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"Possibility and promise greet me each day as I walk out into my garden. My vigor is renewed when I breathe in the earthiness and feel the dirt between my fingers. My garden is a peaceful spot to refresh my soul." Meems






Welcome to my Central Florida Garden Blog where we garden combining Florida natives, Florida-Friendly plants, and tropicals.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Butterfly! ... Orchid That Is


It is entirely fitting that the Florida native Butterfly Orchids bloom each year right around Father's Day.

The Butterfly Orchid (Encyclia tampensis;also Epidendrum tampense)is an epiphyte. For all the other weeks of the year they simply hang on the old oak trees acting and looking quite non-descript.

My own father gave me these unique Florida plants a few years ago. When he separated his I was the lucky recipient to transplant some to my garden.

Every celebration of Father's Day that Dad is still with us, even though not well and vibrant as the man who raised me, I am thankful. These perky little flowers that bloom this same time each year, have become a treasure not only to my garden but to my heart.


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The follow-up post to Naturalistic Minus Chaotic, "tips for implementing a naturalistic garden" is forthcoming, I promise. I haven't forgotten ... just distracted with what's going on in the garden right now.

16 comments:

  1. Beautiful orchid Meems! When I look at a shrimp plant I think of my Dad. Many years ago he gave me one. Because of that I always have a shrimp plant in my garden.

    Speaking of orchids....yesterday at HD I saw blue orhids. Since blue is my favorite color...it was tempting, but I didn't get one....next weekend is Tropiflora's plant sale and I need my mad money for that.

    Have a great weekend!

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  2. What a beautiful tribute. How blessed you are to have your dad in your life.

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  3. Siesta Sister,
    Thank you... they are so tiny and yet so dazzling. I always think of my Grandma (my dad's mom) when I see shrimp plants because she had so many of them in her Florida garden.

    I've seen the *blue* orchids. Looked up some information on them and they aren't sure they will re-bloom blue. It's interesting. Don't think I'll tempt myself at the Tropiflora sale although I'm lately getting a bug for some Tillandsia. Oh dear.

    Daisy,
    Yes, I am counting my blessings to still have both of my parents.

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  4. What a lovely orchid from your father. I can't imagine growing plants like that...truly you live in a unique zone.

    Have a wonderful weekend!

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  5. How sweet that this plant came from your dad. I've never seen one before. It's lovely and very striking. It looks like it climbs or drapes anyway. What is its growth habit?

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  6. What a sweet native orchid, a gift from your Dad and precious to your heart. I've not seen them before either.

    Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend.

    FlowerLady

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  7. When I read your posts, I want to be in a zone warmer! Love the orchids in the trees.

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  8. Lucky you to still have your Dad and such beautiful Orchids too.

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  9. I have such massive plant evny right now. ;D

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  10. They are very strikingly lovely and elegant and how nice to have a special significance attached.

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  11. What a handsome bloom to remind you of your Dad.

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  12. I've been searching EVERYWHERE for this native orchid! Why would such a jewel NEVER be found in local nurseries?!! It *is* lovely. And isn't it sweet to have a plant that always makes you think of your dad? So cool too that it blooms on Father's Day.

    Hmmm...wish Encyclia tampensis would just appear in one of my trees. (Like that's gonna happen!) I need to go hunt through the trees in the swamp at Six Acres.

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  13. What a sweet, heartfelt post, Meems. I love the sentiment that these amazing flowers exude. Happy Father's Day.

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  14. How nice to have such a beauty blooming on Farther's day and remind you of your dad every year! Plants associated with loved ones just become so precious and special...

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  15. Great passalong with a great story, the best kind of plants!

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  16. Thanks everyone for the kind comments ... passalong plants always carry a story with them which is what makes them extra special.

    The plants I've gotten from my mom and dad and grandmother carry even more weight in my treasure trove.

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Have a blessed day,
Meems


September 2010

Back Garden: October 2010

Louise Philippe: Antique Rose

Tropical Pathway