Monday, May 25, 2015

In a Vase on Monday: Abelia Sets the Tone

I thought I'd do something with Agapanthus this week as they're in plentiful supply, although I was also drawn to the orange tones in my garden and found myself considering what I could do with those.  As it turned out, I didn't follow either of these directions.  I cut some Abelia x grandiflora and that dictated the color scheme for this week's vase, prepared in connection with the meme hosted by Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.


Rear view


Here's what I included:

  • Abelia x grandiflora (possibly A. 'Edward Goucher')
  • Acacia cognata 'Cousin Itt'
  • Leucanthemum x superbum
  • Pelargonium peltatum (aka ivy geranium)
  • Rose 'Ebb Tide'
  • Trachelospermum jasminoides (aka Star Jasmine)


I inherited 2 large Abelia shrubs with the house, which I'm guessing may be A. 'Edward Goucher'

A year ago I would've considered it a sacrilege to cut stems from Acacia cognata 'Cousin Itt' but the first 3 of the shrubs I planted have grown beyond my expectations

This ruffled form of Leucanthemum x superbum was a gift from a friend 2 years ago

The no ID magenta Pelargonium peltatum moved with me from my former garden but the Star Jasmine came with the house 

This 'Ebb Tide' rose is one of only 3 roses I've planted since moving here.  It hasn't bloomed much since I planted it 2 years ago but it responded well to our recent rains.


The short stems I had left over went into a small vase with a lighter pink double-flowered Pelargonium peltatum that didn't fit in the main vase.



I put the small vase on the mantle in the master bedroom but the light under our "May gray" skies made it too difficult to photograph.  The larger vase landed on the dining room table, where I can enjoy its delicious fragrance.

The fragrance of the 'Ebb Tide' rose and the Star Jasmine manage to mask the less attractive odor of the Leucanthemum


Visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden to find more vases constructed from what's collected from the garden.  Best wishes to those of you in the US recognizing Memorial Day!


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

  1. Jean CampbellMay 25, 2015 at 9:26 AM

    Beautiful bouquets.

    Abelia is a shrub of my childhood. We had none, but my sister who also had Gardenias had great bushes of them around her house. I remember bees loving them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kris PetersonMay 25, 2015 at 7:55 PM

      The 2 Abelia shrubs I inherited are overgrown and situated in partial shade but they still bloom like crazy every year like clockwork. Who could ask for more?

      Delete
  2. organicgardendreamsMay 25, 2015 at 9:47 AM

    Dear Kris, both of your vases are very beautiful! As a rose aficionado, of course I love 'Ebb Tide'. What a unusual dark saturated color it has. How is the disease resistance of this rose in your garden?
    'Ebb Tide' goes so well with the filled shasta daisy and the abelia.
    In your second smaller vase I am really smitten with the double flowered pelargonium.
    You pulled it off, again! Great job with both vases!
    Warm regards,
    Christina

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    Replies
    1. Kris PetersonMay 25, 2015 at 7:58 PM

      I've had no disease problems whatsoever with 'Ebb Tide,' Christina, despite the fact that it receives overhead irrigation; however, the shrub has yet to gain much stature. I do love those dark purplish blooms and the scent is wonderfu but I've heard that 'Twilight Zone,' similar in color, is a better performer.

      Delete
  3. DonnaMay 25, 2015 at 10:11 AM

    Kris I love the pinks here and the abelia is a wonderful start....so much texture and color and the ruffled shasta daisy picks up the foliage texture too....I really like how you show the front and rear and how they complement each other....just a pleasure to see your vase each week....or should I say vases.

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    1. Kris PetersonMay 25, 2015 at 8:00 PM

      I admit that I don't seem to be able to stop at just one vase at this time of year, Donna! In fact, I seriously considered making up 2 or 3 more but ran out of time.

      Delete
  4. Anca TîrcăMay 25, 2015 at 11:45 AM

    There are so many beautiful flowers in your vases, Kris! The 'Ebb Tide' rose is simply wonderful! Have a nice week!

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    1. Kris PetersonMay 25, 2015 at 8:01 PM

      It's too bad we can't add scent to our posts, Anca - 'Ebb Tide's' scent is even better than its looks.

      Delete
  5. AnonymousMay 25, 2015 at 12:27 PM

    The ruffled leucanthemum is especially pretty and what a good idea to use the trachelospermum in a vase - even though mine only has minimal flowers so far the foliage always looks stunning. Thanks for sharing

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    1. Kris PetersonMay 25, 2015 at 8:03 PM

      I scalded the stems of the Trachelospermum before adding them to the vase, Cathy, as they weep white sap. I'm not absolutely certain that was necessary but it caused no harm and should prevent any contamination of the vase water.

      Delete
  6. AnonymousMay 25, 2015 at 1:56 PM

    Ebb Tide is a beauty. What a wonderful dilemma to have so many choices for your vases--both are beautiful. Glad you had a bit of rain. We're bone dry here.

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    1. Kris PetersonMay 25, 2015 at 8:07 PM

      Bone dry is our usual condition from April until at least October, Susie, so 2 rain "events" (the local nomenclature for rain!) in May are very unusual for us, drought or not. Today's paper suggested that these and the deluges plaguing OK and TX may be signs of a wet El Nino to come this winter.

      Delete
  7. Mark and GazMay 25, 2015 at 2:04 PM

    Beautiful arrangement as always Kris but my eyes can't help but be drawn to the lovely, delicate foliage of Acacia Cousin Itt!

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    Replies
    1. Kris PetersonMay 25, 2015 at 8:08 PM

      'Cousin Itt' is definitely on the list of my top ten plants.

      Delete
  8. AnonymousMay 26, 2015 at 4:05 AM

    A beautiful rose, Kris. And I love Abelia and had never thought of putting it in a vase. My plant is still far too small to cut though! I like the shape of your arrangement with the white detail on one side.

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    1. Kris PetersonMay 27, 2015 at 9:37 PM

      These particular Abelia shrubs are between 4 and 5 feet tall, although getting a long flowering stem poses something of a challenge.

      Delete
  9. UnknownMay 26, 2015 at 6:45 AM

    Your arrangements get better and better Kris, they look as though they're put together by a florist. I can't stop reading super-bum that way, gahh!

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  10. chlorisMay 26, 2015 at 11:56 AM

    You always have such fabulous flowers in your arrangements Kris. I don' t know that Abelia, I wonder if it is hardy. My daughter had Ebbtide in her wedding flowers last year, she is growing it in the garden now, it is such a lovely colour.
    Another wonderful arrangement.

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    Replies
    1. Kris PetersonMay 27, 2015 at 9:39 PM

      I bought 'Ebb Tide' with the flower color in mind, Chloris, but the scent is a even stronger selling point - it's strong but not over-powering in a household setting.

      Delete
  11. AnonymousMay 28, 2015 at 2:22 AM

    Leucanthemum x superbum gives a lovely texture in the vase as it does, I'm sure in the garden. You have a lovely mix of flowers in your vase, combined perfectly.

    ReplyDelete
  12. UnknownMay 31, 2015 at 7:56 AM

    Absolutely beautiful vases! Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete

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