In a Vase on Monday: Understudies steal the show

I had a couple of blooms in mind as focal points for this week's vases but, in both cases, other flowers ended up stealing the spotlight.  In the first case, a tall-stemmed Lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum) was intended to be the centerpiece of a pink-themed arrangement but the shorter stems of a noID Camellia sasanqua I cut as an accent commanded more attention.

The Lisianthus, purchased in 4-inch pots a couple of months ago, were supposed to have deep red flowers.  In fact, I passed on them twice because the red color shown in the tag photo didn't appeal to me.  But, hoping that the blooms would resemble the 'Arena Red'  variety I planted in window boxes in 2018, I finally took them home.  So far, 2 of the 5 plants are blooming in this pretty - but not red - pale pink.

Back view: I was surprised to find a couple of Caladium leaves left in my shade house

Top view

Clockwise from the upper left: noID Camellia sasanqua that came with the garden, Caladium 'Candyland', mis-labeled pink Eustoma grandiflorum (Lisianthus), foliage of Lobelia laxiflora, and Tanacetum parthenium (feverfew)

For my second case, I'd focused on the blooms of Metrosideros 'Springfire', which just began flowering off-season.  Then I discovered that one of Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) bulbs I'd planted in late October had produced its first bloom stalk.  This significantly overshadowed the small Metrosideros stems, although it's arguable that Grevillea 'Peaches & Cream' outshines even the Amaryllis, at least at present.

I'm hoping the Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) will raise its heavy head once the blooms open further.  Concerned that the flower's hollow stem might cause its premature collapse as a cut flower, I followed the guidance offered by the Swedish Plantguys in this You Tube video.

Back view: I almost lost the Metrosideros during a severe heatwave in July 2018 at the height of our drought. The shrub slowly recovered but it didn't bloom in spring or summer this year as expected, only recently producing buds.  The shrub's name has a nice origin story.  Hawaiian legend has it that, if the flowers are cut, the lovers representing the tree/shrub and the flower will shed tears in the form of rain.  Given our history of drought, it seems I should be cutting the flowers on a regular basis!

Top view

Clockwise from the top: Hippeastrum 'Zombie' (Amaryllis), Grevillea 'Peaches & Cream', Leucadendron 'Wilson's Wonder', and Metrosideros collina 'Springfire'

I'd cut 3 foxglove stems for inclusion in the first vase but they didn't complement the Camellias as well as I'd hoped so they were popped into a third vase with a few other stems snatched from the garden at the last minute.

In addition to the Digitalis purpurea (foxglove), this vase contains Osteospermum 'Berry White' and Gomphrena decumbens 'Itsy Bitsy'

For more IAVOM creations, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden to find links to posts to other contributors.

All material © 2012-2019 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party