Although I've complained aplenty about the lack of rain this year, I know we're far luckier in the weather department than people in a good percentage of the United States at present. We haven't been buried under snow or ice; we haven't lost power or had frozen pipes; we're not struggling to keep warm or heating snow to have water. We're starting off the week with sunny skies and unseasonably warm temperatures. We could reach a high temperature of 80F (26C) today. Hopefully, some of that warmth will blow eastward.
It definitely feels like spring even if that transition is still officially a month away so I chose flowers that reflect that vibe.
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| The second stem of Hippeastrum 'Lemon-Lime' bloomed last week so I cut it, knowing that it wouldn't hold up well against the warm Santa Ana winds we're expecting |
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| I added little bits of this and that to complement its soft yellow color |
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| Top view |
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Top row: Agonis flexuosa 'Nana', Coleonema 'Album' (aka Breath of Heaven), and Euphorbia rigida
Middle row: Euryops chrysanthemoides 'Sonnenschein', Hippeastrum 'Lemon-Lime', and Isopogon anemonifolius
Bottom row: two noID Narcissi and Pyrethropsis hosmariensis (aka Moroccan Daisy) |
The arrival of the blue-flowered Freesias last week and the abundance of blue Anemones in my cutting garden prompted the second arrangement.
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| The "blue" Freesias read more lavender/purple to my eye but the paper-like flowers of Limonium perezii (aka Sea Lavender) did a good job of linking them to the Anemones |
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| Back view: I noticed that the Auranticarpa rhombifolia shrubs (aka Queensland Pittosporum) had begun to bloom when I wasn't looking and, after cutting off the leaves to expose the flowers, I added a couple of those stems to lighten up the arrangement |
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| Top view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Anemone coronaria 'Lord Lieutenant', Argyranthemum frutescens with lavender/blue Freesia, Auranticarpa rhombifolia, white Freesia, Limonium perezii, and Xylosma congestum (sporting blue/black berries) |
For more arrangements created from material gardeners have on hand, visit the creator of
In a Vase on Monday, Cathy at
Rambling in the Garden.
All material © 2012-2021 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
So you have had the same thoughts as me, Kris, a vase that reflects that feeling of spring, even though it is still some weeks away yet! I love the opposing moods of your two vases, the weak spring sun of the first one and the strong blues of the second, like a cool day with a cloudless sky. I especially like the horizontal effect of the blue vase - and how lovely to have all those anemones...perhaps I should persevere and keep trying with them...
ReplyDeleteI'm really happy with this blue Anemone, Cathy. It's the most robust one I've grown yet. In contrast, Anemone 'The Bride' is still disappointing me by blooming on one to two inch stems in a raised planter just feet away from the one containing the blue ones. Go figure!
DeleteTheres something of the meadow in both your lovely vases today Kris. Not sure what it is that makes me think of flowery pastures - maybe it's the daisies! Amanda https://therunningwave290580645.wordpress.com/2021/02/22/at-last-a-vase-on-monday/
ReplyDeleteWhile I wish I had my own meadow, Amanda, I can't clam that. I do like daisy-type flowers, though!
DeleteIt doesn't feel like spring here yet at all but warmer temps are expected by the end of the week. Your sunshiny yellow vase portends good things to come. (And of course I love your blues--hope you enjoy all those gorgeous anemones.)
ReplyDeleteThe Anemones are the best part of my cutting garden at the moment, Susie. The rest of my cutting garden plants - mostly seedlings - aren't doing much yet but maybe our warm spell this week will get them moving.
DeleteGlorious spring bouquets! Our weather is about the same as yours..but, no Freesia! They are gorgeous..
ReplyDeleteFreesias do very well here, Amanda. My only problem with them is that, whether purchased directly from mail order nurseries or local garden centers, the colors are off (i.e. not as described) half the time. A couple of years ago, I declared that I was only going to buy the plants in bud when I could check the color myself but, of course, I didn't factor in the pandemic. This time, I got a lot of blues instead of the "tropical sunset" colors I order for one particular area.
DeleteI'm hard pushed to pick a favourite vase today Kris. Both are beautiful and indeed spring comes to mind when I look at them. Glad to hear that you escaped the dreadfully cold snap that hit Texas. We were initially slightly concerned about my niece in Georgia but it seems although cooler than normal that they escaped the freezing weather too 😄
ReplyDeleteThat arctic blast hit a surprisingly large part of the US, Anna. Southern California almost seems like a different hemisphere by comparison. Of course, we're not getting any rain during what's usually the peak of our (short) rainy season and, according to today's paper, we'll need a "mega-miracle" to get anywhere near normal rain levels before our rainy season ends in early April. Right now, we're worse off than some deserts in the rain department, and that doesn't bode well for our "fire season."
DeleteThey're both fabulous but those blues are sumptuous!
ReplyDeleteYou can't go wrong with blue flowers!
DeleteI don't recall seeing a amaryllis this color. It makes for a beautiful vase full of flowers with all the complimentary blooms thrown in. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteThe 'Lemon-Lime' Amaryllis/Hippeastrum has proven to be the most vigorous of the 3 varieties I trialed this year, Lisa. I added it on a whim to another bulb order and I'm glad I did.
DeleteThe vase of yellows speak of happiness! Lovely! Being partial to purples and blues, I love the 2nd vase as well. Your Anemone ‘Lord Lieutenant’ has the multiple layers of petals, and I hope to see that in mine when they bloom. Have a wonderful Monday! It’s beautiful. It’s nice to enjoy 2 days without winds!
ReplyDeleteI included that multi-petaled blue anemone with you in mind, Kay, as I recall you mentioned that characteristic; however, I'm sorry to say that the majority of the blooms thus far aren't as ruffled as that one.
DeleteI love the feeling of floral abundance in both of these vases, Kris. Armfuls of blooms is something I miss!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your beautiful weather. Ours is taking a turn for the better for the foreseeable future with daily temps rising into the 40s, which may sound cold to you, but exciting to us! :)
Our lowest temperatures don't generally get down to 40F, Eliza, so yes, we'd see highs in the 40s as cold, but I understand it's a great improvement from your perspective :) We're moving into the unseasonably warm territory again at the moment, a byproduct of the high-pressure system that's keeping the rain away (again) this year.
DeleteThat first vase is just pure joy! Spring sunshine in a vase! How lovely to pick Hippeastrums from your garden. I have one on my windowsill right now, which will provide colour until the garden starts warming up. Have a great week Kris!
ReplyDeleteI think I should have put my potted Hippeastrums inside in my own kitchen windowsill to spur blooming. I'm hoping that those I planted in the ground will bloom this spring but, as I was late in transplanting some of them from their old pots, that may not happen.
DeleteI never cease to be amazed by the variety of plants you grow and can bring together to make your vases. A treat for sure each week.
ReplyDeleteThanks Noelle. I try to change things up even when I use flowers I've used before.
DeleteThose arrangements look good together as well as separately. yellow and blue/purple, pleasing. My Hippeastrums in the ground usually don't flower until late April. Still waiting on Freesias. Close, but not yet.
ReplyDeleteWe sure have had a disappointing winter, but it has been much worse elsewhere. At least the weather hasn't been too warm (except yesterday)!
I've planted a few Hippeastrums in the ground but I'm not sure I'll get flowers this year as they're not getting much water. I'm afraid it's going to be a very dry year - my current total is 2.81 inches (since October 1st), on target for the worst since I've been tracking rain.
Delete80 sounds perfect right now, but I have to admit if it happened too suddenly, it would almost be too much. We've just transitioned rather suddenly from highs in the single digits and colder for about two weeks to highs in the high 30s and 40s. I've been sweating while hiking and walking the dog: It feels so good! I can breathe! With that said, the slow transition to spring and then summer now will be magical, like it is every year. Your arrangements are incredible, as they always are. So fresh and professionally done!
ReplyDeleteHonestly, a 15 degree (F) jump in temperatures isn't well-received here either, Beth. Gardening in 60-65F is very comfortable; 80F is decidedly less so!
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