The big leaf in this vase is from my Papaya tree. Papayas are easily grown here, the time from planting seed to picking fruit can be as little as 9 months. But, it’s always something in the garden. I like Hawaiian Papayas, smaller like pears, pink flesh and sweeter than their bigger cousins from the Tropical Americas. I planted some seed last year from a Hawaiian Papaya I had eaten, numerous seedlings came up and I selected three to plant in the garden. Hurricane Irma took out two and I was left with one reasonably good looking tree. I was elated when it flowered recently and then nothing happened, raisin like bits fell out when the flowers were finished. Turns out seedling Papayas can be male, female or both. This one is female, so fortunately I was able to buy a self pollinating Papaya that should pollinate both trees. Next year sometime. Maybe.
Joining the Papaya leaf in the arrangement are: in white, lower, Bridal Bouquet Frangipani (Plumeria pudica); in white, upper, Sweet Almond (Aloysia virgata); orange tubular plants are our native Firebush (Hamelia patens var patens); in red and yellow, Parrottflowers (Heliconia pssitacorum); at the top a few stems of Tropical Red Salvia (Salvia coccinea).
A closer view:
Here is the Papaya tree:
To view Papaya free vases from the world over, visit our hostess, Cathy at https://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com/.
The Shrub Queen 
That is interesting about the Papaya. Hopefully next year will be better.
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Hoping for future fruit.
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What a sweet little Papaya tree. Take care of that baby, Queen.
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She is doing fine, almost 6 feet tall in about a year.
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I loved seeing you tropical vase! These are all plants I would only be able to see in a conservatory.
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Thank you,sometimes I could use a conservatory.
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Your tropical vases are always a delight and this one is no exception. Beautifully done. Papaya foliage is gorgeous and, while they probably would never be able to set fruit in my climate, I’ve grown a few from seed just for the leaves. What a delight to see this in your arrangement today!
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Thank you, I have enjoyed trying all these tropicals, my garden gets madder by the week.
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The papaya has a very attractive leaf, something to enjoy in the absence of fruit, I suppose, and as always your tropical vase is a delight. The colours are shouting HEAT!
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Yes, thank you, the tree is worth having for the foliage alone. HEAT is the word.
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Your papaya leaf is a nice touch but it is still your pure white frangipani that takes my heart!
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Frangipani is irresistible.
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I threw all the seeds from a store bought papaya all around my yard. A year later, I had over 10 papaya trees. Not a fan of papayas, but they’re good in smoothies with pineapple.
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The trees have a great tropical vibe. I like Papaya bread and Papaya Pork stir fry.
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My colleague down south has many plumerias. I prune them when I go there in January, and make cuttings for his jobs. I always want to bring some back with me, but the little bit of frost we get is a bit too much for them. I figured that, although I can not grow a copy of each of them, I could grow one as a houseplant; so decided on the white one. I do not know what specie it is. It is supposed to be plain white, but it could have the small yellow center like yours. I do not care. It is my favorite of his various culltivars.
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So many varieties of Plumerias – so little time. I tried to grow them as a house plant further north to no avail. Not dedicated enough.
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I love the structure of this arrangement, Amelia. It made me think of a bird preparing to take flight for some reason. I so wish I could grow either the Plumeria or the Heliconia – and I’m sure my husband would be very happy if I grew papayas!
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Thanks, Kris. I had the same bird thought. I am hoping to grow some Papayas.
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Really very stylish. Love the bold shapes and colours.
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Thank you, the tropical plants have their own style.
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I always love your frangipanis – they are just sumptuous. I can hardly imagine a climate where real papayas grow. It seems quite incredible. You are lucky – or at least, will be once they get their act together.
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I can hardly imagine Edinburgh!
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Good luck with your papaya–I like the leaf shape. Also love the purity of the Bridal Bouquet Frangipani.
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Wow, this is a gorgeous arrangement – I love the way it sweeps top to bottom. What a kicker about the papaya. Sounds like you need a mini-forest to assure production.
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Thanks, Eliza.I think you just need one that is self pollinating. The trees are pretty funky anyway.
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