After our awful July 6th heatwave, walking through my garden became much less joyful; however, the
Leptospermum 'Copper Glow' I planted in 2014 gave me reason to smile. To my recollection, the 2 shrubs produced their first spare sprays of flowers last summer. This summer, despite the hot, dry conditions here, they're blooming more heavily. They were the starting point for my first vase.
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| I wasn't sure the dahlia fit the arrangement but, as the bloom was perfect for cutting this week, in it went |
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| The back view shows off the pretty sprays of white Leptospermum 'Copper Glow' flowers, arranged more loosely along their stems than flowers of the Leptospermum 'Pink Pearl' I've used more often |
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| The top view shows the Leucadendron "flowers," actually bracts, which make me think of the buds of long-stem roses |
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| Clockwise from the upper left, the vase contains: Dahlia 'Otto's Thrill', Leptospermum 'Copper Glow', noID Leucadendron salignum (possibly 'Devil's Blush'), and Leucanthemum x superbum |
My
Eustoma grandiflorum (Lisianthus) are off to a slow start but I found a smattering of blue and white blooms to make up a second small vase.
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| I used 4 colors of Lisianthus in this vase: white, pale lavender, blue, and purple |
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| Back view |
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| Top view: I love the greenish color at the middle of the white Lisianthus |
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| Clockwise from the upper left, the vase contains: Ageratum houstonianum 'Blue Horizon' with Catananche caerulea, Trichostema 'Midnight Magic' (a hybrid of California native Wooly Blue Curls), and Eustoma grandiflorum |
For more Monday vases,
check in with Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.
All material © 2012-2018 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
The leptospermu is so pretty Kris, and such a useful shrub to have it seems. The dahlia and leucadendron are perfect with it in the first vase and of course I adore your second vase with the lisianthus!
ReplyDeleteI bought 2 Leptospermum 'Copper Glow' on the fly after tearing out my front lawn in 2014. The attraction was the foliage but I'm very pleased it flowers too!
DeleteThe blue arrangement is very cool and calming, but I actually prefer the pink and white girliness of the first one. I especially like that frilly Shasta 'Crazy Daisy'. I sowed a zillion of them this spring and potted them up into bigger pots just before our recent heat wave. They're all well watered and thriving, and with any luck and nurturing all summer long, will be going into the garden this fall, along with a boatload of Salvia x superba.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised at how well that ruffled Shasta daisy has done in my garden, Alison, and I hope it performs as well for you!
DeleteThat dahlia is beautiful and I love the purple arrangement! Thanks for sharing them.
ReplyDeleteOne can't go wrong with blue, purple and white I don't think, Rebecca.
DeleteBeautiful as ever. I love the cool pink look. Perhaps its the bluey look which makes it cool. I have that blue Catananche which just sings out of the border. I'm envious of the Lisianthus and wonder if I should try them but I doubt they'd do well. We are still very dry though slightly less hot. Areas around us have had some rain which is frustrating.
ReplyDeleteLisianthus/Eustoma does make a great cut flower, Alison! I've yet to hear of anyone who's been able to make a go of growing the double-flowered Lisianthus from seed (I tried and failed) but, fortunately, they're readily available as plugs here now. They like their pH slightly on the alkaline side and I can't say how they handle winter conditions.
DeleteSo pretty! Both arrangements are great but I like the cooling feeling of the blue and white one.
ReplyDeleteHopefully, I'll be able to pair the deep blue Eustoma with Dahlia 'Lover Boy' soon, Peter, but the latter is certainly taking his time showing up this year!
DeleteYou always come up with the most beautiful vases...Happy IAVOM and hope your garden recovers from its trials due to the weather.
ReplyDeleteThanks Noelle! I expect the majority of plants will recover once cooler temperatures return in the fall and rain makes a comeback this winter. There are some clear losses, though.
DeleteYour garden may be suffering but I couldn't tell it by the beautiful vases full of blooms. Well done.
ReplyDeleteIf the Dahlias and Zinnias show up in larger numbers, I may be able to keep the flower bouquets coming through much of the summer. If they fail me, you may soon see succulent arrangements!
DeleteI planted a Lepto shortly after we moved up here and then the Great Freeze of ---well I can't remember the year exactly -89 maybe ? Anyway it got down to 9 degrees and the Lepto bit the dust. I didn't replant but I wish I had now -that temp was an aberration. I love it paired with the Leucadendron .
ReplyDeleteThe 2 species of Leptospermum I have, L. scoparium and hybrid 'Copper Glow', couldn't be more different in appearance but they're both worth growing, Kathy. I think you should give the genus another try.
DeleteLeucadendron really is reminiscent of rose buds! Its color goes well with the leptospermum and the dahlia makes a nice focal point. Love the lisianthus vase, too. Your arrangements are always wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThanks Eliza! Even I'm sometimes surprised by what I come up with when the pickings, on their face, strike me as slim.
DeleteBoth vases are lovely, floral riches!
ReplyDeleteThe flower choices are fewer but valuable nonetheless. I'm hoping there are more dahlia blooms in my future.
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ReplyDeleteI liked the colors.
janicce.
Thanks Janicce!
DeleteKris, Mother Nature continues to reward you with beautiful flowers for your diligent care. You would rollover laughing at the sight of my Dahlias humidity or not,yours are lovely and I love the blues.
ReplyDeleteYou'd think the dahlias would appreciate all that rain you get. Ungrateful things!
DeleteHi Kris, luckily up to now we haven't had a proper "canicule" (heat wave) and even the nights have been pleasant so far but no doubt it'll come. Your vases are delightful. Leucantheum x superbum is a real cracker, wow! Ought to check out Leptospermum as they might like our climate. My dahlias sometimes succumb to mildew but alas, they look good still. Keep cool in the heat, best wishes, Annette PS: The "frog" is a midwife toad. We have so many this year, they're gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteOur heat arrived later than normal this year but it came on like a bull-dozer when it finally arrived. I hope your temperatures climb on a slower, gentler basis.
DeleteHi Kris, sorry to be late commenting on your lovely arrangements. Both are something I'd love to spend time with. The dahlia is a nice form and color. (Having trouble leaving comments using my iPad so trying again from laptop. Hope weather moderates. We had a 5-minute shower last night, not enough to help anything. Have a good week.
ReplyDeleteThankfully, the weather here has turned somewhat cooler with the return of the morning marine layer, Susie. Our humidity is on the rise again, though, with the influence of the monsoonal rains in the deserts to the east. SoCal used to be known for its "dry" heat but the end of that seems to be yet another victim of climate change.
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