Monday, December 19, 2016

In a Vase on Monday: A different palette

With the holidays in full spin, time was at a premium this weekend so I didn't dilly-dally over the selection of flowers for "In a Vase on Monday" this week.  A little tired of the color palettes I've used the last few weeks, I focused on flowers in the violet-purple range and started snipping.  When I assembled everything in the kitchen, I decided that the materials I'd cut looked best separated into 2 separate groups so, once again, I have 2 vases.

Here's the first one:

Erigeron glacus 'Wayne Roderick' was meant to be the star of this arrangement but I think it's more of an ensemble cast

The back, featuring Rhodanthemum hosmariense, has a different feel

The top view highlights the Limonium perezii.  I may have erred in cutting this flower while still in bud - it remains to be seen whether the tiny flowers will open fully on a cut stem.

Clockwise from the left, the vase contains: Erigeron glaucus 'Wayne Roderick' (aka seaside daisy), Hebe 'Purple Shamrock', noID lavender, Limonium perezii (aka statice or sea lavender), Matthiola incana (aka stock), Polygala myrtifolia 'Mariposa', and Rhodanthemum hosmariensis (aka Moroccan daisy, formerly classified as Chrysanthemum hosmariense and which I vaguely recall may have been reclassified again)


And here's what went into the second, smaller vase:

This vase is about 6 inches tall but less than 1/2 inch wide so it doesn't hold much and the back and top views aren't particularly interesting

Clockwise from the left, this vase contains: Osteospermum '4D Violet Ice', another of the new breed of Osteospermums that remain open in low light; Vitex trifolia 'Purpurea' (aka Arabian lilac), which has leaves that are olive green on top and velvety purple below; silver seed heads of Catananche caerulea; and Gomphrena decumbens 'Itsy Bitsy'


The first vase landed on the bedroom mantle.



The second sits on my desk, where it received some unsolicited attention.

Pipig appeared on my desk to protest my husband's decision to turn off the little space heater she'd been sleeping in front of.  Attacking the springy stems of the Gomphrena was a way to express annoyance at her mistreatment.  (Those of you who have read my complaints about the cold weather here in SoCal may note that even SoCal cats are wusses when the temperature drops below 60F.)


In any case, Pipig eventually got her heater back.




Best wishes to all of you gearing up for the holidays.  For more vases, visit our IaVoM host, Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.


All material © 2012-2016 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party

28 comments:

  1. Both lovely vases Kris - especially love those purple leaves. Have a great week, without too much hectic. :)

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    1. The purple leaves of that Vitex are prettier than its flowers, Cathy, although only nominally easier to photograph.

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  2. Ah Pipig! She looks absolutely mesmerized by the vase on your desk...and in heaven in front of the heater.

    That second vase, the color -- it looks like you faked it with a computer program. The colors are so similar, as though they were hand tinted.

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    1. Pipig seems to love Christmas - a tree in the house and a space heater! She's in heaven.

      I've always had the hardest time photographing that Vitex, which is why it's seldom, if ever, been seen on my blog. In a vase, the stems seem to want to turn bottom up, which happened to work well in this instance.

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  3. Yes, I was just going to say that - the second vase looks almost unreal! Such an intriguing colour and most delightful - but then so is your blue one which is definitely an ensemble. It is always a pleasure to see your vases and your choice of blooms, Kris. Have a happy festive season :)

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  4. <3 Pipig! I don't blame her one bit. (She'd love our wood stove, where our pets congregate.)
    LOVE your dichroic vase - what a beauty. I think your purple arrangements are very 'in season' if you are a follower of Advent. Happy Solstice and all the rest!

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    1. The vase was a long-ago wedding gift from a co-worker. I've always appreciated it but seldom use it because it doesn't hold much.

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  5. Happy Holidays Kris! Love the purples especially the second vase!

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    1. Good to see you pop up, Donna! I hope you're doing well and that you enjoy the holidays too.

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  6. Hi Kris, both vases are beautiful, but I have to admit that the second one is clearly my personal favorite. I think it just has the little extra something, that makes you stop in your tracks, look and appreciate.
    The lavender Osteospermums together with the purple leaves of the filler plant and the 'Itsy Bitsy' gomphrena is just such a cool combination. Let alone the artistic vase!
    Very refreshing to see that in contrast to all the red and green common of the season!
    Wishing you a lovely fourth Advent week. Hope you don't get to busy...
    Warm wishes,
    Christina

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    1. In my case, I was in a rut using yellows and pinks so purple and violet were a nice way of changing things up.

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  7. Like all the flowers! Think the purple is my favorite. LOve the cat!
    Happy Holidays. Just read your previous post, the succulents are fantastic.

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    1. Succulents are so much more reliable here than most flowers.

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  8. I learn so much seeing your arrangements. The second one has such an elegant range of color.

    Smart kitty! I even turned the heat on here for a few minutes this morning, to take the edge off the cold. Already warming up--high 70s predicted for Wednesday, so that's the end of that.

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    1. I have a warming mat I purchased for a former feline companion somewhere - I need to hunt it down and offer it to Pipig as another Christmas boon.

      The Weather Underground report for this area shows a high of 70F for Tuesday-Wednesday, then another dramatic temperature drop and a 60% chance of rain Friday night. The prior forecast of a chance of rain on Christmas night seems to have moved forward.

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  9. Both lovely ofcourse. I am going to look out for the gomphrena, it is wonderful for flower arrangements.

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    1. That Gomphrena has been a delight, although it's quite vigorous when it finds a spot it likes. It's perennial here but possibly would be an annual in your climate.

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  10. So exciting to see the elusive Pipig. He and I have the same feeling about those little space heaters. Move over, Pipig!

    Amazing flower arrangements for December, Kris, heck for any month!

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    1. So Pipig never showed up to say hello when you've visited? That's probably because we were outside more than in and she isn't allowed to roam outside unintended. The coyotes here hunt even in the daylight hours!

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  11. They're both beautiful but, like Pipig, I favor the smaller one. Something about the foliage with the flower color is very appealing. Just looked at your weather and see that one night got down to 40. That is pretty cold for you.

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    1. We've warmed up again under the influence of Santa Ana winds but temperatures are set to drop again later this week. We're supposed to get a nighttime low of 43F on Christmas Eve! Brrr....

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  12. Sometimes have trouble commenting on blogspot websites and apparently my comment from yesterday didn't get through. Anyway just want you to know how much I enjoy seeing your vases. Both of these arrangements are beautiful--the color palette is right down my alley. Happy holidays.

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    1. Wordpress and Blogspot just don't want to get along, Susie. It never ceases to be annoying for users on both ends. Thanks for persevering and happy holidays to you!

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  13. the little vase is perfect for a few striking flowers. Those two tone leaves are very appealing.
    Thomas is seeking out shady patches, cool tiles, and fresh breezes.

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    1. I've been trying to get decent photos of the Vitex for a couple of months now - this vase post was the best capture I've made and I'm glad the plant's finally getting the attention it deserves. Pipig would love to be out in the garden (and perhaps wouldn't chew my flowers if I allowed her to roam) but I don't dare leave her outside unattended with coyotes about - they grabbed my neighbor's Pomeranian a few weeks ago.

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  14. If that was an ensemble cast I think the Erigeron is stealing the show a bit :) I think it really shines in this arrangement!

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    1. I wish the Erigeron glaucus was more robust but maybe it will be once the plants are more thoroughly established. I love the flowers too.

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