I live in northern michigan (U.S.) and there are only a few types of inflorescence that even come close to things like this. (dwarf iris\Iris lacustris here is quite beautiful however) When I first saw some of these Heliconia in Hawaii I believe my expression may have been quite similar to the canine fellow you have expertly depicted here.

Thanks for your comment!

It seems that it's true that only small number of species from Boreal floristic kingdom are capable of producing inflorescence as magnificent and striking as Heliconia spp., although they have their own kind of beauty(Like the Iris lacustris you introduced to me! Those pretties reminds me of I. cristata).

It's so unfortunate that most Heliconia spp. are extremely sensitive to cold, yet Korean winters are far from being kind for them. Last winter was quite brutal here, and it took it's toll on many of the tropicals that were being tended in the university greenhouse; including my Heliconia seedlings. I hope we have a mild winter this year, though chances look slim.