Last Monday, a challenge was issued to celebrate the eighth anniversary of In a Vase on Monday. Cathy, founder and host of IAVOM, threw down the gauntlet. The challenge, for this week – create a vase without using fresh flowers.
May I present a completely inedible (to most people) berry parfait from my garden. I should invite eight birds, squirrels or lizards for a feast. The lizards are big in South Florida. People can eat these berries, most would chose not too. Tasty they are not.
The parfait is tall – 16 inches (40 cm). Our former house in Atlanta had a two story space in the living room. I kept huge vases in that room and have two tall vases I still enjoy from time to time. This is my first garden fruit parfait.
Closer views:
The top of the vase. The grey paddles are Flapjack Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe thyrsiflora) flowers. I have had Flapjacks around for so many years I am not sure of their origin. They grow in containers around my garden. I move them around – so easy to grow here. Green and red berries are from the Adonidia or Christmas Palm (Adonidia veitchii); another favorite of mine. This palm was grown from seed by a friend from Landscape Architecture school, Eddie, he gave me a palm seedling in 2013. The seedling is now 14 feet tall.
Purple berries are from Beautyberry (Calliocarpa americana). I bought the shrubs from a native plants nursery going out of business sale several years ago. The amount of fruit borne in the summer and fall continues to amaze me.
Dried foliage from past vases, Blanchetiana Bromeliads used to wrap jars, has been utilized in its curly state to hold stems in place as I was stacking the fruit and foliage. A few bits of Statice dried from flowers sent by a friend are visible in purple.
Happy Anniversary and many thanks to Cathy at http://www.ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com for hosting all these years. Follow the links to see more celebratory vases.
The Shrub Queen 
Love it! How long do you think it will last?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, I was wondering that as well. It has a really interesting fragrance.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is absolutely gorgeous Amy. My favorite ever! The Calliocarpa and other berries are set off perfectly by the shape and color of the Kalanchoe. Happy 8th.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Susie, Happy 8th from the mad berry lady. Grey is always good.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous Amy! This would make a fabulous Christmas decoration.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Liz, a few ornaments and some pinecones would do the trick.
LikeLike
Looks delicious! 😉 Very good idea for displaying those pretty berries.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Cathy..not having a taste, though it has aa wonderful floral scent.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a great idea, and you have plenty of berries to fill your container – the callicarpa is indeed amazing! I wonder what occasion these birds and lizards would be celebrating with this delectable berry parfait? Thanks for your enthusiastic support over the years
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Cathy..more berries are coming. The birds and lizards celebrate the end of hurricane season. As do I.
LikeLike
👍😁
LikeLike
Very clever, Amelia! I especially love the beautiful color combination, which isn’t something you often see in dried arrangements. Including the Kalanchoe foliage was a master stroke.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Kris..it is ssorta dry! Wondering when mold will set in.
LikeLike
This is a brilliant response to the challenge, Amy. Very festive, the red and green would make a nice holiday arrangement, too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Eliza..needs cones and silver ornaments?
LikeLike
Yes, it’d look great!
LikeLike
Christmas palm lives in USDA Zone 10, which includes the coastal Los Angeles region. However, I have never seen one there. They may prefer more humidity. There are a several trees that ‘should’ survive there that I have never seen. I should ask about it when I get back there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They do love the humidity and are fairly common here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Humidity is typically the limiting factor for palms that are popular in Florida, but not in Los Angeles.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your garden fruit parfait is fantastic. I had beauty berry growing wild in New Hampshire and surprised to see it as a native here in Florida.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Karen. I was surprised by beautyberry here as well. Have you ever tried the jam or jelly?
LikeLike
I’ve not but it certainly must make for a beautiful color.
LikeLike