Well, as Blonde Mom arrives tomorrow, I decided to “kick it up a notch” (h/t Emeril) and go all out. So yesterday, I stopped by the “florist” (actually a little shack on a side road a klick or two up the road).
I bought a pair of Heliconia chartaceas…which is a New World plant that is native to Brazil and Guiana. It is cultivated here as a garden plant and for its cut stems. We also have them in Florida, although I’ve never seen them quite as big as these. Imagine my shock at the price ~ 1,000 colones each, or about $2 a stem. I’ve seen them at home, but never purchased them there…sticker shock at $10 – $12 a stem. Combined with a couple of gingers from the yard (and some not so clever engineering of a plastic coke bottle, bowl, and rocks….suckers are heavy!) I managed to add a little bit of pop to the living room.
Ooh La La...a Center Piece for the Coffee Table
The lady at the shop was working on arrangements for a big wedding at the JW Marriott in Tamarindo…did I mention our friend Jeffrey has taken a job there as the Concierge? Best of luck w/your new endeavors, Jeffrey! Anyhoo…here’s a detailed shot of the heliconia, at home we have a variety called “Sexy Pink”…but it is not nearly as large as these, which were nearly 5′ tall before I started chopping the stems.
Heliconia chartacea
It just feels great to have such gorgeous blooms of these heliconias around. I think what it may be is that I simply miss my orchids!
~ Blonde Gator
Very nice Blonde. Will you be able to bring a couple of stems back to the US?