This vase is the result of a happy accident in the front garden. Anyone who reads my blog will recognize the Parrotflowers (Heliconia psittacorum) as one of my favorite cut flowers. The Parrotflowers bloom nearly year round, are pretty indestructible and last a long time in a vase. The orange flowers in the front of the vase are from the Firebush (Hamelia patens var patens) that popped up behind the Parrotflowers making a stunning plant combination in the garden and the vase.
The vase (recently ‘found’) in the cabinet with the crystal, I thought it had been broken when we moved. This is a favorite of mine, a wedding gift from an old friend I worked with at the Architectural firm where I met my husband. We are still working on gardens together (his). Finding the vase again made me happy it didn’t have an accident! This vase takes a lot of tall flowers, so it is a dream container for big tropical flowers.
Speaking of cut flowers, these are recycled from last week’s vase. The Miniata Bromeliad flower and only the buds of the tropical Gardenia seem to be lasting well into this week in their smaller blue digs.
Thank you all for your suggestions to contact the editor of our local paper about a cut flower article. I sent a proposal in for writing an article and imagine my surprise when one appeared in the Sunday paper – not written by me and suggesting an all blue cutting garden. Really peculiar, but disturbing, coincidence.
Here is the interesting item of the week and a gift from a friend. The Pineapple Lily.
The Shrub Queen 
The Parrotflowers look right at home in that gorgeous vase. Strange twist to the newspaper story.
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Perhaps the vase was waiting for the Parrotflowers. I think newspaper people may just be strange.
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Yes, the parrot flowers are stunning and your re-found vase is perfect for them I always like to see the Firebush flowers too, and as you say they make a good combination. Your new bulb arrived in flower – not in the post, I trust? I didn’t read the article discussion, but this certainly seems a strange outcome
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Thank you. The Pineapple LIly arrived as a bulb last fall sometime and I planted it.
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I love those tropicals. I didn’t realize the Parrotflowers bloomed all year. I tried a Pinapple plant once and it didn’t make it, but they are really cool plants.
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The Parrotflowers will flower if they are happy – too dry or too cold things really slow down. The Pineapple Lily is a Zone 10 bulb(where I am) so I am envisioning a massive clump in a few years – fingers crossed.
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I will look forward to a picture of a massive clump!
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Wow! Exotic!
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Yes, one of my favorites.
Thank you.
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Beautiful. 🙂
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Thank you.
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I adore those parrotflowers and how nice that you found that beautiful crystal vase unscathed. NOT nice that the paper didn’t respond to you directly. The pineapple flower is lovely – I’m guessing that mine will fail to bloom again this year but I guess I should just be happy that the foliage reappeared.
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I adore the Parrotflowers as well. The newspaper people are so strange, they contacted me earlier this year to write some articles then completely blew me off. NOt nice or professional. The Pineapple Lily is a very new addition so I am watching!
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I love the cut-glass vase – it’s beautiful and perfect for the heliconia (which you know I adore). Pineapple lilies have a nice long bloom time and are interesting to look at. They are used here as an annual and brought inside by some.
I agree with about strange newspaper people. I once tried peddling my articles and the woman responded, “But we don’t KNOW you!” Huh??? Well, hell, I’ll come down and introduce myself if you want. Whatever!
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Thanks, I have moved some Heliconia (different type) thought about you….pictures if it works. The newspaper people? my background is construction really and men driving bulldozers have better manners which doesn’t say a lot for small town journalism-seems you had a similar experience and I love your articles. The Pineapple Lilies should grow (hugely) outside here, so we will see.
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I love those parrot flowers too! That newspaper sounds very odd. Luckily I am sure there are thousands of other publications that would no doubt appreciate your article, including foreign ones that would marvel at the gorgeous tropical plants you are able to grow in your location.
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Thank you
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Oh those heliconias, they are stunning and long lasting too. They look gorgeous in your glass vase.
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I know who gave us what as wedding presents and it is always fun to use those items and remember those days and friends. As a former newspaper garden writer, is it possible that it was a national wire story and really is a coincidence vs. someone using your ideas? I can understand someone using your query as the basis of a story, but normally they would include you and do an interview with you as the inspiration for the concept. Very distressing.
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It is fun, I am not sure the friend remembered, though I sent a picture! No, it wasn’t a national story – I find the level of professionalism in Florida somewhat less than what I am used to which probably explains everything.
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