It seems as though the wind blew more often than not through the entire month of February. In my location, the air is usually at its stillest in the morning hours, picking up in the afternoon. I didn't listen to the weather forecast before I went out on Sunday morning to cut flowers for In a Vase on Monday so I wasn't prepared for the gusts up to 50 mph. I'd cut most of the flowers for my first arrangement when one gust tipped over the top-heavy jar of flowers I'd set down on the patio table. I caught it in mid-plunge but, in the process, I broke off the huge bloom on Hippeastrum 'Aphrodite' I'd cut to serve as my centerpiece. After cursing a blue streak, I got back to business, albeit in a less cheerful mood.
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| I set the broken flower in a tiny glass bowl in front of the arrangement. The Hippeastrum has three more buds, which I hope will open quickly in the warmth of the house. |
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| Back view |
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| Top view: I filled out the arrangement using a range of flowers in varied shades of pink and pinkish red to accent the blush of color in the Hippeastrum's petals, along with a few yellow notes drawn from the touch of yellow at the center of the flower's throat |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Agonis flexuosa 'Nana', noID Alstroemeria, Anemone coronaria 'Mistral Rose Chiaro', Auranticarpa rhombifolia, Calliandra haematocephala, yellow Freesia with noID Narcissus, dwarf Grevillea rosmarinifolia, and Hippeastrum 'Aphrodite' |
The Anemones and Freesias are pumping out flowers like there's no tomorrow so I felt compelled to create a second arrangement.
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| The inspiration for this arrangement was the vibrant dark pink Freesia and the matching blooms of Hebe 'Wiri Blush' flowering next to it. Last year, a gopher built a den underneath that Hebe. After the gopher moved out, the plant looked shabby but it appears to be making a comeback. |
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| Back view: The tall hellebore stem was a last minute addition |
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| Top view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Anemone coronaria 'Mistral Azzurro'; Anemone 'Lord Lieutenant'; Coleonema 'Album'; blue, purple, pink and white Freesias; Hebe 'Wiri Blush'; and, in the center, Helleborus 'Anna's Red' |
For more IAVOM creations, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.
All material © 2012-2021 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
Both arrangements are lovely. I really like the dramatic feel to the second one. I did the same thing to one of my Hippeastrums when moving it from under lights to a more prominent place. Snapped of two of the buds. Similar sentiments were expressed.
ReplyDeleteOne of the 3 buds on the Hippeastrum stem in the vase is opening at last...
DeleteYour hippeastrum is still absolutely lovely, with or without her long stem! A very glamorous girl! I love the knock-your-socks-off colours of your second vase! Lots of loveliness, as always. Amanda https://therunningwave290580645.wordpress.com/2021/03/01/a-breath-of-springtime-in-a-vase-on-monday/
ReplyDeleteThanks Amanda. That Hippeastrum bloom is at least the size of a salad plate, possibly the largest bloom I've seen on one of these plants yet.
DeleteI particularly like the muted, almost old fashioned colours of your second vase, Kris, a lovely combination, but you have made a good rescue job of your first one and the amaryllis head can be admired more readily in its place in the foreground. Bloomin' wind though!!
ReplyDeleteThe wind really does seem to have become a perpetual issue of late, although the forecaster said it should level off for awhile after today. There's a chance of a small amount of rain on Wednesday too. Fingers crossed!
DeleteWhat a shame about your Hippeastrum blossom– I hate when accidents wreck our best laid plans. LOVE the colorful freesia and anemones, positively yummy! :)
ReplyDeleteThe color mix of the second arrangement is a bit unusual for me but I do like the gem-tones effect.
DeleteCatching anything "in mid plunge", is a win in my book. That Hippeastrum is gorgeous, I do hope the buds will open soon. Are the Freesias fragrant?
ReplyDeleteYes, the Freesias are fragrant, especially now with the warmer temperatures. I cut more for a small vase I have on my desk and the smell is heavenly.
DeleteAphrodite is spectacular, even broken off. The rest is pretty darn good, too.
ReplyDeleteThe broken bloom still looks good today. It'll be interesting to see how long it lasts in that state.
DeleteThose pinks, reds, and fuchsias are a feast for the eyes!
ReplyDeleteSpring does start very early here!
DeleteToo bad about the hippeastrum. I can imagine it's impact in the vase would have been significant but wow! It is really a striking gorgeous flower. You have so many lovely flowers Kris. I love the rich color of your 'Anna's Red' hellebore. Take care and have a good week.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised at how tall Helleborus 'Anna's Red' grew this year. I wish I had more of that variety.
DeleteThe wind is a major annoyance when living near the coast. It drives me crazy sometimes..like today! I admire your salvage of the Hippeastrum and the color combination...Happy Monday..
ReplyDeleteWind is a common occurrence here too but it's been unusually persistent and that's getting old...
DeleteHello Kris,
ReplyDeleteBeautiful to see your bouquets. It must be wonderful to have so many flowers around you at this time of the year. How different that is in my garden. I am happy with every single flower that apears now. Heavy winds are not the kind of weather I like. Hope the wind keeps quiet today.
Marijke
Even though the flowers are popping up in larger numbers here, I still get excited by each and every new bloom, Marijke! The winds are quieter today and we even have a chance of a little rain tomorrow before the winds return again.
DeleteJust because I love them, my eye is drawn to your perfect anemones.
ReplyDeleteI love the anemones too, Noelle, and I'm glad I didn't give up on them after years of failures growing them in my borders. Growing them in my cutting garden, which gets water more regularly than the rest of the garden, made the difference. Unfortunately, one "crop" of Anemone 'the Bride' seems to be a bust this year but the others are doing fine.
DeleteWell darn! I bet by now the other flowers are starting to open and your arrangement as the original look you were going for. I get so tired of the wind.
ReplyDeleteOne of the still-attached Hippeastrum blooms is about 2/3rds open now and the other two are getting ready to open, Loree. Surprisingly, the broken bloom with a stem of about one inch in length is doing remarkably well in its little water cup.
DeleteThe Hippeastrum ‘Aphrodite’ is stunning! Great catch! The other flower I focused on is your Hellebore ‘Anna’s Red’ and how well it pairs with the blue/purple anemones and the freesia!
ReplyDeleteAlthough we did not have such high winds, the winds have inhibited my gardening, and certain plants suffer with desiccation if I do not hand water. Have a great week!
'Anna's Red' was a great find, purchased years ago at one of my favorite nurseries, now closed. I'd buy another if I could find one!
DeleteA little part of me melted when I opened your blog and saw your incredibly beautiful arrangements. This is the time of year when spring and color is just...beyond...our...reach. But it's not far off now. Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI hope spring finds you soon, Beth!
DeleteWell, even without the hippeastrum flower actually IN the vase it is still a gorgeous arrangement Kris! I especially love that yellow freesia. The second vase is pretty too, with the lovely anemones you grow and that pristine Hellebore! We don't have gophers thank goodness, but we do have mice and they seem to love burrowing under my hellebores, so some of mine have struggled.
ReplyDeleteI seriously considered digging up the Hebe following the gopher's exit but the plant's recovering, albeit slowly. Good luck with the mice!
DeleteBoth lovely vases of flowers Kris. I especially like the pinks, purples and cream of the second one. You were so lucky to save that vase in mid-flight. Wind can result in so much damage to plants. We have been fairly lucky so far this winter but there is a wet and windy week coming up next week.
ReplyDeleteI guess I should be happy that I haven't experienced this problem before, Anna. Wind is a persistent issue here as well, although it's usually strongest later in the day.
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