Backyard Orchard and Bee/Butterfly/Hummingbird Garden

User avatar
PlainJane
Reactions:
Posts: 2665
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2019 8:12 pm
Location: N. FL Zone 9A

Re: Backyard Orchard and Bee/Butterfly/Hummingbird Garden

#61

Post: # 47283Unread post PlainJane
Sun May 23, 2021 6:44 am

This is a 4-in-1 low chill pluot but so far only Splash is fruiting.
DD1BFD47-17A4-4E05-AD10-33EBA060AA3D.jpeg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
“Never try to outstubborn a cat.”
- Robert A. Heinlein

User avatar
PlainJane
Reactions:
Posts: 2665
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2019 8:12 pm
Location: N. FL Zone 9A

Re: Backyard Orchard and Bee/Butterfly/Hummingbird Garden

#62

Post: # 47284Unread post PlainJane
Sun May 23, 2021 6:47 am

The only reason the African Blue Basil isn’t smothered in bees is that it’s 6:45 on a cool morning.
The hummingbird was already busy but wouldn’t let me near enough for a picture.
0489C683-54C6-4D02-B0C9-82945C114831.jpeg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
“Never try to outstubborn a cat.”
- Robert A. Heinlein

User avatar
PlainJane
Reactions:
Posts: 2665
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2019 8:12 pm
Location: N. FL Zone 9A

Re: Backyard Orchard and Bee/Butterfly/Hummingbird Garden

#63

Post: # 47730Unread post PlainJane
Sun May 30, 2021 7:48 am

I picked some of the Splash pluots when I heard the mockingbirds bidding on them.
Really beautiful fruit.
705CC7CD-9521-4655-95B7-CC4D5FA0B15A.jpeg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
“Never try to outstubborn a cat.”
- Robert A. Heinlein

User avatar
PlainJane
Reactions:
Posts: 2665
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2019 8:12 pm
Location: N. FL Zone 9A

Re: Backyard Orchard and Bee/Butterfly/Hummingbird Garden

#64

Post: # 48050Unread post PlainJane
Fri Jun 04, 2021 10:09 am

I’ll be swimming in figs soon.
Green Ischia.
52546A23-EE22-4113-B4B5-5C26BD27D3A7.jpeg
B2A87EE8-A692-4BDF-8BDC-22FEF8979636.jpeg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
“Never try to outstubborn a cat.”
- Robert A. Heinlein

User avatar
PlainJane
Reactions:
Posts: 2665
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2019 8:12 pm
Location: N. FL Zone 9A

Re: Backyard Orchard and Bee/Butterfly/Hummingbird Garden

#65

Post: # 48052Unread post PlainJane
Fri Jun 04, 2021 10:19 am

I’m trying out the newish ‘Skyscraper’ salvias to see how perennial they are.
‘Orange’ is in its second year behind ’Pink’, planted about 5 weeks ago. Not sure I like the colors next to each other but moving will need to wait till fall. Loving the Ajaka basil too.
0845141F-0213-4273-90D6-E6E7EC20A3D7.jpeg
Here’s Skyscraper ’Deep Purple’ - a bit of a misnomer as it’s really a dark fuchsia.
D682C061-AB80-41EA-A26A-1B1D3946959A.jpeg
So far so good, and I hope the Skyscraper line is extended.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
“Never try to outstubborn a cat.”
- Robert A. Heinlein

User avatar
PlainJane
Reactions:
Posts: 2665
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2019 8:12 pm
Location: N. FL Zone 9A

Re: Backyard Orchard and Bee/Butterfly/Hummingbird Garden

#66

Post: # 59032Unread post PlainJane
Sun Dec 12, 2021 9:51 am

For the last couple of months I’ve been reworking major sections of the fruit/pollinator garden.
Moved the Osmanthus together to concentrate the fragrance. They are blooming now and just heavenly.
E4548974-01A2-49CB-9151-BF04EF5FFD1B.jpeg
Grubbed out 4 Hamelia which had gone from nice 3ft shrubs to 15ft behemoths despite being whacked back a few times.
Also dug out a 20ft Spicezee Nectaplum. I finally got fruit on it this past spring after 4 years in ground, and it was inedible. Hideous, actually. A shame as it’s a very decorative tree.

I’m really happy with the performance of the ‘Skyscraper’ salvias so more are going in.
4B6404DA-44BF-4142-89CD-99279A191E23.jpeg
AB4482EB-FC17-4F65-B7EB-CB92A8BF1809.jpeg
I found the hummingbirds really like Abutilon and it’s much easier to manage than Hamelia, so 6 more went in along the fence.

A8B1B856-587D-42DB-B8BC-0872D6A53695.jpeg
The cleared area will be home to a Flavorosa Pluot and Scarlet Beauty plum.
39B86B73-B135-4FFB-AC6B-8311812E4D7B.jpeg
4139A23A-01B4-4DEC-85C8-275C3DE3CADA.jpeg
I moved the remaining blueberries to a new area as they were getting swamped by the Hamelia.
There are 3 southern highbush ‘Springhigh’ and a ‘Windsor’ on the way to fill in.
80D6E08C-DA1A-4D04-941E-2A3F1E0046E3.jpeg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
“Never try to outstubborn a cat.”
- Robert A. Heinlein

User avatar
PlainJane
Reactions:
Posts: 2665
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2019 8:12 pm
Location: N. FL Zone 9A

Re: Backyard Orchard and Bee/Butterfly/Hummingbird Garden

#67

Post: # 60336Unread post PlainJane
Sat Jan 08, 2022 6:38 am

If you’ve been thinking about planting a fruit tree now’s the time to order. The newest Dave Wilson stock is hitting retailers and mail order nurseries.

I’ve ordered 2 pluots from https://bobwellsnursery.com/ in Texas: Flavorosa and Splash.

I have Splash as part of a 4-in1 graft but it’s so good I decided on a standalone too. Scroll up to see the tree and fruit.

Flavorosa is dark-skinned with ruby flesh. It’s early ripening so should escape the humid danger zone which is Florida gardening.

No hard frost here yet. Blueberries are starting to flower as are the lemon and lime trees.
“Never try to outstubborn a cat.”
- Robert A. Heinlein

User avatar
karstopography
Reactions:
Posts: 6749
Joined: Thu Apr 16, 2020 7:15 am
Location: Southeast Texas

Re: Backyard Orchard and Bee/Butterfly/Hummingbird Garden

#68

Post: # 60340Unread post karstopography
Sat Jan 08, 2022 8:12 am

@PlainJane You must have a decent amount of chill hours? What do you get do you believe in a typical year?
Zone 9b, located in the Columbia bottomlands, annual rainfall 46”

User avatar
PlainJane
Reactions:
Posts: 2665
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2019 8:12 pm
Location: N. FL Zone 9A

Re: Backyard Orchard and Bee/Butterfly/Hummingbird Garden

#69

Post: # 60364Unread post PlainJane
Sat Jan 08, 2022 11:34 am

karstopography wrote: Sat Jan 08, 2022 8:12 am @PlainJane You must have a decent amount of chill hours? What do you get do you believe in a typical year?
I’m in a microclimate very close to the St. Johns River. I estimate we get between 300-350 chill hours @karstopography.
Last edited by PlainJane on Sat Jan 08, 2022 3:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
“Never try to outstubborn a cat.”
- Robert A. Heinlein

User avatar
PlainJane
Reactions:
Posts: 2665
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2019 8:12 pm
Location: N. FL Zone 9A

Re: Backyard Orchard and Bee/Butterfly/Hummingbird Garden

#70

Post: # 60375Unread post PlainJane
Sat Jan 08, 2022 3:33 pm

Lemon is casting a nice fragrance and the lime is pushing out a ton of new growth. Both will get thinned out after flowering.
F3CFA3CA-F127-4C13-8403-FA103D56B5B4.jpeg
1BBAB938-4C21-4401-B960-0D0AAA84DAA6.jpeg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
“Never try to outstubborn a cat.”
- Robert A. Heinlein

User avatar
PlainJane
Reactions:
Posts: 2665
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2019 8:12 pm
Location: N. FL Zone 9A

Re: Backyard Orchard and Bee/Butterfly/Hummingbird Garden

#71

Post: # 60377Unread post PlainJane
Sat Jan 08, 2022 3:35 pm

New Scarlet Beauty plum and salvias settling in.

7DD6B0B7-81DF-435D-86F3-07A0D07F3A9D.jpeg
B768871A-DCC1-400F-A455-AAEE59A0C790.jpeg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
“Never try to outstubborn a cat.”
- Robert A. Heinlein

User avatar
PlainJane
Reactions:
Posts: 2665
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2019 8:12 pm
Location: N. FL Zone 9A

Re: Backyard Orchard and Bee/Butterfly/Hummingbird Garden

#72

Post: # 64262Unread post PlainJane
Sat Feb 26, 2022 9:40 am

I’m thrilled so far with my new Scarlet Beauty plum. I few precocious December flowers have set some fruit and the main flowering started about a week ago. Now I just have to finish clearing out where the 2 pluots need to go.
3ED5532D-EE26-44E5-BF47-14E513142D1E.jpeg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
“Never try to outstubborn a cat.”
- Robert A. Heinlein

User avatar
PlainJane
Reactions:
Posts: 2665
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2019 8:12 pm
Location: N. FL Zone 9A

Re: Backyard Orchard and Bee/Butterfly/Hummingbird Garden

#73

Post: # 64272Unread post PlainJane
Sat Feb 26, 2022 11:44 am

The blueberry patch is between the lime and dwarf avocado.
All southern high bush types, and looks like I’ll get a modest first crop.
0400420E-561C-40A9-BDD9-1172143ED106.jpeg
7AC5605F-A316-4786-9A06-A61036BD2074.jpeg
A3F65CC1-E455-4510-AF06-9A26B95919E4.jpeg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
“Never try to outstubborn a cat.”
- Robert A. Heinlein

User avatar
PlainJane
Reactions:
Posts: 2665
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2019 8:12 pm
Location: N. FL Zone 9A

Re: Backyard Orchard and Bee/Butterfly/Hummingbird Garden

#74

Post: # 64273Unread post PlainJane
Sat Feb 26, 2022 11:47 am

Dwarf avocado ‘Little Cado’ is setting quite a few flowers. So far it’s survived 30 degrees with no dieback at all.
D3185C08-673E-4312-89F1-4D56A6ADDA9C.jpeg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
“Never try to outstubborn a cat.”
- Robert A. Heinlein

User avatar
PlainJane
Reactions:
Posts: 2665
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2019 8:12 pm
Location: N. FL Zone 9A

Re: Backyard Orchard and Bee/Butterfly/Hummingbird Garden

#75

Post: # 68305Unread post PlainJane
Sat Apr 23, 2022 6:09 am

Am so happy with the Scarlet Beauty plum, and though small, the first I tasted had a nice flavor.
39064473-F8B7-4879-8773-1C0775FF96FE.jpeg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
“Never try to outstubborn a cat.”
- Robert A. Heinlein

User avatar
PlainJane
Reactions:
Posts: 2665
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2019 8:12 pm
Location: N. FL Zone 9A

Re: Backyard Orchard and Bee/Butterfly/Hummingbird Garden

#76

Post: # 68306Unread post PlainJane
Sat Apr 23, 2022 6:12 am

The Skyscraper series of Salvia has my vote. The bees and resident hummingbird work them over all day long.
They’ve stood up to heat and humidity extremely well.
Also noteworthy is ‘Roman Red’ in the lower right corner.
7D108669-EB12-412D-9CFE-04B103B8D04B.jpeg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
“Never try to outstubborn a cat.”
- Robert A. Heinlein

User avatar
PlainJane
Reactions:
Posts: 2665
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2019 8:12 pm
Location: N. FL Zone 9A

Re: Backyard Orchard and Bee/Butterfly/Hummingbird Garden

#77

Post: # 68307Unread post PlainJane
Sat Apr 23, 2022 6:16 am

More ‘Roman Red’ planted between the lemon and cherry trees. Once the pathway is laid I’ll add more.
70D6D6CC-376C-41B2-B06C-CCBC02601114.jpeg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
“Never try to outstubborn a cat.”
- Robert A. Heinlein

User avatar
bower
Reactions:
Posts: 5475
Joined: Thu Dec 12, 2019 12:44 pm
Location: Newfoundland, Canada

Re: Backyard Orchard and Bee/Butterfly/Hummingbird Garden

#78

Post: # 68311Unread post bower
Sat Apr 23, 2022 7:04 am

I love the contrasting shades of red. Really prolific blooms too!
Edited to add: that's a lot of fruit on the little plum tree! Impressive. (I couldn't see the pic at first, as my internet connection is slow and randomly loads some of the photos but not all. )
AgCan Zone 5a/USDA zone 4
temperate marine climate
yearly precip 61 inches/1550 mm

User avatar
PlainJane
Reactions:
Posts: 2665
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2019 8:12 pm
Location: N. FL Zone 9A

Re: Backyard Orchard and Bee/Butterfly/Hummingbird Garden

#79

Post: # 68313Unread post PlainJane
Sat Apr 23, 2022 7:18 am

@Bower, I am just thrilled with the plum so far. It’s difficult to find fruit that will thrive in these conditions and ripen early enough that they avoid the ‘danger zone’ of June to August.
Now if the low chill cherry would start to fruit I’d really be over the moon.
“Never try to outstubborn a cat.”
- Robert A. Heinlein

User avatar
PlainJane
Reactions:
Posts: 2665
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2019 8:12 pm
Location: N. FL Zone 9A

Re: Backyard Orchard and Bee/Butterfly/Hummingbird Garden

#80

Post: # 68315Unread post PlainJane
Sat Apr 23, 2022 7:34 am

Another experiment gone well is using creeping golden oregano to reduce wood chips.
It’s fine in sun/part shade, is stepable, drought tolerant and doesn’t interfere with what it’s planted under.

Here it’s under a Petite Negra fig, spreading out gradually on the pathway.
Started as plugs from Mountain Valley Growers.
84E47E9E-0020-44E9-8F13-F1D2EF6499E5.jpeg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
“Never try to outstubborn a cat.”
- Robert A. Heinlein

Post Reply

Return to “Grow Logs(Glogs) And Video Logs(Vlogs)”