Winter finally arrived in the Northeast, so I left
town….temporarily anyway. I traveled to
Costa Rica, the epitome of tropical rainforests. I had full expectations of seeing amazing
things in the rainforest including monkeys, reptiles, birds and lush, tangled
foliage. Costa Rica did not
disappoint. I saw all those things many
times over. What I didn’t anticipate was
the plethora of tropical flowering plants that clearly flourish in this consistently
moist environment.
In case you are also in need of an escape from winter, enjoy
this mini, tropical getaway. While these
plants clearly aren’t hardy in our zone, some of them would make pretty
houseplants! I prefer the method of
traveling someplace warm during the winter months to enjoy seeing them in
person.
this mini, tropical getaway. While these
plants clearly aren’t hardy in our zone, some of them would make pretty
houseplants! I prefer the method of
traveling someplace warm during the winter months to enjoy seeing them in
person.
One of the most popular plants in Costa Rica is the
Heliconia. Often grown for the flower
industry, these flowers are amazingly colorful and architectural. By looking at the images, you will understand
why the common names for Heliconia include lobster claw and false bird of
paradise.
Heliconia. Often grown for the flower
industry, these flowers are amazingly colorful and architectural. By looking at the images, you will understand
why the common names for Heliconia include lobster claw and false bird of
paradise.
 |
| The amazing Heliconia |
 |
| False Bird of Paradise |
 |
| Lobster claw Heliconia |
Etlingera
elatior, also known as ginger flower or porcelain rose, is another standout in
the Costa Rican landscape. While edible,
I can’t imagine eating this flower when it’s so much more fun to admire.
elatior, also known as ginger flower or porcelain rose, is another standout in
the Costa Rican landscape. While edible,
I can’t imagine eating this flower when it’s so much more fun to admire.
 |
| A porcelain rose for sure |
I would put red sealing wax palm (Cyrtostachys renda) in the ‘smart’ plant category. Intolerant of temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit (isn’t that smart?), it’s coveted for arresting bright red leaf stalks. This ‘lipstick palm’ certainly contrasted beautifully against the deep blue of the pool.
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| Lipstick Palm |
The peach-colored
floral bells of Angel’s trumpets (Brugmansia) swayed gracefully in the breeze and
looked so elegant. Apparently they smelled
liked rotten fruit though, which while not attractive to humans, was very
attractive to their pollinator – the bat!
floral bells of Angel’s trumpets (Brugmansia) swayed gracefully in the breeze and
looked so elegant. Apparently they smelled
liked rotten fruit though, which while not attractive to humans, was very
attractive to their pollinator – the bat!
 |
| Angel Trumpets |
I hope you have enjoyed this little escape from winter’s fury. When it’s cold outside, the world of tropical plants provides a perfect destination! Don’t you agree?
Oh, I do! And when one can't get to, say, Costa Rica, a visit to a local greenhouse is a sure tonic for winter blues. When we lived in northen New England, the Montreal Botanical Gardens were a favorite destination. Here in SE Pa, Longwood Gardens are well worth the drive, and even Ott's Greenhouse in Schwenksville is wonderful to walk through – and pehaps get some springtime gardening ideas. Try it, you'll like it!
Lovely and just what I need Carol in this snowy/rainy February. Thanks for showing us some beauty with your photos and prose. Costa Rica just got added to my bucket list.