Every gardener gets a few surprises. Some are better than others. I have been doing a lot of design work lately, hence the funky picture.
My summer surprises have been the good kind and primarily pink this week.
The Shell Ginger (Alpinia zerumbet) is in the pink champagne bottle a friend left after a holiday celebration, these are reported to flower three times a year – this is the first year for a second flowering, surprising me.
In the grey round vase, it seems the Garden Gods have rewarded me with a Pink Cactus Dahlia, not. My Dahlia quest continues.
This is one of my ubiquitous $5 garage sale finds. No one knows what the Bromeliad is or where to plant it, but one can be had for $5. For five bucks I got a wonderful surprise and there are pups. I think it is a Aechmea ‘fasciata’ variety- please let me know if you recognize it.
The leaves are from a nearby Sweet Begonia ( Begonia odorata)
The third vase has the survivalist pink and chartruese Alabama Sunset Coleus I had lost hope for and pink and white (yes) Tropical Red Salvia (Salvia coccinea). Another surprise.
My biggest surprise this week was the hatching of the rare Atala Butterfly in my Coontie (small shrubby palms)
The Shrub Queen 
What a fun selection of blooms – and butterfly news!!
LikeLike
Spectacular surprises this week! How delightful to see the hatching of a rare Alata butterfly. The Shell Ginger looks like pink champagne erupting from a freshly opened bottle and that little round vase couldn’t be more perfect for the bromeliad bloom. So many tropical treats!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a lovely burst of colour – the Shell ginger is exquisite!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, they look a bit like porcelain to me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The butterfly is really pretty. You were lucky to be there at the right time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had been lurking in the shrubbery for a day or two.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I remember hairstyles in the 1980s that looked something like that bromeliad. You certainly have unique flowers in Florida! When I start growing houseplants again, I really want to grow coleus again. They were popular when I was a kid, but not in the garden, just as houseplants.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There are some amazing Coleus now. When I lived further north we used them in summer containers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a fabulous little butterfly! I’m finally seeing some in my own garden, probably thanks to the Zinnias, but successfully photographing one is another feat altogether. I do adore your shell ginger. I note that our summer humidity levels seem to be rising so maybe someday I can grow ginger too….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Butterfly gardening is easier than butterfly photography! The Shell Ginger just keeps getting bigger.
LikeLike
Wow, that butterfly is stunning – what a treat! As is the $5 bromeliad that has turned into several – a good deal, I’d say!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The butterfly took two days to emerge and they are known to hatch in the morning. I am happy about that Bromeliad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amazing displays! Well done, you!
LikeLike