Intermittent sun tucked into the never-ending, heavy, thunderous clouds

There's really nothing to say. It's the season and it is wet. I've been a year now so the changes in the weather has begun to say something to me about what and when I can grow particular plants.

Begonias will not shine in the very humid summer. This year it's been especially humid and the rotting leaves have given me pause regarding growing them at all. The begonias heracleifolia and ricinifolia have been real troopers though. I’m looking forward to them putting out in the late winter. I don't think the especially hairy leafed nor the very smooth leafed begonias are suitable for my environment.  The hairy leaves hold rain and the leaves rot, the smooth leaf types, like ‘Red Fred’ have been very sun sensitive and will suffer if there is any water on the leaf when hit by the sun.

However, the bougainvillea, orange, the gardenia, the bamboo, the oak leaf croton, and others, have gotten along fine-- except during a spell of hot, dry sun. The summer sun without any passing cloud cover or cooling rain is not friendly.  

Vietnamese Gardenia

The scent of this blossom resembles the indescribable scent of the Ylang-ylang tree.  The scent is profound and evokes a peaceful response in me.

Codiaeum Variegatum

Here is a picture of the oak leaf croton. It is bi-color, an emerald green with elegant yellow veining. A beautiful shrub. It's planted in a fabulous glazed pot. You gotta have a great pot for a specimen plant.



Stretching the garden theme of the blog, I’ve included a picture by A. H. Gorson, ‘The Lucy Furnace’.  Google the artist, his choice of subject matter is wonderful. It is important to have paintings, if possible, near the garden.

'The Lucy Furnace' A. H. Gorson

And lastly, with a little care for the plants, the terrace can add another  "living"  room to the apartment.
As Leonard says "all they need is to be watched".
  

A terrace adds another room to the home