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Penny Carnathan
Penny’s a Nurture And Hold (NAH): Nah, I won’t pull that out yet, it’s still got a green shoot. She likes dragonflies, lady bugs and new stuff only after weeding, pruning and fertilizing.
Kim Franke-Folstad
Kim’s a Want It Now (WIN): Everything pretty, everything now. She will resort to full-spectrum insecticides in desperate situations, and believes it’s her duty and right to buy new plants every weekend.
Both advocate Plant Choice (SOMEthing besides crotons. Please!), lots of color and low maintenance. We don’t agree on everything, but we’re smart enough to learn from each other - and from you.
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Garden art, Florida Keys style [I think Vermont wins]
Posted Oct 13, 2009 by Loren Omoto
Updated Oct 13, 2009 at 07:08 PM
Last week I was in the full throes of autumn in Vermont. This week, I’m sunning in the Keys.
I’ve never done such travel extremes before in the same month (It’s a fluke. I don’t normally get out much.) It’s been interesting to note the huge differences between Vermont gardens and gardens here on Cudjoe Key, about 25 miles from Key West.
I told my husband, “I can never live here.” It’s way too limiting plant-wise. What happened to tropical paradise? There are acres of blinding white gravel. And just when you’re saying “Enough with the pelican statues!” you see some totally incongruous statuary that makes you say, “Bring on the pelicans!”
Case in point:
The little girl is poised to scoop water ... water? ... from the dish of cacti. Look close and behind her you see cattails. Cattails? I don’t mean to sound mean (really) and I appreciate anyone’s effort, but this jarred my sensibilities. I’ll bet money these folks have a beautiful garden in Maine. The Keys do pose challenges.
But I did see some nice stuff. In the neighborhood where I’m staying, some folks—lacking plants—put together artsy tableaus in their tiny front yards. It might be a pile of crab traps with bleached conch shells and dead plants, or crab traps with rabbit statues. Or this:
If I were the thieving type, I would have happily pocketed the rusted metal fish. Love it!
These little pots, part of a tableau in another yard, stood out all by themselves. Even though the plants look kinda dead.
The boat is a nice touch, but again, shriveldy plants are a downer. (Has there been no rain here?)
I’m even a little disappointed in the lizards. There aren’t as many frolicking anoles as I see in my Tampa yard. Instead, we see these. Eyeing us. Boldly.
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Reader Comments
Posted by (Chip) on October 13, 2009
Oh Penny! you went all the way down to the key’s and you passed right by the most unusual park in all of Florida. The rare fruit and spice park in Homestead. I am not sure if it is state or county run but if you go all that way it is a must see. and this may sound strange but they have armed police there just to keep folk’s from taking fruit off the tree’s what’s on the ground is fair game. If you want to go it would be wise to wait until it cool’s a bit I will not spoil all of the different thing’s they have there except one Jack fruit it has basket ball sized fruit! no joke but check it out
..“Chip”..
Posted by (Susan Gillespie) on October 14, 2009
Ah! Key West. My family had a guest house down there for many years and I used to love going for vacations, but, like you, never wanted to live there. Too remote, no malls and very few single straight men. Pass. But I know what you mean about the gravel. On Key West they tend to their vegetation a little better because of tourists but they all have such a lackadaisical and whimsical attitude about yard art. Perhaps because there are so many artists down there or because there are as many bars as there are churches. Drunk artists can make funny art.
Posted by (Susan Gillespie) on October 14, 2009
Key West is an island——unless the anodes can swim how are they going to get there? My Dad used to lament the absence of different bird species. He thought they sprayed the island for mosquitoes too often and they would die off or leave. Maybe it affects the anodes as well.
I agree with you about the rusted fish. I love it. And you have to concede that the water there is beautiful.
Posted by (Chip) on October 14, 2009
Penny if you do get to the rare fruit and spice park bring a Barbados Cherry for me[I want the seed!] if one is on the ground that is I do not want you to get into any trouble take a plastic groc. bag in with you to carry what you find! one tiny Barbados cherry has more vit.C than 12 orange’s you will see!>>.Chip”...
Posted by (Kim Franke-Folstad) on October 14, 2009
Oh, my gosh—go back right now, grab that rusty fish and run. Then BRING IT HOME TO ME!
Posted by (Chip) on October 14, 2009
I have the very same fish it is a candle lantern . and we got it at Joann’s about ten years ago! I think Michel’s had them also but it has been so long I have no Idea if they would still have them. I was collecting candle lanterns for a while and the fish is the sole survivor. it is made of heavy steel not cheap tin like the others It did look cool at night with all of the candle lanterns lit up in the garden!..“Chip”
Posted by (Janna) on October 15, 2009
I like the rusty fish, too - but am a little partial to the round, colorful “may be fish” planters. Penny, thanks for taking us on yet another vacation! That fruit and spice park sounds very cool - hope you can make it there. I’ve never heard of aptenia, either - you’ll have to let us know all about it! Hope you’re having a great time…
Posted by (Iluvpumpkins) on October 16, 2009
Penny, Next field trip snatch and grab that rusty fish. I love rusty things. We could draw straws to see who gets it. Thanks for sharing your vacation. Janice