Search This Blog

Friday, March 23, 2012

A Natural Hedge of Flowers, Flame Vine and Hibiscus, Florida



In Florida bright flowers are found,The Flame-Vine and Hibiscus abound;While orange groves of fadeless green,With fruit of gold make gay the scene.


Hollywood, FL, February 21, 1934

Dear Alice,
We are leaving the fifth of March and going through Tampa and will stop in to see you from there.
Art S.

Mrs. A. B. Green
505 E. Amelia Ave.
Orlando, Fla.

Gay doggerel aside, there is nothing natural about a hedge of flame vine.  Introduced to Florida in the 1920’s, this Brazilian plant has been spread by hummingbirds and bees all over south and central Florida.  Sure, it’s pretty, but ask a tree getting smothered by this plant how pretty it is.

Wait, trees don’t talk.  

The original house at 505 E. Amelia Avenue has been replaced with a newer, presumably larger house built in 1991.  The new structure was bought and sold by Orlando real estate mogul Phil Rampy for a handsome profit in 2000.  The Orange County Property Appraiser doesn't list any other owners before Mr. Rampy, so perhaps he has a recollection of the original structure and perhaps the inhabitants.

No comments:

Post a Comment