This vase was inspired by Cathy’s Advent Wreath (from Words and Herbs in Bavaria). I started working on it thinking I could use Podocarpus (Japanese Yew) as a base for a wreath. Unfortunately, most of my Podocarpus was weed whacked. Accidently and by my husband. I decided it would be best for the plant if I left it to grow. Oh, well. Plan B.
I determined that the wreath wasn’t possible without the Podocarpus and decided to use some other plants in the holiday concept and ended up with this bowl, which looks more Hawaiian than Advent to me. Hence the Mele Kalikimaka – Merry Christmas in Hawaiian and difficult to spell.
The base is Sea Grape leaves (Coccoloba uvaria). The green berries are Sea Grape as well, red berries are, I am afraid, the scourge of South Florida, Brazilian Pepper, and invasive plant that has well, nice berries. People are allergic to these plants, so be careful. The other plants in the composition are White Frangipani (Plumeria) and Boston Fern.
The Shrub Queen 
Simple and exotic – to me anyway – love the Merry Xmas from Hawaii – hope to go there one day.
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I love Hawaii, I hope to go back there soon!
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Fabulous…I adore the title of your vase…one of my favorite carols. And I love seeing the foliage and berries used in other parts of the country! Very creative.
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Thank you
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A lovely and clever arrangement. I am taking a second and third look at how you put these arrangements (including the last one) together. One day, I’ll get better at this!
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Thank you, this one is all about texture and contrast.
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You did a wonderful job creating an advent-style vase out of local materials!
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Good title – Advent style vase, thanks.
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Fascinating to see this alternative material that you have come up with – and the title was a tease until we knew what it meant!
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Merry Christmas in Hawaiian, somewhat obscure, maybe an American thing? Not sure, but someone mentioned a popular carol by the same name that I wasn’t aware of.
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Marvelous creation – it’s beautiful!
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Thank you
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Its so interesting to see what can be used in the way of foliage and other material…Your arrangement is both traditional but very exotic at the same time.
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It looks beautiful and very Christmassy to me. You’ve inspired me to try something like that with holly, although it will have green berries, and maybe red and white penstemon.
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Thank you, love the penstemon idea
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This is lovely – so festive and exotic at the same time. Those pretty pale pink flowers are just gorgeous, and the shiny leaves as a base set everything off beautifully. Thanks for the mention and so glad you were inspired! 🙂
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Thank you!
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Nice composition Amelia…and durable.
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Thank you, George and thanks for following the blog, I am honored.
The Sea Grape is actually not a great cut flower – lasts about 5 days then ugly brown. I think it would make a great wreath, probably for a day or two.
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