Pink Tabebuia heterophylla in Winter Park.
Welcome to In Your Backyard! Traditionally, March comes in like a lion but this year, it came in like a lamb and before we know it, it will start to roar! The winter freeze was very traumatic to Floridians, especially new residents who have never experienced winter in Florida. Yes, Virginia, Florida does have a winter season. And it doesn’t last long – three to four days – and then the warm sunshine returns with 80-degree temperatures. The benefits of living in Florida is that we do have flowers blooming all year long and seasonal color, including Autumn. Record-setting heat this month is expected across the country, with Florida experiencing warmer-than-usual temperatures in the 70s and 80s this month—something typically not seen until April. Even after a once in a century winter freezes, Florida’s Tabebuia trees do not let us down. Gorgeous pink and yellow flowering trees can be seen all over Central and South Florida in March.
I love seeing the explosion of color in March in our landscapes from flowers like amaryllis and orchids to camellias and gardenias. Do you have color in your yard year-round? The winter freeze was very traumatic to Floridians, especially new residents who have never experienced winter in Florida. Yes, Virginia, Florida does have a winter season. And it doesn’t last long – three to four days – and then the warm sunshine returns with 80-degree temperatures. The benefits of living in Florida is that we do have flowers blooming all year long and seasonal color, including Autumn. Record-setting heat this month is expected across the country, with Florida experiencing warmer-than-usual temperatures in the 70s and 80s this month—something typically not seen until April. Even after a once in a century winter freezes, Florida’s Tabebuia trees do not let us down. Gorgeous pink and yellow flowering trees can be seen all over South and Central Florida in March.
I love seeing the explosion of color in March in our landscapes from flowers like amaryllis and orchids to camellias and gardenias. Do you have color in your yard year-round? Maybe this year while you are replacing all the plants in the yard that succumbed to the freeze, try adding Zone 8 - 10 evergreen plants that will not get winter-shock and will flowers most of the year.
Check out what to do in your landscape to help spur recovery with “What to Do In Your Landscape in March” post. I provide bulbs, edibles, and perennials to add to your yard right now plus everything to ensure your turf has a good start in Spring. Better Lawns and Gardens producer Lizzie Steele enjoys her landscape’s beauty and shares photos of her flowers. Check out Lizzie’s Garden Adventures! Lizzie and I would love to know what’s blooming in your yard.
Mangos are a tasty and widely enjoyed tropical fruit that thrive in Central and South Florida. There's a large, beautifully shaped mango tree on my street, that on January 7th had literally thousands of blooms on it. On January 29th, I felt relieved it still looked healthy two days after the freeze. Unfortunately, my relief was short-lived—the tree is now in poor condition and won't bear fruit this year, but I'm hoping it will still pull through to keep its lovely structure. I will update you with a photo of the tree in June. Stay tuned!
Literally thousands of mango blossoms.
All burnt from the freeze and will drop all it’s leaves and flowers. Sad.
Is your lawn still brown? Have you wondered if your lawn is going to recover? I had Mark Kann, President of the Florida Turfgrass Association to get his insight as to determining if your lawn is dead or just dormant. You can hear Mark’s interview with his tips on fertilizing your turf this Spring here on Better Lawns and Gardens’ podcast.
One ofThe Villages Golf course in dormancy after the freeze. The hole was painted green.
Have you been to the Florida Wildflower Festival in Deland? It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn about wildflowers, buy native flowers, wildflowers, garden art, and Florida-friendly plants. The free festival will be held this year on March 28th, with lots of plany vendors, speakers, and a chance to experience the quaint town of Deland. I will be teaching a class on Florida’s wild pollinators; some you may not know about! It’s always a beautiful day and a fun city to experience. The garden art and crafts are beautiful and the plants, some hard-to-find, are reasonably priced. And it’s FREE to attend! Don’t miss it.
Wildflower, Queen Anne’s Lace, Daucus carota.
Update on our exciting Art in Bloom Garden Tours: The Revolutionary Garden Tour in April and The Best of English Gardens and the Chelsea Flower Show is sold out! Our tours still have availability for a few more on our Newport Flower Show and Martha’s Vineyard in June (Great time to go on a garden adventure!), my favorite Garden Walk Buffalo and Niagara Falls, Canada tour, the Artiste Gardens of France in August, the Grand Gardens of Brandywine in September (great time to visit these palatial gardens), and the fun Ethereal Gardens of New Orleans in October. Check them all out at www.artinbloomgardentours.com
The Nemour’s Estate on the Grand Gardens of the Brandywine Valley garden tour.
People often ask me if I can recommend a landscaping company. I am always pleased to share Otis Outdoors of Central Florida. For over eight years, owner Mickey Howell and his team have been responsible for installing my client’s landscapes. They are dedicated professionals who not only assist with installation but also offer monthly maintenance services for your landscape. If you need something done in your landscape, give Mickey a call.
Check out more of my landscape ideas with Teresa’s Design Tips, my Plant of the Month, and the popular Landscape Malpractice – or How to Know When To Fire Your Landscape Tip #44.
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No need to be befuddled. There is lots to do in the garden and landscapes this month, but the weather will be beautiful and it looks like we will have some rain. Enjoy the early Spring!
