My vase this week was created to celebrate new beginnings in 2025. My latest batch of zinnias is finally flowering and providing some much needed color in my garden. South Florida has been unusually rainy and overcast for the past week. The sun-starved Floridians are getting restless. I have included a amethyst and clear quartz crystal for healing and positive energy.
The happy color hunt started with the zinnia discovery. I must have planted some Green Envy seed – because there it is! I rooted around in the garden, dodging rain showers and found that the Tropical Red Salvia had gained new life from all the rain. I plucked a few other happy rain-sated flowers from the garden and concocted my vase.
The close up:
In the back, dark and ferny, are sprigs of Copper Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare). The purple flowers are ‘Mona’ Lavendar Plectranthus. The pink stars are Heirloom Pentas (Penta lanceolata). Leaves in the foreground are from Sweet Begonia (Begonia odorata). The tubular orange flowers are Firebush (Hamelia patens). The coral and white spikes are Tropical Red Salvia (Salvia coccinea). The vase is a crystal rose bowl that belonged to my mother.
That’s all from less than sunny South Florida. I’m wishing everyone a happy, healthy and colorful 2025!
To see more vases, visit Cathy at RamblingintheGarden.
The Shrub Queen 
What a delightful arrangement Amelia, I had to look up ‘Mona’ Lavendar Plectranthus. What lovely blooms they have and how well you have chosen different coloured flowers to make up this vase. If we could but have two or three days of sunshine on the trot we would consider ourselves very fortunate at the moment. Wishing you a very Happy New Year.
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Thank you, Noelle. Mona Lavendar is a recent addition to annuals here. It will last a year or two in a pot and grows very easily. Wishing you sunny days and Happy New Year.
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Is copper fennel the same as bronze fennel? Common green fennel is naturalized near a few riparian situations of the Santa Clara Valley, but not within my garden. (When I eventually grow it again, I would prefer the common green sort that produces distended bases. I might try growing it from feral seed to see if it is comparable to the cultivated sort.) I tried bronze fennel years ago when Renee’s Garden Seed sent it to me, but the area eroded before it grew. My neighbor liked what grew in his garden though.
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Yes, I haven’t had any in years. It was common in Atlanta, I always had it in containers. I love the fennel for cooking and use it often.
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Do you mean the foliage, or the distended bases? I do not think of the bronze fennel as developing distended bases.
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The foliage I like fennel bulbs too
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but do you get bulbs from bronze fennel, or just foliage?
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Foliage, it can be used like fresh herbs.
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You zinnias are doing really well. Happy gardening in the New Year!
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Thank you..Happy Gardening!!
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So gorgeous and cheerful! Happy New Year 🙂
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Thank you and Happy New Year to you.
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I should be used to your winter zinnias by now but they still surprise me, Amelia. And you have ‘Envy’! For some reason, I’ve never had success growing that one but your post is a good reminder that I should hunt down the seeds to try it again this summer. I’ve also been sun-starved of late as we’ve been socked in by marine layers for days but I understand that the Santa Ana winds are on their way so a change is in the offing (hopefully without wildfires this time). In the meantime, the marine layer has at least gave us 0.06/inch of precipitation, which is far more than the trumpeted Christmas Eve “storm” delivered.
Best wishes for a happy new year!
https://krispgarden.blogspot.com/
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Thanks, Kris. I think winter zinnias are weird too!
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Does Florida need rain as much as California does? I suspect not, but I am sure your garden will benefit greatly from it – the contents of your vase certainly look well-refreshed, and a far cry from our European wintry vases. You invariably have a wide selection of blooms in your vases, and it is always a pleasure to check them out individually, although the zinnia is definitely the star!
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Winter is typically the dry season here, so the rain is unusual. I think we had about four inches in the past week or so. We don’t need rain right now, though I will surely be watering things sometime soon. The zinnias are stars!
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It’s a delight to see your colorful zinnias starring in December. Green Envy is so versatile. Glad you planted it for a surprise to yourself! I’ve latched on to your amethyst and clear quartz crystal. Here’s to a healthy and exciting New Year to you and yours.
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I have a fuchsia and orange mixed zinnia that went to seed that I am planting soon – that should prove interesting. Crystal vibes for a great New Year!!
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This arrangement full of bright color is a shot in the arm for this northerner. It has been rather bleak here, alas. We are having a warm spell sandwiched between days of very cold weather. The ice builds up, then breaks down over and over!
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Good! you are receiving the crystal energy over the internet!! Hopefully you have pretty ice. Happy New Year, Eliza.
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That is so pretty Amelia! 😃 Your pastel colours and the fennel look fabulous together, and I do like the zinnia too. The Plectranthus fooled me again – I thought the last time you used it that it was a spring hyacinth! In fact the whole arrangement is so very spring-like and positive. The crystal is clearly doing its job. Wishing you a happy and healthy new year too, full of positive energy and garden joys. 😀
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Thank you, Cathy. I am wayyy too far south for Hyacinths. I am wondering if the Plectrantus hasn’t hit the market in Europe or the UK. It is relatively new here. And a great plant…
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I haven’t seen them, but they bring in new plants every spring, so it will no doubt be a trend soon. 😃
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I’m sure that you are getting some sunshine Amelia to produce such a glorious range of colourful flowers. Loving your zinnias and I can smell and feel the bronze fennel from here 😀 Wishing you a most happy and healthy new year and many enjoyable hours in your garden next year!
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Thank you, Anna. The sun is finally shining today and I have more zinnia buds. I have been stroking the fennel –
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Oh, I think that is the most beautiful thing I’ve seen today–so expertly arranged, and the colors and varieties of flowers and foliage are fabulous! Happy IAVOM and Happy New Year
Beth @ PlantPostings.com
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Thank you, Beth. That is a wonderful compliment. Happy New Year to you. Amelia
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Such a beautiful arrangement! Happy New Year!
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