Mosaic Monday ... It's a Hot, Loud and Proud Summertime!

Here in Oz Summer has begun.  In my particular north-eastern corner it's hot, humid and horrible.  Outside the temps hovering around 34 deg C (93 F), but the 'true' temperature is more like 40 ... the high humidity levels we experience here definitely make a difference!!!

One of the most common sights during Summertime in gardens everywhere, including mine, right now is the flowering Delonix regia - the Poinciana.  Nothing says 'Summer' in the northern tropics quite like the splendid display of the Poinciana.

Another common Summertime sight is the Cassia fistula, or Golden Shower Tree, in full bloom.  This is mine ... visible behind the Courtyard Garden beds.

It's holiday time for me now ... the school year is over and time to relax!  Unfortunately it's not a time when I can spend hours in the garden ... far too hot and sticky!!!  We've had the air-conditioning on for the first time since the end of last Summer so instead of whiling away the summer hours in the garden, I can now catch up with all those blogs I've been too busy to visit over the last few weeks.  

Hopefully, the work I've put in over the last few weekends preparing the garden for the onslaught of our summer will be enough to get all my beloved plants through the trials and tribulations of the next couple of months.  Fingers crossed!  At least I know my little selection of Bromeliads, Costus and Curcumas will get through ... they love this time of year.

I'm joining in Mary's meme Mosaic Monday, so make sure you pop over to check out all the fabulous mosaic.

I'm also joining in Noel's meme Hot, Loud and Proud, so please visit his blog as I know you'll enjoy seeing all the terrific posts there.

A Hot, Loud and Proud Flower Flaunt on Friday - mid-Spring Downunder.

It's first day of October and that's our middle month of Spring.   There's a clear bright blue sky today...

...  and the Lilies have started to appear in my garden.  So I'm joining Tootsie's Flaunt Your Flowers meme and Noels' Hot, Loud and Proud meme.

The first of the Asiatic lilies (Lillium x hybrida) - Matisse Collection has opened.  This is 'Dimension' with its stunning deep maroon flowers ... supposedly a Summer bloomer but it's getting a head start this year.  Maybe it's the atypical rain we've been having!!

This beauty really does offer such a brilliant contrast to all the green foliage in my Greenhouse/Shadehouse Garden.

Another lovely Asiatic Lily that has opened up just yesterday is the gorgeous 'Vermeer'.

'Dazzle' opened up a few days ago and it catches everyone's eye.

Another dazzling thing that has happened in my garden this week is the emergence of more blooms on my African Tulip Tree - Spathodea campanulata.  I have never seen it flower twice in the same year before ... I'm putting this one down to the strange weather we've had this year as well.

The Angelonias are in full bloom once more ... I just adore the white variety.

All of my New Guinea Impatiens are in full bloom right now as well ...

... and it's great to see Caladium flowers again.

There's some great foliage colour in my Greenhouse/Shadehouse Garden at the moment, so I thought I would end off with a little glimpse into the tropical jungle out there.

 For other great Flaunt Your Flowers/Fertiliser Friday posts, go over to visit Tootsie's meme:
Flaunt Your Flowers...

... and then have a look at lots of colourful posts on Noel's meme: Hot, Loud and Proud

The Hot, The Loud and The Proud ... Ixoras.

I'm joining in Noel's meme today by sharing the wonderful Ixoras I grow here in north-eastern Oz.  For other great posts on 'The Hot, The Loud and The Proud' please visit A Plant Fanatic In Hawaii

One of the most common shrubs in a tropical garden has to be Ixora coccinea.  I have a very tall specimen that is just over 3 metres tall now ... it puts on a fabulous display all year round.

The red blooms really do catch your eye.

I also grow the brilliant dwarf 'Twilight Glow' with its fabulous two tone apricot colours.

Looking close-up you can see the colours.

I have another lovely dwarf Ixora in my garden ... it's the rather more understated 'Sunshine Yellow'. 

While it has these lovely pale lemony yellow flowers for most of the year ....

 ... right now it has these marvellous berrries.

Another lovely Ixora that's growing in my garden and flowers all year round is the 'Raywards Pink'.

I also have the dwarf white Ixora ... Ixora chinensis 'Peggy'.

A recent purchase is this Ixora with variegated leaves.  It gets lovely yellow flowers but, as yet, hasn't bloomed.

The Hot, The Loud and The Proud ..... Cordyline.

This is my all-time favourite cordyline.  It's such a no-nonsense, fuss-free plant in a tropical garden ... and it rewards you with fabulous colour all year round through the rain, the drought, the heat, the fierce sun, the stifling humidity and even the arrival of hungry hordes of enormous grasshoppers!  No matter what the seasons throw at this plant, it always comes back!

My contribution to the meme hosted by Plant Fanatic in Hawaii The Hot, The Loud and The Proud

Presenting  ... Cordyline 'Red Wings'.   (You can click on the photos to get an enlarged view)

Up close .....

... and personal!