It’s been a while since I have joined IAVOM. I unintentionally took the summer off. While it has been dreadfully hot this summer, the reason I have remained indoors is primarily because I am recovering from brain surgery the first week of July. The grace – I am alive and well and haven’t lost any more marbles! The weather is cooling ever so slightly and I have done a bit of gardening and ordered seeds for fall tomatoes. We had a very rainy summer and plants good and bad went wild, lots to do this fall.
The vase is filled with Parrotflowers (Heliconia psittacorum “Lady Di” in red and “Choconiana” in orange) These produce flowers nearly year round – when it rains. One of my favorite tropical flowers.
The foliage is from Asparagus ferns (Asparagus densiflorus) These are dreadfully invasive in South Florida and very difficult to eradicate. I did not realize the flowers were so attractive and fragrant to boot. The bees were angry when I cut them, but I am hopeful I saved the universe from a few unruly ferns by cutting them for a vase.
That’s all from my garden this week. I look forward to reconnecting with everyone this fall.
Visit Cathy at http://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com to see more vases.
The Shrub Queen 
I wondered about your absence and sent positive thoughts your way when you frequently crossed my mind. So glad the surgery went well, you are recovering and back in the garden. Here’s to more heliconia! 👍🏼
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I’ve been sitting on the sofa! Looking out the window watching the weeds take over. I always think of you when I cut the Heliconias. Do you get saddleback caterpillars? They are the flowers on the big Heliconias..and I got stung and left them to it.
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I’m glad you heeded doctor’s orders! 👍🏼 Yeah, I’ve heard of saddlebacks, but luckily never experienced their sting. 😣
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There is a point when you get bored and I am past that.
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Oh my, well it is good to year that you are recovering well.
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Thanks, Tony
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Gosh, I do hope your surgery went well and you are making a good recovery. Your absence was noted, as you will find out when people read your post. I was going to email you, but as you now know, I have been preoccupied elsewhere, but I apologise anyway. Your heliconia are gorgeous, as always. Lovely to have you back, but please take care of yourself
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Thank you, Cathy. It’s all good. I am very fortunate there is a good surgeon nearby. I finished the additional treatment and am waiting for that to heal..soon. I missed having a vase of flowers by my front door, so it is good to be back.
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I am glad it seems to be going well for you and hope the healing continues as well and as quickly as you must be hoping
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Thank you.
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I was just thinking about you before I opened up my computer. I’m glad you have gotten back to the garden…just don’t overdo it. I get frustrated as I tire easily, but I have nearly 5 months until I’m fully healed.
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Thanks, still here! Seeds and soil just arrived! I do things in small bites. Does it take a year to heal? I guess you are glad not to be in Houston right about now.
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Yes, apparently knee replacement is a big surgery. My only problem now is getting tired, and my knee sometimes swells and needs ice. I am sure you feel this too, being “behind” in garden chores that I mostly invent. I am already seeing places to put more beds. It’s an obsession. 🙂
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Well, it supports half of your weight! Important job. I can’t get a straight answer about healing timeframe, I see new beds, too! Not until the old ones get straightened out. Right?? Ha.
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I’m so glad to see you back with a post! I was concerned about you. Brain surgery is serious stuff but I’m pleased to learn it was effective and that you put your recovery first.
As always, your parrotflowers shine. While I also find the asparagus flowers pretty, I generally yank them as soon as I see them as the plants spread like wildfire. I inherited plants with the garden but I know I’ll never rid it of them and simply try to minimize their relentless spread.
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Thanks, Kris. I wish I could pull the ferns. They are so entangled in a hedge I continually cut them back. Interesting you have them as well. I’m getting a lot of rest!
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Lovely flowers but my goodness, Amy, what a summer you have had, it sounds very scary. I hope you are feeling rested and are recovering well. All my very best wishes to you. x
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Oh, welcome back Amelia! You were missed! I hope you continue to make a rapid recovery and that you can enjoy your garden to the full this autumn to make up for lost time. Such a lovely arrangement. I am bowled over by the fern flowers… who knew they flowered?! I didn’t! Take it easy Amelia. 🩷
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I thought that you were being unusually quiet Amelia. Lovely to see you again ❤️ I’m sorry to hear that you’ve been through such a tough time and hope that you heal well. I’m glad that your delightful sense of humour remains intact. It sounds as if you have stolen our rain this summer 🤣 Take care xxx
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Hello, Anna. Thank you. Hopefully everything remains intact.
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