Late June Yard Update!

Hi there everyone! As June comes to a close I figured now is definitely as good of a time as ever to post on things around the yard!

First a quick look at some weather stats in my yard from the weather station... 

The month of June started off cold but we had some periods of warmer weather after the first few days passed.

We didn't quite make it to 80F for an average daytime high this June which is pretty cool. Here's how every month so far has looked in my yard. 

So far the warm weather months have not been horribly below average compared to winter. April and May were a little above average, but June has been below average by a bit more than a degree here.

The plants aren't really seeing any negative impacts from it though. No impressive growth but everything is on track. 

The front yard is coming together. Similar set up to last year except I added a salvia by the swamp hibiscus, put in some caladiums and a lot more colocasias, threw in some lantana instead of verbana, and I have a Brugmansia squeezed in as well. The Brug is off to a slow start (you guys know my opinion on that one if you read the "Ugly post" haha!

View from the back.

My washingtonia robusta is on its second summer in the ground. It is growing well after winter. The last front it put up was very weird looking which you can see in this pic a bit. It may have been delayed cold damage (the first 2 new fronds of the season were completely normal) but I'm not worried, I think the next frond looks great and it's well on its way.

It takes a lot to bring hummingbirds into a NYC yard, or at least that's what I thought. They have a few favorites in my yard and this black and blue salvia is definitely one of them! I love this plant too, it's quite a vigorous bloomer! 

Speaking of my brugmansia you can see it in this pic. The flowers will be pink when it blooms so if you can't exactly separate the plant from the background in this pic, you might be able to later on this season when it starts to bloom.

 I was introduced to Mexican Sunflowers last year and I think they are pretty incredible. The foliage has a fuzzy tropical look and the blooms themselves look tropical too and attract a ton of Butterflies. I started these from seed and they aren't that close to blooming yet but they are definitely getting closer every day. They were extremely slow to start but are quick growers now that the heat is here. 

The Ensete is definitely the star in the front yard, at least for now!

Philodendron planter. One of my favorite plants.

A view of the backyard from the "Pella Room" It has a pretty nice view of the whole yard with the bonus of AC so you don't have to go into the sun and heat.

I like the view in the sun and heat too though. I think it's hard to beat the feeling summer gives but I can understand this weather is not for everyone. My plants all love it though! 

I got this monstera from shop and stop 5 years ago. Now it's over 6 feet tall! 

I really like the way ti plants and begonias look potted together and I think the color of the ti plants contrasts beautifully with the white siding of the house. These plants are still recovering from a winter indoors but I am looking forward to them being at their former glory again soon.

Got to have a pic of my largest plumeria in every update as I'm sure you might have noticed! haha. 

My largest plumeria seems to get special treatment but it probably gets the least attention in terms of care. I like my other plumerias too and they get the bulk of the waterings and fertilizer! 

I'm not sure if a lot of people recognize the spanish moss I put on my trees vut I love the look. I think its such a relaxing plant and pretty incredible that it's even considered a plant! 

 My Mekong Giant is growing very well for a newly transplanted banana. This first leaf will probably look a little ratty but I think it might start to really look like something nice by the beginning of August which I can deal with! 

So as you all know I love bringing the tropical look to my yard. Over the past few years I have become a little bit more interested in actually getting something out of the yard other than a lot of satisfaction and relaxation. This year I'm trying edible plants out. I haven't been too successful with most of them. The Cucuzza alone gives enough food to make me pretty happy (and it looks beautiful too). 

This is my smaller batch of Cucuzza (and some basil).

So far I haven't gotten any tasty "Lungo Bianco" Zucchini but I've been loving their flowers!  

I stuff each flower with a little ricotta cheese and a basil leaf from the yard and then I dip in an egg batter, cover with flower and fry them up! Tastes great.

Speaking of flowers, although they aren't edible I love the fragrance and size of Southern mags! My tree didnt suffer die back from the winter cold, but it is looking a little bare this year. I think it is in too much shade so hopefully transplanting it into a little more sun will help it out in next year. 

Daylillies are so fantastic.

My plumerias have been rewarding me with flowers nonstop since Christmas time. I don't know what I am doing to deserve so many blooms, but I will take it! 

A good friend of mine gave me this hibiscus many years ago before she passed away. I am really happy that it is still doing well years later. It was on the verge of death just 2 months ago.

Black Eyed Susans

The lilies are up and blooming for their 2 week show. They'll be hidden again for the season in no time.

My Brugmansia in the front hasn't bloomed yet but the one in the back is a repeat bloomer. I think it's 4 years old now. It's so easy to overwinter and not finicky at all during the summer either.

I've killed a few Desert Roses over the years. This one has been around for a few years and it doesn't seem like it is going anywhere. It blooms indoors and out. When it's inside it usually blooms without any leaves on it! 

I haven't been too impressed with the bloom habits of my "Double Yellow" oleander. If it's cold hardy though it would be absolutely worth it! I'll definitely give it some protection but I do not want to give it heated protection this winter although I may have to.

Digiplexis Illumination Flame. I love this plant and it hasn't even bloomed yet!