Many Mondays I wonder how many gardeners out there recognize the flowers I grow in my garden…because, it is some pretty weird stuff and I will try just about anything. Gardening in South Florida can make you rethink the limits of what is possible or pull some hair out cuz you can’t figure out how to make it work.
Bass ackwards describes the seasons here. This may be a Southern term. Not sure of the origin; though I suspect it is a more polite version of Ass Backwards. A few examples. Mid summer, in South Florida, fresh corn on the cob and tomatoes are not available as it is too hot for plants to pollinate. In January, tons of both, and green beans and on and on. A fiesta of fresh vegetables, citrus and avocadoes in winter. I eat from my freezer in summer and gorge on fresh in winter. Bass ackwards.
Flowers are another story. We are approaching the height of the Atlantic hurricane season, it is raining and things are blooming. The reason, my guess, producing flowers utilizing rain while they know it is available, plants being smarter than we are. Our dry season starts the end of November.
The weird stuff in my vase:
The red flower, Aechmea miniata Bromeliad; blue flowers, Mystic Spires Salvia; the touch of grey foliage, a succulent, Graptosedum; white flowers ‘Miss Alice’ Bougainvillea.
The other side:
White and blue flower; Hallelujah Billbergia Bromeliad; green tropical foliage is a small Split Leaf Philodendron (P. selloum) from the garden. The vase in an old candlestick holder from Crate and Barrel.
Thanks to Cathy at http://www.rambliningthegarden.wordpress.com for hosting and Happy Gardening. Follow the link to see less weird vases.
The Shrub Queen 
This is nicely balanced and works well with the vase. Love the rich color combination.
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Thank you, Susie.
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Somewhat similar here with vegetables. It took this Yankee awhile to figure it out. I just came from up north, where plants are preparing for winter and some colored leaves are falling. But happily, I will be starting my lettuce garden soon.
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Yes, Labor Day always started the fall color season. There are 3 Red Maples around here. Not much fall color except berries. I just ordered seed starting mix for tomatoes. Looking forward to less heat.
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I remember this candlestick holder because when you showed it before I thought it could be a hyacinth vase – but as for your title I was flummoxed until I read further down and I see what you mean! As always, your southern blooms are really striking and you choose such an interesting collection of what is available, displaying it impeccably. Thanks for sharing, Amy
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Thank you, Cathy – I am pretty sure that is American slang. probably WWII era from my father.
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It seems to be the week for black vases, and boy does it set off those tropical flowers so very well.
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Thanks, Noelle.
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Well, I recognize ‘Miss Alice’ bougainvillea, ‘Mystic Spires’ salvia, Billbergia (although I do not recognize the species), Graptosedum and Philodendron. They are not so strange. Aechmea miniata is the strange one from my perspective.
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I think the A. miniata is strange too. I bought it without knowing what the flower was.
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“Bass ackwards” is a term I’m well acquainted with but that may reflect the diversity of SoCal culture rather than the origin of the term. Many of your tropical plants would probably be very much at home here if only we had more water 😉 I love the Aechmea miniata and the Billbergia, as well as the white Bougainvillea I’ve exclaimed about before.
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I think my father from New England is where I picked the term up. Who knows at this point. I garden on the driest soil in Florida, I think! I would love to have some of your humid intolerant plants here…
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The polite version of the expression is funny, but makes sense!
I always enjoy your unusual flowers, and really like the ribbon-like blooms of the Hallelujah Billbergia Bromeliad.
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Thanks, Eliza. The Hallelujah is quite a thing, purple green and white spotted foliage with red white and blue flowers…
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The expression is new (and odd) to me but I am slowly getting to know your plants and climate. It sounds challenging to have a garden where you are, but then I suppose every garden has its own challenges! The blue flower in the second photo is amazing. 😃
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