This afternoon I have been glued to the television watching Hurricane Michael make landfall about 500 miles north my garden. The sheer size of these storms always amaze me. I can feel the hot breath from Michael flowing through my garden if I step outside. Praying for those in the storm’s path.
Earlier this week I went plant shopping – heading south to the numerous nurseries supplying South Florida. Much of the plant material grown in this area is too tropical for my garden, though I enjoy looking. This is ‘instant effect’ plant material, the above Heliconia is about 15′ tall – prices are not displayed.
This is a hanging basket filled with Medinilla myriantha, 3 or 4 feet wide and tall. These plants are famously difficult to keep. Usually a very expensive flower arrangement.
This is a pink and yellow unnamed Heliconia psittacorum. I could probably grow this one, but couldn’t lift the container it was in!
Huge, grey Bromeliad.
A Starfish Plant, variety lost to me.
Tiny Aloes.
I bought nothing at this nursery, but gained an idea for a palm tree with boots I was planning to remove (growing into power lines)
I can have the top removed and keep the trunk, then tuck Bromeliads, Ferns and Orchids into the pockets left by the boots. Like this:
A stumpery – in tropical mode.
The Shrub Queen 
Too bad most nurseries aren’t like they are in the PNW, where the creme de la creme of nurseries are (as Peter often shows on his site). At least you came away with a good idea for a ‘tropical stumpery.’ đŸ™‚
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I would find it hard not to buy something. I have been thinking about the storm too, knowing what everyone is going through. It is so big that schools were delayed along the Galveston area because of storm surge all the way over here.
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Geez, I do not remember a Hurricane in South Georgia like this. If you had been subjected to the third degree I was by the Madam running this place – you probably would have kept your money as well.
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Beautiful plants. The Starfish plant is Stapelia gigantea. I have it in my greenhouse, a gift several years ago from my lovely Martiniquan friend. I love the brown flowers but oh dear, the stench of rotting flesh!
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The plants were amazing.The scent from the Starfish flower was a bit much. I planted the Petunia exserta seeds for my winter garden-they came up in less than a week.
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Well done, I look forward to seeing them in bloom.
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Great idea for a tropical stumpery
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Thanks! will see how that works out.
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