My Virtual Garden 2: Autumn Flowers in Fort Lauderdale

Autumn in Florida

The Tibouchina or Princess Plant has rich purple flowers and leaves as soft as velvet.

There are a number of different varieties, and some bloom at other times of the year.

This is a lovely tree not far from my condo.

Although flowers bloom all year long in Florida, and some flowers bloom in all

seasons, other flowers make their special appearance in various seasons.

Here are some of the flowers which are blooming now.

Tibouchina flowers and leaves

Some Tibouchinas grow as large bushes, and this is the top spike of one.

Queen's Wreath is a beautiful autumn vine, much like wisteria. Clusters of flowers in various

shades of blue and violet will cover trellises and fences.

A cluster of "Queen's Wreath" flowers.

Queen's Wreath on a trellis.

Pale Blue Plumbago. Clusters of flowers cover a bush or hedge.

Medium Blue Plumbago

Pale Blue Plumbago. It also comes in white.

A hedge of Plumbago

There are many different varieties of Cassia, and they bloom at different times of the year.

This is Cassia Alata, or Yellow Candlestick, and it blooms in autumn.

Cassia Alata

Crown of Thorns is a very common flower in South Florida; its has spines all along
the stem. It comes in various sizes and colors and is very hardy.

Yellow Crown of Thorns

Hot Pink Crown of Thorns. Notice all the thorns.

Siberian Iris. These are small, usually yellow, and quite delicate.

Dipladenia are beautiful flowers in shades of pink and red, and they grow as
vines or bushes or plants. They are similar to the Mandevilla, but they are a distinct
plant; the leaves are smaller and the growth is more dense.

Dipladenia Flowers

Dipladenia in a pot.

Dipladenia Vine

Mums are very popular in the fall, purchased at Lowe's or Home Depot. and
planted in gardens.

A Mum Bush in a garden in my neighborhood.

Lavender Ground Orchids. These grow in the soil and not hanging from trees.
They spread quite rapidly. Most orchids are tied to palm trees and get their moisture
from the air; these obtain their moisture from the soil.

Pink Ground Orchids

Yellow and Peach Ground orchids

Purple Ground Orchids

For Fall color, the deep red-orange Ixora is very popular for hedges and bushes.
In autumn, the flowers are so thick, you scarcely see the vegetation.

A hedge of red-orange Ixora.

Another fall color is Harvest Gold Ixora; here it is trained as a small tree.

Harvest Gold Ixora

This is a popular Combination Tango Ixora.

The English Marigold / Calendula is a bright autumn flower.

English Marigold / Calendula. They are twice the size of the usual marigolds.

English Marigolds / Calendula

For colored foliage, we use two plants which come in hundreds of shapes, sizes, and colors.
This is a Copperleaf Bush, which may stand 10-12 feet high. It comes in red, pink, peach,
orange, brown, and all mixtures.

Copperleaf Bush

The other colored foliage plant is the Croton. It also comes in many shapes and sizes
and colors. Some plants grow up to 8 feet high. The variations in colors and shapes
are enormous. This is a multi-toned Peach Croton.