The pink flower in this vase is a Silver Urn Bromeliad (Aechmea fasciata). The tips go silver and the pale pink deepens to rose as the flowers fade. I like the coloration and have appreciated this flower for quite some time – it opened May 12th! I think I got my money’s worth. They never last very long in a vase, so this is its swan song.
Supporting players in this swan song.
In white, a few Tropical Gardenias (Tabernaemontana diviricata) are still in the garden; varigated foliage is Chicken Gizzard plant (Iresine herbstii). I am told the name originates from the tropical island these plants are from – they were eaten with chicken gizzards. Chartreuse foliage is from an incredibly prolific coleus.
The wispy accents are from another Caribbean tropical, Juba Bush (Iresine diffusa).
We are still dreaming of a fall cool down and thankfully were missed completely by Hurricane Helene.
To join in the IAVOM fun visit Cathy at this link RamblingintheGarden.
The Shrub Queen 
Stunning arrangement, so striking. Love the color variation and texture in that bloom and you can’t complain about a nearly 5 month show!
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Thanks, Eliza ..it will be interesting to see how long it hangs on in the house.
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That bromeliad flower is quite stunning as well as deserving a medal for longevity Amelia! I’m not sure whether could find much appetite for eating iresine herbstii with or without the chicken parts although it has beautiful markings 🤔
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Thanks, Anna. My mother might have eaten chicken gizzards – but I will not!
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More than four months in bloom!! Wow!!!! The spiky petals go so well with the round chicken gizzard leaves.
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Thanks, Chris.
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What a wonderful form that bromeliad bloom has, and a lovely colour too – and how long it lasted on the shrub, astonishing! You always have such lovely foliage to back your blooms up too
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Thanks, Cathy. Some of the Bromeliad flowers hang around so long I get tired of them.
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Really?! 😁
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I’m glad Hurricane Helene passed you by, Amelia! I thought of you (and Susie) over the weekend and hoped you were okay. Your arrangement is beautiful as always. Of course, I’m envious of the Aechmea flower – the few bromeliads I have seldom bloom. I like your addition of the Iresine foliage too.
https://krispgarden.blogspot.com/
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Thanks, Kris. I guess it is the humidity that makes them bloom.
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Since May! That is incredible!
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I agree.
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What a flower that lasts so long. The Chicken Gizzard leaves really caught my eye.
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I know, I thought that it had been around for a while and looked back at the pictures. Have you ever seen one of the Chicken Gizzards? I had not.
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I don’t remember seeing them, but it really caught my eye in your arrangement.
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I love this arrangement with the Bromeliad at center, almost as much as I love there’s a plant called Chicken Gizzard.
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Hey Susie. Thank you. I would not dream of eating a gizzard, would you?
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I wouldn’t eat a gizzard but I have a feeling I’ve seen them at extended family reunions or such! Definitely remember souse meat or head cheese on my grandmother’s table. Was never forced to partake.
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I wasn’t familiar with the Silver Urn Bromeliad. Lovely, and it works so well with the white Gardenias and the variegated foliage. Very, very nice. The vessel is perfect for the collection, too. Happy IAVOM!
Beth @ PlantPostings.com
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I wrote a post on my blog on Iresine (long time ago), and what I found was that the shape of the leaves is the reason they are called “chicken gizzards”. This is the post: https://tropicalfloweringzone.wordpress.com/2016/04/03/iresine-herbstii-bloodleaf/
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Great.. thanks. Have you read about the Juba Bush?
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No, that one I haven’t, but will keep my eyes open!
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Oh my, I thought it looked more familiar than that, with a big dahlia in the middle, common gardenias and maybe a bit of lettuce. I only recognized, of all things, the chicken gizzard.
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it’s pretty recognizable – but I was not familiar with it. The one in full sun fried.
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Chicken gizzard? I would guess that it is more popular there than here or even Southern California.
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Wow, that flower still looks fresh and beautiful! And I love the whisps of the Juba bush too. Glad you were spared this hurricane!
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