It’s an oddly dreary day in South Florida, making it feel more like the holidays to me. I decided to do a mini forest basket for this second week of Advent. The forest idea sprang to mind when I saw the Christmas Palm seedhead from last week lost all its berries and looked like a birch tree in winter. I usually call these Adonidia Palm, this is one of those plants with several common names. The common name can be Christmas Palm or Manila Palm, and my neighbors call them Triple Palms as many have three trunks. The botanical name is Veitchii merrilli. Below is a Christmas Palm with red fruit.
The arrangement has the white stalk from the Christmas Palm seedhead. Red flowers are from Heirloom Pentas (Penta lanceolata); red berries are from the evil Brazilian Pepper (Schinus terebinthifolia) – the Peppers are invasive in South Florida to the point it is illegal to plant them. I have gotten rid of mountains of these things, but there are always a few lurking and using them in flower arrangements saves Florida a few in the woods. The ferns are: Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) in the back and Asparagus Fern around the edges. Both are volunteers in the garden. A closer view:
The basket is a thrift store find and the gold cat is in honor of Mr. Bob, our resident Bobcat.
Feeling a bit more Christmassy this week. Maybe a tree and wreath on the front door next week.
For vases from around the world, follow this link to http://www.ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com.
Happy Gardening.
The Shrub Queen 
It is hard to get into the Christmas spirit when the heat is on and flowers are blooming. Your pentas are looking good, mine took a hit from a frost.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is, I am getting there, thanks for the snow pictures!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We played Christmas music while up north and now I feel like it is over.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can relate..
LikeLike
This is fantastic, I love it, one of your best! A mini-forest. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Eliza.
LikeLike
Oh that white stalk is stunning – the star of your forest! – but the overall effect of your red and green is stunning
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Cathy.
LikeLike
I love your starry red blooms! They must be helping get you in the Christmas spirit! And I very much like your container! Amanda
LikeLike
Nicely done! Your forest came together very well and Mr Bob’s stand-in is a wonderful touch. I love the red Pentas, which clearly like your climate much better than mine.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Kris. I am enjoying the Pentas and want to see mr. bob. My dogs bark at him at 3 am, I have seen tail and swoosh.
LikeLike
Oh my. This is just lovely Amelia! Love the concept and your skillful interpretation.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Susie, thank you for getting it~~I may send you some Alstroemeria.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The branch bereft of its foliage is very effective. And with the red flowers and berries it all looks rather Christmassy! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the white (probably a stem?) as well. thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the effect of the fern foliage with the reds of flowers and berries! And thanks for talking about the plants – so interesting. Christmas is imposing itself here. I am decorating two trees today, instead of planting them in the garden.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have a tiny tree and am going to decorate it with shells.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Evil Brazilian pepper? I know they can be prolific in the Los Angeles region, but I do not think of them as invasive. Florida must have more of what they want. I never was too keen on them anyway. They really don’t look like much. Their only advantage is that they are so easy to grow.
LikeLike