The multiple climates of Africa, from arid deserts to thick rainforests, lends itself to a variety of African gardening styles. There is no end to the many plant species available in Florida that are also native to the Dark Continent. Unusual succulents like euphorbias and aloes, bulbs such as crocosmias, gladiolas, and rain lilies. Towering tall palm trees hanging with baskets of feathery proteas blend with Transvaal daisies, aloes, amaryllis, crown-of-thorns, gardenias, periwinkles, and African violets. Edible vegetation like coffee, watermelons, okra, millet, figs, and olives create a wild but safe adventure of being on the African continent. Placing African clay pottery among statuary of wild animals, with hanging macaws in a large palm or baobob tree will evoke chimerical sounds of rumbling lions hunting their prey (with the help of your outside stereo). Viewing your garden at night with the help of torch lighting from the safety of your cane patio furniture will set the mood that you're not in Central Florida but at hotel in South Africa. Make sure you add hummingbird-attracting plants so that seasonally you will be able to espy one of Africa's native birds, albeit only North American species. Mulches of large rounded river stones can finish off your display.
Finding inspiration to create a native garden from your homeland or your ancestral heritage can be fun and educational for families and you don't have to settle for a tropical landscape, unless that is what you desire. Woodland, alpine and rock gardens can evoke wonderful vacation memories of the Smoky Mountains in North Carolina, the Swiss Alps and last summer's Southwest hike to the Grand Canyon.
Dining on international cuisine that teach customs and holiday traditions doesn't have to be hard with your own specialized kitchen gardens for cooking your own cultural dishes. Imagine having container gardens with herbs and flowering plants from Jamaica, Mexico, Sweden, France, and Italy?
Where are you or your family from originally? If you could have a wish, what part of the world would you like to have a garden in? If you would like more information on international gardens, check out at "Gardening Around The World". I've researched countries previously mentioned and include many more like Scotland, Thailand, Australia, Germany, and Iceland.
You can go around the world in eighty minutes if you read fast and you'll still have time to find some shamrocks before March 17th. Go ahead and plant them! They're Irish and you know everyone wants to be Irish on St. Patrick's Day!
| Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: | View all related messages |
For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to Teresa Watkins's Florida Gardens topic, please visit the Discussions page.