The title of this post could reflect our weather, which continues to flip-flop between warm and cool temperatures, but instead it refers to the colors of the two arrangements I have to offer this week. The warm arrangement befits the upcoming US Thanksgiving holiday.
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| The coral flowers of my ever-blooming Grevillea 'Superb' provided the jumping off point for this arrangement |
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| Orange Cuphea 'Vermillionaire' and berries of a self-planted Cotoneaster fill out the back of the vase. Unfamiliar with Cotoneaster and uncertain which species this one is, I'd no idea how big this plant would get and I've developed some apprehension about letting it take off. |
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| Top view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Agonis flexuosa 'Nana', noID Cotoneaster, Cuphea 'Vermillionaire, Gaillardia 'Spintop Copper Sun', Grevillea 'Superb', Tagetes lemonnii, and Xerochrysum bracteatum |
The bush violets are still going strong so cool blues are making an appearance once again this week. The arrangement could have used more white flowers but those are sparse at the moment and I couldn't bring myself to cut all I had.
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| The purple-leafed foliage is Vitex trifolia (aka Arabian lilac). The upper surfaces of the leaves are olive green but the plant is prone drooping, especially after being cut, revealing its purple undersides. |
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| Back view: The bush violets will drop flowers during the course of the week but buds continue to open, often resulting in a bushier arrangement than the one I started out with |
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| Top view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Angelonia 'Archangel White', Hebe 'Purple Shamrock', noID Ceanothus, Argyranthemum frutescens 'Pure White Butterfly', Barleria obtusa (bush violet), Penstemon heterophyllus 'Blue Springs', and Vitex trifolia 'Purpurea' |
For more IAVOM creations, visit our host, Cathy at Rambling in the Garden. Best wishes to all of you in the US celebrating Thanksgiving this week. Enjoy the day!
All material © 2012-2021 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
Your Thanksgiving table will be perfectly dressed with that first arrangement! I love the blue one also. Penstemon'Blue Springs' is a great color. All of your blues work great together. Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeletePenstemon 'Blue Springs' is a relatively recent mail order purchase. It's a cultivar of a native California plant and I have high hopes for it despite the fact it flopped when previously planted in another area of my garden.
DeleteGlorious colours - as always - in your two vibrant vases Kris! Your garden is a wealth of beautiful blooms! I hope you have a very Happy Thanksgiving celebration this week. The world may seem to be completely crazy but there is still so much to give thanks for! Amanda
ReplyDeleteVery true on both counts, Amanda!
DeleteYou have made some lovely arrangements for your home. Happy Thanks Giving.
ReplyDeleteThanks Noelle!
DeleteWith your grevillea flowering all year round it is not surprising it appears in your vases so often - and it's such a striking bloom! I have ordered about 4 different colours of helichrsysum seed for next year to add to those I already have, as it's such a useful flower, as you have shown yourself. Love the blues in your second vase
ReplyDeleteI've been very pleased with the strawflowers this season too, Cathy. Mine came as a seedling from a friend and I hope to grow it from seed as well next year.
DeleteNot to take anything away from the blue bouquet, today is quite cold outside in Seattle, so I'll bask in the warm glow of the first vase, berries and all!
ReplyDeleteVitex trifolia 'Purpurea' has a lovely shade of purple and the light violet blooms are wonderfully delicate.
I favor the warm colors of the first arrangement this week too, even though it's been quite warm here again, albeit no temperatures as high as 90F this time, thank goodness. Our temperature is expected to fall again over the next two days, only to climb back up for Thanksgiving. Frankly, I'd like to get off the roller coaster. Sitting inside listening to the pitter-patter of rain would be really nice too.
DeleteHappy Thanksgiving, Kris. Love the mice. The warm is my favorite, super toasty and so seasonal. I have been trying unsuccessfully to grow that Marigold lemmoni. Argh. I want one! I have the Vitex in my garden and enjoy the purple backed foliage too. It is just getting established so I haven't cut any.
ReplyDeleteMy Vitex trifolia took a few years to take off but now I'm wondering if it's going to get too big for its spot. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Amelia.
DeleteI like the cool colors, soothing after a too-warm Sunday and Monday.
ReplyDeleteThese on-again, off-again heat spells are getting more than a little tiresome, aren't they?! The small chance of rain in the forecast last week seems to have evaporated as well :(
DeleteBoth are beautiful and though I love bush violets, my eye loves the fall themed T-day bouquet this week. Beautiful! Hope your Thanksgiving is a lovely, peaceful celebration.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for a wonderful holiday to you too, Eliza!
DeleteTwo of my favorite color families: the peachy/salmons and the purply/blue periwinkle/lilac shades. The little mice on the squashes are so cute, too. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteI don't add props to my arrangements often but I couldn't resist including the mice as they and the squashes seemed appropriate for the upcoming holiday. I've had that piece for years but it rarely sees the light of day.
DeleteMy comment doesn't seem to be getting through. Will try again! Love the first vase. Gorgeous colours with that strawflower really standing out. Goes so well with the Grevillea. Happy Thanksgiving Kris!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry about the trouble posting a comment, Cathy. The Blogger-Word Press link up often poses challenges for me too. Thanks for the good wishes too.
DeleteLove that cool vase! Those are my colors and it is so nice to see them when it is 15 degrees out this morning. Warm colors have never been my thing in flowers or decorating, but there is no denying they are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteHave a Happy Thanksgiving Kris!
I'm very fond of blue and purple flowers myself, Cindy, and grow any and all I can find. Best wishes for a happy Thanksgiving!
DeleteI'd love to put that warm arrangement on our Thanksgiving table! Also—very creative use of the drooping Vitex trifolia foliage.
ReplyDeleteI'd hoped that I could get the drooping Vitex stems to perk up using the hot water dunk recommended by florists but it didn't work...
DeleteThe 2 white daisies have a starring role this way. Cotoneaster can be trimmed to suit - shouldn't get too big for you.
ReplyDeleteI keep cutting the Cotoneaster back, Diana, but it sits on the top of a slope so that isn't easy.
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