and they had just one trained to a standard which was magnificent.

That’s a beautiful bush though!

So many plants are invasive in FL, they do too well in the conditions here. I learned many plants already in our garden/yard were invasive when we moved here. I have removed most of them. Pretty, innocent-looking plants that are still sold in local nurseries and the big box stores to newcomers that know no better until the damage is done.

[gentlearts]

I just planted 6 different Louisiana irises I bought at our botanical garden. It’s low 70s today and it was nice to be out playing in the dirt.

They are beauties, with fat healthy roots and rhizomes.

[fisheye]

OK, where is that clown that hid our gardens here in the Northeast! It was out there yesterday, it's a little hard to find today. That isn't any Spring onion snow! Do people really garden with a snowplow?

[jackmichigan]

Ha. I can't even get snow peas to grow in my garden now.

[Parnassia]

Originally Posted by fisheye

OK, where is that clown that hid our gardens here in the Northeast! It was out there yesterday, it's a little hard to find today. That isn't any Spring onion snow! Do people really garden with a snowplow?

Nah, we use snowblowers. Easier to wrestle around tight corners and they don't scrape up your decorative borders into heaps.

[Parnassia]

Originally Posted by Prairieboy43

Currently my Winter gardening consists of shovelling white cold fluffy stuff onto the garden. Will continue this seasonal gardening practice until April.

Those heaps of snow also help postpone the start of weeding season.