With daytime temperatures now in the 60sF, spring is creeping ever closer. The gold-toned
Freesias that have naturalized to form a thick mass on one side of the fountain suddenly burst into bloom. With the flowers flopping all over one another, they were a logical choice to cut for "In a Vase on Monday" this week. The challenge was to find something to complement their strong color without being overwhelmed by it. A couple of calla lilies from the back slope did the job.
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| The calla lilies still haven't appeared in large numbers but two stems were enough on this occasion |
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| The Moroccan daisies have short stems but they still do a good job of dressing up the base of an arrangement |
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| The velvety leaves of the peppermint geranium provided the foliage accent |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Freesia, Abelia grandiflora 'Radiance, Pelargonium tomentosum (aka peppermint geranium), Zantedeschia aethiopica (aka calla lily), and Pyrethropsis hosmariense (aka Moroccan daisy) |
My hellebores have also produced their first flowers. I'd been hoping to combine
'Anna's Red' with the flowers of a
Cyclamen in a similar shade so I cut both for a second vase. Unfortunately, the tiny
Cyclamen flowers got lost in the vase I'd selected so I ended up starting the arrangement all over again using a different vase.
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| I love the color of this vase but it has a narrow and irregular neck that limits how much I can shove down its throat. I had to jettison some of the stems I'd cut as they were either too fragile or too thick to cram in. |
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| Gomphrena 'Itsy Bitsy's' thin stems were no problem |
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| Top view |
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| Clockwise from the left: Helleborus 'Anna's Red', Gomphrena decumbens 'Itsy Bitsy', Hebe (Veronica) 'Wiri Blush', and Westringia 'Morning Light' |
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| The leftovers, including the tiny noID Cyclamen, two fat stems of noID Alstroemeria and extra stems of the Hebe and Gomphrena were popped into a 3-inch vase |
Last week's "tulip" vase is still on the dining room table and one of the orchids I received last week is in the front entry so the new vases ended up in areas that don't get flowers as often.
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| I pulled 3 stems of Narcissus from last week's vase and added one new stem of the same flower but I was impressed by how well the arrangement held up overall. The "tulips" are now more green than yellow but the Leucadendron stems are still in good shape. |
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| The Freesia arrangement ended up in the living room and the other two vases landed on the master bedroom mantel |
For more Monday vases,
visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.
All material © 2012-2019 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
My goodness, those freesias are startlingly bright!! - but what a perfect foil those pure white calla lilies make for them with the daisies too. And your second vase with Itsy Bitsy and the hellebores is a delight - I love both your vases today and it ahs given me such pleasure to see them so thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteThe Freesias are indeed VERY bright, Cathy. I prefer a more mellow yellow myself but most of what's sold as "yellow" Freesias present themselves in this gold tone.
DeleteI dig the warm golden fresias and pairing them with the callas and daisies was a great idea - perfect teapot for this arrangement, too. You've got flowers all over your house this week!
ReplyDeleteFlowers all over the house are a true sign that we're on the cusp pf spring, Peter.
DeleteI love your golden freesias, are they very fragrant? They look lovely with the calla lilies. I love those little Itsey Bitsys and what a perfect match for 'Anna'Red' which is a great favourite of mine because it is beautiful and it shares a name with my lovely daughter.
ReplyDeleteThe yellow Freesias seem to be a bit more fragrant than those in other colors but that may be my imagination. The scent is strongest in a warm house, when just a few stems can perfume a room.
DeleteAnother tonic dose of spring! Eggs are evoked again, but this time by their color rather than shape. That pitcher is pefect; hope to see more of it. Speaking of egg shapes, it was a lift to revisit the 'Gold Strike' arrangement on its spring-y runner.
ReplyDeleteThe dark purples of the second vase show so well against the smooth unbroken wall surface, particularly the fabulous flying gomphrena.
Needed this shot of beauty more today than usual; thanks.
I'm glad to be able to offer you a boost, Nell, and I hope you find much more in the coming week to brighten your days.
DeleteI can't imagine having freesias growing like that! What a scent you must have. I have the same Hellebore and love the color!
ReplyDeleteA seem to add more and more Freesia bulbs each year and they do naturalize, Libby, so I've got quite a lot of them this year even though the rain pummeled the foliage of some into the ground in places.
DeleteThe sheer variety of what you can grow in your garden always amazes me and to have Hellebores and Gomphrena at the same time! Love the Freesias and Callas, I have difficulties with bulbs here, though the Amaryllis are shooting up buds!
ReplyDeleteThat Gomphrena blooms all year and I'm not exaggerating, Amelia. My Amaryllis/Hippeastrum are struggling here, perhaps because I keep insisting on planting them in the ground, trying to get them to naturalize as they did in my former garden.
DeleteThis weeks vases are some of my favorites that you have made Kris. Beautiful, lively and well done!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you liked them, Lisa!
DeleteThose freesia just hit the spot for me surrounded as I am by a sea of wine. A real blast of spring!
ReplyDeleteI expect you meant "white" but I do really like the idea of a sea of wine right now ;)
DeleteI love your Calla-Freesia vase. I have those same naturalized Freesias in my garden, I pull them up by the handful but they always re appear the next year-late spring frosts don't do much for their appearance !
ReplyDeleteSome of my Freesia were pummeled by the rain this year and their foliage is plastered to the ground - it remains to be seen whether those will bloom this year anyway. Luckily, at least I don't have a frost problem.
DeleteOoh, I bet those freesias smell divine - a favorite scent. I love the deep color of the hellebore, and the gomphrena is a good match...that rich burgundy-red looks great with the silver foliage. Cyclamen is one plant that grows well in my cool sunspace- I love the white edging on yours.
ReplyDeleteI only wish that particular Cyclamen had larger flowers, Eliza. They're truly tiny.
DeleteI adore the hellebore and Gomphrena 'Itsy Bitsy' vase...it’s sublime!
ReplyDelete'Itsy Bitsy' is a winner, Loree - and tougher than any of the hellebores in my garden.
DeleteLove the fresh spring-like yellow vase Kris! The calla are stunning and I bet the freesias smell delicious too. :) The deep red hellebore and gomphrena look great together - a combination you could probably never get here as gomphrenas are sold as summer 'annuals' here!
ReplyDeleteMost Gomphrena are sold as annuals here too, Cathy. However, 'Itsy Bitsy' is a perennial (really more of a shrub) but not commonly available it seems.
DeleteAhh, freesias! I'm growing Gomphrena for the first time, the little seedlings are just emerging. As usual I'm admiring your Westringia and your great way of colour coordinating.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to the arrival of the Freesias every year, Alison.
DeleteWow! Wow and wow. Are you always this prolific? These are all awesome combinations. I take particular note of the Freesias (with white) and the Gomphrena! I also take note of your teapot vessel. <3
ReplyDeleteSoCal may not get a lot of precipitation but the growing environment does offer some advantages otherwise, Alyse ;)
DeleteAmazing! As always! I can never get over the enormous variety of flowers you have in your garden. So many different colours and textures. Just wonderful, and I love the itsy bitsy! Thank you! Amanda
ReplyDeleteWe don't get your kind of winter, Amanda. We can grow flowers year-round.
DeleteI love the dark Hellebore vase; they look fantastic with the Gomphrena 'Itsy Bitsy'. My sowing of white Gomphrena have just germinated but I haven't been able to find seed of'Itsy Bitsy'. The other vases are gorgeous too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Christina!
DeleteAs always . . . exquisitely and beautifully arranged. I think I prefer your winter over ours.
ReplyDeleteSnow is pretty to look at and the dusting that parts of Los Angeles got last week created lots of excitement here but I think I prefer it as an anomaly too. I hope it warms up in your area soon, Cindy.
DeleteJust lovely, all of the arrangements and I have a wee bit of envy for all your gardening success.
ReplyDeleteOur climate is very cooperative, Kim.
DeleteThat golden vase must smell delicious, especially with minty leaves.
ReplyDeleteThe Freesia releases a wonderful scent, Diana, at least when the room it's in is warm. I can't usually detect the peppermint smell of the Pelargonium unless I rub the leaves.
DeleteNo Freesias open here yet, just a lot of stems. The Callas balance that bright gold very well.
ReplyDeleteSpring is coming and I'm sure your Freesias will arrive momentarily, HB.
Delete