Rhonda Fleming Hayes

Lemon blossoms

Lemon blossoms! So excited to see (and smell) these after losing a harvest season due to the wild snowstorm/ prolonged cold that hit New Orleans in January 2025. 🌱🍋🍋🍋

Meet the author pic

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Given that I grew up in Southern California looking out at the Doheny Bay referenced in the Beach Boys song, Surfin USA!
Yes, that happens a lot and I just grit my teeth.

Thanks. Be glad you’re not a Kyle!

Didn’t dodge the Rhonda bullet. My parents went to see Rhonda Fleming at a USO show. That sealed the deal. Have never liked my name. Made sure my kids had better.

I was going to be Michael.

I’m reading Theo of Golden. So far an intriguing tale, but in the story Theo gives a bouquet to another character, with echinacea and narcissus. And we know those don’t bloom anywhere close to the same time. Do vegetation errors in books bother you too? 🌱

Camellia shedding petals

Camellia confetti 🌱

Cauliflowers at farmers market

Look at the beautiful cauliflowers at the farmers market this morning! 🌱

Christmas cactus

My Christmas cactus blooming right on schedule. 🌱

I wonder what they call it.

Liguria

You may know Ligularia as leopard plant or tractor seat plant, due to the distinctive foliage of several varieties. The yellow flowers that come in the fall almost seem like an afterthought. 🌱

Paper plant blooming.

Fatsia japonica, paper plant. Encountered it on a holiday home tour here in New Orleans. Such a striking specimen. 🌱

Small daisy-like flower

Aster or fleabane? My brain said aster to this little ground-hugging late-bloomer (growing in New Orleans schoolyard lawn) but my phone says fleabane, or specifically Santa Barbara daisy. My Seek app says aster or daisy, it can’t decide. It seems a toss-up. What are your thoughts? 🌱

Kalanchoe ‘Flapjacks’

Love the colors of Flapjacks kalanchoe on my daughter’s porch 🌱

Gorgeous!

Yes! You can preorder from Barnes and Noble, Rizzoli or independent bookstores!

Bleeding heart vine

Bleeding heart vine, Clerodendrum thomsoniae, enjoying the extra warm fall here in New Orleans. 🌱

Cactus sitting on a/c unit

Garden wherever you can. 🌱

12-16 inches maybe?

Trumpet vine at night

My daughter’s trumpet vine is a real drama queen. 🌱

Winter issue of Northern Gardener

Calling all cold climate gardeners! The winter issue of Northern Gardener is here.
I’m so happy to be back in the pages of NG. Be sure to see my story on the life-enhancing benefits of gardening. 🌱

Saw palmetto

Saw palmetto making pretty shadows at the pizza joint. 🌱

Book cover for my new book, Garden for Life

Book cover reveal!
I’m thrilled to announce that my new book, Garden for Life: STRATEGIES FOR EASIER, GREENER, MORE JOYFUL GARDENING AS WE AGE is available for pre-order. Find the link in my bio. 🌱🌱🌱
Pre-orders help publishers and bookstore predict sales, and help build momentum. I’d appreciate it.

La de L.A!

I can’t believe it grows so well with all the rain and humidity here.

Mexican bush sage

The velvety, bright purple flowers of Mexican bush sage, Salvia leucantha, blooming in my New Orleans front garden. A butterfly favorite. 🌱

Brugmansia but yeah, still toxic.

Lol, yes they do attract them.

Angel trumpet flower

Back in New Orleans for the winter. Angel trumpets are still blooming all over the city. 🌱