The flowers I started the arrangement with seemed especially vivid today. Maybe it’s the overcast skies or the first flowers of the season make them feel more vibrant; but the Nodding Hibiscus (at the bottom of the arrangement) looks really red (to me). I added the big green leaf (White Bird of Paradise) to calm things down; then realized it was getting a little Christmasssy – that is probably not a word.
Back to the garden, I love a little grey-green in anything and spotted spiky seedheads forming on the Leonitis. Cut the biggest ones and they are sharp like a pinecone. Red, green, yellow and black varigated foliage should be celebrated, so I added a cutting of Mammey Croton and for more red, a sprig of Firecracker Plant. Four plants produce a lot of punch in one little crystal vase.
Closer views: My oldest brother, who passed on several years ago, gave me the heavy crystal vase for Christmas. I have enjoyed it and think of him with each use.
The spikey ball is the going to seed flower of the annual Leonitis (Leonitis nepetifolia). I am a bit confused about this plant. There is another one, considered perennial in Florida called Leonitis leonurus. One or the other or perhaps both seem to be smoked by people in Africa for fun. Something called Dagga. I am not smoking it, like Bill Clinton, I was not meant to inhale. (American joke, sorry – Bill swore he never inhaled Marijuana, despite admitting to smoking it)
The multicolored foliage is from Mammey Croton (Codiaeum varigateum ‘Mammey); fine textured grassy foliage with red bell shaped flowers is Firecracker Plant (Russelia equisetiformus); red flowers are Nodding Hibiscus (Malvaviscus penduliflorus) and the big green leaf – White Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia nicolai).
Greens, reds, golds and textures in a vase on Monday. To see more vases visit Cathy at MORE VASES
Happy Gardening.
The Shrub Queen 
I always like to test my plant knowledge when I look at your arrangement. I thought the hibiscus was turk’s cap. Otherwise, I did pretty well on the rest.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Some people call it Turks cap, last year a local nursery owner called it Nodding – I thought that was a wonderful name and started using it. Do you grow the Leonitis?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh…that explains it, as I thought it was Turks Cap. No I do not grow it. Does it get large?
LikeLike
Wouldn’t a botanical artist love to paint your beautiful collection and arrangement of plants? There is a great variety of textures and form in green to balance the vibrant red.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Noelle. I have yet to find that artist!
LikeLike
I love the striking red and green contrasts here and I know what you mean by ‘Christmassy’ but I think we are far enough from Dec 25th for it not to seem at all festive! I have grown Leonitis leonurus from seed (both white and red varieties) but they have shown no signs of flowering, although are stil alive!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, no Christmas in March then…I had not seen Leonitis until a few years ago, not sure why. It seems to do well here. The L.nepetifolia does anyway – I need to find some leonurus though I know some people that grow it.
LikeLike
Beautiful
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks
LikeLike
The Croton pulls all the elements together well. I wish I could grow Crotons but we ‘re just too dry for them – they drop all their leaves in protest. I grow Leonotis leonurus and have grown its smaller cousin, which is a short-lived perennial here. For the record, I’ve never smoked either…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, so interesting the differences in what grows in probably the same zone 10??
LikeLike
Brilliant use of color (pun intended)! The spiky heads of Leonitis are neat and I’ve always loved Russellia since seeing it in CA years ago. It’s nice that you have a vase from your brother, makes it all the more special. Have a great week ahead!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Eliza very punny.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You weekly vases get better and better. Love your use of strong color and texture. Fabulous.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! thank you.
LikeLike
Love your arrangement, it makes me think of an Audubon painting.
LikeLike
Is white bird of Paradise primarily a foliar plant like it is here? Some bloom nicely, although not with flowers that could be cut and put into a vase easily. I think of the bloom as merely a ‘potential’ bonus to the elegant foliage.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, this one hasn’t been around for very long.. foliage only for years probably. I would cut the flower.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Do you mean you would cut it just to remove it from the foliage, or you would cut to bring it in? It would not surprise me to see it in one of your ‘big’ vases. They are bulky!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would love to use one in a arrangement.. give it a few years..
LikeLiked by 1 person