Rain was forecast for the entire weekend but, for the most part, it missed us until last night. It was dry again for awhile this morning but, it's raining now and we're even getting thunder and lightening. It's an exciting way to start the week in an area that sees relatively little in the way of weather fluctuations. Today's bouquet for "In a Vase on Monday," the meme hosted by Cathy at
Rambling in the Garden, was put together in something of a hurry.
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| Front view |
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| Back view |
I spent time weeding and cleaning things up at the bottom of the slope over the weekend, where I noticed several Calla lilies (
Zantedeschia aethiopica) in bloom so they were the natural choice as the focal point for this week's vase. In addition to the Callas, I included:
- Coleonema album
- Freesia
- Narcissus, dwarf (noID)
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| Common Calla lilies |
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| Coleonema album, which is currently in full bloom |
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| These yellow Freesias differ slightly in color, with the one on the left reading as a clear yellow and the one on the right as gold, although the photos above don't show the difference well |
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| My noID dwarf daffodils began blooming just days ago |
The new bouquet took the place of last week's vase at the front entryway. That vase, featuring
Grevillea 'Superb,' lasted nearly a week. The vase containing
Cymbidium stems, created for my post on February 16th, is
still on the dining room table,
still looking almost as it did then.
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| New vase in position near the front door |
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| The photo on the left was taken for the February 16th post; the one in the middle was taken for last week's post; and the one on the right was taken for today's post. I changed the vase water once but haven't replaced any of the flowers. The Leptospermum and Coleonema appear to be drying in situ and the orchids show little sign of decay. |
Visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden to find her newest creation and links to the contributions of other gardeners. If you have a vase created from materials in your own garden, link up!
All material
© 2012-2015 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
This bouquet says spring is here to me. I like the various combinations of clear yellow, gold yellow and white here. You have found the perfect daffodil to pull it all together.
ReplyDeleteToo bad I have no idea whatsoever of that daffodil's identity, Jane! I put the clumps around the fountain in when we first moved in, well before I started keeping records.
DeleteVery nice combination, callas, narcissus and freesia, I wouldn't have thought!Thanks for sharing, Kris!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog, Anca!
DeleteWe so often see groups of callas only in vases that it's refreshing to see how you added some other players so skillfully. Great arrangement as always!
ReplyDeleteThe Callas do look wonderful all by themselves, Peter, but I found only 5 in bloom so they needed some partners!
DeleteGorgeous bouquet, Kris! I love the white and yellow and the way the delicacy of the coleonema sets off the more substantial callas and other bulb flowers. Those orchids are fantastic too... We're getting some rain here also, though no lightning... everything is greening up!
ReplyDeleteAll tolled, we got just 3/4ths of an inch of rain from the weekend storms through Monday, Amy - I hope you got more! Things looked very promising this morning for a good, heavy soaking but, despite the rumble of thunder and the flash of lightning, the storm passed through in about an hour.
DeleteKris I can't get over how that orchid vase is still going strong. And what a bright a cheerful vase of yellow and white....you seem to have just the right flowers to complement the main blossoms....love the Coleonema album as a filler.
ReplyDeleteEven I'm surprised by the orchid vase, Donna. I'd originally planned to replace the Leptospermum and the Coleonema with fresh stems as there are plenty of both in the garden but now I'd like to see how long I can let the arrangement ride. The Leptospermum and Coleonema have dried but, unless a shake the vase, their petals stay in place despite their desiccation.
DeleteWow, those callas are gorgeous! How wonderful to have them growing in your garden! It's a lovely arrangement, full of light and sunshine! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm lucky, Cathy - the Callas came with the house. They die back to the ground each year when the temperatures soar but, thus far, return reliably with our winter rains, even though rain totals have been woefully low for the past 2 years.
DeleteWhat a gorgeous spring bouquet Kris. I would never have calla lilies and freesias flowering with daffodils, so envy you having the opportunity to put these flowers together.
ReplyDeleteI associate Calla lilies with spring - do they bloom later in the year for you in the UK, Julie?
DeleteA vase full of spring Kris!
ReplyDeleteThis one is very spring like, even to my eyes!
DeleteI just noticed your reply to Cathy at Words and Herbs. Are you saying you don't have to give much supplemental water? I know my grandmother grew them in San Diego, but I always assumed they would need loads of extra moisture?
ReplyDeleteI've always believed the same thing, Amy, but those Callas come back year after year at the bottom of the slope with little water beyond that provided by rain. However, it appears that the bulbs were planted many, many years ago so they may have good root systems. Most also sit at bottom of the slope so they probably benefit from run-off from the backyard area above, which is irrigated. I hardly ever water the lemon tree down there either but it also thrives despite my neglect.
DeleteAs others have said very much a spring vase creation, although it also has a very Easter tone for me. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteThe Callas do usually see us through Easter, although I don't know if the Freesia or daffodils will keep going into April this year.
DeleteThe range of vases we see on Monday reflect so many different things, but over the winter we have seen such variation because of where we all live. If it wasn't for the daffs this would look more like an early summer vase for us in the UK - my Zantedeschia would usually flower in June although it does have odd flowers at other times. Freesias are only half hardy here, I believe. It certainly looks elegant - and of course your orchids are amazing! Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteThere are probably some interesting lessons on the factors that prompt flowering in all these differences in the timing of our various blooms, Cathy. Callas probably need more warmth than you've got this time of year.
DeleteThose orchids are amazing. I don't believe the blooms last much longer still on the plant than yours have after being cut. We always bring plants in from the greenhouse when they open blooms. Now I might cut a few stems for a vase instead and save the stress on the mother plant of coming into what must seem a desert dry house by comparison.
ReplyDeleteI'm used to seeing calla lilies on their lonesome - but they look SO good in company. Nicely coordinated and good for your freesias, giving you some tonal playing around room!
I left one flowering stem on the Cymbidium plant so I'll have to compare its life span with those in the vase. I felt like I was committing something of an atrocity when I cut the stems 3 weeks ago, Deb, so it's gratifying to see the cut stems hang on so long.
DeleteLovely spring colours. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThanks Chloris!
DeleteThat's a particularly good one. Actually the all have been...
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