So,
when we last left Blue Eustoma she was laying low and limiting her contacts. However, this week, she appears more sociable. Her colorful companions have lightened the mood surrounding her and she looks all the more striking in their midst. Perhaps she's overcome her
heartbreak over Dahlia 'Loverboy'?
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| A couple of new suitors have come calling. The tall, wispy character is Symphyotrichum chilense, who prefers to go by the simple handle, California Aster. His distant cousin, Erigeron 'Wayne Roderick' , whom prefers to be called Beach Aster rather than Fleabane, has pushed himself into the center of things. And one can't help noting that cupid's dart, always ready for mischief when it comes to affairs of the heart, is on the scene too. |
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| The job of keeping things loose and light has fallen to local peacemakers, Artemisia ludoviciana and Tanacetum parthenium, with a little help from a sunny Australian, Westringia fruticosa 'Morning Light' |
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| Everything revolves around Blue Eustoma, which wasn't the case in her relationship with 'Loverboy', but is that important to her? |
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| Clockwise from the upper left, the group includes: blue Eustoma grandiflorum, Artemisia ludoviciana, Catananche caerulea, white Eustoma grandiflorum (currently looking a little green, with envy maybe?), Symphyotrichum chilense, Tanacetum parthenium, and Westringia fruticosa 'Morning Light' |
Has Blue
Eustoma moved on? It's hard to say. California Aster is supportive but lacks substance and tends to burn out when the heat is on. Beach Aster is nice but awfully short. It may be that she simply needs time to rest. There are signs that she's packing her bags to take off. Whether she'll be gone for a few days, several weeks, or the balance of the season isn't yet clear.
Meanwhile,
'Loverboy' is still carousing about, seemingly unprepared to settle down. Frankly, he was feeling the heat last week himself and his usual stamina was diminished. He once again sought out new companions, perhaps as a way of avoiding any chatter about his persistent infidelity.
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| Iochroma 'Mr. Plum' isn't all that happy in 'Loverboy's' company. In fact, he started falling apart as soon as he joined this crowd. For his part, Prunus laurocerasus takes up a lot of space and is prone to dropping his seed with abandon, which 'Loverboy' finds annoying. |
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| The Zinnias can take or leave 'Loverboy'. They have a fine time on their own. |
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| As far as the Zinnias are concerned, the world revolves around them, not 'Loverboy' |
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| Clockwise from the left, this group includes: Dahlia 'Loverboy', Cuphea 'Starfire Pink', Iochroma 'Mr. Plum', Prunus laurocerasus, and a mix of Zinnia elegans |
If any readers are concerned about the fate of
Gomprena 'Itsy Bitsy', don't be. She's a lot tougher than she looks. While there wasn't a long-term relationship in the cards with
Dahlia 'Little Robert', she and
Phalaenopsis are still together and doing just fine.
Rising above the sordid affairs elsewhere in the garden, the sunflowers all but demanded attention this week. The only problem they presented had to do with locating a vase capable of holding up their heavy heads.
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| The noID sunflowers, grown from a 'Flash Blend' seed mix, dominate the front view |
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| Seed grown Zinnias hold their own in the back view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left, the vase contains: Helianthus annus 'Flash Blend', Abelia 'Kaleidoscope', dried flowers of Jacobaea maritima, Leucadendron salignum 'Chief', Pennisetum advena 'Rubrum', and a mix of Zinnia elegans |
Visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for more vase views.
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| The first vase sits in the front entry, the second in the living room, and the third on the dining table |
All material © 2012-2017 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
Love the graceful Pennisetum advena 'Rubrum' mixed with the sunflowers! As for the drama, perhaps Loverboy is sowing his wild oats before he comes crawling back to his true love. Will she have moved on by then? Oh the twists and turns of this sordid tale...
ReplyDeleteI think Blue Eustoma is planning a brief break to recharge, Peter. Of course, if things heat up during her absence, she may not return at all this summer.
DeleteOh those collages are superb, Kris - they show your vases off beautifully, and I so enjoyed reading about Blue Eustoma and Loverboys' social lives!
ReplyDeleteThe collages are an easy way to bring my posts down to a more reasonable length since I've been unable to break my 2 (sometimes 3) vase a week habit, Cathy.
DeleteMiss Blue Eustoma looks prettier than ever! I was hoping she and Loverboy rekindled..Maybe next time!
ReplyDeleteMaybe!
DeleteShow offs...and quite rightly too. Those blooms really need to show themselves off, and IAVOM is just the place. Of course without your artistry they would just be singular beauties...but grouped together as you have done, they are even greater that the sum of their parts.
ReplyDeleteMy cutting garden has provided me with an unusual abundance of blooms this summer, Noelle. Usually, I'm getting down to crafting arrangements out of succulents by this time of year.
DeleteChampion flower floozy and now matchmaker too, a woman of many talents! My dahlias are mildewing, so I'm going to regress back to my leafier way and leave the flowers to you pros ;)
ReplyDeleteIn the past I've had problems with powdery mildew on dahlias too, Denise. Hopefully, I'll avoid it for another month, or until the flowers give out, whichever comes first. There are still 3 dahlias that have yet to bloom, although I finally have buds on them.
DeleteLove 'Loverboy' in the first view with that big bright floral clump and the greens shooting out. The last combo may be my favorite and both views are equally successful to my eye. Your multiple vases always offer so much to think about.
ReplyDeleteThis batch of 3 vases took an awful lot of time, Linda. I think I have to whittle back this habit!
DeleteYou have so many lovely things to choose from, your garden must be a picture. I love the blue, grey and pink, so elegant. I'm sure all the girls see right through Loverboy and there are not too many broken hearts.
ReplyDelete'Loverboy' does look to be a scoundrel at heart, doesn't he? My cutting garden has made all the difference in my summer floral display, Alison - without it, I'd have difficulty scrounging together a single vase.
DeleteOutstanding, but I really love the Sunflowers and grasses. Very Autumnal. Wasn't Loverboy a band in the 80s?
ReplyDeleteYou comment had me checking on-line sources, Amy. Yes, there was a 80's rock band out of Canada, although I can't say it rings any bells for me. Maybe the dahlia breeder was a fan!
DeleteThanks for another entertaining post about the sordid affairs in the garden, I smiled throughout! Looks like the blue eustoma is keeping good company and 'Loverboy' might have met his match. Loving the autumn colors and pennisetum plumes in the sunflower arrangement. Gorgeous, as always!
ReplyDeleteI'd be very happy if autumn would hurry up and arrive here ahead of schedule, Eliza - I have projects awaiting the return of cooler temperatures. Unfortunately, our summers generally extend well into October.
DeleteThree more good ones. The last one is like a bird about to take flight.
ReplyDeleteThe Pennisetums are in the process of taking off, HB!
DeleteBlue Eustoma is grand in any setting. I agree that zinnias like all the attention, no mater who else is around. And finally that sunflower arrangement is wow!
ReplyDeleteThe height on the sunflowers took me by surprise this year, Susie. Last year, I'm not sure that any of the paltry few I had bloom reached 3 feet but this year's crop is towering overhead. I needed a step to to cut the head off one of those I included in this week's vase. I think the extra water made a big difference.
DeleteBlue Eustoma is surrounded by great supporting actors I love the arrangement but, I have to give it to Love Boy. He has the prettiest vase......all are beautiful and I love your story telling.
ReplyDeleteI have to say, 'Loverboy's' vase turned our far better than I'd expected as I rummaged through the garden looking for something new to combine with that dahlia bloom, Sally.
DeleteGood morning Kris,
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely colorful bouquet's you have made.
A feast to my eyes.
Have a wonderful day.
Marijke
Thanks for visiting, Marijke!
DeleteNow your house is full of lovely bouquets!Enjoy your week, Kris!
ReplyDeleteI'm running out of places to put vases, Anca! Today, I'm taking another bouquet to a friend as I can't keep up with the production of flowers in the cutting garden, even though that area is relatively small.
DeleteAs artful as ever, Kris, the first one is so calm and collected whereas the latter just took my breath away, love those warm colours! I'm a big fan of Erigeron and Aster - thanks for pointing each out individually. Have a good week :) PS: As for Eucomis - maybe the lack of a cooler spell is the problem? Just a thought...
ReplyDeleteMy western garden guide says that Eucomis will grow in my climate, at least with adequate water, but our winters have become warmer, which may be a contributing problem.
DeleteWhatever the back story I love all the vases. Your home must be so welcoming with all the arrangements you have in every room. Can't pick a favourite, they are all winners. I've just picked a mass of sunflowers myself today and ended up leaving them in the zinc conditioning bucket because it was the best shape and size for them.
ReplyDeleteI seriously considered leaving the sunflowers and the accent materials I cut in the large glass jar I used while collecting them this week, Christina. They looked more natural than in the container I eventually used to house my arrangement.
DeleteThree beautiful vases! I especially love the delicate top view on that first one. I've been very impressed with your Catanache - how long does it go on blooming??! Too bad that sunflower comes without ID, as it seems especially nice. I do like the way it lightens to the gold ring around the center!
ReplyDeleteI think the Catananche has been blooming for at least 2 months now, Amy. I cut it back periodically but only lightly as I like its silver seed heads too. The 'Flash Blend' sunflower mix is said to include 'Autumn Beauty' and 'Velvet Queen' but I wasn't able to definitively determine whether those I cut were one or the other or something else entirely (like 'Evening Sun') from the photos posted on-line via Google.
DeleteAll are so beautiful! The color of Eustoma grandiflorum has blown me away, but I think my favorite combination is the second vase. Your garden provides a wealth of choices!
ReplyDeleteThat cutting garden made all the difference in my summer floral output, Deb.
DeleteThe blue Eustoma looks so much happier with her new friends. I hope she appreciates them! The aster is really pretty too, The dahlia saga goes on... will he ever settle down and just enjoy the company of the other flowers in the garden?! Love the sunflower collection with the zinnias - gorgeous, and making me think more and. ore of late summer/autumn. :)
ReplyDeleteThe dark-colored sunflowers do bring autumn to mind, Cathy!
Delete