After a full week of warmer temperatures, the three bulbs of Hippeastrum 'Luna' I planted in a single pot exploded into bloom. In addition to the stem I cut for a previous IAVOM post two weeks ago and the two I cut this week, there are still seven flower stalks, almost all of which are in full bloom. The longer stems allowed me to to go big this week, using a heavy lead crystal vase I received as a birthday gift a few years ago.
 |
| The thick stems and top-heavy blooms of the Hippeastrum required the support of an equally heavy vase like this one. Thank you D! |
 |
| Back view: I used stems of Polygala fruticosa, a paperwhite-type Narcissus, and Aeonium arboreum as fillers. The foliage is Acacia cognata 'Cousin Itt', which is showing signs of developing the tiny yellow flowers that I've only seen once before. |
 |
| This photo taken in early March 2020 shows the Acacia flowers. I didn't notice any flowers in 2021 but then that was an exceptionally dry year. Our wet December may have prompted the plants to bud again but I expect Hippeastrum 'Luna' will have bloomed out before I see any Acacia flowers this year. |
 |
| Top view |
 |
| Clockwise from the upper left: Acacia cognata 'Cousin Itt', Aeonium arboreum, Polygala fruticosa, Hippeastrum 'Luna', and noID Narcissus tazetta |
Spring flowers are already making their first tentative appearances here so I cut a hodge-podge of pink blooms for a second, more demure arrangement.
 |
| It's normal for us to see clear signs of spring in February but I expect the combination of a wet December and the warm, dry January weather is moving the schedule along. I couldn't find any previous record of Anemone coronaria blooming in January. |
 |
| Back view: After a very brief hiatus, the pink Scabiosa columbaria is back |
 |
| Top view |
 |
| Clockwise from the upper left: Argyranthemum frutescens 'Comet Pink', Nemesia 'Banana Swirl', Boronia crenulata 'Shark Bay', Anemone coronaria 'Admiral', Polygala fruticosa, Prostanthera ovalifolia 'Variegata', Scabiosa columbaria 'Flutter Rose Pink', and Pelargonium peltatum |
We're looking forward to an end to the strong Santa Ana winds that plagued parts of California last week but there's no rain in sight at the moment. Long-range projections currently suggest that our best chances for measurable rain won't happen until after mid-February. Can you hear me sigh?
For more IAVOM posts, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.
All material © 2012-2022 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
Spring has sprung in your garden! Luna's pale yellow-green combined with the lush flowy branch of 'Cousin Itt' is extremely attractive.
ReplyDelete'Cousin Itt' looks like that year-round (well, except when we get a really bad heatwave). I only wish I could have timed its blooms to mesh up with those of 'Luna'.
DeleteH. 'Luna' is spectacular and you've paired it nicely. Love the echo of shape the Narcissus provides. Hope you get to see the acacia flowers with luna--would be a great match.
ReplyDeleteI've read that Narcissus shouldn't be combined with other flowers as its sap can cause their decline but I seared the ends of the Narcissus stems in boiling water in the hope that'll prevent a problem.
DeleteWonderful!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandra!
DeleteI can hear you sigh! Our irrigation well started sucking sand and I am sighing about water as well. I think the Lemon Lime arrangement is my all time favorite. Just gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard for me to imagine Florida without water. I hope your well gets a refill soon!
DeleteThat's a good crop of blooms from your 3 hippeastrum - they are such a glorious colour and make a lovely fresh arrangement. The pink scabious is such a star in the second arrangement with the soft green foliage. We have had quite a dry January but that means nothing when compared with your lack of rain...
ReplyDeleteOur problem is that rain here is almost exclusively a late-October through March/early-April event. February is traditionally our wettest month but the forecasts aren't at all promising. Granted we enjoyed an unusually wet December but both November and January have been bone dry. At least Northern California is doing better.
DeleteWe are expecting a couple more dry weeks up here as well. The ground is still quite damp (sun is still at a low angle) and even the containers are still moist.Hoping for a few more inches in Feb. I have been admiring everyones' Amaryllis and I'm going to get a few white ones next year for winter display in the house. I like your Luna.
ReplyDeleteIn contrast to your experience, I planted out some cactus last weekend and was shocked at just how very dry my soil, or at least sections of it, already is. I'm quickly using up my stored rainwater. According to the long-term forecast we're not going to get much rain in February at all - ugh!
DeleteYour vases say summer to us in the UK. I like the first one very much with its large amaryllis, maybe the colour tones are more springlike, or perhaps it is the narcissi. Even those except if they are grown with some heat under cover are some weeks away for us. Enjoy your week in your floriferous garden.
ReplyDeleteThe paperwhite Narcissi tend to bloom very early here (without heat), although even I've been surprised at the floral output I've had from them already, Noelle. The larger-flowered Narcissi are poking up above the soil line but I don't expect we'll see a lot of blooms from those until late February/early March.
DeleteThose Hippeastrum 'Luna' blooms are gorgeous, I would love to have them to create a couple of arrangements around. I went on a bulb buying shopping trip awhile back and could only find white... not as nice!
ReplyDeleteI got my 'Luna' bulbs via mail order from a Dutch grower, Loree. The Hippeastrums usually cost much less purchased that way, well in advance of the holiday crush, and the range of options available are much better. The flashy varieties like the butterfly amaryllis (H. papilio) go very fast even from those sources.
DeleteGlamorous Hippeastrum! Makes for a very bold arrangement.
ReplyDeleteFlowers on 'Cousin Itt'--arrrghh!
It would seem that 'Cousin Itt' needs decent rainfall to bloom - and the flowers are pretty tiny...
DeleteJoyful vases, Kris! Both are beautiful – the cheery yellows and bright pinks really brighten up my day. The anemone was particularly nice to see... a sign of spring!
ReplyDeleteYes, it feels a little more like Spring with each passing day here, although the daytime temperature dropped back down into the low 60s today, which is winter-like for us! However, I'd gladly put spring on hold awhile if we could get more winter rain.
DeleteThat first vase is especially glorious Kris, with Amaryllis and Narcissus looking stunning together. Isn't it satisfying when you have enough big blooms and stalks for a big solid vase. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI rely heavily on vases 6-7 inches tall or smaller most weeks, Cathy, so, yes, it's nice to break out a "fancy" vase on occasion!
DeleteI now have 'Luna' flowering indoors on my kitchen windowsill Kris. Would that I had suitable companions indoors or outdoors to justify cutting even one stem off for a vase �� She is a most beautiful and elegant amaryllis. I can hear you sighing ��
ReplyDeleteI'm really longing for some rain, Anna!
Delete