Solitude and Sanctuary

First of all, let me begin by saying how honored and appreciative I am that Pam chose my blog post, "Porch Living" that I shared at the last Gardens Galore party to be featured this week. This has been such a fun and enjoyable blogging party and each and every blogger that has participated has shared so much inspiration. I have already incorporated several things into my own garden that has inspired me by other posts shared. I am in awe with each and every blogger participating and I Thank You Pam for featuring my post. What a great way to start the week by enjoying gardening inspiration.

Gardening is a passion and in our area it becomes a challenge as well. We are in the depths of summer in our area of N FL, the heat index has risen to triple digits and the humidity is like a sauna as soon as you walk outside. However, we have been fortunate to have those daily afternoon showers which most often cools everything off a bit. The amount of rain we've had has also caused some plant material to rot in the ground too.

Most people think of Florida as always sunny and balmy but not true in our area of N FL. We are subject to that intense heat and humidity but during the winter months we are also subject to below freezing temperatures. So as you can imagine, gardening here can be an ever changing and tricky challenge. There are some plant material that enjoy cooler temperatures and we're able to enjoy them for only a short time but we really can't plant in the ground the tropical plants that you would see in central Florida or South Florida.  I do have some tropical but those I choose to plant in pots, again it can be a challenge.

It has not been too terribly long ago when I had daylilies blooming and the snapdragons were doing very well.

 

But now it's time to pull up and toss the snapdragons, and the daylilies have bloomed out but right behind them are the penta's putting on their show and they attract so much beautiful wildlife.

 

 

Another of my favorite plants that attract butterflies is Buddleia or Butterfly Bush. This particular variety is called Black Knight.

 

The simple pleasures of life, a quiet retreat that soothes the soul.

 

My Herb bed or some would call a kitchen garden to the far left. I plant basil, different kinds of thyme, lavender, parsley, rosemary and others, all of which I use in my cooking often. I like to mix them in with other plant material and always have something blooming in  baskets hanging on the black iron hooks if we shouldn't have something blooming in this area.

 



I think garden elements are also essential, like this iron dragonfly, blue gazing ball and the stone rabbit I have popping out from underneath the asparagus fern. I have so many garden elements such as this that I should do a whole post just on it. In the background there is another ball with hand painted flowers on it.

 I strive for year round color and always want something  that I can cut to bring inside for my indoor pleasure.

This is on my screened porch, a hanging flower vase and I always have something cut from the garden in it.

I also like to dabble with orchids and this one is just hanging in a maple tree called a Vanda orchid. There are many different colors of Vanda's but this one is a hot pink. I don't think my pic did it justice.



This is my back yard retreat and the area that we enjoy most often. I hope you have enjoyed my photos and I appreciate you visiting my garden.

I will be sharing my post at Gardens Galore Party hosted by Pam at Everyday Living blog. To see other gardens shared you can click HERE.