Monday marks the beginning of summer in the US with the first holiday weekend of the season, Memorial Day. Memorial Day honors those who have served our country. My nephew, Jake is currently serving in the Army. My father served during World War I and my oldest brother, Warren during the Vietnam War. Thank you to all who served.
My vase this Monday reflects our flag. Red, white and blue in a red vase. The first named storm of the season, Alberto, is blowing through this weekend , so I tiptoed through the thunderstorms and wind to pick flowers.
The vase is sitting on the cabinet that holds my father’s crystal collection. In the vase – in blue, Plumbago (Plumbage auriculata), Angelonia (rescued from the death rack at Lowe’s); in red, spikes of Tropical Red Salvia (Salvia coccinea); Coral Plant (Jatropha of some sort); in white Tropical Gardenias (Tabernaemontana divericata) and spikes from the Sweet Almond (Aloysia virgata) and a white Tropical Red Salvia (it happens).The American flag was crocheted by my mother in law many years ago.
I have been writing about my native pollinator garden. I witnessed my first butterfly birth this weekend. I am fairly certain this started from the Corky Passionflower in the garden. This is a Gulf Fritillary butterfly, it emerged from it chrysalis, sat for a while then dried its wings and flew away. I had some difficulty getting a clear picture.
The Shrub Queen 
A beautiful vase for Memorial Day…..lots of fireworks-type blooms popping out all over. And how exciting to witness a butterfly birth!
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Thanks, I found Black Swallowtail caterpillars this afternoon.
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I put my vase together at the end of the week completely forgetting it would appear on the holiday. I love that your vase uses pale blue. You still get the all-American colors but in a nice subtle way.
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A lovely elegant combination of red, white and blue. A storm is about to break here now too though nothing on your tropical storms!
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Thanks, I hope you have a nice gentle cooling rain!
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Great job.
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Thanks, Flower.
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A pretty vase for the day. Memorial Day always feels so sad to me when I think of the millions who have died in war and struggle to find a positive feeling to hold onto. I guess gratitude for their sacrifice and peace that we enjoy would do.
It seems that the storm season is starting early this year. 😦 Hope the wind isn’t too bad in your garden.
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Thank you and I agree with you. May tropical storms are not unheard of. The predictions just get kind of absurd after a while. Here is mine. It is summer, we’ll have some storms. Winds were 20 mph so far, so good.
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I like your forecast better – at least it is honest. 🙂
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Lovely. I especially like the blue and white combination near the bottom. Hope Alberto fizzles quickly.
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Thank you,I like the way the Plumbago falls there, total serendipity.
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I really like your Mom’s flag. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a crocheted one. Did she design it?
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She could crochet just about anything and usually used directions, beyond that no clue.
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What an artful arrangement, Amelia! I love the soft blue of that Plumbago. The 2 plants I put in pots seem to be reluctant bloomers but then perhaps they’re not getting enough sun. Good catch with the butterfly. The Gulf Fritillary is the most common butterfly in my area but I’ve yet to see any at all this season.
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Thank you. I am not sure about Plumbago, it blooms anywhere and everywhere here – when I used it as a container plant years ago it was really shy about flowering. Plant it! There is a fair amount of it thriving in unirrigated sand. Hmmm, need some Passionflower for the butterflies?
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Ah, I wondered what Memorial Day was commemorating. Good to see your tribute of red, white and blue – and a white Red Salvia!!
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Your vase is beautiful with all it’s patriotic color. As an Army veteran, I appreciate your beautiful gesture on this remembrance day. Praying your nephew is safe.
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White Tropical Red Salvia? Now, I like white, but don’t you think that is taking it a wee bit too far? . . . like white blue bonnets, or white red buds.
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Weirdly Tropical Red Salvia can be red peach neon orange or white. I like the peach but have never managed to get the seeds.
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I think it is a really good idea remembering all those who have served; in the UK we remember those who gave their lives but remembering everyone seems much better to me. Your vase is a lovely tribute .
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Is that earlier than usual for tropical storm season? I love those salvias, especially the white (red) ones!
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The storm ended up considered subtropical, rain and 40 mph winds. Hurricane season starts on Friday. So, I guess Alberto was a week early. The Salvia I enjoy seeing what color is going to pop up next.
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A nice vase for you Memorial Day tribute. Do you think we are every going to have a full day of sunshine anytime soon? All the plants are certainly well watered but would love a little sun, I’m sure.
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Thank you, Sun? I seem to remember that!
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