In a Vase on Monday: The drama continues

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'?

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. 

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'

Everything revolves around Blue Eustoma, which wasn't the case in her relationship with 'Loverboy', but is that important to her?

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.

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.

The Zinnias can take or leave 'Loverboy'.  They have a fine time on their own.

As far as the Zinnias are concerned, the world revolves around them, not 'Loverboy'

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.

The noID sunflowers, grown from a 'Flash Blend' seed mix, dominate the front view 

Seed grown Zinnias hold their own in the back view

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.

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