Monday, February 24, 2020

In a Vase on Monday: The new and the old

At this time of year the garden seems to produce something new nearly every day.  Last week, I saw something I'd never seen before and it took me a minute to realize that the first of the species tulips I'd planted as bulbs in early December were blooming.  Conveniently, I also discovered some pink Freesias to complement them.  Those two elements kicked off my first vase this week.

The 'Lady Jane' tulips are new to this garden, although I tried species tulips more than a decade ago in my former garden.  The lower light inside the house keeps them from opening fully but allows the bight pink on the reverse of the petals to shine.  I'm hoping the tulips will return for another show next year but our exceptionally mild winters may not support that aim.

The Freesias provide a light perfume to the air

Rosy-hued Grevillea 'Penola' picked up the pinks in the bulb blooms

Clockwise from the upper left: Tulipa clusiana 'Lady Jane', Grevillea lavandulacea 'Penola', white and pink Freesias, and Pyrethropsis hosmariense


The large-flowered Grevilleas bloom year-round but they're flowering especially heavily at the moment.  The arrival of the first yellow Freesias clinched their selection for another vase this week.

Grevilleas 'Ned Kelly' and 'Superb' were both in need of pruning, as was Leucadendron 'Jester', so this vase was an opportunity to use some of what I planned to cut anyway

The back view looks relatively similar to the front view in this case

Top view

Clockwise from the upper left: Grevillea 'Superb', G. 'Ned Kelly', Euryops virgineus 'Tali', yellow Freesia, Leucadendron 'Devil's Blush', Leucadendron 'Jester', and Xylosma congestum


I hadn't planned a third vase (really!) but my cutting garden is producing a steady supply of hybrid Anemone blooms and they're only going to last so long.  I couldn't ignore them, could I?

I kept this arrangement fairly simple

Back view: The Limonium perezii (aka sea lavender) on the right is another plant that has just begun its bloom cycle

Top view

Clockwise from the top: Two hybrid Anemone 'Mistral Azzurro', Limonium perezii, Osteospermum 'Violet Ice', and Salvia 'Mystic Spires'


For more "In a Vase on Monday posts," visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.



All material © 2012-2020 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
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24 comments:

  1. CathyFebruary 24, 2020 at 9:13 AM

    What a pretty shade of Freesia that is, and Lady Jane complemts them perfectly. She was the first species tlip I ever had, and still on eof my favourites - I must buy some more for nest season... AS you know I am always drawn to your blue vases and your third vase today is no exception - I love it!

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    1. Kris PetersonFebruary 24, 2020 at 6:55 PM

      I planted a second Tulipa clusiana a day or so after 'Lady Jane' and I'm impatiently checking for flowers nearly every day. I hope they survive to bloom at least another year but I'm not counting on it.

      Delete
  2. CindyFebruary 24, 2020 at 1:29 PM

    The Grevillea look rather Dr. Suess-like. So much variety, color, and fun! How can you stand it? My heart would soar with all that loveliness at my fingertips.

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    1. Kris PetersonFebruary 24, 2020 at 6:57 PM

      My heart does soar when I walk through my garden, Cindy! (With the possible exception of late summer when much of it is singed by heat and excessive dryness anyway.) My garden keeps me sane when the world seems crazy.

      Delete
  3. Eliza WatersFebruary 24, 2020 at 4:04 PM

    LOVE those Grevilleas - 'Superb' really earns its name. Gorgeous combinations per usual, Kris. You have a great eye for matching/coordinating colors. Wish I could smell those freesias. We visited Smith Greenhouse this weekend, which hosts a bulb show in a couple weeks and I saw a long row of freesias budding up - can't wait!

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    1. Kris PetersonFebruary 24, 2020 at 7:00 PM

      'Superb' does indeed deserve its name, Eliza. Blooming literally year-round with a degree of profusion should earn it a medal in my
      climate. I can't believe I don't see it in more gardens here.

      Delete
  4. Beth at PlantPostingsFebruary 24, 2020 at 6:34 PM

    Those 'Lady Janes' are gorgeous. I wonder if they would grow here. I can't decide which bouquet I like best--they are all fabulous. BTW, will we see you at the Fling this year?

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    1. Kris PetersonFebruary 24, 2020 at 7:02 PM

      Unfortunately, I don't think I'll make the Fling this year due to unexpected commitments on the home front, Beth. I very much look forward to the coverage from other gardeners, though.

      Delete
  5. ChlorisFebruary 25, 2020 at 12:57 AM

    I love all three. How wonderful having your own freesias. I love Lady Jane too. And of course your grevilleas always make me jealous.

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    1. Kris PetersonFebruary 25, 2020 at 10:24 AM

      I was thrilled to see the 'Lady Jane' tulips and I'm eagerly awaiting her sister 'Cynthia's' blooms.

      Delete
  6. Lisa at GreenbowFebruary 25, 2020 at 4:07 AM

    Lady Jane matches perfectly with the manicure of the vase. I always admire anyone that can keep a perfect manicure during the growing season or any season for that matter. I would never be able to ignore those beautiful anemones. My favorites I believe, at least at this time of year. Happy IAVOM.

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    1. Kris PetersonFebruary 25, 2020 at 10:25 AM

      My own fingernails are something of a disgrace, Lisa. I can't even imagine having fingernails like those in the vase.

      Delete
  7. danger gardenFebruary 25, 2020 at 8:52 AM

    Oh that Grevillea/Freesia combo has me swooning with delight. So gorgeous!

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    1. Kris PetersonFebruary 25, 2020 at 10:27 AM

      Grevillea 'Superb' has become a bit top heavy and 'Ned Kelly' seems to develop disproportionately long branches so I was happy to be able to use cuttings of both this week, Loree.

      Delete
  8. AnnaFebruary 25, 2020 at 9:18 AM

    I hope that that attractive tulip lasts for more than a year with you Kris. It must be so much fun and pleasure for you when you make that daily inspection at this time of year.

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    1. Kris PetersonFebruary 25, 2020 at 10:29 AM

      We're moving into that time of year where dancing and singing in the garden doesn't feel at all inappropriate, Anna. I hope your own weather takes a turn for the better soon!

      Delete
  9. the running waveFebruary 25, 2020 at 11:14 AM

    I love your first vase Kris (well, I love all of them) but the first one is incredibly glamorous, especially in that very feminine vase. Your gorgeous tulip and those delicious freesias - all absolutely lovely. The other two arrangements are full of lovely things too, and I do love all the blues in your third vase. Amanda

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    1. Kris PetersonFebruary 25, 2020 at 2:20 PM

      Thanks Amanda! That first vase was a lucky thrift store find.

      Delete
  10. Diana StuderFebruary 26, 2020 at 1:54 PM

    The anemones have such a glorious colour!

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  11. AlisonCFebruary 27, 2020 at 8:29 AM

    I noticed my little tulips poking their green tips up, they are very similar to yours. It's all looking so colourful and you always have things to tone. Anemones are very beautiful and I'm envious of the limonium, hoping to have some this year.

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    1. Kris PetersonFebruary 27, 2020 at 11:57 AM

      I'm thrilled with the anemones and the tulips, Alison. However, the Ranunculus aren't looking great and I'm not sure why.

      Delete
  12. Susie @ pbmGardenFebruary 27, 2020 at 3:54 PM

    I love the graceful lines of that first vase in the overhead shot. So lyrical Kris. All three vases are filled with beauties.

    ReplyDelete

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