After typing in my title, I began to wonder what is the meaning of the word, Yuletide. Seems it goes back to Norse Gods and Germanic folklore, referring to the time around the Winter Solstice, predating the celebration of Christmas by a long shot. I will have to ponder that as I sit by a roaring fire (on the television) listening to Christmas carols, cat by my side and a greyhound at my feet. The task at hand, waiting for my holiday baking to cool, so I can pack it into tins.
Gardening in South Florida changes your perspective on holiday flower arrangements. Red and white flowers can be cut from the garden, greenery and berries as well. Our wreath this year was made with Blanchetiana Bromeliad flowers and foliage from Pandanus (Screw Pine). Here is the Florida version of Yuletide Greetings.
The flowers in my holiday arrangement are: in off white spikes, Juba Bush (Iresine diffusa), the red spikes are from Tropical Red Salvia (Salvia coccinea), darker red flowers are from Red Shrimp Plants (Justicia brandegeana), red berries are from Brazilian Pepper (Schinus terenbinthifolia), white flowers on the lower side are Sweet Begonia (Begonia odorata ‘alba’), gold sticks are twigs from native grapes, Vitis roundifolia. The finishing touch a leaf from my Papaya tree.
Happy Holidays to all, Yuletide or not.
Amy
The Shrub Queen 
A lovely Christmas wreath and arrangement… who needs evergreens? Hope your holiday is a sweet one!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Eliza..Evergreens are an entirely different thing here. Happy Holidays!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A very happy Yuletide to you and your family too. Your flowers add the perfect season colours but in an exciting way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The funky tropical version..Buon Natale!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous Christmasy colours, what a striking arrangement. I love your wreath too. Have a very happy Christmas Amy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you,Liz..Happy Christmas.
LikeLike
You’ve made the yuletide your own! I love both the vase and the wreath. Oh, to have that many bromeliad flowers – actually having any flowers whatsoever on my one and only Aechmea blanchetiana would be a complete thrill. A cat by your side and a greyhound at your feet sounds entirely Christmas-cozy to me. Have a merry one, Amelia!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Kris. Bromeliads are weird, they bloom and then they don’t, kind of like cats. Happy Holidays.
LikeLike
Perfect Christmas colours – love the wreath especially. Enjoy the festive period
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you
LikeLike
Oh, just papaya! When I first saw it in the first picture, I thought it might be sassafras, and was surprised that you would have it there. I recognize it now, as well as the Brazilian pepper. Sorry I missed all this earlier. I can not get to everyone’s posts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes and a female only papaya. No fruit..planted a male but he is not blooming yet. Sassafras grows about 50 miles north of me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, 50 miles is not all that far away. I was thinking that they were up in the Northern part of Appalachia. I am not familiar with them. I just know that they live in the same region as some of the other specie that I like, and in Central Pennsylvania. They are one of the more traditional American trees that I have never experienced. We have the California bay tree here, but it is really not at all similar, and is evergreen.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A lovely Christmas arrangement – I love those pepper berries. 🙂 Hope you had a Merry Christmas. Happy New Year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Cathy. Happy New Year to you.
LikeLiked by 1 person