Monday, March 9, 2015

In a Vase on Monday: Ageratum corymbosum blooms at last!

I noticed buds developing on my Ageratum corymbosum in late December.  The buds became larger and more prolific in January.  I thought they'd open in time for Bloom Day in February but, as they did last year, they kept me waiting until March.  They finally began opening en masse at the end of last week so their inclusion "In a Vase on Monday" didn't require any deliberation whatsoever.

Ageratum corymbosum planted outside our living room window

Front view of completed vase

Back view


In addition to the Ageratum, I included lavender and yellow Freesia and Polygala fruticosa 'Petite Butterfly.'  The stems of yellow Freesia were a last minute addition, intended to perk up the mix by picking up the subtle yellow color in both the lavender Freesia and the Polygala.

Close-up of Ageratum flower stalk

Lavender Freesia

Polygala fruitcosa


The new vase replaced the one containing Cymbidium stems I created 3 weeks ago on the dining room table.  The orchids had faded a bit but they still looked surprisingly good even when I tossed them.


Cymbidium arrangement just before it was chucked


Visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden to see what she's got in a vase this week and to find links to other participants' creations.


All material © 2012-2015 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
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29 comments:

  1. DonnaMarch 9, 2015 at 9:43 AM

    Kris what an abundance of the Ageratum corymbosum....and you have many other lavender colored flowers to complement it...a beautiful vase!

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    1. Kris PetersonMarch 9, 2015 at 5:04 PM

      When that Ageratum blooms, it goes big, Donna! Maybe it's making up for all the time it keeps the gardener waiting.

      Delete
  2. Mark and GazMarch 9, 2015 at 9:59 AM

    Winning combo with the purple and yellow Kris!

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    1. Kris PetersonMarch 9, 2015 at 5:05 PM

      It needed that little zing of yellow, didn't it?

      Delete
  3. Gabriel gardenMarch 9, 2015 at 10:07 AM

    Bellissima composizione fatta da piante stupende! Soprattutto l'Ageratum che non conoscevo!

    Un saluto :)

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    1. Kris PetersonMarch 9, 2015 at 5:08 PM

      The Ageratum is an unusual perennial variety (or at least, it is perennial here in Southern California). It was classified as a Eupatorium for a time but the seller is once again calling it an Ageratum.

      Delete
  4. AngieMarch 9, 2015 at 11:15 AM

    I love the colours Kris. Just the right amount of yellow to add contrast - perfect!

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  5. outlawgardenerMarch 9, 2015 at 11:29 AM

    Purple and yellow are a great combination and your arrangement is glorious!

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    1. Kris PetersonMarch 9, 2015 at 5:09 PM

      Almost everything goes with yellow in my book, Peter, but then it's my favorite color.

      Delete
  6. AnonymousMarch 9, 2015 at 1:06 PM

    So pretty! I love the addition of the yellow freesia to pick out the centre of the lavender one. It works really well. Ageratums are sold as summer annuals here, but never get as big as yours. It looks lovely in a vase!

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    1. Kris PetersonMarch 9, 2015 at 5:12 PM

      Most of the Ageratum grown here, usually forms of A. houstonianum, are treated as annuals too, Cathy. This A. corymbosum (sometimes classified as a Eupatorium) is the only perennial form I'm familiar with.

      Delete
  7. Julie@peoniesandposies.comMarch 9, 2015 at 2:37 PM

    Another beautiful vase Kris - made even more spectacular by your lovely light and backgrounds. The yellow freesia do a great job of adding a colour pop.

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    1. Kris PetersonMarch 9, 2015 at 5:13 PM

      Thanks Julie! We're getting a lot of sunlight now, along with summer-like temperatures.

      Delete
  8. AnonymousMarch 9, 2015 at 2:48 PM

    What a pretty shrub that is, Kris - and what potential for vases! How long will it flower for (uncut, I mean)? Your supporting material does a great job too - thanks for sharing.

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    1. Kris PetersonMarch 9, 2015 at 5:19 PM

      I don't have a written record on the Ageratum's bloom period, Cathy, but my recollection is that the flamboyant spring bloom lasts about a month, followed by more sporadic blooms until late summer, when I usually hack it back. After a relatively short ugly period, the foliage - which is attractive all on its own - carries it through fall and into early spring, when the blooms explode again.

      Delete
  9. Amy@SmallSunnyGardenMarch 9, 2015 at 3:57 PM

    I love what the texture of the ageratum does for the vase, Kris! And the polygala blooms are lovely; it looks like they might be iffy here, but I enjoy pea-type flowers...
    (I've tried to comment three times, and each time I'm asked to sign back into Google. So I MAY have left three (or was it four?) very similar comments - hope not!

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    1. Kris PetersonMarch 9, 2015 at 5:23 PM

      No duplicate comments received, Amy, so it was just Google testing your patience.

      The Polygala likes a bit of shade even here. One of my 3 plants gave up the ghost during last summer's heat. I think it also needed more water than I gave it.

      Delete
  10. GreenObsessionsMarch 9, 2015 at 5:02 PM

    Just beautful. The close-up of Ageratum flower stalk is my favourite.

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    1. Kris PetersonMarch 9, 2015 at 5:25 PM

      That Ageratum is one of my favorite plants. I wish I had more. I wasn't successful in growing it from cuttings, although it may be time to try again.

      Delete
  11. AnonymousMarch 9, 2015 at 5:07 PM

    Very effective combination of flowers Kris and lovingly presented. The Cymbidium arrangement still looks lovely too, even as it was on its way out.

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    1. Kris PetersonMarch 9, 2015 at 5:32 PM

      I really should have cut a few of the Cymbidium flowers for a small vase to stick somewhere else - I kicked myself for that failure after I'd dumped them in the trash.

      Delete
  12. danger gardenMarch 9, 2015 at 10:10 PM

    I love it! And now I'm craving some grape bubblicious...

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    1. Kris PetersonMarch 11, 2015 at 4:00 PM

      This plant (or plants - there are actually 3 there) came from Annie's, although she hasn't offered it in awhile. (I have it on my wish list as I had problems getting it to root from cuttings.)

      Delete
  13. AnonymousMarch 10, 2015 at 12:27 AM

    What a useful, beautiful plant Ageratum corymbosum is. Sometimes I imagine our climates to be similar but in reality your winters are so much milder than ours. I was on holiday at the Red Sea and the plants in the hotel garden reminded me of all the plants you grow. I love the inclusion of the yellow Freesias it lifts all the others colours to perfection and must add a lovely perfume.

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    1. Kris PetersonMarch 11, 2015 at 4:03 PM

      Our winters would seem more like spring in other areas of the world. If we just got more rain and fewer wild weather fluctuations during the winter and spring months, this would be the ideal environment for gardeners...

      Delete
  14. Anca TîrcăMarch 10, 2015 at 1:48 AM

    Beautiful vase, splendid colours! Thanks for sharing, Kris!

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  15. chlorisMarch 12, 2015 at 11:39 AM

    The flowers you use in your cases always make me so jealous. Again this week they are such gorgeous colours. I particularly love the Ageratum.

    ReplyDelete

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