Suffice it to say there are many in the US seeing red this week. I’m leaning towards seeing a monochromatic color scheme that has a tropical Christmas spirit. Making America Garden Again?
Seizing on the garden update. This is an heirloom Amaryllis (Hippeastrum). I think it is a Red Lion. My father in law grew these every holiday and went through an incredible in the closet/out of the closet ritual to force the flowers. Once the bulbs stopped putting up with his behavior, he planted them outside and gave me a few. This one usually flowers on his birthday, which I consider a wink from the great beyond. This year it was about 10 days late. Maybe things are slow in the great beyond.
The Red Lion roars again. The bell shaped red flowers are Firecracker Plant (Russelia equisetiformis). Palm foliage is from Dwarf Pygmy Date Palm (Phoenix roebellini). I found the vase by the side of the road while walking the dog.
The frothy white accents flowers are Sweet Begonia (Begonia odorata ‘Alba’) These are a fairly indestructible perennial for South Florida gardens. I am not sure how long this one has been around. Ten years at least and it has provided a few generations of offspring along the way.
I am hoping to see more red flowers! That’s all from my South Florida garden this Monday. Follow this link RamblingintheGarden to visit Cathy and see vases from other gardeners around the world.
The Shrub Queen 
That is amazing that the Amaryllis blooms on his birthday. I was surprised to see my outdoor ones in bloom this week. We had a big storm with a cold front. It’s been down to the 40s at night, but back to 80s later this week.
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It is.. your weather has had some crazy mood swings. 90 here today that cold front is expected tomorrow.
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Gorgeous! And even a bit surprising. Wishing you a good week.
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Thanks Cynthia.. Happy Monday to you.
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Begonia odorata is delightful; but do you ever see other cultivars of it? The only specimens that I remember in the Los Angeles region look like yours. If I ever encountered any that bloom pink or red, I did not recognize them.
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Gee, now that I look, I can see that there are many cultivars of it. I could have encountered some of them and not been aware of it.
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I have only seen white! Going to look.
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That is all that I remember also, . . . and I am not exactly certain of its identity.
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Striking! We’re definitely seeing red these days, ugh. And with the expected rising costs, we’ll be back to Gardening Again, for sure.
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Thanks Eliza food for thought 🤔
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“Make America Garden Again” – I love it, Amelia! The way things are going, whether they want to or not, many people may soon need to grow their own food. I love your red and white arrangement.
https://krispgarden.blogspot.com/
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I feel like it will make growing food really appealing. Thanks
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Vent with red! You have good cause! Your reds are stunning but are we not lucky to have the garden to vent in?! Here is a cool down!
https://zonethreegardenlife.blog/2025/04/07/in-a-vase-monday-april-7-2025/
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Thanks looking forward to the cool down..
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I especially like the history of your Red Lion – it’s such a special thing to have a plant with links to our past and to other people.The Russelia is such a good additions, and the begonia and palm foliage make the perfect contrast without detracting from the red stars
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Thanks Cathy the Red Lion makes me smile every time it flowers.
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That is the perfect vase for your Amaryllis and friends. And how lovely to have them flower every year anew, reminding you of their origin. 😃 The tall stems of Firecracker plant also look good with the Red Lions. (What great names!)
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Thanks, Cathy. The vase is fun, but rarely used.
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This is so sweet, Amelia, that you have your Dad’s Amaryllis visiting! Love it.
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I smile every time I see it.
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I love the wink from your Dad 😉 -Gorgeous red vase and Amaryllis!
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thank you.
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I love the red! 🌺
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Wow, I’m a huge fan of that shade of red–so bright and vibrant! And your format for the arrangement, and the vase itself, are gorgeous!
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