Comments

1. 
   frankgreenhalgh 11/21/2016

   What an interesting and unusual leaf colouration on the plant in the feature photo! Obviously a tropical plant - anybody know the name?

1. 
   user-7007498 11/21/2016

   I agree with Diane. Pretty striking color variation. Very cool.

2. 
   frankgreenhalgh 11/21/2016

   Hey Rhonda - since you indicated last week that you have issues with geography, I have now dumbed down the map of Oz to a simple mud map. Does this help or is it still clear as mud? Cheers, Frank
   

1. 
   user-7007498 11/21/2016

   Great photo, Frank. Talk about nationalism. Even the mud puddles have to show Aussie spirit.

1. 
   frankgreenhalgh 11/21/2016

   Yep Kev. - even includes a mini puddle representing the island of Tasmania. The acid test though, is Rhonda's response since she is challenged by my geography. Had a 100 degree F day today, which came after a long spell of cool spring weather - knocked the hydrangeas around a bit, but everything else weathered the heat fine. Cheers mate

1. 
   sheila_schultz 11/21/2016

   100 degrees? Can't there just be some sort of middle ground when it comes to temps? Ha! I'm pretty surprised your mud-map didn't turn to dust, Frank!

2. 
   user-7007498 11/21/2016

   100 degrees. Yuk.
   40 degrees here and very windy. Had snow flurries Sat night.

2. 
   meander_michaele 11/21/2016

   A smile goes well with my first cup of morning coffee...thanks, Frank.

1. 
   frankgreenhalgh 11/21/2016

   Hi Michaele - wait until you have your second!

3. 
   user-4691082 11/21/2016

   Now, Frank, where is Tasmania in that puddle? I also need you to hold a pointer and show me where you live!

1. 
   user-4691082 11/21/2016

   Sorry, didn't see that response to Kevin before I wrote!

2. 
   frankgreenhalgh 11/21/2016

   Greetings Rhonda - looks like I still have work to do! Tasmania is just below the right hand bottom corner of the 'mainland'. I live in the State of Victoria (the garden State), which is just above 'Tasmania'. Cheers from Oz

1. 
   user-4691082 11/21/2016

   To answer your question about any Aussie relatives, there could be. You know when people trace their family roots, they always let you know they are related to famous people...well...my people came over on the boat from England as indentured servants, so they were probably crooks! Seriously, my mothers family is from North Carolina and we are descendants of Edward Teach, a.k.a. Blackbeard the pirate! I'm sure many people are as he was probably a busy guy ?

1. 
   frankgreenhalgh 11/21/2016

   Interesting Rhonda - minor criminals in England were sent to Australia as a penalty to establish the first white settlement in 1788 (i.e. penal colony). My great grand father came from England to Aussie land in the 1850's for the gold rush. He had 17 children - he too was a busy guy! Cheers, Frank

4. 
   wGardens 11/21/2016

   I too, enjoyed your photo, Frank. I am also noticing that there are no (visible) rocks. Is that the case in this area?

1. 
   frankgreenhalgh 11/21/2016

   Yes Margaret, a lot of our roads/tracks are in sandy areas, especially in our outback. Cheers, Frank

5. 
   LindaonWhidbey 11/21/2016

   Thanks for the laugh this morning, Frank. I don't envy you that 100 degree heat.

1. 
   frankgreenhalgh 11/21/2016

   Hi Linda - You are such an international jet setter (Hawaii, Europe , Australia etc. etc.)! Good on you - great to travel before you reach your 'golden' years I say. I was helping remove a large gum tree (iron bark) in the heat - my neighbour and I were worried about it falling onto her house - she couldn't sleep during windy nights; pity to lose such a lovely tree, but safety first. Cheers, Frank
   

3. 
   frankgreenhalgh 11/21/2016

   Thanks a lot Diane - I just looked up Caladium (elephants ear) and it certainly looks like it. Glad you like the mud puddle. Cheers from Oz

4. 
   meander_michaele 11/21/2016

   Looks like some edibles are part of this garden...always a nice treat. Anyone have any ideas of what the plant bearing the cluster is in picture #4?

1. 
   perenniallycrazy 11/22/2016

   I believe photo #4 is Averrhoa bilimbi, more commonly known as bililmbi. It is called "kamias" in the Philippines. My grandfather had one in his backyard and we used to pick the fruits when we were kids. It is typically used as a souring agent for some traditional Philippine dishes. You can also eat the fruit by itself or dipped in salt. It is a sour fruit... and yes, the fruits stem directly from the trunk or branches of the tree. (Photo shared below Sheila's comment.) The leaves are also used for medicinal purposes.

   Hope this satisfies yours and Sheila's curiosity.

1. 
   meander_michaele 11/22/2016

   Thanks for all the background info, Cherry. Nice to revisit those special memories from growing up. Sounds you were very much an appreciator of plants even as a child.

5. 
   wGardens 11/21/2016

   Indeed! Lovely photos! Especially enjoyed the photo of the kitten and caladium.

6. 
   Chris_N 11/21/2016

   Always fascinating to see gardens from around the world.

7. 
   sheila_schultz 11/21/2016

   Can't you just feel the warmth when looking at the photos? Like Michaela, I'm curious about the cluster of fruit (?).

1. 
   perenniallycrazy 11/22/2016

   I've tried to satisfy your curiosity... my answer below Michaele's comment... brings me back to my childhood.

1. 
   sheila_schultz 11/22/2016

   I should have known you would have the answer... so happy you pay attention to GPOD. Hugs ;)

2. 
   perenniallycrazy 11/22/2016

   

8. 
   VikkiVA 11/21/2016

   I agree Diane...Caladium. This coloration always reminds me of watermelon. Vikki in VA

9. 
   VikkiVA 11/21/2016

   Colorful and varied plant selection. The caladium with the kitten is such a sweet picture. So nice to see gardens of the world. Thanks for posting these anonymous pictures Kim. Vikki in VA

10. 
    Tim_Zone_Denial_Vojt 11/21/2016

    Tropical and lovely. Great Caladium and fig.

11. 
    LindaonWhidbey 11/21/2016

    So nice to see a tropical garden this morning. Last year at this time we were heading to Hawaii for a month and we were just feeling nostalgic about that so this was a welcome sight. Love the Caladium with the kitten. Michaela, maybe that unknown fruit tree is a Pawpaw? Just a guess looking st the leaf. Thanks, Kim, for the international treat.

1. 
   meander_michaele 11/21/2016

   Thanks for the guess, Linda. Think I'll go do a google image search and see if it looks like a match.

1. 
   marilouperham 11/23/2016

   Hi Mike....this tree (3rd picture from the top) with fruit grows in every backyard in the Philippines...here a link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Averrhoa_bilimbi

1. 
   meander_michaele 11/23/2016

   I really enjoyed the wikipedia read about it, Marilou. It certainly found a happy place to grow when it was introduced to the Philippines.

12. 
    schatzi 11/21/2016

    Nice pictures, great discussion. Can always count on Frank for a chuckle - or a belly laugh! Ya did good, Frank.

1. 
   frankgreenhalgh 11/21/2016

   Thanks Shirley - life is too short to be serious all the time!

13. 
    user-3058938 11/21/2016

    Does this site have smell-o-vision? Sweet tropical scents seem to waft through my computer while looking at today's pictures.

14. 
    sheila_schultz 11/22/2016

    My dear GPOD friends... how wonderful that we can have so many lovely conversations over photos + just chatting without any intro. It is this conversationally comfortable space that Michelle made possible and that Kim is thoughtfully carrying on. I'm loving this.

1. 
   frankgreenhalgh 11/22/2016

   Nice comments Sheila.

1. 
   sheila_schultz 11/22/2016

   Thanks Frank... I've been with this blog since close to it's beginning. GPOD is a comfortable, welcoming and sassy home for anyone that likes to garden. Perfect.