So Many Dishes

Even though I have two recipe posts in progress, I really wanted to share some of the photos that I took At Mounts Botanical Garden this morning. I haven’t been in the garden since spring; Florida summers are not the time to be in that environment. Even today, a mosquito found my leg shortly after we arrived. But, as a long time tour guide, I’m part of the team presenting a training program for new guides this Saturday. I figured I needed to see what’s happening in the garden right now.

While a number of the individual gardens still have the overgrown look typical of our summer, there are blooms to be seen. The pink silk floss tree is in full flower, and it’s spectacular. This only lasts for a couple of weeks, so I’m really happy to have seen it this year. And although the candle tree blooms several times a year, the profusion of flowers and bean-like fruit coming directly out of the trunk and branches was quite a sight.

At first, I didn’t see much action in the butterfly garden. Suddenly, a swallowtail appeared and decided to pose on the firebush.

While there isn’t an art exhibit right now, the animal sculptures that are owned by the garden have been repositioned very cleverly. I didn’t get a picture of the giraffe family “nibbling” on the leaves of a tree, but the hippo looks as if he’s just emerged from the lake.

There were also some interesting new pieces in and around the butterfly garden, including two flamingos. This is my favorite.

Even in the off-season, there’s so much to see. We usually start having requests for tours in November, and I’m anxious to resume sharing the garden with visitors. Come join us!