Exploring a Backyard Tropical Garden in Arkansas

 

What started as a love for palm trees has turned into a garden filled with lush foliage and colorful flowers. I was not sure how to pull off a tropical feel with plants that were cold hardy, but I had a vision in mind and set out to accomplish it. I have experimented with different plants and trees over the last few years and have finally found some that work. I wanted to share some of the plants that have been growing for me in zone 7b - 8a (Arkansas in the United States)  Hope you enjoy a photo tour of my garden! 😊

The Windmill Palm is the only palm tree that I found to actually be cold hardy. They stay green year around, even covered in snow. I have tried the Mexican Fan, Pindo, and others that clam on the label to live in my zone, but they don't! The Needle Palm is a bush type tree that thrives here. The only bad thing is that it has very long needles around the bottom!

There are three varieties of cold hardy banana tress that I grow are: Musa basjoo, Musella lasiocarpa or dwarf banana, and Musa velutina. All will die completely back to the ground in the winter, but will sprout back up in the spring.

Musa basjoo is the largest and least hardy of the three. The roots need to be mulched through a hard winter. I usually do not do anything to them if the winter is mild. The tree will grow 5 -10' tall in one season. Sometimes, small bananas develop right before the frost gets them. This particular tree is used in pots around the house as well as in the ground.

Musella lasiocarpa typically grows to 3-5' in one  growing season and has yellow blooms. I have yet to see a bloom on mine!😞

Musa velutina has white flowers that are quickly followed by very small,hairy, pink bananas. I have heard that they are edible and sweet, though full of seeds. They are so small that I have never thought of trying one! They will reach 4 - 6' tall in one growing season. They are very hardy and multiply quickly.

This is my first year with the red banana. I'm not sure if it will survive outside all year, but I am going to give it a try. I have it in a protected area near the house where I hope to leave it all winter. I will mulch it and maybe ever add some kind of extra protection. It is a very fast growing with very large leaves.

Crape Myrtles add a brilliant pop of color in the summer!

 I love my two sun tolerant hostas! The largest one is Afterglow. It dies back in the winter, but is early to pop back up in the spring. It typically grows 24 inches tall by 48 inches wide

 The hosta "Sun Power" has a standout lime green color.

Cannas are one of my favorite plants! I love the large leaves and beautiful large flowers. I have about ten different varieties in the garden. All of them will die back in the winter.

Tropicanna Black foliage is a combination of purple and black and has a red flower. It grows about six feet tall. It is definitely a show stopper!

Hardy hibiscus are a great way to add tropical flair. White, pink, and red varieties are my favorites.

Pink Oleander bush

Hardy ginger plants are easy to grow, cold hardy, and the blooms smell amazing! The variegated and solid with white blooms both are thriving.

Elephant Ears

Aucuba japonica, commonly called spotted laurel is an evergreen bush. It grows to about six foot tall and prefers the shade.

There were several Lily Turf plants growing around the yard when we bought the house about 12 years ago. I was not too crazy about them at the time, but saved them over the years. I am so glad that I did. I absolutely love them mixed in with the tropical plants!

I discovered by accident that Dusty Miller 'Silverdust' will live outside.. This plant is three years old and is huge!

The Cyperus Alternifolius Plant  (Umbrella Palm) reaches a height of around 4 foot.  It is claimed to be hardy here and able to reach heights of 13- 16 feet, but I have not seen this. It dies back in the winter and the growing season is not long enough to obtain much height.

Aechmea blanchetiana ‘Orange’ is one of my favorite plants. I fell in love with this plant on my first trip to the Florida Keys. I searched forever to find one to purchase. The only places they could be found  were wholesale sites and landscape businesses. I was finally able to locate a lady living in Florida that was selling them on eBay. It is very low maintenance and needs full sun for best coloring. It turns completely green when brought inside for the winter, but will quickly return to a beautiful orange when put back outside in the spring.

Bougainvillea and sun coleuses are in large cobalt blue pots throughout the garden and around the house for an extra pop of color.

Sun Tolerant Coleus come in so many beautiful rich colors and are able to tolerate full sun.

The black elephant ear is new for me this year. It is in a large pot that will be wintered indoors. I think they are supposed to be cold hardy in this zone, but my mother has not had any luck leaving them out through the winter.

 I hope you have enjoyed the quick walk through of my garden! 😊 It has been a battle with storms and insects lately, but I think I am beginning to get ahead!

The banana trees, gingers, and cannas are just starting to grow and fill in the area. August - October is usually when the garden is at it's peak!

*Updated Garden Tours

2019 Garden Tour here

2020 Garden Tour here

2021 Garden tour here

Thanks for taking my garden tour!

       Sherri

Discover the Hidden Gem of Naples, Florida: Exploring the Beauty and Adventure of Tigertail Beach

If you're looking for a stunning beach experience in Naples, Florida, Tigertail Beach is the place to go. This hidden gem offers a pristine white-sand beach, a lagoon, and an abundance of wildlife that is sure to impress visitors of all ages.

Getting to Tigertail Beach is easy, as it's located just off Collier Boulevard, which is the main road that runs through Naples. Once you arrive, you'll find plenty of parking spaces, although it can get crowded during peak season.

As you make your way towards the beach, you'll cross a boardwalk that takes you to the lagoon. This is an excellent spot to see a wide variety of birds, such as herons, egrets, and even bald eagles. You can also rent kayaks and paddleboards to explore the lagoon on your own.

Once you reach the beach, you'll be greeted by miles of pristine white sand and crystal-clear waters. The beach is relatively secluded and is perfect for those who want to relax and soak up the sun without the crowds.

One of the unique features of Tigertail Beach is the tidal lagoon that is located behind the beach. This lagoon is separated from the Gulf of Mexico by a sandbar and is perfect for swimming, paddleboarding, and kayaking. The water in the lagoon is warm and shallow, making it an excellent spot for families with small children.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can take a walk along the sandbar that separates the lagoon from the Gulf of Mexico. This sandbar is a popular spot for shell collecting, and you'll find a wide variety of shells that have washed up on the shore.

There are plenty of amenities available at Tigertail Beach, including restrooms, showers, picnic tables, and grills. There's also a concession stand that serves snacks and cold drinks.

Overall, Tigertail Beach is an excellent spot for those who want to enjoy the beauty of Naples' natural environment without the crowds. Whether you want to relax on the beach, explore the lagoon, or go bird watching, Tigertail Beach has something for everyone. So, if you're planning a trip to Naples, be sure to put Tigertail Beach on your list of must-visit attractions.

Location:

Tigertail Beach is located on Marco Island in southern Naples. It is a hour (57 miles) drive from the Fort Myers/ Sanibel Island area and a 2 hour drive (110 miles) from Miami.

Address:

430 Hernando Dr
 Marco Island, FL 34145

Enjoy Your Visit!

       Sherri

Going Behind the Scenes of a Historic Photoshoot for HER Magazine

I was excited to get a chance to watch a photo shoot for HER Magazine last week . To even make it more exciting, my daughter-in-law was the model!

HER is a  magazine designed primarily for women with articles about local events, fashion, stories to inspire, and other informative features. It can be found in paper copy at local business or online here.

The photos taken at Historic Washington State Park will be in an upcoming article about the Jonquil Festival. The dress she is wearing is similar to what an upper-middle class woman, of the 19th century, would have worn.

The shooting locations were the Sanders Farmstead barn and 1883 Goodlett Cotton Gin, two of my favorite places in the park. If you are interested in seeing these and other buildings at the park, you can schedule a tour here.

The 49th Annual Jonquil Festival will be held March 17 - 19, 2017. Unique crafts, entertainment, and mouthwatering food (including funnel cakes) are just some of the things that can be found throughout the park during the event. The hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and  9 a.m.- 4 p.m. on Sunday. 

Ashley's beautiful hair and makeup was courtesy of Paige Martin, a makeup artist and owner of The Lace Anchor online boutique. She is also my daughter. 😊

Be sure and look for Ashley on the cover of the March issue!

Happy Reading! 

Discovering Pedernales Falls State Park in Johnson City, Texas

The saying " Everything is bigger in Texas"comes to mind when looking at the falls!

Located within the Pedernales Falls State Park, Pedernales Falls is part of the Pedernales River in Blanco County.

The Falls drop about 50 feet in elevation over huge slabs of limestone and Rocks for about 3,000 feet.

The trail to the overlook is an easy walk from the parking area, but the trail from the overlook to the bottom of the falls is pretty steep in places.

Once at the bottom, you can walk out onto the boulders across the falls.

Hours:

Open Daily

*Park closures are possible on weekends and holidays when parking lots are full. Check here for updates or call the park. (830) 868-7304


Entrance Fees:

13 years and older : $6 Daily

Child 12 Years and Under: Free

Address:

2585 Park Road 6026
Johnson City, TX 78636


Happy Travels! 

Discovering Jacob's Well: An Artesian Spring in Wimberley, Texas

I knew from the first photo that I saw of Jacobs well, that I had to go see it for myself. I was intrigued by people jumping from atop a rock outcropping into the deep hole of water.

I am always choosing a destination based on photos alone. I usually don't do a lot of research on the place until get back home. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because I wan't to explore the place and find things on my own without any preconceived thought about it. I really don't know why. 

Anyway, Jacob's Well was not what I was expecting at all! It was really interesting, but much smaller than I thought. The main area of the hole is about 30 feet deep, but is only about 12 foot in diameter at most. The hole is surrounded by solid rock covered in very shallow water. The hole has many chambers below the main area that descend to approximately 120 foot.

Jumping into the well is prohibited, but there are hundred of videos and photos online of people doing just that. The height of the outcropping from where they jump and the tiny opening surrounded by solid rock was enough to discourage me! 😲

The area is a great place for hiking, climbing, and swimming. It usually is crowded, but it was raining on and off the day we were there, so we pretty much had it to ourselves.

Address:

1699 Mt. Sharp Rd

Wimberley, TX 78676

Entrance Fees:

$9 for adults 

$5 for Hays County residents with a photo ID showing residency 

$5 for children ages 5-12

 Free for children 4 and under

Military service members and veterans, as well as seniors age 60 and better will pay $5

May 1st through Memorial Day:  those wishing to swim must reserve a 2-hour time block on the County’s website. Only 300 people per day total will be allowed swim time.

Check here for other rules and regulations.

Happy Travels! 

Discovering the Little Grand Canyon in Arkansas

There is a little-known geological wonder in Southern Arkansas, often referred to as "The Little Grand Canyon." 

These distinctive sand and rock formations are located at the edge of White Oak Lake in Chidester, and are not well-known beyond the local community. Visitors can hike around the rim of the canyon and explore several trails that lead down to the crystal-clear, blue-green waters below.

The formations themselves are composed of hard-packed sand and shale rocks, with a unique blend of white, dark gray, and rust-colored hues. Hiking trails wind throughout the area, and locals love to cool off in the refreshing waters during the summer months

To access this hidden gem, visitors can drive to the end of the road and park in the clearing just inside the woods

 It's a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the natural beauty of Arkansas.


Address:

 218 Ouachita Rd 332
 Chidester, AR 71726

GPS cordinates:

33.700436, -93.099361

Enjoy Your Visit!

       Sherri