There are probably many, many things in Tampa that don’t mind it one bit when the temperature falls below 40 degrees. Unfortunately few of these things exist in my garden. Even less now after two nights in the 30s.
Bananas are such sissies. They feel faint at 40. Both kinds.
A quick survey shows the blue and the red porterweed are gone again. I lost my entire crop last year, as did most of the nurseries that cultivate the plant. It was late spring before the garden centers restocked. The hummingbirds really love porterweed, so I will probably just keep putting it in.
The brugmansia are feeling woozy and the expected cold front on Monday will probably finish them off. These are well-established plants with deep roots, so they should come back. Some elephant ears are gone; some remain. They grow like weeds here. No problems.
The real troopers (so far) are the knockout roses and the dianthus. The roses in fact did so well with so little attention I planted four more late this fall. They were on sale 2/$10.
I followed this very drowsy bumblebee around the garden today. She fell off the blossoms a few times but got right back up and worked this dianthus. The dry air probably helped her build up some static cling to aid in the pollen gathering. I don’t know if Florida bumblebees hibernate or not but I’m quite glad that there are some flowers for them remaining.
I love bees… big drowsy bumbling bees in fuzzy striped pajamas.
Perhaps the bananas need more flannel...
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