In a Vase on Monday: Unlike me, Dahlias & Zinnias Love the Heat!

Our temperatures are still simmering in the upper 80s to low 90sF (31-33C) and our humidity levels remain high as well.  Spending any time in the garden after 9am is a fools errand, although I admit I've exhibited my share of foolish behavior during the last two weeks.  Even so, my garden's received much less attention than it needs.

This week, it was Dahlia 'Labyrinth' that grabbed my attention.  Although a large number of the blooms were no longer in their prime, there were more than I needed to stuff fill a vase.

This view was intended to be the back of the arrangement but I've given it the front view here as it shows off the beauty of the 'Labyrinth' flowers particularly well

"Back view" of the arrangement showing more dahlias, along with a couple of zinnias.  The zinnia seeds got a very late start this year and, so far, I've been disappointed by the number that germinated given the sheer volume of seeds I sowed, but perhaps they'll surprise me before the season's over.  However, my guess is that the local critters dislodged many of the seeds before they had a chance to get started.

Overhead view

Clockwise from the upper left, the vase contains: Dahlia 'Labyrinth', Leucadendron 'Wilson's Wonder'. Tanacetum parthenium 'Aureum', Zinnia 'Benary's Giant Salmon Rose', and Z. 'Queeny Lemon Peach' (with a hitch-hiking ant I only noticed belatedly)

The arrangement in place in the front entry (with the zinnias were given more attention)

I cut more flowers than I could use in my vase so the leftovers went into a second, smaller vase.  Although dahlias last far longer in the garden than they do in a vase, I can enjoy them more in the house than in the garden at present as there seems to be little chance of relief from the heat in the near term.

The leftovers include Dahlia 'Omega' (rear left), D. 'Honeymoon' (middle), and another D. 'Labyrinth' (right). 

The fillers, in addition to another 'Giant Salmon' Zinnia and more Tanacetum, includes a spray of the peachy-pink Callistemon 'Cane's Hybrid', which I discovered in full bloom on a last-minute walk through my back garden yesterday morning.  The Callistemon flowers may conceivably be dried-up and brown by next week. 

Of late, I've been cutting flowers and giving them away in record numbers to friends and neighbors.  That provides it's own source of enjoyment when I'm unable to actually work in the garden itself.

To see what others have found to enjoy in their gardens, check in with Cathy at Rambling in the Garden to see what she and others have found to brighten their hot summer days.

All material © 2012-2026 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party

In a Vase on Monday: It's still hot

The weather hasn't gotten any better here since last week.  It's still miserably hot and humid, and I remain closeted in the house most days. I attempted some minor chores in the heat late Saturday afternoon but I held out for only an hour.  On Sunday, I took a twenty minute walk in the early morning, cut some flowers, and that was it for the day.  Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any relief in the ten-day forecast either.  However, the dahlias remain a source of beauty, even if the gardener is a sad sack.

All my dahlias have now at least made an appearance.  I handed off nearly a dozen stems of 'Break Out' to a friend up the street a couple days ago, yet that plant is still so top heavy it threatens to topple over in its half-barrel container.  Nonetheless, this week for In a Vase on Monday, I cut flowers from other plants that showed up more recently.

The dahlias featured in this arrangement are 'Mikayla Miranda', one of my favorites among those I've previously grown, and 'Table Dancer', which is new to me.  It took me a little time to warm up to the latter as that one starts out a dingy white before it develops purplish streaks, although mine aren't as vivid as many I've seen in online photos.

Back view: I used foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea) again this week to fill out the vase

Overhead view

Clockwise from the upper left, the vase contains: Agonis flexuosa 'Nana', Dahlia 'Mikayla Miranda', D. 'Table Dancer', Digitalis purpurea, Tanacetum partheneum 'Aureum', and Zinnia 'Oklahoma Ivory'

As usual, the arrangement landed in the front entry

I cut a few blooms from another dahlia for a second small arrangement too.  This one is called 'Nicholas'.  I love its shape and color, although its foliage isn't looking all that spiffy.

I supplemented the 3 butterscotch-colored dahlias with more Tanacetum 'Aureum' and a couple stems of Lotus berthelotii  

For other IAVOM creations, check in with Cathy at Rambling in the Garden to discover what she and other contributors have to share this week.

All material © 2012-2026 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party

In a Vase on Monday: Going for broke

The dahlias are producing more flowers every day, but this week my eyes first fixed on the foxgloves that burst into bloom all at once in one area of my cutting garden.  I don't generally expect to see foxgloves in July as the heat usually takes them out much earlier.  So I cut them first and looked for dahlias that could back them up afterwards.  Before I was done, I'd cut three varieties of dahlias and some lilies to add to the mix.  The lilies were a real surprise as I'd almost given up on seeing any more of them this season.

The lily is 'Pretty Woman', planted 4 years ago.  I'd noted earlier that 2 stalks had withered in place before the flowers fully opened, presumably in response to too much heat and too little water, so the third stalk was a pleasant surprise.  The dahlias shown at the front of the vase are 'Admiral Rawlings' and 'XXL Veracruz'. 

The back view of the vase, which shows off 3 'Hartennas' collarette dahlias and a few stems of Polygala (aka sweet pea shrub), has it's own personality

Overhead view

Clockwise from the upper left: Agonis flexuosa 'Nana', Dahlia 'Hartennas', D. 'XXL Veracruz', D. 'Admiral Rawlings', Digitalis purpurea in purple and white forms, Polygala myrtifolia, and Lilium 'Pretty Woman'

It's been hot and humid here for the past week.  While our temperatures are no longer in the 90s (33C), it's still uncomfortable (mid-80sF/30C).  I try to get in my walks and any remotely strenuous garden activities done well before 10am if at all possible.  My garden is taking a beating as there's never sufficient time or energy to tackle everything, nor all the water the garden needs.  As the heat is on seemingly everywhere these days, I expect many of us are dealing with the same issues but, if you can't complain to other gardeners, who can you complain to?

Wherever you are, I hope you find a spot to cool off!  I know we're lucky to have air conditioning as many do not.  We're just closing our eyes to the electric bills for now.

For more IAVOM posts, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden to find what she and others have found to fill their vases this week.

My vase in place in the front entry

All material © 2012-2026 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party

When the heat is on, the dahlias step up

I wasn't sure the dahlias would come through for me this year.  For one thing, they got a late start because I was held up by medical issues during the period I'm usually getting the tubers started.  In addition, all my dahlia plants had succumbed to a vicious virus last year and it wasn't guaranteed that the soil in my cutting garden wouldn't prompt a repeat performance despite my efforts to clean the slate before planting the area again.

Although not all the new plants that made it through round one have flowered yet, fourteen have.  Four of these are duplicates but I thought I'd show off the ten varieties currently in bloom, starting with my favorites so far.

This is 'Good Morning', apparently named after a long-running television show

This is 'Labyrinth', which I've grown in prior years

'Omega' is new to me

'Karma Caroline' is small in size but floriferous and very pretty with a waterlily-like form

This tuber was sold to me as 'Belle of Barmera', which it certainly is not.  My best guess is that it's 'Break Out', which I've previously grown, although I don't remember it getting quite this big!

This is another one that's new to me.  It's called 'Snowbound'.

This one, called 'Admiral Rawlings', is just getting started.  It's taller and narrower in size that the other dahlias in this year's collection.  The flowers are the deepest purple I think I've ever seen, although that color isn't well represented in this photo.

This is the first bloom produced by 'Enchantress', another of my favorites.  Unfortunately, it'd already faded by the time I got around to photographing it.

This is the only "collarette" dahlia I have this year.  It's called 'Hartennas'.  The bees love it.

I haven't made up my mind about this one.  It's called 'Mystery Day'.

The duplicates currently blooming include:  'Labyrinth', ' Break Out', 'Admiral Rawlings', and 'Mystery Day'.  The dahlias that haven't flowered yet include: 'Creme de Cognac', Honeymoon', 'Nicholas', and 'Table Dancer'.  'Creme de Cognac' was eaten to the ground early on and I'm not convinced it's going to recover but I have relative confidence in the rest so far.

Dahlias aren't the only plants that warrant a bit of attention this July, however.  Here are a few others worth mentioning:

Catharanthus 'Blueberry Kisses', a variety of vinca, produces pretty, if relatively small flowers.  What impresses me most is that I planted these last fall if I recall correctly and they've survived despite being ignored.

The Cistus have produced another flush of flowers.  The species on the left is Cistus x skanbergii.  I've no ID for the one on the right, which I can't even remember planting years ago.

These are just a handful of the Daucus carota 'Dara' that self-seeded freely in my garden this year.  The bulk of them are cleverly hiding out in the shrubbery to ensure their survival into next year and beyond.

The Eustoma grandiflorum (aka Lisianthus) have put on a patchy show this year and I expect that the intenser heat we're now getting will take out those that remain very soon.  However, I did get some blooms in apricot and pale green a this year.  No blues whatsoever, though!

Monarda 'Peter's Purple' has come back in very small numbers this year, which is rather disappointing

In contrast, Rudbeckia 'Juliana', planted in this barrel last summer, is putting on a very good show.  I need more Rudbeckia!

Salvia canariensis var candidissima rebounded this month after being cut back bard last month

That's it for the July floral parade in my garden.  I've got some sunflower and zinnia seedlings still in the development stage but, as both got an even later start than the dahlias this year, I'm surprised I've any.  My fingers are crossed that I may at least get some flowers of each in August.

I hope you've got some flowers to brighten your summer garden too!

All material © 2012-2026 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party

In a Vase on Monday: No fussing this week

After a bright, sunny start to Sunday morning, the clouds moved in, the sky turned a dingy gray, and it got very muggy.  I usually spend a good amount of time just tidying up my garden while cutting flowers for "In a Vase on Monday"; however, this week I decided to make a quick job of it and get myself back indoors.  Historically, coastal Southern California has been known for its "dry heat" but higher humidity is becoming increasingly common.  It also didn't help that there's also a new wildfire fire burning in Northern Los Angeles County, contributing to both the gloom and the sharp decline in our air quality.

I picked one of my favorite dahlias, 'Labyrinth', as the centerpiece of this week's arrangement.

I paired the 'Labyrinth' dahlias with Lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum) and Grevillea flowers in similar peachy tones.  These colors can lift anyone's spirits, even under the gloomiest conditions. 

The back view of the vase was taken over by splashy stems of Leucadendron 'Wilson's Wonder'

Overhead view

Clockwise from the upper left are: Dahlia 'Labyrinth', Eustoma grandflorum 'Apricot', Cuphea 'Honeybells', Grevillea 'Peaches & Cream', and Leucadendron 'Wilson's Wonder'

Finished arrangement in place

I'll tackle tidying the garden on another, hopefully cooler, day.  How much cooler weather we can reasonably expect this summer and fall with El Nino conditions forming in the Pacific are questionable, though.  While those conditions can mean drought and food shortages in many parts of the world, they can also mean deluges and floods here in California  I generally welcome rain but too much rain too fast can become a significant problem as well. 

For more IAVOM posts, check in with Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.

All material © 2012-2026 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party

In a Vase on Monday: An imposter?

It warmed up here late last week, and the dahlias finally started getting into gear, which is not to say that all of my tubers are blooming yet. However, two of the largest "dinner plate" dahlias flowered and demanded notice. They were identified at time of purchase as 'Belle of Barmera', which I've grown before, and 'Omega', which is new to me. The flowers of both are huge, even by my standards.

The 'Belle of Barmera' is notably softer in color than the one I previously grew, which made me believe that the tubers were mislabeled by the seller.

The flowers of this 'Belle' are pale pink and yellow in color while online references describe it as a mix of coral, peach, and raspberry-pink.  My plants are pretty but I don't think they're 'Belle of Barmera'.  (You can see what those flowers should look like here.) 

Back view of the vase, showing off the single stem of 'Omega' I included. I couldn't have crammed in a second 'Omega' bloom in that vase if I'd tried. 

Overhead view

Clockwise from the upper left: Agonis flexuosa 'Nana' (aka peppermint willow), Dahlia 'Belle of Barmera' (or its imposter), D. 'Omega', and Grevillea 'Superb'

The arrangement in place in our front entryway

It's looking likely that I can expect more dahlias in the weeks ahead.  I remain hopeful that I may get more lilies too, although that's not certain if it gets too hot too fast.  A stem of Lilium 'Zelmira' with just two flowers surprised me last Tuesday but I haven't seen any evidence of its sisters in the wings, nor the two other lily varieties I expected to see this season.

Lilium 'Zelmira'

For more IAVOM posts, visit our gracious host, Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.

All material © 2012-2026 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party

In a Vase on Monday: Some fumbling involved

The dahlias continue to produce buds but remain slow about delivering actual flowers. A couple of dahlia flowers opened very recently; however, there were not enough to make up a single bouquet. Luckily, one of the two stalks of 'Friso' lilies opened to fill the gap, boosted in part by a sudden flurry of wild carrot and other flowers. Hopefully, the dahlias will pick up their pace next week.

While I like the mix of flowers here, the arrangement itself is a little sloppy.  The lily had twisted its stalk around and refused to allow me to bend it into shape.

 

As may be evident from this rear view of the vase

Overhead view

Clockwise from the upper left, the vase contains: Daucus carota 'Dara' (self-seeded and known as both wild carrot and Queen Anne's lace), Leucanthemum x superbum (aka Shasta daisy, in its ruffled form), Leptospermum 'Copper Glow', Lilium 'Friso', and Pelargonium peltatum 'Dark Pink' (aka ivy geranium)

Vase in the front entry

We didn't get the heat that was predicted last week, at least not in our area.  Our daily temperatures remained in the low to mid-70sF (22 to 24C) and it looks as though we should expect more of the same leading into the holiday weekend.  It's hard to know what to wish for there.  I'd settle for a stretch of relative calm.  For those of you in the US, I wish you the same.

To see more IAVOM posts, check in with Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.

All material © 2012-2026 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party