With the holidays behind us, I've stepped up my activity in cleaning up my garden. I've been pruning the shrubs I allowed to get out of control, tidying up others, and pulling out plants that have just become too woody (or too trashed by remodel-related damage) to salvage. My first vase contains the byproducts of some of these efforts.
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| I've hard pruned my pink Cuphea, which blooms continuously but gets ratty during the course of the year. I also cleared out some of the twiggy growth on my Hong Kong orchid tree. It's flowers don't last long in a vase but they look flashy for a few days. |
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| Back view: I kept this vase simpler than most |
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| Top view |
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| Clockwise from the left: Bauhinia x blakeana (aka Hong Kong orchid tree), Coleonema pulchellum 'Sunset Gold', Cuphea x ignea 'Starfire Pink', and Lavandula multifida (aka fernleaf lavender) |
My second arrangement features the vase I received from a good friend as a Christmas present. It has a relatively small opening, which I stuffed with bits and pieces scavenged from different corners of my garden.
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| It's not so much an arrangement as a collection of miscellaneous cuttings |
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| Back view: The green Chrysanthemums I purchased at the supermarket 2 weeks ago are past their prime but I tucked some of the most presentable stems here too |
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| Top view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Digitalis purpurea 'Dalmatian White', Argyranthemum frutescens 'Everest', noID Chrysanthemum, noID Narcissus, Pittosporum tenufolium 'Silver Magic', Polygala fruticosa 'Petite Butterfly', and noID Viola |
With the introduction of our kitchen island, I now seem to feel compelled to have a vase there, as well as in the front entry and on the dining room table. Luckily, I still have a steady supply of Amaryllis (
Hippeastrum 'Zombie') blooming in my shade house so I've been able to refresh the dining room display as needed. What am I going to do when that supply dries up?!
Visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden to find more "In a Vase on Monday" creations.
All material © 2012-2020 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
Lovely arrangements. Wondering how many Amarylis Zombie you have in your shade house as they have been part of your arrangements for quite some time? Will have to look for this variety.
ReplyDeleteI have 3 'Zombie' bulbs in a pot and each has produced 2 to 3 stems, most bearing 5 trumpet-shaped flowers. I've still got a few stems in flower plus at least one new stem just emerging. This is the most prolific Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) I've grown yet, Elaine.
DeleteThe bright colours in your first vase sing together, it's lovely to see them. I love the fresh bright look in your pretty new vase. Someone obviously knows you well.
ReplyDeleteMy vase-gifting friend and I've been friends since I was a college freshman, Alison, so, yes, she does know me well!
DeleteI absolutely love your misc. collection with the foxgloves - did you grow them from seed - have I left it too late to sow some for this spring?
ReplyDeleteI grow my foxgloves from plugs because it's simply easier, although I did plant some seeds of 'Dalmatian Peach' in November as I haven't been able to find that variety in plugs this year. In my climate (coastal southern California, very different from yours I suspect), plants grown from plugs will bloom the first year whereas plants grown from seeds act like true biennials.
DeleteAha, thankyou - I must seek out some plugs
DeleteThose are great pruning bouquets! Mine are mostly somewhat wind-battered roses.
ReplyDeleteYour roses are beautiful in any condition, HB!
DeleteThe Hong Kong orchid is a fantastically glamorous creature, and what a gorgeous colour! And then I saw the little no ID viola! Their little faces always remind me of kittens! Adorable! Amanda https://therunningwave.blogspot.com/2020/01/a-featherweight-vase-on-monday.html
ReplyDeletePansies/violas are a sentimental favorite, Amanda. Even though they're thirsty creatures, I plant some each winter.
DeleteMeant to say that I especially the top view of your second vase. Just lovely, with lots of favourite things! A
DeleteSo many blooms! I saw that little pansy peeking out of the middle of one of the arrangements. I just love them. Made me smile and think spring things. Plus I got a shipment of seeds for the garden today. :)
ReplyDeleteYay, at least you can shift your focus to spring, Lisa! I just placed a seed order myself.
DeleteI love the rich pinks of the first vase, complemented by the purple lavender. Your Hippeastrum is amazingly prolific. I wish I could grow them outside. I have trouble throwing them out, so they languish slowly over the years until they beg for the compost heap!
ReplyDeleteI was able to get Hippeastrum to naturalize in my old garden but have yet to have much success with that here. Still, I haven't given up - I just have to find a spot where the magic is right.
DeleteThank you for this lovely splash of color to brighten our dull, brown, and cloudy days of winter, here in Ohio. Even a little snow would brighten things up.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get a touch of spring soon, Cindy, even if it's just in the form of a seed or plant catalog!
DeleteLovely new vase and of course beautiful arrangements. I can tell that you have enjoyed getting into the garden after the holidays.
ReplyDeleteI'm thrilled to be back at work in the garden, Noelle. I've still got a lot of clean-up to do after that long remodel.
DeleteA kitchen island vase, good thinking! I'm afraid I'd end up treating the surface as another mantle-type opportunity and it would quickly become covered.
ReplyDeleteSince my husband is now having his breakfast at the island every day and pushes aside even the smallest vase, I very much doubt I can get away with putting too much there, Loree. A plant in a decorative pot or basket may end up there at some point. Three vases a week is a bit much, even for me.
DeleteVery pretty! My garden is covered with snow and ice right now but it will be in the upper 60's this weekend. Sheesh!
ReplyDeleteI hope you - and your garden - recover quickly from the weather whiplash, Tammy!
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