Who is Dorian, you may ask? Dorian is the hurricane currently lashing the Bahamas that may or may not be lashing my house on Monday. This hurricane has been lurking around for at least a week and we are still wondering where Dorian will land.
We have had so much time to prepare I did not really have anything left to do and decided to make this wildly funky vase with flowers that would likely be destroyed by high winds. I had to take the vase outside to photograph it – the windows of our house are covered with the steel shutters seen behind the vase and it is dark and sepulchral inside. Too dark to photograph the nearly 4 foot tall arrangement, the vase is resting on my bath mat.
Here is a closer view. The orchids are Cattleyas, gifted to me by my neighbor. I may have saved them from an uncertain demise, they were being consumed by tiny ants, Not to mention potential hurricane winds. The orange and red flowers are the bud stalks from Blanchetiana Bromeliads (Aechmea blanchetiana) these will usually survive a hurricane and continue flowering but are bent over. The purple berries are Beautyberry (Calliocarpa americana) not sure if the berries will survive the wind. Time will tell. The foliage is a big leaf of Heliconia and two variegated Pandanus leaves.
Happy Gardening…Hope we meet next Monday. The winds are howling already.
The Shrub Queen 
Smart thinking to get a vase made before the storm hits. Bright and snappy, it’ll get you through the dark days ahead. How long does it take you to get the shutters up? Must be a big project, I imagine.
Thankfully, it looks like you’re going to get a swipe of an arm or two, but not the full brunt of it. Of course, who knows exactly what will happen? Stay safe!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The shutters have been up for two days.. over that period of time. A bit missing hope it is up tomorrow.. Thanks Eliza
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well I suppose Dorian has at least done something good if we get to enjoy this fabulous vase. I do hope Dorian passes you by, those steel shutters look like they’ll do the job. Our house is dark most of summer as we have the wooden shutters across to keep the sun out, not necessary downstairs as the wisteria keeps the rays of the sun out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Christina, we have been wondering about getting shutters (called Bahama shutters here) like that as these are a pain to put up and my husband has to do it they are heavy. I thought they would make the house too dark.Oh well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The shutters make a great backdrop.
Love the colour combo.
Let us know how Dorian behaves.
Keep safe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, next time we will have the behavior answer.
LikeLike
Latest news this morning is that Florida will receive a “glancing blow” – which still, I imagine, can mean very destructive wind and rain. My thought are with you – and hope to see you in this blogosphere next week. (Always love a decent Calliocarpa branch!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Chris, right now it is wind not a great deal of rain 2-4 inches – it changes hourly, so, we will soon see.
LikeLike
Fabulous arrangement. The Calliocarpa berries are nice. I’m trying to eliminate mine because new bushes are popping up all over the garden and are quite difficult to remove. Have been worrying about you and hope you can stay safe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Susie, i think this is going to be OK it is just dragging on forever. Interesting, I don’t think I have ever seen a seedling from the Beautyberry. A lot of mine end up in vases, though and that may cut down on the offspring.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So sorry you have to prepare and worry about Dorian. It seems to be just lingering off the coast trying to decide where to land. That must be torture to not know. Wishing the best for you and everyone along the coasts.
Your vase is lovely and I’m glad you were able to salvage some flowers before the storm. Stay safe!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, it is torturous at the moment and a bit boring.
LikeLike
I’ve been thinking of you. Hopefully, it won’t be too bad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you – right now it is reminding me of Harvey,just lurking offshore.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That looks great against the shutters, which accentuate the vertical elements of the arrangement – really striking Amelia. Do you have the shutters specifically for protection against events like Dorian and his brothers and sisters? Hope it proves just to be that ‘glancing blow’
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, it was the least windy place outside and is interesting. The shutters are just for hurricanes and prevent window glass breaking from wind and flying debris. So far, so good with Dorian here we are just getting the outer bands now, though the Bahamas look disastrous
LikeLike
Not very sightly, I suppose, but they presumably do the job they are meant to do. How are they attached?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed, one can buy hurricane glass windows here and are then advised to add shutters. There are threaded anchors implanted into the trim around the windows, the shutters have corresponding holes and are overlapped in pieces about 2 feet wide each room has a clear section so you can see outside during the storm. They are secured with wing nuts, my husband uses his drill to screw them on and take them off.
LikeLike
That’s really interesting, thanks for sharing the info
LikeLiked by 1 person
You may have found the ideal backdrop there for dramatic arrangements..of course a metaphor for what you and everyone else is going through…pleased to hear you have shutters. Praying for as little damage as possible. Keep safe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, it is a bit of drama for the dramatic!. So far so good here.
LikeLike
I’ve thought of you several times as I listened to news reports on Dorian’s progress. She’s certainly a storm to take seriously, as witnessed by what she’s done to The Bahamas. I hope she skirts you by and causes minimal, or preferably no, damage to your home and garden. Meanwhile, you did a nice job collecting refugees from your garden. Best wishes Amelia!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Kris. It is slow going here today. The Bahamas footage is terrifying.
LikeLike
A fabulous arrangement, really striking. Dorien is horrendous and it is terrible how it is hanging round the Bahamas creating such chaos. I read that it is heading your way this afternoon. Stay safe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. This is a horrendous storm.. I am afraid for the Bahamas. We’re getting some of the outer rain bands but mostly it’s passing us by.
LikeLike
I imagine the waiting and uncertainty is as disturbing as the storm itself. Just hope it weakens before it gets to you and that you are all safe and well-prepared. Lovely vase to contemplate to keep you calm. How do your dogs cope – can you go outside at all?
LikeLiked by 1 person
It passed by about 100 miles offshore. We had high winds for two days. Did not even lose power. Dogs and us go out between rain bands. Hopefully not getting hit by flying Palm fronds.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have some catching up to do. Monday was a few days ago. Hey, you know, those shutters really do make a nice backdrop.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, kind of industrial/tropical
LikeLiked by 1 person