Monday, June 1, 2015

In a Vase on Monday: Imitation of a Rose

I had such good luck with Eustoma grandiflorum last year, I had to pick up more when they became available in the garden centers this spring.  I found the double-flowered 'Echo Pink' variety in 6-packs and scattered them about in the middle of the backyard border, where I'd hoped they'd play up the pink in my Yucca 'Bright Star.'  Their blooms turned out to be much paler than I'd expected so I won't use them in that spot again but they're still pretty in a vase.


Back view


The vase contains a couple of repeats from last week:

  • Abelia x grandiflora (probably 'Edward Goucher')
  • Acacia cognata 'Cousin Itt'
  • Eustoma grandiflorum 'Echo Pink'
  • Pentas lanceolata 'Kaleidoscope Appleblossom'
  • Salvia 'Wendy's Wish'


The Abelia and Acacia performed so well in last week's vase I brought them back for a second run

The pink Eustoma may not be quite as dramatic as last year's 'Borealis Blue' variety but it's very pretty in its own right

It really does have a rose-like form

Pentas 'Kaleidoscope Appleblossom' is returning after a seasonal hiatus

Salvia 'Wendy's Wish' does a good job as a supporting player, echoing both the color at the base of the Pentas florets and the color at the center of the Eustoma


I placed the vase on the entryway table, where it got the attention of my curious cat.

That's Pipig's ear you see in the lower left of the frame, sitting on the table looking the picture of innocence after I caught her with her face in the middle of the arrangement


I'm also showing off a vase I created late last week for a visit by my sister-in-law and her husband.



This yellow and white concoction includes:

  • Abelia x grandiflora 'Kaleidoscope'
  • Argyranthemum frutescens 'Butterfly'
  • Jacobaea maritima
  • Leucanthemum x superbum


Abelia 'Kaleidoscope'

Agryrantemum 'Butterfly' with Jacobaea maritima

The fluffy form of Leucanthemum x superbum


I moved this arrangement from the entryway to the dining room table when I tossed out last week's creation (which, except for the roses, was still in good condition).  Pipig paid not lick of attention to this arrangement but, upon taking a photo of it in its new position, I discovered that she hadn't left the other one alone.



You can see my errant cat in the background of the frame above, on the right.  What was she doing?

She was disassembling my new flower arrangement


Rebuked, she was unrepentant.



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


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

34 comments:

  1. Besides my fear that I would be very bad at this flower arranging thing, I also have a cat (Magellan) whose curiosity would lead to lots of disassembling. Eustoma is such a pretty flower, and you're right, looks a lot like a rose. I love the bright yellow arrangement too.

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    1. Alison, with your eye for arranging plants in your garden, I can't believe you would be bad at selecting flowers for a vase. As for controlling the cat, well, that's a pipe-dream for all of us.

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  2. Hi Kris, aaawh... the first vase is so beautiful and elegant. You are really getting better and better at this flower arranging thingy. I really love the light pink eustoma together with Pentas 'Kaleidoscope Appleblossom' in that bouquet.
    Your second one is very pretty as well, but has a totally different vibe to it. Much more cheerful and easy going.
    What your cat is dismantling your bouquets?! That is why I am a dog person ;-)! Not that they don't do any mischief, though...
    Wishing you a nice week, Kris!
    Christina

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    1. Most dogs probably don't jump on tables to inspect your handiwork, do they?

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  3. Listen lady, I let you live in my house and don't mind your stuff everywhere, especially the soft furniture. However, when you cut foliage and flowers to bring me so that I can play with them and then yell at me for doing so, you send mixed messages. Humans, I'll never understand them. As long as you keep feeding me you can stay but If you don't want me to play with stuff, don't bring it into my house! I really loved the elegance and taste of the pink arrangement! Love, Pipig

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    1. You channel Pipig's thoughts all too well, Peter!

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  4. Kris, both vases are lovely. I especially like your pink one--it seems perfectly arranged both front and back.

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  5. She does not like to vie for attention the little dickens....I adore the pink Eustoma and it seems pink is a dominant theme for folks...I have little to no pink right now in the garden...I love the bright yellow vase too...so cheery and sunny. Kris, I keep thinking about you and your lovely garden as the water restrictions were announced. My brother lives in Ventura County and he is now having to rip out all his landscaping and look for more water-wise choices. They had stunning hibiscus and other dreamy plantings. I hope your garden will not be affected.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Oh, I'm sure my garden will be affected - it's just a matter of to what degree. My area was taxed with the highest level of water reduction: 36%. But I started adapting to the drought soon after we moved in 4 years ago and we complied with last year's voluntary 25% reduction so we're a bit ahead of the game. Removing lawn has made the biggest difference. I have 2 more segments to go.

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  6. Lovely vases Kris - I particularly love the pinks this week. I have a cat that likes to rearrange my flowers too - she enjoys the water in the vases and pulls things out to try and make room to drink. Pipig is so pretty you must have to forgive her interfering with your beautiful arrangements!

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    1. In Pipig's case, I think she's just perplexed about what possible interest I can have in flowers when she's around - and she enjoys chewing on plants too.

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  7. How nice, you have brought the pink of the garden into your house in a very creative way! Have an inspiring week, Kris!

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  8. I love the soft tone of Echo Pink and the resulting arrangement, so easy on the eyes! The yellow is lovely as well. You're so natural at this Kris!

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    1. The pink Eustoma is prettier in the vase than in the garden in this case, I think. I need to find a more appropriate place for these plants next year.

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  9. Your Eustomas are just beautiful, Kris! I love the way you've made them the heart of the arrangement :) I hope I can locate some plugs here eventually as I'm not too sure about raising them from seed...! Both vases are so elegant, and unlike Pipig I don't think the pink one needs rearranged ;-)

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    1. I haven't tried growing the Eustoma from seed either. The plugs (6-packs) are a good way to start, when you can find them - some of the double-flowered varieties seem to be sold mostly in 4-inch pots.

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  10. Kris - you always have the most fabulous of arrangements! Love them both, and your kitty is adorable. You can't possibly stay mad at her for long...

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    1. No, I'm never angry with Pipig for long. She's generally well-behaved (as least as cats go) but she definitely has a stubborn streak.

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  11. Oh, so much to enjoy in all those creations, Kris. The pink eustoma is certainly not as striking as your blue from last year but it such a soft and gentle pink, perfectly complemented by the abelia and pentas. And what great foliage the Kaleidoscope Abelia is for arrangements that contain yellow! Thanks for sharing

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    1. I still have 3 of the 'Blue Borealis' I "over-wintered" and, although the foliage is ugly (and I haven't succeeded in changing its condition), it appears that they're going to bloom. I also finally found 3 new plants of the same variety after an extensive search so you may see more of the blue Eustoma this year too.

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  12. Both lovely arrangements Kris. I remember admiring the wonderful blue Eustoma last year (are you able to overwinter them or are they annuals in your climate?) Eustoma grandiflorum 'Echo Pink' is lovely too, it is a great cut flower and I wish I could find it here.

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    1. I was able to over-winter my Eustoma 'Borealis Blue,' Christina, but the foliage turned a sickly yellowish color, which I haven't succeeded in correcting. Still, as mentioned in my response to Cathy, it appears that sickly foliage doesn't prevent the plant from blooming, although thus far the flowers are smaller than they were last year. I've been looking for more of the double blue-flowered Eustoma and finally found 3 plants - the last 3 the garden center had apparently - so I will have some of these this year too.

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  13. It seems your cat has a nose for blooms too! I really like the pale pink Eustoma - it is elegant and delicate, whereas the blue one you have used before is more dramatic. The second vase - so different to the first - is also lovely, and very summery. :)

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    1. I think Pipig was just jealous of the attention the flowers were getting - she expects to be the center of attention.

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  14. That Eustoma bud is so lovely in the gradations - it looks like it has been painted with water colors. Just love it. Also adore the feline floral arranger. Perhaps she needs her own blog?

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    1. Pipig generally prefers to chew plants rather than arrange them.

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  15. The eustoma are so sweetly pretty, Kris and the yellow arrangement (I love argyranthemum and those fluffy Leucanthemum are fascinating) really sings. Pipig must be a kitten at heart!Mine only played (annoyingly) with flower arrangements (and anything else at all precious/fragile in the garden)when tiny ...

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    1. I think Pipig is perplexed by the attention given to flowers, Cathy - she believes she should be the focus of my attention all the time (or, okay, at least for the 2-3 hours a day when she's awake).

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  16. Oh I love the 2nd bouquet! It's so vivid and cheery and I love the appearance of different textures.

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    1. Thanks sweetbay! I wanted something bright and cheerful to greet my guests.

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  17. Gorgeous! I love your arrangements. :o)

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