It’s not white hot in South Florida. Yet. The fragrant white flowers are in bloom and some soothing fragrance for the house seems necessary (read, for me!). I decided to add some hot colors for spice and put them in a crystal rose bowl from my mother. I am not sure it has ever held roses during my tenure, certainly not while in South Florida. Roses can be grown here, but it is a lot of trouble and I would rather have the tropical flowers. Honestly, I would never do the amount of tending roses would need here. Here is an easier and much more forgiving fragrant flower, the Bridal Bouquet Frangipani. Shove a few cuttings in the ground and they reward you with six foot semi evergreen foliage and fragrant flowers for months.
Bridal Bouquet Frangipani is a favorite of mine, and oh, so easy to grow. It joins some other fragrant friends in my vase this Monday.
The Bridal Bouquet Frangipani (Plumeria pudica) is on the right side. The fragrant friends, in white, are Tropical Gardenias (Tabernaemontana diviricata) hanging over the side and Sweet Almond Bush (Aloysia virgata) spikes in the background. The hot colors, in red, front and center, the Red Guzmania Bromeliad; the red bells are Russelia equisetiformis, sometimes called the Firecracker Plant. Purple flowers are from Mona Lavender Plectranthus, and the purple foliage is Little Ruby Alternanthera. The ferns, much as I enjoy them in vases are the weed, Asian Sword Fern.
Thanks every week to Cathy, who hosts In a Vase on Monday at her blog http://www.ramblinginthegaarden.wordpress.com. Follow the link to find more vases.
The Shrub Queen 
The Plumeria sound like a great plant that is easy to grow and fragrant. They are not so happy where I am, but I think they will grow near the coast.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My sister lives closer to downtown Houston. One of her neighbors has an incredible Plumeria collection – and does a crazy amount of work for it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am amazed what a difference 40 miles makes. We are just a tiny bit colder up here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes.. same here.though the plumeria guy keeps his in the garage in winter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your scented plumeria sounds lovely, fragrance in the garden (and house) are so welcome. Love the stop light effect the Red Guzmania gives. Another great vase this week!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Eliza. That Guzmania is a bit of a showstopper.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You make the frangipani sound such an asset to have in a garden, but at least I can have the roses and their fragrance here instead (and without too much tending)! I can hardly believe how white the frangipani is, but yes, you said white hot… With your brighter tropical additions it really sizzles đ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you – I envy your ease with roses. I doubt I will ever plant any.
LikeLike
The curving display of the the lovely Bridal Bouquet Frangipani is just perfect. What a nice pure white. Lovely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, a plant I enjoy.
LikeLike
I love the way those dark green shiny leaves reflect the light and show off the lovely blooms.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the Tropical Gardenia foliage for the same reason…
LikeLike
I so admire your Plumeria, which I’ve yet to succeed in getting to flower here. I suspect I need to give up on growing them in a pot and actually plant them in the ground đ
LikeLiked by 1 person
yes, get a cutting and stick it in the ground. I am amazed at the resilience of the Plumeria.
LikeLike
It does sound rather delicious, although the scents are unfamiliar to me. How lovely to have such a pretty flower that is easy to grow AND smells good. The red flower is an eyecatcher at the centre too and I love the crystal bowl. đ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Cathy I am enjoying the fragrance
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Santa Clara Valley happens to be one of the best places in the World for roses, but no one takes care of them here like they used to. It is so sad. This region used to be famous for horticultural commodities. Now, most people rarely go outside, and when they do, they complain about it. Anyway, there are so many other flowers to grow there that you do not need roses.
LikeLike