Hi GPODers!
From invasive plants running wild to terrible soil and everything in between, few people inherit a landscape that is perfectly primed to be the garden of their dreams, however, a gardener with a will always finds a way. Kimmi in Houston, Texas (Zone 9b) is one of those strong-willed gardeners. The hot, humid conditions of this southern city require the right palette of plants and it took several years for her to crack the code on what would thrive in her landscape, but her hard work has more than paid off.
Our garden, being in one of the hottest, most humid cities, was a process that didn’t happen overnight but took years of trials, creativity and planning that we are amazed (all worked together) for the paradise it’s become. I’ve been gardening over 25 years and have learned many things and am still learning the challenges and balance of nature. My husband always reminds me that nature will happen, with or without you so “enjoy the experience instead of trying to control your environment.” I’ve learned to work with it in Zone 9B. This has definitely become my happy-place, creative lounge, therapy, passion and expensive hobby that isn’t cheap however, it was crafted timely with frugality and deep thought process to bring about just a glimpse of what I’m privileged to share, with the photos attached. How can I have a favorite plant? No way. They are all my loves (from the pre-Madonna’s, to the easy-peasies). Thank you for this opportunity.
Texture is well-defined in this West location of my front garden. Soft frilly philodendron meets contrast-cousins-of-color: Duranta and Chinese fringe flower (Loropetalum chinense, Zones 7–9).
Talk about color in spring in my Isle garden bed in front garden: a visit from a couple of cardinals, beside a prominent salvia and ginger compilation acting as background to my sago palm (Cycas revoluta, Zones 9–12), King pittosporum (Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Golden King’, Zones 7–11) and creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis, Zones 3–9).
What else can be said about this queen beauty pride of Barbados (Caesalpinia pulcherrima, Zones 9–11). I think she screams it loud and clear here in what I call my heated“concrete jungle” alongside our driveway.
These are the tree beds combined with a plethora of tropicals like ginger, pentas, duranta, liriope and a very massive succulent that blooms in autumn here and colorful vinca in the background.
The sound of water in my garden is tranquil. See a trickle of soothing moisture with a Persian shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus, Zones 9–11), Hawaiian schefflera (Heptapleurum arboricola, Zones 9–11) and various other tropicals like liriope and foxtail fern (Asparagus densiflorus ‘Myersii’, Zones 9–11). Beautiful!
More soothing background music from the sound of water with what we refer to as the “waterfall of Cannon-hood.” Surrounded by coleus, ginger, firespike (Odontonema tubaeforme, Zones 9–12) and other tropicals like foliage located in our Memorial Garden bed in the back garden.
Hidden gems in my garden. She’s surrounded and protected by a family of liriope and dusty miller. And though she and her sisters (have a few more sporadic throughout the garden) were broken in places, they were great finds at a local nursery.
White is a must in my mostly shade paradise located in our back garden. Much love for the hard-working agapanthus to shed bright beauty.
This monstrosity of variegation (Yucca filamentosa ‘Color Guard’, Zones 4–10) was a conversation piece in my front foundation bed—with creeping lantana (Lantana montevidensis, Zones 8–10) not in bloom yet. Unfortunately, a cold snap took away its observance and diminished its size but thankfully it’s making a comeback.
Wow, absolutely alluring late-spring beauty from the West side of my front garden. Chinese fringe tree (Chionanthus retusus, Zones 5–9) meets the competition of my vitex tree (Vitex agnus-castus, Zones 6–9). Every year, they both fight over space and attention while we, the observers enjoy the (short-filled late spring season).
Thank you so much for sharing your stunning tropical garden oasis with us, Kimmi! Despite the challenging conditions, you have crafted a landscape that is rich with all of the elements that make a garden gorgeous.
What challenges have you faced on your way to garden glory? Let us know in the comments, or consider sharing the story of your garden with the blog. Follow the directions below to submit your photos to Garden Photo of the Day!
We want to see YOUR garden!
Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!
To submit, fill out the Garden Photo of the Day Submission Form.
You can also send 5–10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.
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