This is the Fourth of July week and in celebration I decided to put together a red, white and blue vase with four different types of flowers. That might be too much math. It seems like something should add up to sixteen somewhere. Math was never my true calling.
July is being true to its nature. It is hot, humid and we are having frequent thunderstorms. The garden is well hydrated, I am picking mangoes daily and contemplating weeding. Not actually weeding, just thinking about it. As I was cutting flowers, I had a rather startling experience.
This is a good, non venomous snake. I am not sure if it is a Black Racer or an Indigo snake. Both eat all kinds of bad things including venomous snakes. I usually see them scurrying away. This is a first – one hanging out in the shrubs and waiting around long enough for me to get a picture. I am hoping he or she was eating invasive lizards.
The red in the arrangement is from the seasonally appropriate Firecracker Plant (Russelia equisetiformis); White flowers are from Bridal Bouquet Plumeria (Plumeria pudica).
Blue spike flowers are Mystic Blue Salvia and the white spikes are Tropical Red Salvia (Salvia coccinea). The airy flower buds and varigated foliage are from Dianella tasmanica or New Zealand Flax. A trimmed palm frond is in the back of the vase. The vase is a florist orphan.
Happy Monday from steamy South Florida. Visit Cathy at RamblingintheGarden to visit less steamy gardens and see what has been plucked and plonked into a vase this week.
The Shrub Queen 
What a snake, at least it is clearly visible up there on top of the plant. That is a lovely arrangement on a patriotic theme. Clipping the top of the background leaf really shows off the airiness of the arrangement. We are having general elections on this 4th July and I am already saturated by all the politics here. Happy Holidays.
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Thank you, Noelle, I am also saturated by politics. Ugh.
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I love your red, white and blue combination. And I am always envious of the Russelia equisetiformis. I have seen it growing in Martinique and Madeira and longed to be able to grow it. And that snake! Horrors! It might not be venomous, but one glance at that and I’d never go outdoors again.
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Thanks, Liz. The Russelia is incredibly resilient. I have a feeling it wouldn’t like it in the UK. Hot and dry seems to be where it likes to grow. Somewhere I forget to water. I had it in containers further north. There is a much bigger snake in my garden called a Coachwhip, probably eight feet long and champagne colored, another good snake.
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What is the fragrance of the ‘Bridal Bouquet’ Plumeria? I know I asked before, but I do not remember how similar it is to the white Plumeria that I want to bring back from Los Angeles. Dianella tasmanica did not go over so well here. It was a brief fad, but was not as sustainable as it was supposed to be. Phormium tenax and its hybrida are very sustainable, and what we know as New Zealand flax.
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Bridal Bouquet does not have nearly the fragrance of other Plumerias, I only notice it at night. Have you run across Astelia chathamica? Maori Flax, SOS Jim has it in his garden.
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The Plumeria that I thought resembles ‘Bridal Bouquet’ smells like coconut suntan lotion, which is both weird and coincidental, but also delightful. It is quite pronounced, so is not as similar to yours at it seems. Astelia chathamica was a fad at about the same time as Dianella tasmanica, but retained its popularity a bit longer. I was no more impressed with it because it developed shabby form. Almost all of it got watered too much within so-called ‘drought tolerant’ landscapes, so rotted out in an awkward manner. I have not seen any in quite a while. I do not miss it. It looks better in pictures from Southern California. I sort of wonder how well it ‘really’ performs there, since almost no one does their own gardening anymore.
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It’s a perfect arrangement for the 4th of July, Amelia. That snake would have spooked me but then I’m not adept at discerning the venomous from the innocuous species. Luckily, I seldom come across either.
https://krispgarden.blogspot.com/
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Thanks, Kris. There are numerous black racers around my garden. They eat everything bad so I like having them around.
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An interesting experience with your snake – are you confident that you can recognise all your likely visitors and their venomosity (if there is such a word!)? It seems appropriate to create your Fourth of July vase with four different blooms, whatever your maths skills, and it works well with your chosen four ps the cuttings from my ‘Mystic Spires’ are doing better than the big pkant I was given, although none actually have any blooms yet
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Yes, I am confident in recognizing the good snakes. I always have a little trouble with coral snakes (striped and venomous) and avoid anything that looks like them. My newer Mystic Spires are doing better than the older one, though I need to take some more cuttings I think.
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I was focused on the flower and didn’t notice the snake. Black snakes around here are usually rat snakes and beneficial like yours. My neighbor saw one and broke her hip trying to get away.
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I was doing the same before I saw the snake. It would have been bad if it had been a rattlesnake! No broken hips here.
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I love the idea of snakes in the garden, but am always startled to see them. I think it is primeval instinct that makes me jump and shriek, ha!
Love the RW&B arrangement for the fourth, and how perfect to include a flower with the name firecracker plant. 🙂
I didn’t get around to making a vase for today, but have a few ideas for one for the holiday. Soon come!
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I have a few different snakes around, all good so far. There is one huge one 6 or 8 feet long and that one is quite startling. Happy 4th. Looking forward to more flowers
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Gorgeous: I love everything about this arrangement…the flowers, the foliage, the vase. Have a Happy 4th, and be careful around the snakes. 😉
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Thank you. Happy 4th to you.
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The third image is very nice . It shows a close-up showing Bridal Bouquet Plumeria and the Firecracker Plant together. Works well. We have all these flowers except I’ve yet to see New Zealand Flax.
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Glad to hear the snake is a good one. On the rare occasion that I see one they always make me jump – must be instinct. The salvia is lovely. Maybe I should try and grow that one just for the summer season. And the firecracker fits oerfectly for a July 4th vase. The flax flowers are interesting. Have a great holiday weekend!
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I love this arrangement, especially the white Plumeria! Ah, snake I would’ve shrieked, glad he’s a good guy.
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I saw a snake one year in my previous garden and never went back out the entire summer. Not for me. Your flowers are beautiful. Enjoy celebrating Fourth of July. I’m discouraged.
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I prefer the snakes to what they eat! Thanks.. sending precipitation vibes. Your vases look so good there has to be happiness in the garden 💓
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