My Firebush Friend

When we lived in Florida for the first time, over on the other coast, I didn't have any Firebush in my yard.  I don't even think they were on my radar back then.

And when we moved back to Florida after being up north for a few years, suddenly they were everywhere or most probably, I finally became aware of them.  I wondered though - why is everybody so ga-ga about these bushes?!  

As you most likely know, they are the biggest attractant of bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.  And I am so happy I finally figured that out!

It's like a little bee town out front in the garden beds and it's been a great place for me to be able to easily watch them.

I haven't been able to capture a hummingbird yet - seems like they only come around when I don't have the camera handy.  Maybe that's just Murphys Law or something....

But the butterflies sure love it, especially the Zebra Longwings.  

I'm just throwing this in here because I found it so fascinating.  I'd never seen the Zebra Longwings night roosting before, but here they were at 8pm one night out back on an old twig on the ficus hedge.  Later on there were several more.

They've done this several nights now and it's been fun to observe.  

I'm happy my purple ground orchid is blooming again.  It's been awhile.  I keep her in a pretty blue pot on the lanai and I think she needs better drainage.  I'll have to hoist the pot up on some rocks or something so she doesn't get too soggy.

I made some basket bling for my orchids.  I love to see them hanging among the vanda roots and the sun shining through them after they're all wet from watering.

I just strung them on fishing line with some inexpensive glass beads I had gotten for a project a long time ago.  I love how they glow in the sunlight.  Apparently, I am easily amused, Haha!

The Ixora is blooming nicely.  I love orange and green together - it always says "tropical" to me.

Did I mention that my Spathiphyllum or Peace Lily is now blooming!

It has four lovely white blooms.  It hasn't bloomed for over four years.

Which is my fault as I had let her get potbound and while they do like that a bit, she was REALLY potbound and that was making her rather uncomfortable.  So this is what she looked like a year ago just after her freedom from strangulation.  I'm trying very hard to be a better, less nonchalant gardener after I've seen what my neglect can do.  

But I'm not gardening much today as the arthritis is acting up and I'm instead making herb butters.  Last time I made this horseradish, black pepper and chive butter.  It was great in an omelet, on potato and on fish!  This week I'm making the wonderful classic Hotel Butter with parsley, garlic and lemon juice.  I love that it can then be frozen and used as needed.  Thanks for stopping by and I hope you are having a beautiful, flavor-filled day!