I went in search of some cheerful colors for my vase to offset the dark cloud cast over me by my trip to the grocery store. People were wearing masks mostly and everyone was behaving well except one guy fondling the fresh corn that really annoyed me (I wanted some, bought some, brought it home and stripped the outer leaves off and washed it) Fresh corn is fantastic this time of year in Florida. Yecch, I could tell it was good by just looking. No need to fondle the corn.
Back to the garden. I was surprised to find Leonitis (the lion) in flower. I think this is my new favorite and I will have a lot more next year. Another unusual plant, Coral Jatropha is flowering in response to our rain this week. I think the vase ended up looking a bit architectural. Here is a closer view:
The orange flowers are the Leonitis (Leonitis nepetifolia); grey, fuzzy foliage is from Licorice Plant (Helichrysum petiolare); red flowers in front are from the Coral Plant (Jatropha multifida); the brown ‘branches’ in back are dried flowers from Adonidia Palm (Adonidia veitchii). The vase is a thrift store find. The green pods on the Coral Plant are seed pods.
Thanks to everyone for the Happy Anniversary wishes. Dinner had a few revisions – Lamb Chops with Onion and Red Pepper Gravy and Mashed Potatoes followed by Rum Cake.
To see more vases from around the world visit our hostess, Cathy, at http://www.ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com.
The Shrub Queen 
Theatrical for sure and why The Lion King came to mind I do not know…The dark vase too is a great choice. Happy Anniversary.
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That is funny, The Lion King! maybe it is the Leonitis. Thank you.
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Your vase is stunning. I grew Leonitis for before and forgot about it. I should try it again.
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Thank you, I had never seen Leonitis before living in Florida. I will have seed soon if you want some.
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Thank you, but they are easy to get here. I have a “problem” that I want to grow every plant that I see. Thankfully, I am good with just one cat.
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It’s an absolutely wonderful vase (I love Leonitis and the Jatropha multifida is rather startling), but what I shall take away from you today is the image of someone ‘fondling the corn’!
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Thank you, that corn thing, not good..The Jatropha is startling, I wish you could see the plant it looks like multi trunk marijuana.
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Wish I could see it too – it is definitely psychadelic!
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Your anniversary meal looks delicious (esp. the cake)!
I like the arrangement and the Jatropha very much – what a pretty thing.
Grocery shopping has never seemed so perilous, right? One needs a good stiff drink upon returning (after decontaminating everything, including ourselves, ha)!
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Thanks, more mad tropicals…we just had another piece of cake..yeah, drinking to steady the nerves after shopping seems like a viable plan. A college friend told me I was too old to be out shopping!!
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You chose the right vase to show off these colours Amy! And the silvery layer of foliage between the colourful flowers is really effective. 😃 Hope you don‘t have to go shopping again soon. I have managed to keep it down to once every 8 to 10 days!
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That must have taken some work to get the licorice to stay in position like that. It is not my favorite, so it is amusing to see it look so good in floral design. You know, I dislike lemon bottlebrush so much that I never really expect it to look good. However, when I see someone cutting the blooms, I really notice how pretty and colorful they are.
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There is a flower frog in the bottom of the vase to make the flowers stand up. I have one Licorice Plant every year in containers, they generally melt in summer here but I love the texture. I think Bottlebrush is invasive here, there are few around here more common on the west side of Florida
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That is such a pretty arrangement. Great balance and colors. I’ve seen Leonitis at our local botanical garden–interesting plant.
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Thank you, I had never seen one until I moved to Florida, not common in the Southeast, I guess though they have them in Texas. There is a tropical perennial version L. leonurus a bit prettier plant.
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