Monday, June 29, 2015

In a Vase on Monday: Eustoma calling

The Eustoma grandiflorum (aka Lisianthus) have been calling out for attention (drowning out the cries of Grevillea 'Ned Kelly' and G. 'Superb', both of which are also in full-flower).  I have four colors (and 6 cultivars) of the Eustoma this year.  The white form has mostly finished its first flush - whether there will be a second will depend a lot on how high our temperatures fly in the next few weeks.  The 'Echo Pink' variety has been blooming for some time but now 'Mariachi Pink' is joining in.  The 'Borealis Blue' plants I bought in 4-inch pots several weeks ago have begun to bloom and, more surprisingly, so have the 'Borealis Blue' and 'Echo Blue' cultivars I carried over from last year.  Only 'Borealis Yellow' has been slow to take off.

This vase celebrates the pink forms of Eustoma

The vase includes:

Eustoma 'Echo Pink' and 'Mariachi Pink'  - the only difference between the two seems to be the length of the stems

Salvia 'Wendy's Wish' and Abelia x grandiflora 'Confetti'

Zinnia 'Cut & Come Again' and Alstroemeria - the no ID Alstroemeria produced another flush of bloom after the cooler weather in May


Entranced as I was with the pink Eustoma, I found it impossible to ignore the blue forms so I created another vase to feature them and my Agapanthus, which the hot weather is sending into a premature decline.  However, it didn't come together as I'd envisioned so, after staring at it throughout breakfast, I took it apart and put it back together to give the blue Eustoma more prominence but I still don't think it sings.

My original effort is on the left and the revised version is on the right


It contains:

Clockwise from the left: Eustoma 'Borealis Blue', Abelia 'Kaleidoscope', Agapanthus, Prostanthera linearis and Leucanthemum x superbum.  Coleonema album and Pittosporum tobira 'Variegatum' play supporting roles.


A few smaller blooms went into a third tiny vase, a recent gift from a friend.

The blue bottle, approximately 3 inches tall and 1-inch wide, is held by a silver fork with tines twisted in a decorative pattern.  The blue bottle holds Aster frikartii 'Monch',  Angelonia, and Abelia 'Confetti'.


The vases are scattered about the house (with last week's Cymbidiums still occupying the table in the front entrance):



These are my contributions to the wonderful "In a Vase on Monday" meme hosted by Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.  Visit Cathy to see what's caught her attention this week and to find links to the many other contributors who've been hooked by this weekly ritual.


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

  1. AnonymousJune 29, 2015 at 10:41 AM

    I think one of the best things about this meme is enjoying the fruits of our labours at home and I see you are like me Kris in having vases scattered around. One cannot fail to be entranced by your arrangements, they are all delightful.

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    1. Kris PetersonJune 29, 2015 at 7:57 PM

      I've always enjoyed having flowers in the house but this meme has got me in the habit of making that happen.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousJune 29, 2015 at 12:21 PM

    Absolutely gorgeous, Kris - the pink eustoma are stunning but then when you said you had your blue version too...! I couldn't get enough of them in your vases last year and I can see why you want to ensure they get the prominence they deserved - so, so lovely :) Excuse me while I drool! Mind you, I love your tiny little vase too, both vase and contents - scrummy!

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    1. Kris PetersonJune 29, 2015 at 8:09 PM

      It's funny, I didn't recall that the blue Eustoma had such a long bloom season last year but, looking back at prior "In a Vase" and "Bloom Day" posts I found they bloomed off and on for an extraordinarily long period. I hope my luck is that good this year, when water to irrigate will be scarcer.

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  3. M/S DesignJune 29, 2015 at 12:31 PM

    You have a lot of beautiful flowers to choose for the bouquets, very beautiful!
    Have a nice day
    Mariana

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  4. AnonymousJune 29, 2015 at 12:41 PM

    These are all so gorgeous. I feel silly but until today I never realized Eustoma was Lisianthus. I think your remake of the blue arrangement is more nicely balanced.

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    1. Kris PetersonJune 29, 2015 at 8:17 PM

      I think the garden centers label the plants as Lisianthus more often than Eustoma so I should probably make a habit of citing both, Susie. I think the blue vase could have used a little bit of a frothy white above the Eustoma but I ran out of time to scour the garden for the right element.

      Delete
  5. Anca TîrcăJune 29, 2015 at 1:26 PM

    All your vases are so lovely, Kris! I adore eustoma lisianthus, I have to find out if I can grow them in my garden, as yours look stunning! Thanks!

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    1. Kris PetersonJune 29, 2015 at 8:18 PM

      Thanks, Anca. The Eustoma/Lisianthus is a remarkable flower - for both vase and garden - so I hope you can find it.

      Delete
  6. Julie@peoniesandposies.comJune 29, 2015 at 2:48 PM

    Three great vases Kris!! Those pink Eustoma are such beautiful flowers - not ones I have come across before and I love the way you have used agapanthus as a cut flower - my few blooms are such precious colour in my August garden that I would never cut them. Do you find that your flowers last well with air conditioning? I am struggling with mine as the house is so hot right now that they start to wilt almost as soon as I bring them inside.

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    1. Kris PetersonJune 29, 2015 at 8:24 PM

      Agapanthus don't last as long as some flowers in a vase but they don't seem unduly bothered by air conditioning. Our outside temperatures have soared in recent weeks and the flowers, which bloomed early this year, are fading fast in the garden. In fact, I cut more than 120 stems of Agapanthus this afternoon as they'd become too scruffy. I have at least a few dozen left but very few buds.

      Delete
  7. DonnaJune 29, 2015 at 2:54 PM

    Kris these are fabulous....you know I love the Eustoma as I can't grow it here and the pink and blue are both gorgeous making stunning vases. I don't know if I could choose as both are wonderful with such a variety of blooms. Always a pleasure coming here to see your vases.

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    1. Kris PetersonJune 29, 2015 at 8:25 PM

      Thanks Donna. If I can't have peonies, at least I can enjoy Eustoma.

      Delete
  8. Sammie070502June 29, 2015 at 7:25 PM

    I'd no idea that Eustoma thrive in your climate--but they certainly seem to do so. Yours are always so beautiful.

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    1. Kris PetersonJune 29, 2015 at 8:32 PM

      The plants will over-winter here (if you can even refer to our December-March climate as winter); however, the foliage tends to turn a very pale yellowish green and they don't flower as heavily the second year. I haven't been successful in correcting for the foliage problem but one tag I saw said they like slightly alkaline soil so I'll have to try fertilizing to satisfy that requirement.

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  9. Amy@SmallSunnyGardenJune 29, 2015 at 10:31 PM

    I never can get over how lovely Eustoma is! And the zinnias look terrific alongside. Love the blue vases too; they're very elegant, and I like the way the second one hangs together. And Aster "Monch" is in bloom now? Wonderful, all of it :)

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    1. Kris PetersonJuly 1, 2015 at 11:09 AM

      The Aster is a nice surprise. Every other Aster I've tried here has experienced a quick, untimely death. These (I have 2 now) haven't bloomed heavily but they throw off flowers here and there on no apparent schedule.

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  10. AnonymousJune 30, 2015 at 12:19 AM

    It must always be such a pleasure to step from your garden into your house with those lovely flowers everywhere - your vases are beautiful again Kris! I have admired the blue Eustoma in previous vases, but the pink ones are so very pretty too. They look lovely with the Abelia and Salvia. The little blue vase is great as well!

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    1. Kris PetersonJuly 1, 2015 at 11:10 AM

      Thanks Cathy. The pink form has really grown on me, especially as a cut flower.

      Delete
  11. AnonymousJune 30, 2015 at 12:44 AM

    beautiful vases, love that picture of the salvia and abelia together the colours are magical together.

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    1. Kris PetersonJuly 1, 2015 at 11:11 AM

      That Abelia surprised me with its pink tinge - I thought it was just green and white until I took a closer look.

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  12. AnonymousJuly 2, 2015 at 7:12 PM

    I always love to see the beautiful flower arrangements you make -- mostly from flowers I can't grow. -Jean

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