Our City's Late Winter Spring Obsession Plant Sale = Asmina triloba - PawPaw

This will be the third time in attempts to establish and sustain
a planting of a Florida? variety of PawPaw. I've had two saplings
last one and two seasons. So when I saw this tree length
specimen, I thought I would give it at least one more try.

It's a good thing I wasn't aware that I received my income tax
return electric deposit three days ago. I could of brought a couple
of other more pricey items back to my garden paradise.



Three years and in counting. This mini Vanda orchid as been a
blooming regularly. This year has been no exception, with four
blooms in it's infant stage. This to was found and bagged at
our Spring Obsession.

 

Our City's Late Winter Spring Obsession Plant Sale = Billbergia 'Darth Vader'

A collector of Bromeliads and it's black color has been my
second Bromeliad in this non-colour range. One being a
specimen and two makes it a collection.

Note the star like blemishes in it's inner leaves. I can
see why some numbskull fell for the Star Wars
themed namesake, albeit due for lack of creativity and
an obvious Star Wars fanatic.

Went outdoors to find where the other pair of black Bromeliads
were located and what do I come across? A not often seen,
three foot Black snake. Wow, if there's not a dark force lurking
out there. I should of placed my phone on video instead of
photo, otherwise we would have had some pics of that black
beauty.

While trying to seek out and capture this snake on digital. I came
across this little gem. The seed pod from a Clivia, cousin to the
Amyrillis.

Our City's Late Winter Spring Obsession Plant Sale = Euphorbia leucodendron - Cat Tails

My next purchase is this stunning Euphorbia. Before I go on, looking
at the name Euphorbia's name, knowing that the sap can be near toxic
in some cases must have had some other properties than can or have
produced euphoria states of mind, hmmm? Some poor sap, pun intended,
must of had to been it's first victim of toxic proportions.

Euphorbia leucodendron - Cat Tails Euphorbia

Will have to find a place under the house's eves so as not to let our
summer rains saturate it's dry origins of Madagascar.

Our City's Late Winter Spring Obsession Plant Sale = Liatris spicata - Blazing Star

Every year around this time our city's annual Spring Obsession
plant sale never fails to impress. Years past, it has been hard
for the city to collect enough vendors to hawk their plant wares,
due to other competing plant shows throughout central Florida.
Even though it may not be Spring yet, but central Florida's weather
rarely followed the what's on the calendar.

Take my Amyrillis plants, which flower by the time of St. Patrick's
day and a late dear neighbor's birthday. This year may be an exception,
but then anything could happen in the short time frame between now and
then. When Spring's mighty burst of renewal takes hold , there is no holding
back this mighty force of nature.

In spite of an insipid collection of plants one has to satisfy one's
obsession, right?  From a plant collector's perspective, if you look
hard and long enough, one can always find a gem of a plant among
the paste. Our diligence never fails to bring to the forefront something
new that catches the eye and my wallet.

 Two things caught my attention about this plant. First and
foremost, which I was not totally in control. The volunteer
whom recognized me from past purchases of Florida native
plants and snagged me from the early morning crowds like
a fish. The bait being an appeal to my vanity perhaps as being
recognized but also drawn to simplicity that native plants have
that can contribute to our landscape. The second, being that
this plant's beginnings appear to have a grassy stage which
caught my eye in the meager collection that these hardworking
volunteers managed to present to the city's presentation.

The first plant is a (Florida) eastern North American native,
I hope. Having done my internet skimming on said plant to
verify my nagging suspect to confirm that this is not an
invasive species, which shares a common name of Gayfeather.

The Liatris spicata - Blazing Star, a lavender colored flower,
also in keeping with my wanting to collect cool hued flowers.
Who needs hot hues when you have hot weather. Save those
for a specimen planting, in order to spot light their hot blazing
contrast to the other plantings.

First Meal

Inspired by what memories I have of a Western Omelet with more
modern influences, hence the  Avocado and Black Olives. Using
the remains of Asparagus, not enough to call it out as a main ingredient.
Same goes with some smoked ham. Some Red Pepper,Shallots ,Celery
and a dash of black pepper. A ripe Avocado with some Romano cheese
to round out the fatty goodness that will satiate your appetite.  Finish
with Florida's finest Pink Grapefruit to boot.

Last night, wrapped up Season two of the TV series Kingdom. Along with a 2006
movie Paul Walker vehicle, Running Scared, intense.

Buds and Sprouts

This Drunkards Dreams which started out as a cutting this past June,
is setting up some flower buds along with some new sprouts.

Update Mar 20 2016

The Greening Begins

Two of the nine Bald Cypress trees are beginning to put on their
first show of needles for the year.