“Love, exciting and new, come along, we welcome you.” Okay, so the theme song isn’t exactly about gardening, but if showcases my feeling. Welcome to all the new subscribers and listeners to my monthly newsletter, “In Your Backyard.” February is the time to gear up for gardening in Florida. It has definitely warmed up (thank you, La Niña), with new leaves pushing out and up, perennial flowers and shrubs available in the nurseries, and the urge to plant is in the air. Speaking of gardening and love, I want to send out love to all the garden clubs that I get to speak to. Talk about growing! Garden clubs are the place to be! Pictured above are one of the fun activities of holiday floral arrangements. The beautiful floral centerpieces were created by members of the New Smyrna Beach Garden Club for their February meeting. I mention garden clubs frequently in my talks and on my radio show, Better Lawns and Gardens, because garden clubs are so active, inside and outside, and welcoming. If you are new to Florida and interested in learning about gardening and learning about your landscape, join a local garden club! You can find a garden club near you on the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs website.
February is when showstopping pink Trumpet trees start to bloom. Appropriately named, the flowers of the Trumpet tree resemble the musical instruments. Fast-growing and relatively pest-free, Handroanthus impetiginosus, make a beautiful street tree. I think that a neighborhood of Trumpet trees would be a strong challenger of cherry blossom trees in Spring. Did you know that Trumpet trees, also called Ipê, Ironwood, and Brazilian walnut, is also one of the strongest and hardest woods on the globe. It is considered the best lumber to use for composite decking? Known for its fire, insect, and scratch resistance, Ipê decking is also cooler to bare feet. Ipê lumber sold in the United States is harvested legally and sustainably.
With the summer-like temperatures already upon us, you’ll love all the different flowers, herbs, trees, and vegetables you can plant in February. It’s also a short month to get those landscape chores done. Just a couple of quick tips: Don’t plant rye seed anymore – as the temperatures reach 80 degrees and above, it will quickly decline, and be leery of buying beautiful winter annuals blooming like delphiniums, foxgloves, and pansies. With the heat, if they last a month, you will be lucky. Read what you should do in February here.
Congratulations to Lizzie who has her hands full of love in this month’s adventure. You can read more to see her new bundles of joy.
My Plant of the Month is also one of my favorite tropical topics. It’s a low-maintenance, colorful plant that looks good in the ground, in the air, or as a thriller in your pool garden container. With over 2,700 species to choose from, it’s not hard to become addicted to collecting all the these beautiful varieties available in Florida.
Thinking of wearing white cottony outfits, summer trips to the beach, visiting coastal lighthouses, and promenade through beautiful gardens? Join me and other garden lovers as we tour the ‘Gilded Age’ vacation destination of the rich, Newport, Rhode Island. We will attend the premier Newport Flower Show at Rosecliff Mansion, stroll the coast on Narragansett Bay, take photos of yourself next to life-sized animal topiaries, and meander on the grounds of New England’s finest estate, Blithewold Mansion and Arboretum, where you can view Champion trees and Giant sequoias, relaxing with afternoon tea, and more. Only 6 more spots left. Dates are June 19th – June 23rd, 2025, 5 days, 4 nights. More Information.
Send me your garden questions and comments. Thank you for reading “In Your Backyard.” I love knowing you are out there!
