Monstera deliciosa, garden, Roscoe

We are blessed, with our climate here in North Florida, to be able to grow, in our gardens, plants that most people have to bring indoors up north. This is one of the largest members of the philodendron family, and I have two huge ones near the water. This one is six feet (two meters) tall and twice as big around.

Palm and potted plants, Jax Beach

Indoor/outdoor PVIC

Spider lily, St. Augustine

I always thought that these lilies were so named because of the flowers. They are usually planted in large groups. When I saw this freestanding one I realized that the whole plant resembles a spider.

Nandina, Millbrae, CA

Nandina, or Heavenly Bamboo, grows rampant in Florida. It is listed as an invasive plant here. I have two very well behaved ones at home. But they have to be watched as their red berries are a favorite of birds and spread that way. I do not think California has the same problem. These bushes have been this size for the last few years. Lovely leaves all year round.

Camellia, Millbrae

I love camellias. I have some here in Florida. In Millbrae they seem to fill out better and there is a larger variety. A member of the same family as tea, Camellias bloom here in the winter, when all the other plants are dormant, so they are valued highly.

Shapes and shadows, Garden, Roscoe

Frozen hibiscus leaves, Roscoe

We had our first hard frost in three years last week. Hibiscus are very frost sensitive and all of mine closed up shop for the year after 28f (-2.2C) all night. It remains to be seen how far back the stems were killed. Only Spring will reveal that.

Begonias and grass, PVIC

This is the opposite of my theory of dig and plant, plan later.

Sea grass. PVB

Beach plant, PV Beach

This succulent covers large areas of the dunes, behind the sea oats. Tough as leather.