Every October I lament the lack of fall color in South Florida. It occurred to me as I was assembling this vase everything in it is very showy and there actually is quite a bit of fall color in the garden. A change of perspective is required and looking beyond the colors of leaves on deciduous trees.
The majority of the plants in this vase are native to my garden. Some were planted by birds, others by me. The resilience of these plants is amazing. This year we have gone from record breaking cold to drought to unrelenting rain and the fall show is still going on. There is a light, almost honey fragrance from the Juba Bush (creamy colored flowers) so I am enjoying all aspects of this vase.
The plant palette:
The natives: the aforementioned Juba Bush (Iresine diffusa). Legend has it the name originated from a dance in the Caribbean called the Juba – this plant sways in the wind like a dancer. Orange flowers are from a Firebush (Hamelia patens) provided by birds. Lurid purple berries are Beautyberry (Calliocarpa americana). I make lemon beautyberry cupcakes sometimes, but the birds beat me to the berries this year. Trimmed palm fronds are from Florida’s state tree, the Cabbage Palm (Palmetto Sabal)
The imports: Hot pink flowers are from Coral Vine (Antigonon leptopus) I think I have gotten my money’s worth from this vine in vases this year and may learn the botanical name soon. The blue spikes are Mystic Blue Salvia, happily ensconced in the front garden fueling butterflies.
That’s the news from my garden this Monday. I will stop looking for fall foliage and concentrate on the unique aspects of fall where I am. Please visit Cathy at this link http://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com for an international garden tour.
I just looked at a vase of softer colors, and then yours came on and really popped. It took a while, but I finally got tuned into fall in Houston. Now I’m trying to understand why it’s so cold up here, and it’s only October. I’m thinking it should be 85 to 90.
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Well, it’s 85 to 90 here! and we are molding with the rain, sweaty windows and all that and there may be a storm brewing in the Gulf! Better?
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How pretty. I still like seeing the beautyberry. Mine produce only a few berries so far, but only because they have not been allowed to grow very large.
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The berry production here is extreme. I had these in Atlanta and they probably had about 20 percent of the fruit I get in Florida.
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Do you know why? Mine are the only ones that I have encountered here, so I am curious to see how they perform.
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No idea. More heat? the range of the plant in the east is incredible. Florida to New Hampshire I think. It grows in full summer sun here, I thought it would fry but it thrives?
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I will wait to see what they do here.
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I fall in love again every time I see your “lurid” purple berries. I can only wish that beautyberry would grow here!
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Thanks, Kris. you should see the rest of the shrub, it’s kind of ratty.
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As they say, ‘Bloom where you’re planted.’ Best to enjoy the beauty that surrounds you, and from your vase, I see a-plenty! 😍
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You got it! Although, there are few things that beat maples in fall for color!
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Yes, I must admit I fall in love with them every autumn. And this year the colors are incredible from the near-perfect weather, sunny days and cold nights.
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My brother in law is a photographer and went to Japan in the Fall.. the Japanese Maples!! 💕
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Oh, I only imagine! 🤩
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You have so many beautiful flowers and plants at this time of year. I always love seeing your trimmed palm leaves – foliage I will never be able to grow! And your colours – with that coral vine and the beauty berry – are also gorgeous. I especially like the Juba bush flowers though. (And naturally the Salvia!)
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Thank you, Cathy. I wonder if you could grow that palm – in your greenhouse, it takes frost. The salvias have been magnificent this year. I thought of you as I was throwing the excess into the compost.
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Some people grow palms here but wrap them in bubble plastic for winter – which looks awful! LOL!
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I have seen that and never wanted a plant badly enough to do that!! 😜
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Beautiful. The plant I envy most is the Coral Vine, I would love to be able to grow that.
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I think you could grow them.. very easy from seed. I have seen them much further north.
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