Our brief coolish winter has not dissuaded the snowbirds from coming to Miami for the holidays. Should the weather pop briefly above 75 degrees, our pale visitors will be sunning themselves on Miami Beach, while the rest of us go shopping for sweaters.

I thought I would make a quick review of some plants that bloom in December. Or a few that you would not think should be blooming now. And at the end of this post, I note some upcoming plant sales. 

The Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow plant is easy to find in South Florida. The above photo is a bit misleading as it does not produce purple and white flowers. All flowers are initially purple, and change slowly to light purple and then white, before falling off. It is in full bloom now. It can be grown either as a bush or tree. It will produce an abundance of flowers beginning in early December in South Florida. 

My suggestion would be to give this plant enough room (a 20′ diameter circle is good) in a location where it can have sun on all sides. It can take full sun, but in South Florida, it should be for only part of the day. I also keep the soil moist, and the area well mulched. 

Now a few other bloomers. The Burbidgea schizocheila (Voodoo Flame Ginger) is timing its flowers perfectly for the holiday season. My plants haven’t bloomed all year round. It must be kept in the shade and kept wet.

The Eucharis grandifolia (Amazon lily) are just starting to bloom, at least the ones that get a bit of morning sun.

The flowers tend to droop down, making me lie down to get a good photo. They are bulb plants from the same family as the Amarylis 

The Musa haekkinenii, from the banana family, is still giving flowers. It comes from a mountainous region of North Vietnam. Lower petals are beginning to fade.

And very surprising to see the bract of the Beehive ginger is still doing well, despite the fact that it should have turned to mush by now. 

And finally, just holiday season, the Bolivian sunset plants have decide it was their time to bloom. The ones in deeper shade have yet to bloom. A bit of morning sun seems to make them happy.

The list goes on. The calamondin tree continues to bear fruit. I see more flowers on all the ground orchids (Spathoglotis gracila are the yellow flowers, S. plicata for purple flowers). Plenty of orchids are blooming. My attempted bonsai of a key lime tree is now filled with flowers.

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I’ve updated the list of plant sales. The Tamiami Orchid Festival starts Friday, January 12. It brings together many local and international growers. Always a great sale. It is not strictly orchids, as nice orchid companion plants and supplies are sold. Per site: The January 12-14, 2024 Tamiami International Orchid Festival will be the largest orchid show in the United States.

I am thankful for the help from others in alerting me of upcoming plant shows. Happy holidays to all.

Happy gardening,

Dave