the tropical feel I was wishing for is finally apparent.

that looks fantastic Lori

Thanks Irish!

Beautiful! What is that plant in the background with the red stems?

Hello Dene! It is Castor Bean. The "beans" (seeds that look like a kernel of corn..so why they've been labled beans I have no idea)..are poisonous. You should be careful how you handle them and definitely do not eat them. These are an annual here in Canada...but I'm reasonably sure that the plant (which grows quite large here) will become gigantic in Louisiana and may be biennial...if not perennial. (will have to check that out)
Nice to meet you...welcome to goY.