From time to time I make an arrangement that generates comments like ‘it belongs in the lobby of a spa’. I think there is a relaxation vibe from some of the more tropical plants in my garden. I have been gardening madly to get my pollinator/fruit garden finished before the rainy season starts, so I could use a Spa Day myself.
Here is a close up, there is a lot of foliage in this vase. The flowers are; in red, Guzmania Bromeliad, in white, Lotus Leaf Begonia (Begonia nelumbifolia) – a recent addition to the garden, this Begonia gets 5 feet tall and wide. It has just started to flower and is really shooting up in size. The burgundy and green leaves are from Neoregelia Bromeliads, I am not quite sure of the variety. The thinner leaves are from a Varigated Minature Pineapple (currently bearing tiny pink pineapples). Bigger leaf behind is from the Ornamental Banana (Musa ensente). Ferns are from my driveway edge volunteer Boston Ferns (Nephrolepsis exaltata) and the volunteer Asparagus Fern. Vase is wrapped with a Pandanus leaf.
Here is my volunteer Boston Fern garden, I have a crushed shell driveway, the shells are held in place by wood timbers and there is an inches wide space between the driveway and my neighbor’s fence where the ferns thrive. I have really enjoyed this gift.
Happy Monday.
The Shrub Queen 
It seems as if everything is supersized in your garden – I would be dwarfed there! I like the added touch of wrapping a leaf round the vase today, a simple thing, but it adds even more class
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Thank you, Cathy. I thought those Begonias were crazy when I saw them in a botanical garden and I bought a cutting. They are not very common.
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Very nice! The bromeliad bloom and foliage are beautiful.
I didn’t realize begonias grew so big – a small shrub!
I hope you give yourself a treat when you finish your garden. 🙂
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Thank you, Eliza. Wine in the garden is on tap and a full body massage. The Begonia is something, I will post some pictures when it gets going.
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Oh, I really love the color and form of your Guzmania Bromeliad and the other bromeliad foliage. Nice arrangement.
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Thank you, Susie
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I think spas and salons decorate tropical blooms and foliage so often because they always look elegantly beautiful, just like your arrangements!
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Thank you, Kris.
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Such an unusual vase from a UK perspective – love the leaf wrapped round that glass – must remember that one.
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You always have such interesting plants in your arrangements. I am trying to imagine your enormous begonia. I love your fern.
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Thank you, Florida is filled with interesting and weird plants.
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A 5-foot tall begonia? Wow! Youbare right – a definite spa feel to this vase, maybe because of the glossy foliage and leaf wrapped elegantly around the vase. Very effective. 🙂
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Thank you, mine is only 3 feet tall, I will have to post a picture.
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The leaf wrapped around the vase is a very elegant finishing touch to your lovely vase. I just love the thought of your huge Begonia.
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Thank you, I love the occasional leaf wrap, but can’t stand the plant they come from. I wish I had taken a picture of the mother of my Begonia.
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The lobby of a spa is better than in a funeral parlor, which is why my colleague says about my gladiolus.
Your Boston fern looks like a common Nephrolepis exalta. I think of the Boston fern as the cultivar with the unusually pendulous fronds that used to be a popular houseplant, before the Dallas fern became more popular. Now, neither are very popular. It does not naturalize here, but the Nephrolepis cordifolia does. It is usually yellow, and gardeners shear it with hedge shears.
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Your arrangement does look like it would fit well in a spa, it does have a simple calm look about it.
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