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| Back view |
Here's what I used:
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| Helianthus annuus, the first bloom from the "Florist's Sunny Bouquet" seed mix |
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| Gaillardia aristata 'Gallo Peach', which has been producing a continuous supply of blooms since I put in 5 plants back in January |
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| Solanum xanti had to be cut back this week because it's starting to flop over on its neighbors, making it a perfect candidate for my vase |
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| This self-seeded Tanacetum parthenium (feverfew) flowered last week in the vegetable garden |
For something completely different, I loaded each of the photos shown above into "Deep Dream" software using technology created by Google to support machine learning. You can read more about the software here. I learned of it through an excellent post by Gerhard at Succulents and More, which you can read here. His images are more extreme (spooky!) than mine.
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| I think the converted photos look rather like paper cut-outs of flowers (I used Dreamscope's app, which offers multiple options, including the Art Deco one I selected) |
What do you think? Is this interesting or just plain weird?
Meanwhile, the completed vase sits on the dining room table. I hope this week's sunflower doesn't drop its head within a day like last week's flower did.
Visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden to find more floral creations.
All material © 2012-2015 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
That's a very nice choice and good to have it as a stand alone complemented by the smaller blooms.
ReplyDeleteA few others bloomed today but this is still the prettiest one I think.
DeleteLucky you indeed, having some rain, no sign here of any to come in the near future. Love your sunflowers, I think they need a long drink in a deep bucket before arranging if it is hot. I must get a Solanum other than my white, they do flower so consistently I like how the sunflower looks in the treated images but I'm not so sure about the Solanum..
ReplyDeleteIt might be fun to play around with the different options provided by the Deep Dreams app. I only tried a few images and used the Art Deco option for all but one. The exception was a photo of my cat - my husband thinks she's a demon so I applied that option but neither of us was especially impressed..
DeleteKris I love this sunflower. I have been impatient waiting for my sunflowers to flower so I can put them in a vase. Soon I hope. And the addition of the purple and white blooms is perfection. Love the feverfew! And I saw you got some much needed rain.....I was doing a happy dance for you.....
ReplyDeleteThe happy dance is much appreciated. I was thrilled by the rain. My 3 rain collection tanks are almost completely full. (The 265-gallon tank could have used just a touch more rain.)
DeleteYour selection of flowers is delightful. I was only looking at a Gaillardia plant yesterday, and hesitated, now I am really interested. It is both bright and soft at the same time.
ReplyDeleteThe Gaillardias, which have good drought tolerance, have done really, really well here. They hold up pretty well in vases too.
DeleteInteresting and weird, the pictures in the mosaic make rather pretty patterns. I love your colour scheme with cheery sunflowers and Gaillardia. The Solanum is perfect with them.
ReplyDeleteSome of the options available with that app are definitely weirder than others. I think the sunflower turned out best and suspect that was because the flower has very symmetrical dimensions.
DeleteSuch nice arrangement Kris. Amazing sunflower--such rich color. And you have to love a plant like your gaillardia that blooms so long. I saw some "Deep Dream" images of people that were freaky, but the flowers are more interesting.
ReplyDeleteI think the options you choose with the Deep Dream software make a big difference, as does the symmetry of the original image. The image of my cat I converted using the demonic option wasn't particularly interesting.
DeleteThose Deep Dream images are really intriguing - it would be fun experimenting I think... It is such a sunny vase - and your sunflower looks huge against the gaillardias, doesn't it? I think I dunked mine in boiling water fro 20 seconds or so last week and they certainly lasted several days and perhaps might have lasted longer if I had realised the water had all gone :( I am so glad you got a soaking to take the edge off your heat and refresh your garden - you will always need it more than we do.
ReplyDeleteI thought about trying boiling water on the sunflower stem but didn't take the time. Next time perhaps. The rain was wonderful!
DeleteI thought my eyes were playing tricks on me at first! I had to go and check out Gerhard's post. So interesting! I like them a lot.
ReplyDeleteMy photos weren't nearly as extreme as Gerhard's with the eyeballs and dog faces.
DeleteGreat vase! The altered photo's look like they have been embossed.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good description of the app's effect, Jill.
DeleteI like your vase, Kris, it is so summery!
ReplyDeleteThanks Anca. Our skies are still gloomy gray so the bright vase is particularly nice to see.
DeleteBeautiful vase. I love the effected photos. They look like fabric appliqued versions
ReplyDeleteThat's another great description of the effect, Gina. I'm glad you liked them. They were easier on the eye than the effect achieved using some of the other options.
DeleteGosh Kris, great that you can grow sunflowers from seeds like the one from today's bouquet. I like the combination of the sunflower with the Gaillardia aristata 'Gallo Peach' and the feverfew quite a bit. It is totally amazing to me the gaillardia is blooming since January for you. That is my kind of plant ;-)! I think that 'Gallo Peach' is an extra beautiful variety.
ReplyDeleteWarm regards,
Christina
'Gallo Peach' is probably my favorite Gaillardia, Christina. It's only fault is its relatively short stems. I think the regular dead-heading is what keeps the plant blooming like a powerhouse.
DeleteI always love to see your beautiful flower arrangements. It sounds as though you got the benefits of Dolores without the destructive flooding. How nice! -Jean
ReplyDeleteThere were no serious flooding or mudslide issues in out area but even that amount of rain brings problems in California - a bridge along one major highway between LA and Las Vegas blew out, among other things, but no serious injuries I've heard of.
DeleteI love that big/little combination of sunflower and Gaillardia :) Such a sunny collection of flowers - I can tell your garden must be smiling...!
ReplyDeleteMy garden is indeed happy, Amy!
DeleteThat Gallo Peach is a stunner - especially in combination with the Solanum. What a fun app - your blooms suddenly look like they've been rendered in glass or ceramicized. I'll have to check that out!
ReplyDeleteAnd I almost forgot! I'm so happy for your much needed rain. Here's to nearly full rain barrels!
DeleteThe rain was the highlight of the weekend, Deb!
DeleteOh, I wish someone could blow the tail-end of Dolores over to London, we could do with a good soak! Your vase is gorgeous, I have sunflower withdrawal symptoms as I have none this year because I moved house – seeing yours put a smile on my face today :-)
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice if Mother Nature could be more thoughtful about spreading rain benefits about, Helene. I'd trade you a few of my sunflowers for your lilies if I could.
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