Cathy of Rambling in the Garden is celebrating the seventh anniversary of the popular "In a Vase on Monday" meme. I didn't come on board until late March 2014 but I haven't missed many Monday posts since. As a challenge, Cathy suggested that participants create an arrangement without flowers this week. That takes a measure of restraint from a flower freak like me but I did come up with something to meet the spec.
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I've got no colorful fall foliage to flaunt so I drew on the flower-like rosettes of an Aeonium and colorful Leucadendron stems as focal points. I cut stems of a deep red coleus too but felt they overwhelmed the arrangement so I pulled them.
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The back view presents a cleaner profile and, in retrospect I probably should have pulled the Caladium stems shown in the front view
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Top view
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Clockwise from the upper left: Aeonium haworthii 'Kiwi Verde', Caladium 'Debutante', Leucadendrons 'Devil's Blush' and 'Jester', and Prostanthera ovalifolia 'Variegata'
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The volume of flowers available in my garden took a nose dive once I dug up my dahlias and zinnias so flowers will be in shorter supply for some time but there are still some and I decided to use the last respectable pink Lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum) and stems of Correa 'Pink Eyre', currently blooming with abandon, for a second vase with flowers. If you've read many of my prior IAVOM posts, you already know that I seldom stop at just one.
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The Lisianthus blooms weren't perfect after being pounded by intermittent showers on Saturday and early Sunday but I thought they still deserved an opportunity to shine
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The Caladium stems are quickly succumbing to colder temperatures so I cut the longest ones I could find in good condition, none of which were very tall
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Top view
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Clockwise from the upper left: Eustoma grandiflorum, Caladium 'Debutante', Correa pulchella 'Pink Eyre', Cuphea 'Starfire Pink', Pentas lanceolata, Persicaria capitata, and Prostanthera ovalifolia 'Variegata'
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Last week was a mix of emotional ups and downs. On the down-side, I received news of a serious illness within my extended family; however, the week also delivered rain (just 0.18/inch but that's something!) and the long-awaited news that we have a new US President-elect. With respect to the latter, there are still legal steps that need to be completed before the decision of the voters is certified but there's a very high statistical probability that will happen even if the current incumbent doesn't have the grace to acknowledge it for the sake of his party or the nation.
For more IAVOM posts, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden. Many thanks to her for creating and nurturing what has become a wonderful weekly celebration.
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Our temperatures dropped from 88.5F (31C) on Thursday to 59F (15C) on Sunday. As we probably won't get anything that could pass for "fall foliage" until December or January, this little mouse on the dining room table is my nod to the change of seasons.
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All material © 2012-2020 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
The Leucadendron are magical in this arrangement and I actually like the graceful caladiums as you've used them. The Eustoma is gorgeous--lovely arrangement. I enjoy seeing your Monday vases each week. I am sorry and hope things work out well with your family situation. Peace.
ReplyDeleteThanks Susie. The Leucadendrons have become part of the backbone of my garden.
DeleteI think I need a mouse like that! Love those Leucadendrons every time I see them, the color combination is wonderful. And the Lisianthus, do you keep the Caladiums in containers? I love them but fear they won't do in sand in my garden. It was an up and down week here as well, happy to see the election result, actually ecstatic! Hope your family member heals.
ReplyDeleteI grew Caladiums in pots last year and I think did nominally better than those I grew in the ground this year. The bed I planted them in this year has been heavily supplemented over the years but, even then, the plants were remarkably shorter than those I grew the year before - and I don't believe they were identified as dwarf cultivars.
DeleteAw, thanks for allowing yourself a measure of restraint and resisting blooms (for at least one vase!)Kris!! Your foliage sits well in this vase of yours - the aeonium reflects the green really well. I always enjoy seeing your lisianthus, so your second vase was a bonus - how much longer will they be flowering do you think?
ReplyDeleteLisianthus are rather unpredictable bloomers, Cathy. They've flowered into December the last 2 years but I have fewer plants now and I don't expect those that are still blooming to hang on into next month. They're usually back by late February or March, though, and, as I recently ordered a large number of plug plants, I hope that will be the case in 2021 too.
DeleteThose Caladium leaves gently draw the red and green together. Such beautiful leaves.
ReplyDeleteCaladium leaves are indeed beautiful, with or without flowers, and every time I grow them, I end up wishing I'd planted more, Diana. This year I also wish the stems were longer. I'm not quite sure why they're all so short.
DeleteI really love the material in both your vases Kris - just lovely! Soft colours, interesting patterns, different sizes in your materials - brilliant!! Amanda
ReplyDeleteThanks Amanda!
DeleteWell done, Kris! The Leucadendron/Aeonium are perfect for the challenge, and love the pink vase as well. I think the Caladium leaves are nice in both. Something I don't grow as the slugs love them. :(
ReplyDeleteSo glad to read that you got some rain, yay! I hear the Sierra got a foot of snow, more yay (next years water supply).
I'm with you on holding back a bit until this election mess is confirmed. I probably won't feel completely secure until Biden is inaugurated. Is it Jan. 20 yet?? ;)
Yes, I was listening to NPR awhile this afternoon and it's still clear we're a very divided country. I think we're in for a nerve-wracking couple of months yet, Eliza.
DeleteFabulous, fabulous as always! As I've probably mentioned several times before on your blog, Leucadendrons are a personal favorite--what a cool plant!
ReplyDeleteIf you ever have an opportunity to visit my garden I'll be sure to give you some Leucadendron stems as a memento, Beth ;)
DeleteThe contents of your vases are beautiful Kris. I must look into caladiums. I imagine that they like some shade. Sorry to hear that you have had some bad news this last week. On the plus side it looks as if the world will see the back of Mr Trump and so pleased to hear that you have had some rain. Every little must count 😄
ReplyDeleteCaladiums do require some shade, Anna, especially in our climate. As to the political scene, January can't come too soon as the current occupant of the White House continues to spread the virus within its walls while he also promotes delusions among many of the followers he still has.
DeleteThey are both lovely Kris. I always laugh to myself when you say flowers are getting scarce in your garden and then go on to create vase after vase of fabulous blooms. I love your non- flower arrangement, the vase is perfect for it. I am always green with envy at your leucadendrons.
ReplyDeleteThe world has been holding its collective breath and still is,hoping the craziness in your country will come to an end. Still, there is hope for you, whilst we are still stuck with the Brexit madness.
The key to my garden is that there are always, always Grevilleas to fall back on, Chloris. We're holding our breath here too while waiting for January 20th as the Divider-in-Chief continues to live up to that moniker.
DeleteHa, I don't know Kris, leucadendrons almost seem too easy! But if ya got it, ya might as well flaunt it.
ReplyDeleteWell, I do have a LOT of Leucadendrons...On the other hand, I don't feature 'Jester' very often (mainly because it pains me to cut the stems).
DeleteYour non-flowers look extremely like little blooms nonetheless Kris and are impressive in shape and colour. I really love that dear little Persicaria in the second vase. I grew something similar once that managed to set seed for a couple of years so I suspect it is not hardy here. Love your sweet mouse ornament too! ;-)
ReplyDeleteThat particular Persicaria is considered something of a weed but it's a very well-behaved weed here, Cathy. I love it too.
DeleteAre Leucadendrons awesome or what? Best shrubs ever. Your arrangement did them justice.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe I gardened at my old house for 20 years without a single Leucadendron, HB, but then that was a very small, very shady space and they probably wouldn't have been happy. I'm making up for lost time now it seems ;)
DeleteI've had this post open in a tab for three days now, 'cos I like your bloomless arrangement and beautiful vase so much! The one with flowers isn't bad either!!! I also like the ingredient composite pictures too. Great idea.
ReplyDeleteThanks Allison!
DeleteHah! It was shocking when I sorted my Inbox to list Unread first - hence my late visit. As always, your vases are lovely. I'm so sorry for your bad news and hope things work out better than you think possible. Election results - there's been enough time now to be kind of boiling mad at the way it is all playing out. When the current people in power say "Enough is enough! Start the official transition." Keeping you in my thoughts, Kris.
ReplyDeleteThe health issue is a serious one and not something that will be quickly resolved but we have hope, Barbara. As to the political transition (or lack thereof), it's infuriating and unnerving by terms - I looked up the work treason this morning because that's what the current moves look like and I'm not sure how much lower my opinion of the party currently in power can go.
DeleteHah! Yes, exactly - the word has been floating around in my mind this last week, too! Will add my hope for a good resolution on all fronts - health and politics.
ReplyDeleteI hope that perception penetrates the fog filling the heads of certain politicians before the impact is irreversible.
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