Everything is blooming most recklessly; if it were voices instead of colors, there would be an unbelievable shrieking into the heart of the night. (Rainer Maria Rilke)

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

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!

6 comments:

Call of the WILD said...

Your pictures are stunning. Love to see the bees buzzing and this lovely shining ornament - I should try to make one, too. Herb Butter? Yum!!!
Feel better soon and enjoy your day!!
-Alexandra

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Firebush is one of my favorite plants. Butterflies definitely love this and I've seen the occasional humming bird too.

Love your orchid bling and your butters sound delicious.

Hope your arthritis lets up. We just have to do what we can, when we can.

Enjoy the rest of your week ~ FlowerLady

Susan said...

Hi Lynn, your photos are stunning. I love the firebush next to the pink flowers. One of my favorite color combinations. I may have to borrow your orchid bling idea. That is so clever and pretty. Apparently, I'm easily amused, too! Hope your feeling better soon.

Unknown said...

Great photos as usual Lynn and I really like your basket bling.

Anonymous said...

Another Florida gardener and an artist to boot!!! You don't, by chance, sell your watercolors on Etsy do you? I want them . . . all of them! LOL

Unknown said...

Thanks very much Alexandra, Lorraine, Susan, Janice and Elizabeth! You're all lovely to take time to have a look and comment! I wasn't sure I had anything to blog about this week and your comments are very encouraging! Elizabeth, I don't have an Etsy shop at the moment - I've thought about opening one and haven't got my butt around to do it yet. You're so generous and so nice to like my art! I've left you a message on the Vernal Equinox post. xoxoxo