The ULTIMATE Pansy IMHO: Ultima Morpho

The cool nights and morning sun are making these pots of Ultima Morpho pansies perk up. I used to think the variety, Majestic Giants II, was the best for this climate but now my blue ribbon for "Best Of Show" goes to this one.

'Tis The Season For Bright Red Flowers

The history of the poinsettia: The plant we know today as the poinsettia has a long and interesting history. The fact is, that lovely plant you place in your home during the holidays was once used as a fever medicine! Native to Central America, the plant flourished in an area of Southern Mexico known as Taxco del Alarcon. The ancient Aztecs had a name for this plant found blooming in the tropical highlands during the short days of winter:cuetlaxochitl. Not merely decorative, the Aztecs put the plant to practical use. From its bracts they extracted a purplish dye for use in textiles and cosmetics. The milky white sap, today called latex, was made into a preparation to treat fevers. Joel Roberts Poinsett: The poinsettia may have remained a regional plant for many years to come had it not been for the efforts of Joel Roberts Poinsett (1779 - 1851). The son of a French physician, Poinsett was appointed as the first United States Ambassador to Mexico (1825 - 1829) by President Madison. Poinsett had attended medical school himself, but his real love in the scientific field was botany. (Mr. Poinsett later founded the institution which we know today as the Smithsonian Institution). Poinsett maintained his own hothouses on his Greenville, South Carolina plantations, and while visiting the Taxco area in 1828, he became enchanted by the brilliant red blooms he saw there. He immediately sent some of the plants back to South Carolina, where he began propagating the plants and sending them to friends and botanical gardens. Among the recipients of Poinsett's work was John Bartram of Philadelphia, who in turn gave the plant over to another friend, Robert Buist, a Pennsylvania nurseryman. Mr. Buist is thought to be the first person to have sold the plant under its botanical name, Euphorbia pulcherrima (literally, "the most beautiful Euphorbia"). Though it is thought to have become known by its more popular name of poinsettia around 1836, the origin of the name is certainly clear!

Red Passion Vine Flower

Another nice photo from my first cousin in Florida showing a red passion vine flower in his garden.

Magnificent Blue Orchids

My Florida First Cousin has 2 green thumbs and great photography skills as evidenced in this photo he sent me which I am posting here to share with y'all. Please left double click this photo to enlarge it and see the subtle details.

Leopard Orchid

This is an orchid in my Florida cousin's collection and he describes it as gorgeous and fragrant.PUT YOUR MOUSE POINTER ON THE PICTURE AND LEFT DOUBLE CLICK IT TO ENLARGE IT AND SEE THE LEOPARD SPOTS IN HIGH DETAIL.

Freedom From Want on Thanksgiving 2007

"People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, People may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, People may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, They may be jealous; Be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you've got anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway." Mother Teresa

Thanksgiving For The Four Freedoms

We have so much to be thankful for on this holiday including these famous icons by the great illustrator/artist Norman Rockwell showing 4 freedoms sacred to all Americans.

Florida Orchid

I am happy to share a picture my first cousin in Florida sent me of his orchid. I wish I had the truly tropical climate of Florida so I could grow plants like these.