Palmy weather? It is indeed. Some, not all of the palms in my garden are flowering. The pale green flower in the center of this vase is from the Adonidia or Christmas Palm. I am not sure why so many Floridians feel compelled to cut the flowers off their palms. This one will bear red fruit at Christmas that looks like ornaments for the tree, hence the name. And the flowers are so unusual and eventually provide food for wildlife. More unsolvable mysteries for the Florida gardener.
Here is the flower as it first appeared, I cut it because it was broken somehow and hanging onto the trunk by a thread. My friend Eddie grew the palm from seed. It is now 10 feet tall and flowering, I am so pleased and can’t wait for the Christmas ornaments.
A closer look at the flowers. In pale green, the Adonidia Palm (Adonidia merrillii); the orange flowers with berries are from Firebush (Hamelia patens); long burgundy foliage is from Blanchetiana Bromeliad (Aechmea blanchetiana) and the burgundy leaves are from Copperleaf (Acalypha wilkesiana)
In addition to being Palmy, it is also pretty balmy here in South Florida. So far, I am enjoying the summer and the butterflies, mostly in the late afternoon looking out the window whilst having a glass of wine on the sofa.
The Shrub Queen 
I love your title. The best way to view your garden on a hot afternoon is from inside. I have views from my favorite chairs.
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Thanks and yes, I agree. I have planted Heliconias around the windows so I can see the flowers hanging outside. Of Course – no flowers as of yet!!
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That arrngement jumps put and demands attention. Took a moment to see why it is so insistent…achtung! the regal purple bromeliad and its martinet Lt. Merrill have so commanding in contrast with the firebush and copperleaf rable, all lined up in near symmetry yet hanging down in a bit of defiance to the bromeliad king.
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Laughing, George. Not a German thought in my head when I put this one together. Though, you got the concept. Thanks.
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Your vase is as tropical as ever and that stunning blue butterfly just emphasizes the environment you live in – palmy and balmy indeed!
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That’s me – Palmy and Balmy.
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😁
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Some lovely tropical mugs.
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Thank you
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I love the burgundy colors in this arrangement, Amy. The strong vertical element in the bromeliad and the opposing drape of Acalypha, along with the hints of burgundy in the Firebush tie it all together. Very nice!
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This is a dramatic vase full. Love the colors. Happy IAVOM.
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Thank you, getting in touch with my inner movie star I guess or the sum of 4 decades of drawing Landscape Plans..
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I think your vases are getting more dramatic with every passing week, Amelia! The orange firebush flowers look fantastic against the dark burgundy backdrop. I must find myself a Hamelia.
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You need a Firebush. Today is my long gone mother’s birthday..channeling drama from the great beyond.
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Dramatic and so exotic, to me! I can visualize the ‘Christmas ornaments’!!
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Thank you, give me til December and we will see what is in that vase!
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Yours are always the most lush and tropical looking. I would say they are exotic, but I know that word means something else in horticulture.
In Southern California, to here as well, we remove flowers from palm trees before they make messy fruit. We like to get queen palms before they even bloom, because the bloom is so messy, even without fruit.
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