My blue
Eustoma grandiflorum were once more demanding attention so they were the starting point for this week's vase. I'd thought I'd stick to blue tones but 2 of my yellow
'Buttercream' roses were also blooming and, with rain on the way (yay!), I thought I might as well cut them and bring them inside. I wondered if the contrast would be too stark but, with the addition of some cream-colored foliage, I think the flowers play off one another rather well.
Here's what I included in the vase this week:
- Ageratum houstonianum 'Blue Horizon'
- 'Buttercream' rose
- Duranta repens (no ID)
- Erysimum linifolium
- Eustoma grandiflorum 'Borealis Blue' and 'Echo White' (aka Lisianthus)
- Prostanthera ovalifolia 'Variegata' (aka mint bush)
- Westringia 'Naringa' (aka coast rosemary)
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| The Ageratum began blooming again once the temperatures cooled but the Westringia blooms all year |
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| These yellow roses also appear to appreciate the cooler weather |
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| It turns out that the tiny flowers of the Duranta don't make good cut flowers - they've been dropping one at a time since they went into the vase |
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| Even without flowers, Erysimum linifolium makes a great foliage accent, in this case mirroring the color of the Prostanthera foliage |
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| The Lisianthus look good with everything |
This week's vase, created in connection with
Cathy's weekly challenge at Rambling in the Garden, is sitting across from the front door. Last week's vase, minus the rose and the Copper Canyon daisies, is still in good shape so it landed on the dining table, where it complements my new tablerunner.
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| Last week's vase, or what's left of it |
As today is December 1st, I also have a wide shots post on my "to do" list. The photos have been taken but the post may be delayed a day. I'm backed up on blog posts as I spent all my free time in the garden over the long holiday weekend in an effort to get as much planted in advance of the rain storm due on Tuesday as I could. Yesterday, all we got was an occasional light drizzle and today looks like more of the same.
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| The view over the Los Angeles harbor late yesterday afternoon - these clouds brought just light drizzle and a rainbow |
All material
© 2012-2014 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
What sunny drama you put in a vase today. I really like the fact that you identify the plants. Even if it turns out that I can't grow them, I get a little education!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the tags are useful, Linda. In part, my intention is to cement the Latin names in my own mind - repetition helps me do that.
DeleteI just love the Eustoma every time you use it. The combination of 3 toning colours and one contrast works brilliantly, I need to work on the colour distribution in my vases but that will probably be in spring now. I do hope your rain arrives. We had a lovely day here that ended in a tremendous thunder storm with incredible lightning bolts!
ReplyDeleteThe rain has arrived today. It's real rain - not a deluge but steady and, hopefully, just what we need to give our dry soil a thorough soaking (without creating mudslides).
DeleteFunny about the rain distribution. I got a good quarter inch; and you nothing that shows up on the map. Love that moody harbor shot.
ReplyDeleteJust about everyone I've spoken to seems to have gotten more out of Sunday's rain than we did, Jane - it dampened the pavement but then the fog does that much.
DeleteVery nice arrangement Kris with brilliant, strong color. The lisianthus are gorgeous as are the roses and they work well together.
ReplyDeleteThanks Susie!
DeleteThose blues against the soft yellow, beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteI liked the combination a lot more than I'd anticipated myself.
DeleteYour eustoma seems to have been flowering for ever and will make every vase a success - with these yellows the vase is absolutely gorgeous, like a sunny summer garden. Lovely, and thanks for sharing :-)
ReplyDeleteThe Eustoma seems to flower in spring (which is when it generally becomes available in the nurseries) into early summer, then it hunkers down, stops flowers, and yellows when the temperatures sizzle. When the temperatures cool in fall, it produces fresh foliage and fresh flowers. I over-wintered it once but the second spring's growth wasn't the same.
DeleteEven with the clouds that is a stunning scene...I love seeing last week's vase as it is still lovely. And this weeks vase is gorgeous Kris. The roses really add to the purple and foliage...breathtaking and that vase is one of my favorites.
ReplyDeleteThanks Donna! I'm glad the contrast worked.
DeleteDear Kris, gosh your lisianthus blooms are just sooo... beautiful! They make any bouquet a complete success. As a rose lover I, of course, also like the soft yellow 'Buttercream' rose very much. By the way I have the same experience with duranta, the blooms are very pretty and would make good 'florist material', but they don't last in a vase at all. Too bad! Thanks for sharing your lovely bouquet, it brightened up my day! Now, if we only would get rain on Tuesday and Wednesday as the weather forecast predicts... Warm regards,
ReplyDeleteChristina
I hope the rain has reached you Christina. We've had steady rain here since late morning. It looks like we're going to get a decent soaking this time!
DeleteHappy rain dance time! I'm so glad you're getting the wet stuff California so desperately needs. I am so jealous of your flowers. I love the Westringia 'Naringa'. I looked it up and it's actually doable in my Zone 8b garden. I might have to be on the lookout for it. Your bouquet is perfect with the contrasts. I love, love, love it!
ReplyDeleteThe Westringia seems to be a very hardy - and carefree - plant, Grace. I hope it works for you.
DeleteWhat a little jug of good cheer you have there!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ricki! It really is a touch of sunshine on a particularly gloomy day (not that I ever complain about getting rain here).
DeleteA classic color combination with pop! Hope you get downpours!
ReplyDeleteWe're completely socked in here - looking out from the backyard, you wouldn't even know there was a harbor out there. The rain is steady, although not so heavy as to dislodge a hillside - in other words, perfect!
DeleteBeautiful! It's so nice to see some sunshiny pictures and a summery vase! I really like that deep blue and yellow together. Last week's really does look good on your table runner too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Cathy! In this area, fall is like a second spring - some horticulturists even refer to it as such.
DeleteAs beautiful as your vases are it is reading that you've finally gotten some rain that made my heart glad for you. As much work as you put in, it only seems fair for the weather to help out a little!
ReplyDeleteThanks Deb. As your area also contends with drought, I know you realize how excited we get about rain.
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