I decided not to do a vase after a rough weekend, emergency room visit at 2 am, etc. We had rain showers overnight, this Monday morning the sky is clear blue, sunshiny and warm. Some December mornings I really love South Florida.
I took a cup of coffee into my garden, met a lovely friendly cat (I put her outside the greyhound fence, though the dogs were fascinated) then noticed I should cut the Zinnias or they would stop flowering. A stroll through the tropical garden revealed the Tropical Hydrangeas had just started to flower.. a vase was calling and I answered.
Here is a closer view:
The pink flowers and green bud are Tropical Hydrangeas (Dombeya wallachii); Zinnias are Zinderella, grown from seed started in August; white flowers are Sweet Begonia (Begonia odorata ‘alba’); a few bits of Asian Sword Fern in back. The vase is a well loved thrift store find.
I wrote an article about Tropical Hydrangeas for The American Gardener, published in November. Here is a link if you would like to read more about Dombeyas. People like to call them Pink Ball Trees, I prefer Dombeyas! https://lscpagepro.mydigitalpublication.com/display_article.php?id=3813727&view=683131
Thanks to Cathy, at http://www.ramblinginthgarden.com for hosting and Happy Holidays!! To see more vases visit Cathy’s blog..
The Shrub Queen 
This is gorgeous. Question, do you always use florist foam?
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Thank you, Cynthia. No, I don’t even have any floral foam..there is a glass frog in there.
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Okay. Do you need several different ones?
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No, I think I have the frog because it belonged to my mother. I usually don’t use pins or anything..guessing I am freestyle! And I always stab myself on the pins..
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Beautiful flowers, wishing you a Merry Christmas
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Thank you, Happy Christmas to you.
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A very pretty Southern vase. I hope all is better.
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Thank you..it does have a Southern vibe – maybe the colors? So far, so good on the better. As Miss Scarlet said “Tomorrow is another day”
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Love the pink Dombeya blooms, which give the whole a nice, soft look. I love pink and green together. Hope all is well with you and yours. I guess you needed a little garden therapy today and the result is lovely.
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Thank you, Eliza. A jaunt through the garden was well worth it..so far, so good…2020 will be over soon!!
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Your vase came together beautifully… such a lovely shape and pretty colours. I hope all is well Amy. Best wishes for a Happy Christmas!
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Thanks, Cathy.. I just retrieved hubs from the hospital, a great Christmas gift! Happy Christmas to you..
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Wishing him a quick recovery Amy!
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Thank you – he is doing well and we are truly amazed at what medical professionals can do..
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Glad your husband is back home. Wishing you safe, healthy holidays and new year. Beautiful arrangement.
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Thank you and Happy Holidays to you, Susie. I am digging out of the hospital drama here. Thought of you today as there is a gigantic, audacious rabbit living in my front yard (driving the dogs crazy) and my rabbit fence is working!!
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Dombeya sounds like what it looks like. It sure is weird.
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I think Dombeyas are spectacular…did you get my note about the Tecoma seed?
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No, but I will look in the messages. (I do not really know how it works, or if I can respond to it.)
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oh, I collected some T.stans seed.
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OH! I got your message, but could not respond to it. I emailed my mailing address to your email. Thank you for the offer! It would be SO RAD to grow the straight species rather than the compact garden variety. The landscapes here are spacious enough that small trees would be more proportionate than compact shrubbery. I am not so keen on that ‘compact’ form anyway. Although they are spectacular too, they are a bit more ‘refined’. The straight species would be more appropriate for our woodsy landscapes.
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got it
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I love your Solstice vase. I adore your dombeyas. I am going to try them again in the greenhouse next year. Happy Christmas Amy
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Thank you, Liz…look up Seminole Pink Dombeya – they are much smaller but have a longer flowering period..Happy Christmas.
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