Exploring a Tropical Backyard Garden in Arkansas: A Spring Garden Tour

I thought I would do a quick spring tour of the garden. Most of the plants are well ahead of their normal, thanks to the warm temperatures and increased rain fall we have had here is southwest Arkansas the last couple of weeks. 

The banana trees are already around the 8 foot mark. I wrapped them for the first time this past winter and am happy with the results. I even have little bananas on two of the trees. Unfortunately, they are Musa basjoo and the bananas are tiny and not very tasty. Actually, from what I hear, it is rare for  Musa basjoo to fruit.

The first canna to bloom this year is this tropical beauty. I can not remember the name, but it is not supposed to be hardy below zone 10. This is their third year in the garden and they are multiplying like crazy.

The hibiscus are still full of blooms and the plants are putting on new growth. They started blooming in January in the greenhouse.

Bromelaids are one of my favorite plants for providing a tropical look to the garden. They all turn green in the winter, but show off their colors when the sun starts to hit them in the spring.

New to the garden this spring are these two beauties. They are supposed to be the Inferno cannas, but look nothing like the company's photos I ordered them from. Oh well, they are still pretty!

Most of the orchids are in bloom or at least budding. My sweet aunt gave me 13 orchids that she had at her home and was tired of caring for. I can not wait to see the colors of their booms.

Finally found a nursery in Michigan that grows sun coleuses. They are starting to grow

after just sitting there for a month! So many beautiful colors!

The Salvia Black and Blue is loaded with blooms. It is a hummingbird and butterfly magnet.

The Broad Leaf Dusty Miller is finally settling in and growing after being moved to a different spot a couple of weeks ago. I found this one on a weekend trip to Biloxi, Mississippi two years ago. 

I have been experimenting with bougainvillea. Some have been in the ground for a couple of years and some I winter indoors. The ones wintered in the greenhouse are looking beautiful. The ones left in the ground are just starting to put on leaves.

There is still lots of growing and filling in that will happen over the next month, but I am already enjoying my little tropical paradise!

2021 Garden Tour   here

Happy Gardening! 

Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens: A Haven for Art Lovers

The Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens is two-acres of lush tropical grounds with sculptures throughout, located in Palm Beach, Florida.

The Gardens were designed by world-renowned botanist Sir Peter Smithers and include 250 rare palm species.

The house in the gardens was the residence of Ann until the time of her death in 1982. It is now listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Nine of Ann’s statues are located throughout the gardens. They are made of bronze, stone and wood. More of her works can be found inside the studio and house.

The Garden is located less than two miles from the popular Worth Avenue in Palm Beach.

Address:

253 Barcelona Rd, West Palm Beach, FL 33401

Hours:

Wed - Sun   10 am – 4 pm   October through June


Admission:

Adult Visitors: $15 per person
65 and over: $10
Children ages 5 and up: $7 Children under 5 free





Happy Travels!

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park (Unique Beach and Formal Gardens) Florida

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is located along State Road A1A on the east coast of Florida near St Augustine. The park is between the Atlantic Ocean and the Matanzas River and is divided into two areas; garden and beach. A1A separates the two.

The beach area, located on the eastern side of the road, provides a parking area with a walkway leading over the sand dunes to the beach.

The beach is mostly brownish- orange sand with small shell fragments as you get closer to the rock outcroppings. Take shoes to wear! 

Once you get to the beach, the rocks are located a little way down the beach to the left.

About half way there, you will begin to see piles of shells.

The majority of the shells are located close to the rocks.

This is the largest outcroppings of coquina rock on the Atlantic Ocean.

Located on the west side of A1A, along the Matanzas River, is 20 acres of formal gardens nature trails.

The rose garden is a treat for the scenes with over 150 rose bushes.

Citrus groves at Washington Oaks date back to the late 1700’ s.

The pay booth is located on the garden side and will issue you a car tag that can be used for parking on the beach side as well.

Located:  20 miles (37 minutes) south of St Augustine and 35 miles (46 minutes) north of Daytona Beach

Address:

6400 N Ocean Shore Blvd

Palm Coast, FL 32137

Hours:

8am-sunset, daily

​Admission:

$5 per vehicle

Happy Travels!