Colours of Summer

What's It Wednesday #31

In addition to enjoying indoor vintage urban design in the home, I absolutely adore the outdoor designs created by nature. Come join me on my many summer journeys.

The Amazonian Zebra plant is a gorgeous bromeliad in the yard or in nature. 

Bromeliads placed on a large tree branch are a fun way to grow them in the yard. There are over 5000 species of bromeliads and I love the variety of colour. I have to admit though, my favorite bromeliad is the pineapple. 

My quest for beautiful colours of summer takes me to many wonderful places during this time. One of my favorite hangouts is Everglades National Park. This Cabbage Palm, also known as the Sabal Palm, is the official state tree for the state of Florida. I found this beauty as I was hiking through a wonderful tropical hammock a few days ago. 

Although I am not crazy about cactus, I find this one in particular fascinating and is my absolute favorite. This lovely fellow resides in Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas, which is located about 70 miles west of Key West. I imagine a bird leaving the seedling on the island as it was in transit. The seed grew into this beauty that grows along the walls of this amazing fort. 

During my summer hikes I found this beautiful button bush blooms. The blooms look like wonderful pen cushions.

After a trip to Maui, I told my husband that gingers were a must in our garden. I think they are quite romantic.

Cycads are one of the most ancient of plants on planet Earth. These hardy fellows were around during the days of the dinosaurs. I love them because they are extremely hardy and resist most pests and diseases.

The scientist in me allows the princess in me to venture out and hike in the swamps of Big Cypress Natural Preserve. I am absolutely fascinated by these cypress knees. Cypress knees is a term used to describe these structures that form near the base of beautiful cypress trees. Although their true function is unknown it is thought that perhaps their structure is used to oxygenate the roots of the large cypress trees. 

Viewing these majestic cypress trees are well worth the fight through the mosquitoes and sweltering heat. 

Some times hanging out in nature yields wonderful design ideas. These epiphytes were perfectly arranged on this large branch and adds just the right amount of texture. I think I will do the same in my yard.

Nature has a way of adding just the right colour for the garden. This inflorescence looked wonderful in a national park so I figured it would be a perfect fit in the yard. I love being inspired by nature. Don't you?

Although the air plant to the tree is fascinating my love is for the  whitish, green patches on the tree.  It's actually not a part of the bark at all. These are lichen which is a combination of fungi and algae. It natures own graffiti of color. 

The central part of the state of Florida is known for it's majestic live oaks. My favorite part of these gorgeous trees are the moss that swing gently in the summer breeze. 

Heliconias come in up to 200 species and all of them are just gorgeous. The colours vary like the rainbow and their structures are natures perfect design. 

This mangrove is one of many that belong to the 10,000 Islands of South Florida's west coast. 

Even some of the insects of summer add wonderful colour to a garden. This Milkweed bug dines on the blooms of the Milkweed plant. 

I enjoy the beautiful orchids found in the wild that I encounter on my weekly summer hikes. Warm humid environments are the perfect place for these beauties to thrive. I also enjoy them in a private garden. There are so many beautiful varieties, you can never become bored of them. 

 

Staghorns are the king of the garden and are my favorite fern. They are so strong and appear to be quite regal in the garden and in the wild. They aren't very picky, they will grow on a tree or a rock.

This beauty is my favorite lily. The alligator lily is also known as the spider lily. Although I cannot grow them in my yard, I can visit them in their own habitat which is in the outer edges of cypress swamps. When this fragrant flower blooms, I know summer is here.  

What is your favorite summer flower, bush, or tree and where do you find it?

xoxoxo

Paula

Thank you all for participating in our "What's It Wednesday"  linky party!

Don't forget to grab a feature button.

<a href="http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Ivy and Elephants" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWaQhtvLa0_8uSc-aUzf_k0FQtfuHVByUaQ6Eccxp39Y1BvRme0VJu5rHnNSibRxeJlrMnJwF9ulbOXDsliuTmtTUtBbYG3I24oSJ7JImPIT-dqeUQ_oviDPiNbCwY_vEHe_5-7VaO-dM/s188/I+%2526+E+Button.jpg"/></a>

 Thank you all for all that you do to inspire others!

 I know I am inspired each and every week by each and every one of you.

Here are this week's WONDERFUL  features

This vintage tub over at Chateau Chic is the perfect addition to any garden. 

You must visit Mile High Beach at Creating Wonderful Places

This stair and bannister is an amazing transformation over at Decor Niche

It is Summer Time over at Shabby Sweet Cottage

Nothing says summer like a beautiful peony from The Headmistress

This card catalogue redo is a must see at West Furniture Revival