I almost always show the arrangements I create for "In a Vase on Monday" from various angles. While the front and back views are sometimes very different, the front view is usually the splashier of the two. This week, I'm not so sure that either side can claim that honor.
New blooms on the beloved
Plectranthus I brought here as a cutting from my former garden provided the jumping off point for my first arrangement.
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| I grow Plectranthus ciliatus 'Zulu Wonder' for its textured foliage but I do love the lavender flowers that appear in early fall each year |
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| The back side of the arrangement is equally pretty. It also shows off the mug I used as a vase this week. I bought this mug expressly for the purpose of using it as a vase 2+ years ago and I don't think I've done so prior to this. It was just the right size for the flowers I'd cut and there are even touches of lavender in the glaze. |
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| Eustoma grandiflorum in various colors accent the Plectranthus |
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| Counterclockwise from the upper left, the vase contains: Abelia x grandiflora 'Hopley's Variegated', 5 different cultivars of Eustoma grandiflorum (only the first of which I can identify, 'Rosanne Black Pearl'), and Plectranthus ciliatus 'Zulu Wonder' |
A flush of blooms on
Dahlia 'Terracotta' provided the impetus for the second arrangement, even though the starring roles went to other blooms.
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| While Dahlia 'Terracotta' is still producing a lot of blooms, the flowers are steadily getting smaller, but late bloomer, Dahlia 'Fairway Spur', produced one good-sized flower. The color difference between the two is more apparent now. |
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| I added guavas to this arrangement; however, they're almost hidden behind the flowers. The guavas are still green but, most years, not many survive to ripen as the squirrels seem to confuse them with nuts and bury them. |
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| In contrast to some of my prior vases, the flowers of the Grevillea hold their own in this arrangement |
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| Clockwise from the upper left, the vase contains: Dahlia 'Fairway Spur', Abelia x grandiflora 'Kaleidoscope', Agonis flexuosa 'Nana', Dahlia 'Terracotta', Grevillea 'Superb', and noID guava |
The vases assumed their usual places, under the oversight of my feline "consultant."
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| Pipig plunked herself down next to the first vase on the table in the front entry and gave me a questioning look. I think she continues to be amazed that flowers can hold my attention when she's around. |
Visit Cathy, our "In a Vase on Monday" host, at Rambling in the Garden to see what she and other bloggers have put together this week.
All material © 2012-2017 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
As I sit reading your post, my cat Ronin sits right next to the monitor staring at me with almost the same intensity as Pipig in your photo. But I think he might be more interested in the dregs of my yogurt breakfast (most days I let him lick the bowl when I'm finished). I like the arrangement with the Grevilleas in it, but your mug vase is very pretty.
ReplyDeletePipig has a habit of demanding attention a few times each day and this was one of those times. I think she's really perplexed when something usurps the attention she sees as rightly hers.
DeleteGosh, we have not seen that really dark eustoma before - that is stunning, although as you know I like them in any colour ;) I really like the blend of complemntary colours in this vase, Kris, although your second vase works well too
ReplyDeleteI used the dark purple (black) Eustoma once before but I had fewer and smaller blooms on that occasion. These flowers are larger but still small relative to most of the other Eustoma I've grown.
DeleteBoth are lovely arrangements and that mug vase is just the perfect compliment to the delicate flowers. Is it an extra large mug, or is my scale for the Plectranthus blooms just way off? Oh — also love the guava!
ReplyDeleteThe mug's a little over 6 inches tall. The blooms on the Plectranthus are good-sized, ranging from about 4 to 6 inches in length. There are a LOT of guavas on both trees this year so maybe the squirrels will leave some to ripen. Right now, they're focused on the persimmons.
DeleteI love all the purple flowers and especially that mug vase. I went through a phase in college where I would drill holes in mugs I found at the goodwill and use them for house plants. I still have a few of them.
ReplyDeleteYour cat is a cutie, I'm glad she leaves your arrangements alone.
Oh, she doesn't always leave the arrangements alone, Rebecca. I published a post a month (or more) ago showing her attacking the Lisianthus sitting next to my computer. I think that was less to do with any interest in the flowers and more an escalation of her demand for attention.
DeleteTwo beautifully co ordinated arrangements, with many different flowers, some very exotic. Have a good week.
ReplyDeleteThanks Noelle!
DeletePipig's mesmerising green eyes are perfect with the beautiful purple arrangement! Love both of your arrangements.
ReplyDeleteThanks Peter!
DeleteBoth are gorgeous but the purple vase is really outstanding in blooms and color...the mug is perfect and it photographs well from all views.
ReplyDeleteI should have put the mug in the cabinet with the vases rather than with the rest of the mugs - maybe I'd have gotten around to using it earlier.
DeleteHi Kris, First of all, Pipig is beautiful.....such green eyes and I love how her nose is outlined in black.
ReplyDeleteYour arrangements are always so stunning. I love the first one with purples and a blush of pink with white....love your mug/vase. It's perfect.
Pipig appreciates any and all compliments, Sally - of course, I think she also considers them her due.
DeleteStunning combinations from every angle! I love the eustomas with all those shades of purple, really beautiful! Pipig is a very cute car those green eyes are gorgeous and I love her name.
ReplyDeleteHer name is Swedish for "squeaky," MDN, although her utterances now sound more like complaints than squeaks.
DeletePipig is so pretty! Really, how can you focus on flowers? ;)
ReplyDeleteThe first vase is so romantic, love the mug and the plectranthus with eustoma, so lovely. The opposite spectrum of orange in the second vase is a nice contrast. Love 'Terracotta' and the spirally grevillea!
'Terracotta' has been a very prolific bloomer, although the flowers don't hold up quite as well as those of 'Loverboy'. It's a really tall plant, however, and, as I didn't stake it well, it flops all over.
DeleteKris, I absolutely love your first vase because the cool colors of the flowers simply speak to me. Your Eustomas are simply stunning as usual and I really like the combination with the Plectranthus ciliatus 'Zulu Wonder'. In addition to this I think that the pairing of the flowers with the mug is perfect.
ReplyDeleteBefore I forget, I want to mention that I really appreciate that you always list the names and show close-up photos of the flowers and foliage that you use in your bouquets. That is sooo... helpful!
Looking already forward to your next vase!
Have a wonderful rest of the week!
Warm regards,
Christina
I'm glad you find the plant names helpful, Christina. The problem is that so few garden center employees here are conversant with the Latin names - I suspect, if you ask for Eustoma grandiflorum instead of Lisianthus (the plant's common name), you might never find it.
DeleteLove all the purples, and the mug is part of that. The second arrangment, the foliage makes great lines around the flowers. Well done.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful eyes your kitty has.
Agonis flexuosa always adds a nice sense of movement to a vase.
DeleteI like both vases, but my favourite is the first one, with all those pastel colours that are stunning!
ReplyDeleteThat's my favorite this week too, Anca.
DeleteTwo more beauties - or should I say three, as it's clear Pipig should be mentioned as well! ;-) That first vase has such lovely graceful lines, and the grevillea/dahlia combination is to die for!
ReplyDeleteThis week unexpectedly brought together 3 of my favorite things, Amy: Plectranthus 'Zulu Wonder', Grevillea 'Superb' and, of course, Pipig.
DeleteI think Pipig is amazed at your wonderful vases week after week Kris. The color palette in the first arrangement has me swooning it is so sumptuous. I am unfamiliar with Plectranthus--'Zulu Wonder' is lovely and really adds to the design.
ReplyDeleteThat Plectranthus is my favorite of the genus, Susie. It needs a little sun but not the intense afternoon variety so siting it has been a challenge in this garden but, once established, it's a joy.
DeleteYou always add an exotic (to me, at least) flower or two to your arrangements. I really like both of your vases this week and they are different unlike my own two vases which have the same flowers.
ReplyDeleteAs I recall, you have one of the smaller flowered Grevilleas, Christina - maybe you "need" to give one of the larger flowered cultivars a try too. Now that it's established, 'Superb' is never without flowers here.
DeleteLovely lavender tones in your first vase, it's so beautiful. Your cat does not look impressed but she should be as you still have wonderful dahlias. I'm pleased they are still flowering so well.
ReplyDeleteThe dahlia plants themselves look dreadful but that doesn't seem to impair the flower production.
DeleteYou have such a lovely collection of vases Kris, and you always succeed in creating such lovely and different arrangements each week! Love the Grevillea this week! :)
ReplyDeleteThose Grevillea flowers are truly fascinating, aren't they?
DeleteLove them both, though I think the Grevillea is my favorite plant in your garden. I see the Plectranthus around here, might need some!Took me a day to get out of my Vegas funk and the flowers helped, thanks.
ReplyDeleteI was glad I had my IaVoM post in the bag by the time I heard the morning news reports, Amy. The whole thing turned my stomach. Now, I'm just angry.
DeleteYou teach me to look at Plectranthus with less Been There Done That eyes.
ReplyDeleteThomas is working his was around the smaller trees. Leaving clear signs that A Leopard Live Here and Here ... I need to defend them with a barrier of pots!
My Pipig hasn't tried to climb trees but my male cats did. Pots around the base should help!
Delete