For me, it is always a bit strange being in South Florida during the holidays. I spent most of my life in a place that experiences winter. Yesterday I found myself in the grocery store dressed in shorts and a tank top, surrounded by gaping tourists and listening to Christmas carols play in the background. While driving home I noted my neighbors planting Poinsettias in their yard for holiday color. Odd. Clearly a holiday vase was in order.
The big red flowers are Nodding Hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos); red spikes are Tropical Red Salvia (Salvia coccinea); red star shaped flowers are Heirloom Pentas (Penta lanceolata); white spikes are from the sweetly scented Sweet Almond Bush (Aloysia virgata); white stems are from Adonidia Palm (Veitchii merrilli); white daisies are from Spanish Needles (Bidens alba) ferns are from the native Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata).
The vase is another oddity found by the side of the road in my neighborhood, likely a historic florist vase from the 1980s. With all the red and green in my vase…my Christmas spirit is cranking up a bit. Maybe my holiday mood will improve once my neighbor puts the flamingoes out. Yes, there is a sled and Santa that goes with it.
Didn’t I say it was a bit strange in South Florida during the holidays?
At least the Nodding Hibiscus looks a bit like a Christmas ornament.
Happy Holidays! To see more vases from around the world go to http://www.ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com.
The Shrub Queen 
It is sometimes hard to get into the decorating mood when it is sunny and warm out. On the other hand with no snow, the decorations here are usually over the top.
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Indeed! and flamingoes are the Christmas thing here.
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Lovely Queen
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Thank you, Flower. You must be a Poinsettia this week.
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Nice work, very festive! Funny flamingoes, why not? I like the tropical answer to the snowy Christmas card: Santa, wearing sunglasses, Bermuda shorts and a colorful Hawaiian shirt, sipping an umbrella-accented drink. 😉
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Thanks, Eliza – it’s going down to 44 here tonight (about as cold as it gets). Freezing in Florida.
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Ooh, chilly for you! Stay cozy!
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Yes, our long haired cat got under the covers last night, I had to laugh if the cat was cold.
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Ah well, flamingoes to mark the start of the festive season…as good as anything else, I suppose! I like your alternative Christmas vase though, which is infinitely preferable to poinsettia!
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Yes, Poinsettias are kind of boring.
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If I am given one I usually give them away – discreetly of course!
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I saw this n your Instagram account and loved it!
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Thanks, Dorris
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Love your festive vase. I really like your pentas and occasionally have tried them. Mine are never that pretty. The white stem of Adonidia Palm is a great addition.
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I think Pentas need super well drained soil. Thank you, Susie.
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You’re well set with an ample supply of red flowers to mark the season. The Hibiscus would make a beautiful Christmas ornament. I look forward to seeing the entire flamingo ensemble.
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Thanks, Kris. I should figure out how to make ornaments from flowers like that for profit!
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I love your festive arrangement Amy. The hibiscus is fabulous. I don’t know about the flamingos though.
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Thank you, Liz. I feel the same way about the flamingoes. This lady does dead ghost pirate displays at Halloween, bit off putting that.
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Palm bloom is rad. I don’t know the Adonidia palm. There are so many different palms in Florida that do not do well here.
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Thanks, Tony. it is a tropical/humid palm. Native to the South Pacific somewhere. I think of the California palms as desert palms. I have a Phoenix roebellini as well. You probably know that one!
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Yes, I know Phoenix roebellini. I have grown only one, but would like to grow it again. It used to be rare. The palms here must contend with minimal humidity. However, the native desert fan palm does not do well at all near the coast. Even in the Santa Clara Valley, it does not do well where it gets watered through summer.
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