Last week we saw Dahlia 'Loverboy' married off to lovely blue Eustoma grandiflorum; however, this week finds 'Loverboy' on the prowl for a new companion. Funny, but Annette of Annette's Garden asked whether loverboys ever really settle down. I held out hope for the union. Even Hollywood can point to Warren Beatty and George Clooney as males with a certain reputation who found good matches, albeit later in life. Anyway, let's see what 'Loverboy' is up to this week.
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| 'Loverboy' has been found hanging out with Gomphrena 'Itsy Bitsy', possibly attracted by her height and willowy look |
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| But she really is a bit of a bubblehead and you can see right through her |
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| On the other hand, 'Itsy Bitsy' doesn't compete with 'Loverboy' - he's clearly in charge in this relationship |
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| Clockwise from the left, this week's cast includes: Dahlia 'Loverboy', Gomphrena decumbens 'Itsy Bitsy' (who has also been known to call herself 'Little Grapes' and 'Airy Bachelor's Buttons'), Abelia x grandiflora 'Edward Goucher', and the Ocimum hybrid known as African blue basil |
'Itsy Bitsy' seems to have a wandering eye herself. Not content by 'Loverboy's' side, she's playing the field.
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| Perhaps she was attracted to the exotic Phalaenopsis? |
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| Or maybe Dahlia 'Little Robert', found hiding around in the back? |
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| She seems to be floating all over the place |
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| Clockwise from the left, this case of characters includes: noID Phalaeonopsis (perhaps the mystery surrounding his identity is intriguing), Dahlia 'Little Robert', cool yellow Eustoma grandiflorum, Gomphrena 'Itsy Bitsy', and Leucadendron 'Pisa' |
So what's happened to Eustoma? Well, she's blue of course.
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| She's laying low this week, knocked down by the force of shifting winds |
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| Her frequent companion, 'Sapphire Showers', has returned to her side |
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| The tiny ensemble includes: blue Eustoma grandiflorum, Duranta erecta 'Sapphire Showers', Leucadendron 'Pisa' and Mentha spicata (spearmint) |
Will 'Loverboy' and the elegant blue Eustoma get back together? 'Loverboy' may find his first relationship was the best one. But will blue Eustoma have left town? Or might 'Loverboy' be incinerated in an August heatwave? Only time will tell.
Visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden to see what's up with her floral creations and those of other "In a Vase on Monday" contributors.
All material © 2012-2017 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
Typical. Loverboy didn't know a good thing when he had it. With the twists and turns of fate, will he and his first love ever find each other again? This is more fun than a soap opera and many times more beautiful. I cannot wait until the next plant-sex-filled episode. General Hortspital? As the Petal Turns? Daisies of Our Lives?
ReplyDeleteI should hire you as a consultant, Peter! I'm out of touch with the soap circuit - the daily news already provides all the incredible twists and turns I can tolerate. What about the Blooms are Restless? Or, hey, maybe a spin on Dark Shadows?
DeleteOMG, you had me laughing along with this...fabulous! I knew Peter would have a few zingers to add to the conversation and he did not disappoint. On a serious note these are some of my favorites ever of your beautiful arrangements Kris!
ReplyDeleteWith a flower that goes by the name of 'Loverboy', my direction was almost inevitable, Loree.
DeleteGood for Itsy Bitsy, I'm on her side, playing the field all over the place, the little tart. I like her with that man of mystery Phalaenopsis, she matches the splotch beautifully. Very cleverly written post, thanks for the morning chuckle.
ReplyDelete'Itsy Bitsy' may look wispy but she has stamina, Alison. She'll be around long after 'Loverboy' and blue Eustoma have exited the stage.
DeleteNice post! it made me laugh! I love that all blue bouquet, blue flowers always catch my eye since they are not very usual in nature.
ReplyDeleteI love blue flowers too, MDN, and wish I had more of them.
DeleteWhat a fun post Kris. All the flowers are gorgeous in their own right and the partnering intrigue has made me laugh.
ReplyDeleteI had fun with the post too, Susie.
DeleteI loved your humorous take on this week's pairing, Kris. So like Hollywood celebs! 'ItsyBitsy' is one of my favorites and she really goes well with many players. Brave you to cut an orchid, but it looks beautiful in that arrangement. Even if the blue eustoma is heartbroken, she has duranta and that stunning vase to rest in. ;)
ReplyDeleteThe orchid has been blooming in a pot in a corner of my garden since early June. It's already made it through at least 2 heatwaves. No one sees it other than me, and then only occasionally, so I thought it would be a good idea to give it more exposure. I expect it'll last quite a while in a vase and the plant is already producing a second flower spike. Orchids are tougher than they look!
Delete:D What fun! Loverboy and the willowy Itsy Bitsy look lovely together, but I doubt it will last if she is flirting with the others! LOL! I really love that second vase Kris - the creamy yellow Eustoma and Phalaeonopsis are so pretty!
ReplyDelete'Itsy Bitsy' does get around, Cathy! She blooms continuously so I expect she'll outlast all her suitors.
DeleteWe are all awaiting the next episode, Kris, but Itsy Bitsy is cearing keeping everyone guessing although I don't think she is flighty at all, just keeping her options open.Personally, I think she and Little Robert make a good match, whereas Blue Eustoma is a strong and independent character who does not need a vase mate at all ;)
ReplyDeleteI agree, Cathy, blue Eustoma is one tough cookie. I doubt she'll be begging 'Loverboy' to return, but she may have the grace to forgive him if he has the good sense to do so.
DeleteWhat drama in your garden, I can't wait for next week to find out what happens. All your vases have wonderful pairing. Itsy Bitsy is gorgeous but if she's a bubble head and he's a loverboy what hope is there?
ReplyDeleteOh, I suspect this pairing is pure flirtation, Alison. 'Loverboy' is a little full of himself, I think, and 'Itsy Bitsy' is just going along for the fun of it.
DeleteJust lovely, all of them!
ReplyDeleteThanks Anca!
DeleteWho's having fun with puns now? All are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI did have fun with this post, Amy, although I'm running out of ideas as to what to do with 'Loverboy'.
DeleteNo matter what you create it always looks perfect. Digging the blue vase. Those hibiscus only last a day or two so in a vase really is not a good idea.
ReplyDeleteI don't know, Patsi - I've seen some lovely vases featuring daylilies and they too have very short vase lives.
DeleteWhat a love affair. I'm afraid itsy bitsy was a confirmed bachelor in my garden, blooming so late that there were no other flowers open. I packed him of to another garden. I'm glad your garden is still producing lovely blooms for your Mondays, despite the fierce heat and drought.
ReplyDeleteI planted 'Itsy Bitsy' in a few spots. It appeared to die out in 2 locations, although the plant subsequently reappeared, thus far without much in the way of flowers. However, the 2 I put into a bed in my front garden have bloomed continuously - my only problem is keeping them under control. One plant reached over 5 feet tall before I cut it back.
DeleteWhat a lovely vivid imagination you have Kris; and what a head turner 'Loverboy is!! I must look out for him. All your vases are beautiful this week; the last blue vase looks very cool and inviting but I love the excitement of the first with Loverboy!!!
ReplyDelete'Loverboy' is a head-turner, Christina - and he knows it!
DeleteI'm certainly impressed by the number of stars your garden can supply at the end of July! And maybe it's a good thing Itsy Bitsy has so many options, because personally I think the match between the Phalenopsis and that lovely cream Eustoma is the real thing... ;-) Loverboy is gorgeous no matter what!
ReplyDelete'Itsy Bitsy' has proven very useful - those tiny, floating flowers add a nice airy quality to arrangements and the magenta color is never over-powering because the flowers are so small.
DeleteOnto the list of plants for my someday cutting garden goes Gomphrena 'Itsy Bitsy'! It's particularly exciting with those pale chartreuse booms, but would work with so many things.
ReplyDeleteThis has been the best Gomphrena in my garden, Nell - and it's perennial, as well as ever-blooming.
DeleteBack to add that I'm with Loree on the arrangements in this post, particularly the one with the Phalenopsis.
ReplyDeleteThat one tough orchid and, like Eustoma, it has a surprisingly long vase-life too. While the 'Little Robert' dahlia may last a week at best, I wouldn't be surprised if the rest of that arrangement has a run of 2 weeks or more.
Deletewho knew so many goings-on in the floral kingdom? The blue flowers in the blue vase are divine.
ReplyDeleteThere's actually a book titled "The Secret Life of Plants" which was also made into a documentary film. I haven't read the book or seen the documentary but perhaps I should!
DeleteIts that itsy bitsy .......that catches my eye...is it hardy? I have never heard of this plant in the UK. It is stunning and really pulls all the right strings!
ReplyDeleteI live in an area of relatively warm winters, Noelle, so I'm not a good judge of cold hardiness. My area seldom freezes and in fact there's never been one in the 6 years we've lived in this house. That said, one Texas gardener reported that this Gomphrena will die back to the ground in cold weather but will come back from the roots unless there's a prolonged hard freeze.
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