Spring arrived with a blast of heat on Sunday. 84F/28C. I am not ready for this. The perennials in the garden, however, are quite happy and flowering with gusto in approval.
Pinks, whites and purples rule the garden. The hotter colors seem to be reserving their action for higher temperatures. That doesn’t really explain the fuchsia zinnias, does it? Oh, well. I am enjoying them all and just planted a batch of what I suspect are fuchsia zinnias with orange accents. South Florida rolled into a zinnia!
Most of these plants attract butterflies. The butterflies (mostly Gulf frittilary) are starting to hatch out and buzzing the garden for nectar. I left plenty of flowers as I do not want any disgruntled insects in the garden.
The close up:
The cast: Two types of white Salvia in spikes. The greyish one is ‘White Flame’ Salvia, a long serving perennial. The other is the white version of Tropical Red Salvia (Salvia coccinea) it is a reliable, reseeding annual. Pink stars are the Perennial Penta (Penta lanceolata), they are much bigger than the annuals and hang around for a few years. The butterflies love them. Pink zinnias are from seeds I grew last year that reappeared in a pot, not exactly sure what they are. In purple, the big flowers are an annual Petunia and the viney stuff is Purple Heart (Transcandentia pallida). Fern is Autumn Fern (Dryopteris erythrosora), something that probably shouldn’t live here, but is perversely happy on the front porch in a pot. I am, too.
Thanks to Cathy at http://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com
for hosting In a Vase on Monday. Follow the link to see more vases.
The Shrub Queen 
You have a nice collection of spring flowers. Mine are still fighting their way back from the freezes. It was so cold last night we put the heat on. It will be in the 70s today and close to 90 later this week.My heat loving plants will be happy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are in the erratic weather syndrome. Things have really started growing here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Purple Heart, Tradescantia pallida, is impressive. It grows here, but the flowers do not look like much, perhaps because of the minimal humidity. Common wandering Jew is an invasive weed in some riparian situations, but I still like it as a foliar ground cover for big houseplants.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the T. pallida, T. zebrina is another story, an evil weed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh! That is one that I might try. I would hesitate only because my garden is so close to a riparian ecosystem.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would hesitate! Have you heard of Salvia misella? Native to riparian places here. I just planted a few.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No, I am unfamiliar with that one. The color is pretty.
LikeLike
Gosh, who would think it was early March looking at this?! I love the purl and pink accents in this vase, especially that delightful tradescantia
LikeLiked by 1 person
No daffodils here! Thank you, Cathy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pretty, I love pink and deep purple/burgundy together, so pleasing to the eye!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Eliza.
LikeLike
This vase and arrangement is a total beauty and to me so summery!
https://zonethreegardenlife.blog/2025/03/09/in-a-vase-monday-march-10-2025/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, most of the flowers last through the summer.
LikeLike
The arrangement lives up to your post’s title, Amelia! 84F is warm. I cut my Pentas back several weeks ago and, although they’re already coming back, I need more 😉 I didn’t have you success with Salvia ‘White Flame’ – it was a one season wonder here.
https://krispgarden.blogspot.com/
LikeLiked by 1 person
We always need more Pentas!
LikeLike
The colors are so summery, very pretty! 84° sounds heavenly to me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The older I get the pickier I get about the temperature 🌡️ thanks
LikeLike
This is very pretty Amelia. The purple Tradescantia with its lovely flowers and the white salvias go beautifully with the pink stars of the Pentas. Love the White Flame especially. 😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Cathy.. the Salvia continuum is active here! Did you have a magical trick for drying herbs last summer??
LikeLike
If the weather is dry I just let them air dry on a tray, especially the lemon verbena which dries really fast, but I also use a dehydrator. We dry our apples in it too which made it worthwhile buying a fairly large one. So far I have dried parsley, thyme, sage, coriander leaves and rosemary in it and it works really well. 👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks, I have lemon thyme that is wonderful right now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lucky you to have butterflies starting to flitter around. Although, it won’t be too long for us now, since we’re experiencing an early spring even here in Wisconsin. It will be 74 here on Friday, which won’t break a record but it will be close. Things are starting to bloom, which is early for us. Beautiful arrangement! Enjoy the blooms and the pollinators!
LikeLiked by 1 person
whoohoo! warmth.
LikeLike
Your arrangement is well named!
LikeLiked by 1 person