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Who needs poinsettias to be merry? More Florida-style festivities
Posted Dec 17, 2009 by Loren Omoto
Updated Dec 17, 2009 at 08:01 PM
Susan Gillespie is rockin’ some beautiful reds in Riverview—with nary a poinsettia in sight.
Check out the Christmas colors:
She loves her candy-cane striped “cutesy” petunias. And so do I.
Nothing could be redder than this eye-popping geranium—except maybe Santa’s nose after his post-delivery toddies. Tucked in next to it is a begonia.
I love the pairing of the dragonwing begonia with the winged angel statue. What a perfect holiday vignette! (Hmmm, or resting place for a dear departed cat.)
A drift of red and orange lantana—what a truly Florida-esque alternative!
Red passion vine gives Susan a star-covered fence (keep your ornaments, Wal-Mart!).
Lady slipper salvia—I never heard of it! Could this be the slippers that were hung by the chimney with care?
As Susan writes: “The ever dependable pentas.” .... A mix of crimson pentas and whites would have a nice holiday feel, but then, you’d still be doing Christmas in the garden come June.
Finally, to show that I really don’t have anything against traditional holiday flora, here’s Susan’s Christmas cactus, which looks like it’ll be covered with color in time for New Year’s.
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Reader Comments
Posted by (Janna) on December 17, 2009
I agree with Penny, the winged angel statue is just PERFECT with the begonia. As for the “redder than red” geranium - WOW! I love bright colors and yes, I also love petunias. Nice photos, Susan!
Posted by (Janna) on December 17, 2009
Lady slipper salvia?! I think that’s another plant in my yard that I couldn’t identify. Thanks, Susan!
Posted by (Susan Gillespie) on December 17, 2009
Thanks Janna. Those lady slippers are something I planted out front several years ago. They sort of disappeared on their own but now show up all over the front AND the back. The wind? Bird droppings? Faeries? Who cares. I love free flowers.
I never thought about the Angel being in front of the angel wing begonia. Kismet?
Posted by (Chip) on December 18, 2009
Susan you have got a lot of bright Cristmas color in your yard! thank you for shareing this with us “Chip”
Posted by (Susan Gillespie) on December 18, 2009
I didn’t realize just how much color was out there until I took my camera to take some pics for Penny. I even forgot the jatropha. But then Penny already had a wonderful picture of her own miraculous comeback plant.
Yes, the angel wing begonia is on a covered lanai. In fact now that I think about it, both the angel wing AND the lady slipper I got at a small nursery way out on 60 going towards Plant City. It has since closed but they had the coolest plants. I will pot up some of the lady slipper for you and see what comes from some of those angel wing cuttings.
Posted by (kgardens) on December 18, 2009
Susan, your plants are all so pretty. I’ve never heard of the lady slipper salvia either. It is quite beautiful. The angelwing begoinia is another plant I now must try. I love seeing pictures of plants. What could be a better use of my time? (Non FODs are not allowed to answer that question.) Kay
Posted by (Iluvpumpkins) on December 18, 2009
Susan, All the red you have blooming is going to impossible to beat. I took pictures yesterday and will email them to penny. But I know already you have me beat. Your garden looks great. Pumpkin
Posted by (Susan Gillespie) on December 18, 2009
Thank you Kay and Janice. I’m looking forward your your pics as well. Kay—-have you discovered Flickr. Pop in garden as a subject and you’ll get garden pics galore, from all over the world. Talk about addicting.
Penny, you crack me up. Copycat away.
Posted by (Susan Gillespie) on December 19, 2009
Sag’s are all about the truth. One phrase that sometimes describes them is “open mouth, insert foot”. It’s why I like them.
What fun to share garden pics. Can’t wait to see them.
Posted by (Chip) on December 19, 2009
the more I think about it the more I think you are all on the right track. Think about it the reason poinsettias are so popular is they give color at a time up north that they have none we do not have that problem here. The temps. we get from October to December is closer to the temps the folks up North get in the spring than what we get in our very short spring. So if there is something you miss from your northern garden’s try it in the fall. Remember if you do something twice it is a tradition! love the photo’s “Chip”
Posted by (Susan Gillespie) on December 19, 2009
OK, we have a cold front coming. Is it time to cover or not to cover? Pea sprouts, yes? Petunias, no. Is 30 not cold enough?
Posted by (Chip) on December 19, 2009
Oh boy Susan I am not sure.If you live north of Tampa I think you need to protect your plants for sure today is the first day I have felt good enough to work in my garden. and I have been worryed about the cold. so I will be working on covering things up just in case. “Chip”
Posted by (mangoman) on December 19, 2009
Hi, sorry I kind of missed out on this whole round of comments. My blog is finally up (ugh. We put in the wrong name the web address the first time) Here’s the url: ericsgarden.blogspot.com
Posted by (Chip) on December 19, 2009
Just tryed to find your blog Eric. are you sure of the address? “Chip”
Posted by (mangoman) on December 19, 2009
Chip, it just worked for me… that’s strange. you may have to put the http://www.ericsgarden.blogspot.com
Let me know if it still doesn’t work.
Posted by (Chip) on December 19, 2009
Sorry Eric no go. blog address not found is what I get
Posted by (Susan Gillespie) on December 19, 2009
Just went to Eric’s blog and added it to my bookmarks bar under Blogs. Hope to be a regular. Good job Eric.
Posted by (Susan Gillespie) on December 20, 2009
I don’t do much to mine. My guess, if it is limp, it is too much water. It is, after all, a cactus. Let it dry out and maybe it will recover and flower next year.