Gloomy is not usually a term I associate with the “dry season” in South Florida. It has been raining and overcast since the middle of last week. We Floridians are addicted to sunshine. The garden is clearly enjoying the rain and hopefully the good plants will absorb more than the weeds. Though I can see the cool season weeds germinating wantonly as I dodge the raindrops walking my greyhounds.
Our moods, needing improvement with some floral friends made me search high and low from the safety of my covered porches to spy some colorful and hopefully a little bit tropical flowers to grace my vase this Monday. All of the components of this vase were cut within a mad dash from our doors.
Another view:
Some closer views:
Purple berries are Beautyberry (Calliocarpa americana) – planted by the porch to deter mosquitoes. I think it works. Though I have no comparison. Pink cloverish flowers, some free Globe Amaranth I grew from seed I got from Etsy. Fun, but, yeah looks like clover and is a wimpy color. Not a big fan of pale pink. Darker pink wooly worms, Dwarf Chenille Plant (Acalphya pendula), just tropical fun and a great cut flower. Orange flowers, Firebush (Hamelia patens) grows near front and back doors and a perennial (ha) favorite.
White flowers are from Bridal Bouquet Frangipani (Plumeria pudica). These are slowing down though some consider them evergreen, I do not. Enjoying the slightly fragrant flowers til the bitter end (winter 2022?). Purple foliage is Alternanthera “not sure which one”
The weather seems to be clearing and I hope to be back in the garden soon.
Happy Monday and Happy Gardening to you all. Thanks to Cathy at http://www.ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com for hosting – please follow the link to see more vases..
The Shrub Queen 
Lovely! I adore the use of Bridal Bouquet Frangipani to contrast with the darker, moodier parts of the arrangement. We woke up to rain this morning for the first time in a couple months so am savoring the dreariness and gray skies this morning. Happy Thanksgiving!
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Thanks, Susie..it is kind of moody, reflecting mine. Glad you are getting some rain. Happy Thanksgiving!
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A really cheery vase and the combination and balance from the purple leaves and berries make the white and orange flowers sing.
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Thanks, Noelle.
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Sorry to read about your gloom, Amy – here we have had the opposite with some glorious blue skies recently but with them cold nights and f-f-frost!
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Frost free here and clearing skies..my birthday was last week, too. Happy Birthday, Scorpio..
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Not quite mine yet, and I am a Saggitarian…😉
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Oops, hadn’t quite finished – I was going to say that your vase looked almost festive, with purple callicarpa berries instead of something red and more traditional…
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Thanksgiving arrangements in the US are usually oranges, so it is kind of festive.
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Ah well, there you are!
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I know what you mean about lacking sunshine. Even though I was raised in the dreary North, I can barely make it two days without sun. Love your vase this week.
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Thanks, Judy. Got a few rays today.
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I love that Plumeria, a variety I’ve never seen here. The whole arrangement is luscious and worth those mad dashes as rain fell. In contrast to your situation, our so-called “rainy season” is a bust thus far – Northern California and the PNW have had buckets of rain, whereas we’ve had just over half an inch since October 1st. Our Santa Ana winds have been blowing again and we’re dry as dust here.
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Thank you, Kris. I love the Plumeria too. Strange how the seasons reverse sometimes. I think we had all the usual November rain in a week.
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Very pretty! I esp. like the plumeria and chenille fuzzies. Sounds like you got our usual gloomy November weather. Thanks for taking it for us this year. 😉
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Thanks, is it sunny there?
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This month has been unusually dry, warm and sunny with only occasional showers. Quite nice, as normally, it is cold, wet and dreary here in November. I’m enjoying the change!
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You got my weather! enjoy.
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Thanks! 🙂
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Oh, I should have guessed that was Plumeria. I thought you were going to say it was something stranger.
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Plumeria is not strange enough?
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Well, that is one of the strange flowers there that I could grow here with a bit of work. It is somewhat common near the coast of Southern California. I have grown many cuttings from those at my colleagues home, but just have not brought any back here. They need a bit of protection here.
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It is usually grey and gloomy in November here, so every single ray of sunshine is treasured, and this morning it is clear, frosty and sunny! Still enjoyed seeing your cheery vase, with the lovely white Frangipani lighting up the arrangement. Happy gardening!
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Thanks, the sun reappeared this morning..
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Beautiful! I love that you have that much to choose from within a “dash” of your doors. Happy Thanksgiving!
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Thanks, Happy Thanksgiving to you.
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My husband was just remarking that this gray, gloomy weather is so unlike Florida this time of the year. We flower vase does cheer you up.
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Pretty enough to bust any amount of gloom. If I could grow the Frangipani and Hamelia I would be a very happy bunny indeed.
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Thanks, Liz. I think you can grow Frangipani, it is just an ordeal. I read about it once and decided moving to Florida was easier.
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