A Hibiscus is a Hibiscus by any Other......

Is there anything that epitomizes 'tropicana' ambience more than a bright and lovely hibiscus? (Well, in Houston anyway, since it's been scorching hot and dry here, it's miraculous anything is blooming!). I never had much luck getting my hibiscus to 'take hold' at my former residence, but in the private tropics of my boyfriend's backyard, they are thriving and provide a pleasant plethora of vibrance and only serve to enhance the well-established tropical flora abounding in ferns, ivy and palms of every shape and size. Lord knows, Kent is certainly proud of the little budding beauties that seem to bask in the sunlit reflection of his pristine pool and steal the spotlight of his interurban jungle prive'.

I suppose what I love about this particular flower--the hibiscus, that is-- is that, from now on, I will always associate it with this man who has become very precious to me. In hindsight, it's rather amusing to ponder just how much time we have actually spent discussing the little 'biscy buds', as I like to call them. We have talked about their age, their color, their lack of redolence, their 'bee magnetism,' their location, their pervasive withering petals floating on the surface of the pool. Kent is not particularly green-thumbed (sorry, sweetie), but his pride in these blooms is practically obsessive!

Once as I was leaving Kent's stuccoed, stately home, he unexpectedly darted out from the house. With the authority of a Buckingham Palace guard, he commanded me to, 'stop!' and 'wait a sec.; stay right there!' He returned a moment later with a freshly-picked, bright pink hibiscus in his outstretched hand and a shy (yet slightly sly) grin on his handsome face and announced, 'For you, Miss Lainie. It's not as beautiful as you, but it'll have to do."

So, for all you romantic rose reapers, tulip-toters, daisy-doters, lily lovers and peony paramours, you can have your 'fleur du jour.' I'll keep my hibiscus, thank you very much!