Wednesday's Flower

Wednesday's Story

Oh happy day…!

I almost hear these two blooms sing to me, and their cheerful “faces” bring a smile to mine and lighten my heart. How wonderful to experience something so simple (though complex) as a flower changing a moment in time. Today, I hope you find joy in the simple, and that it brings a smile to your face and lightens your heart.

points of interest

Long sprays of brilliant scarlet red or bright orange, flat 5-lobed and petal-like nectar glands appear in winter from the upper leaves of this shrub. Habit is erect and open and leaves are lance-shaped and dark green. Dark red leaved and white-flowered forms exist.

general care

Grow in soil based potting mix with added bark and leaf mold, in full light or bright filtered light. Keep dry after flowering but resume watering moderately as new growth begins and apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks.

friday’s flower fact

All parts of the Scarlet Plume cause severe discomfort if ingested and contact with their milky sap may irritate the skin. So, suffices to say, it is best to enjoy this flower by gazing upon it and not touching it.