It's composed of:
- Antirrhinum majus, rocket variety
- Cerinthe retorta
- Erysimum linifolium 'Variegatum'
- Gomphrena decumbens 'Itsy Bitsy' (better known as 'Little Grapes')
There's a very small touch of the lemon color in the flower of the Cerinthe that picks up the color of the snapdragon, which is also echoed in the cream-colored variegation of the Erysimum. The flowers of the Gomphrena circle above like tiny satellites, emphasizing the purple edge of the Cerinthe's flowers.
I still haven't made up my mind as to whether or not I really like the Cerinthe retorta. The foliage is interesting but the flowers don't impress me as much as those of Cerinthe major.
However, I love the Gomphrena, which has been blooming non-stop since I planted it in June.
Best wishes for a productive week in your garden!
I tried Cerinthe retorta in my garden a couple of years ago, and I agree, I like C. major better. I have plenty of days where I feel like I've spent the time spinning my wheels. Right now though, I'm lucky if I can bear to be out there in the fog and cold for more than a couple of hours. I basically wait all morning for a bit of warmth, and then rush out to get something, anything, done, before my hands start to ache and I come back in. You're so lucky to actually have flowers to cut and bring in. They're beautiful.
ReplyDeleteIf I were faced with your cold temperatures, Alison, I'd be spending most of my time inside too!
DeleteI love gophera! It is easy to grow and long-lasting in bouquets. I am not familiar with Cerinthe retorta. It seems they must be appreciated up close. However, they are quite unusual. I like them!
ReplyDeleteEven the foliage of the Cerinthe retorta is unusual, Deb. It's speckled with whitish dots and the larger leaves have a purplish spot at the tips.
DeleteWe haven't tried Cerinthe before but have been thinking of growing some this year. Seeing your photos have reminded us why we ought to really!
ReplyDeleteIt's certainly very different from anything else I've ever grown!
DeleteI always love your arrangements and am so inspired...though I wish we could have more flowering shrubs down here in South Florida, it seems it is way too hot for most types. I guess I will have to continue keeping our local florist's in business with more trips to their shops, lol.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes,
Sheri
www.pompanobeachgardening.blogspot.com
When flowers are in short supply in my garden, Sheri, I've been known to buy a few and fill in with my own foliage.
DeleteA lovely flower arrangement, it brings a bit of summer into a gloomy day. Thank you. The gomphrena is lovely, I've never grown it but I will try it now.
ReplyDeleteAll varieties of Gomphrena seem to be quite vigorous, Chloris.
DeleteWhere can I buy the Gomphrena up here in Oregon? I wonder if Annie's Annuals grows it. I'm seriously in love. ... Your arrangement is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSometimes when we don't feel like we're doing much in the garden, we're doing more for our state of mind by just being out there enjoying nature.
I saw the purple Gomphrena at only 1 of our local nurseries in SoCal last year, Grace, but Shirley at Rock-Oak-Deer commented earlier that it's been sold in Texas (as 'Little Grapes') so maybe it's slowly moving northward. Annie's DOES sell 2 varieties, including 1 G. decumbens - it's pink, not purple, but as I recall you like pink so perhaps that's a good source for you. Avant Gardens in MA sells the purple variety by mail order.
DeleteWhat a beautiful bouquet! How fun to still have enough blooms to have a bouquet! There are many days I come in and feel like I haven't accomplished much. Usually it's when I do a lot of little things all over the garden. I have finally decided to try working on only one area at a time so I can see more of my progress. It seems to help me mentally to see what I have accomplished outside at the end of the day.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think you're right about that - focusing on one area at a time definitely leaves one with more of a sense of accomplishment. I keep saying I'm going to focus on redesigning one area at a time too but I no sooner make that promise to myself than I break it by running with some new idea that strikes my fancy...
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