One of the components of this arrangement could be used to make jam..it’s the purple Beautyberries. The green fruit on the table is Florida Avocadoes from a neighbors tree. My grandfather referred to these as Alligator Pears, which makes sense to me now. It’s a sweeter, creamier version of the Hass Avocado. I have a Cuban Avocado tree in my garden, the fruit is similar just twice the size of the Florida version. My grandfather might have called these Alligator Footballs.
I didn’t set out to do a purple vase, it just evolved after I found the Ground Orchids blooming (Spathoglottis “Cabernet” small purple orchids in the middle). I added some peachy pink Tropical Red Salvia (Salvia coccinea) and Purple Beautyberry (Calliocarpa americana). Then some white accents, spilling over the side Sweet Begonia (Begonia odorata) the creamy white spikes are from Juba Bush (Iresine diffusa). Greenery is Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) and a burgundy Bromeliad leaf – Luca Neoregelia.
Now, if only one of my neighbors would make some Beautyberry Jam!
Happy Gardening and Happy Monday.
To see more vases follow this link to Cathy’s blog, ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com.
The Shrub Queen 
Have you ever eaten Beautyberry jam?
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No, it is reported to be unimpressive but pretty. This from someone who made pancakes with it.
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Maybe not worth the bother.
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Bragging rights. I would do it just because I have never seen a beautyberry before. I sort of wonder what jam or jelly made from the white beautyberry would be like; unimpressive and not even colorful.
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I was wondering the same thing as above. Those berries are just so dramatic.
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I have never eaten any. It is fairly commonly made but rarely sold anywhere. I hope my jam making friend will make some.
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Such dainty begonias! I am not keen on the big heavy blooms, but these are just lovely! So are your Beautyberry berries! Amanda https://therunningwave.blogspot.com/2019/10/this-summers-last-hurrah-in-vases-on.html
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The callicarpa berries are so gorgeous, but surely you would need an awful lot of them to make jam? The berries and the orchid blooms are set off perfectly by the green foliage – lovely, as always
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Thanks, yes a quart and a half of berries to make jam. I might have a cup or two. I suppose I could downsize the recipe as an experiment for ice cream sauce?!
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Let us know if you do…
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I will, more than curious now.
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Love the flow of this arrangement, high to low, perfectly balanced around those lovely orchids. Nice!
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Thanks, Eliza kind of swirling!?
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Another very pretty composition, Amelia! I do love those berries but then I’ve said that before. The ground orchid intrigues me. I planted one from another genus here earlier this year but thus far it’s done absolutely nothing – except not die, which I suppose is something…
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Thanks, Kris. I think the Ground Orchid did the same here and it usually flowers during cooler weather – it just takes its time getting going.
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Especially love that shiny green leaf with the avocadoes mirroring the colour. I had no idea Beautyberries are edible! I wonder what the jam tastes like?
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Thank you, the Beautyberries produce more fruit here than further north. I have a jam making friend who just got one..we may have to wait – I have heard they don’t taste like much, the jam is really pretty though.
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Hmmm. Jam ‘not tasting like much’ means it needs just one thing…a dash of spiced rum. Perfect for pancakes at a boozy brunch. It’s the ferns that caught my eye first, in your vase. Then I was led down to the orchids and begonia. Beautiful.
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LOL, I think you are right. Rum would be the thing, Thanks.
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Lovely. I adore that ground orchid. Didn’t know callicarpa berries could be made into jam. I planted one callicarpa and now I’ve several growing that I didn’t plant, but I don’t think I have a quart and a half of berries.
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I have been trying to judge how many berries I have.
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Well there is a surprise, I never knew you could make jam from callicarpa. Not that I could bear to pick my berries, I don’t have that many. Gorgeous colours, I love your orchids.
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Hi Liz, I think I will have to try making a small batch of the jam just to report on the taste?!
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