Let’s Talk about Gardening!

By Mango on Oct 21, 2007 | Reply

Your best bet would be to go to a nursery and ask them to show you their selection they wont carry anything that wont grow down here, We have a very sandy and rocky soil here in Florida and alot of stuff wont grow. I personally gave up on flowers and put in azalea bushes. But my mothers roses always did very well, maybe you could try those?

By ABBABABE on Oct 21, 2007 | Reply

Try lavender it will also keep flies away.

By Dizzy on Oct 23, 2007 | Reply

Portulaca is a desert flower. Worth trying.
Marigolds are good and snapdragons if they
get a good start will send roots to China in a dry spell which should help.
Don’t water too much or too often. Tough love. If they suffer a bit from dryness they will drive roots deeper. If you water too shallow roots remain near the surface [bad]. Water less often and soak deeper/

By Katie B on Oct 23, 2007 | Reply

I live in South Ga so I feel your pain. I have had a lot of success with zinnias (annual) Which are beautiful! Echinacia (cone flower), black eyed Susan and Day lillies are all very low maintenance, hardy and perennial!
I would recommend if you can though to water in the morning. Any water that doesn’t evaporate before the sun goes down gives way to mildew and other plant problems. But if you are unable all the flowers I mentioned are pretty tough and all gorgeous.
Ah and one more thing all the above like full sun. If you have partial shade I would suggest impatiens or Gerber Daisy’s.
Good luck!

By Mark T on Oct 25, 2007 | Reply

The only annual that does well in full sun in our Florida heat and humidity are Periwinkles. They will not stand flooded soil, so make sure the flower beds are situated so that water does not puddle up during heavy rains.
Caladiums (planted from bulbs), do very well in partial to full shade. They go dormant in the winter, so that you can interplant other annuals during the winter.
For shady areas, impatiens add alot of color. Massed plantings of a single color show off the best. Good luck.

By lynda l on Oct 26, 2007 | Reply

which planting zone in Florida??? are you close to the beach or live by a lake in Central Florida. If you want flowers year round you have to look for native plants that are salt water and drought tolerant. (we’ve been suffering of a severe drought for the past 2 yrs)

Another indications is to check around your area to find which kind do best… so it pays to visit a local nursery and ask questions. Right now the “Caladiums” will do very well for the summer but by fall you will have to plant either an annuals. Marigold and snapdragons are only good for the winter time as well as begonias and careful with the impatients they need too much water and don’t last long.

By Jon R on Oct 27, 2007 | Reply

Lantana comes in many colors now and loves the heat and blooms all summer. Pentas also do well.