As I ran around my garden taking photos for Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day this coming Tuesday, it's overwhelming how much is in bloom. In dry years like this one, I wonder if every flowering plant is rushing for the finish line before the heat settles in for an extended stay and soil conditions get even drier. I know it's not spring yet in most of the Northern Hemisphere but it's well underway here. Meanwhile, the latest projections don't hold out much hope for rain in Southern California in March or April so I'll take advantage of the flowers I've got while I can.
The Dutch Iris are still building on their flower power but the Scilla peruviana, which only just started its bloom cycle at the end of February, are already fading after a couple of stretches of warm weather.
 |
| More blue and yellow to express solidarity with Ukraine. There are 2 varieties of Dutch Iris in this arrangement but they're very similar in color. |
 |
| Back view |
 |
| Top view |
 |
| Top row: Agonis flexuosa 'Nana', Freesia, and self-seeded Lavandula stoechas Middle row: Iris hollandica 'Mystic Beauty' and 'Sapphire Beauty' Bottom row: Phlomis fruticosa and Scilla peruviana |
Every time our daytime temperatures soar the Anemones fade, only to slowly recover when temperatures come down again, but I've got to wonder how many flip-flops they can handle.
 |
| A couple of months ago, I planted plugs of ornamental kale (Brassica oleracea) with the idea of using it to complement Anemone coronaria 'Admiral' but it never bulked up much and now it's preparing to bolt so I thought I'd use it before it fades away |
 |
| Back view: The vase is the thrift store find I picked up years ago featuring a lady's well-manicured hands clasped to hold flowers but those hands are mostly hidden in this arrangement |
 |
| Top view |
 |
| Clockwise from the upper left: Anemone coronaria 'Admiral' and 'Mount Everest', Boronia crenulata 'Shark Bay', Brassica oleracea var acephala, Coleonema album (aka white breath of heaven), and Scabiosa columnaria 'Flutter Rose Pink' |
I had a few leftovers I couldn't cram into the first vase so I popped them into a small vase rather than tossing out the stems.
 |
| The cactus-shaped vase of leftovers is sitting in the kitchen window (where it's impossible to photograph) |
The other two arrangements found spaces in the usual places.
For more IAVOM creations, visit our esteemed host, Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.
All material © 2012-2022 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
Oh, Irises and Anemones. Such magical arrangements with stunning flowers. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Beth. I love both those flowers and only wish they hung around somewhat longer each year.
DeleteI agree with Beth. Such a treat to see irises and anemones and your companions are delightful too. Hope you get a little rain sneaking your way, Kris.
ReplyDeleteOne weather service currently gives us a 24% chance of rain on Saturday evening while another shows an 8% chance. As the last storm passed us by after an 83% chance, I'm trying not to get invested in the possibility.
DeleteLooking at your flower photos while also scanning the text had me wondering why you were stepping on your Anemones! ("I've got to wonder how many flip-flops they can handle") I know, I need to slow down and read. Besides I doubt everyone gardens in flip-flops like I do...
ReplyDeleteI remember your penchant for flip-flops, Loree! I haven't worn those in years so that connection flew over my head ;)
DeleteTwo wonderful vases but if I had to choose one it would be the arrangement in blue and yellow.
ReplyDeleteI adore blue and yellow mixes at any time but they seem all the more appropriate at this time, Noelle.
DeleteThe blue and yellow is so striking especially with the Scilla. They have a very different shape that contrasts nicely with the upright iris. Obviously the vase lady of the manicured hands is not a gardener. Don't think I know of any gardener who would willing put her hands on display.
ReplyDeleteHa! I can't say my nails have ever had a manicure like that either, Elaine. The best I can manage is to swipe on a clear coat of nail protector on occasion in a vain effort to stop my nails from splitting and tearing.
DeleteI always love to see your "ladies hands" arrangements. That being said, my favorite today is the littlew cactus vase - perfect!
ReplyDeleteThe cactus vase is cute and the Phlomis and lavender blooms seemed to fit it well ;)
DeleteYour first vase is so striking and the connotations make it all the more special, and the soft pinks in the second seem just right for the elegant hands holding them
ReplyDeleteI seem compelled to use the clasped hands vase whenever I cut pink flowers that match the color of those well-manicured nails, Cathy.
DeleteThe blue and yellow one is a stunning sign of support for Ukraine.
ReplyDeleteI can't help but think of the people caught up in the meaningless violence levied at them in Ukraine these days, Tracy.
DeleteYour yellow and blue arrangement makes me think I need some blue flowers in my garden. The closest I have to blue is ageratum, but that’s more of a lavender I guess. Love the clear yellow of your phlomis also.
ReplyDeleteI'm always on the look-out for blue-flowering plants, Horticat. I suspect I've at least tried nearly everything in that category with the slightest prospect of surviving in my climate. I've had a lot of failures but I've gradually accumulated a good supply of them.
DeletePink and green pairs wonderfully with that vase, one of my favorites of yours. Love how the yellow in the iris picks up the yellow freesia and phlomis. Love that scilla, too. I grew it once inside from a bulb I got in the fall, but couldn't get it to live thereafter. It probably prefers a climate like yours.
ReplyDeleteI suspect the Scilla wants drier and warmer conditions than you can supply in your climate, Eliza, at least outside a greenhouse.
DeleteSuch pretty arrangements that surely bring a smile to your face, Kris. I'm always intrigued by your pickings as some species are flowering in summer here but in California they obviously get off to an earlier start. I planted S. peruviana 1,5 years ago but it hasn't flowered yet, fingers crossed for this year. Have a good week��
ReplyDeleteBoth winter and spring seem shorter every year, Annette, but spring is definitely in hyperdrive this year. Unfortunately, I can already feel summer, our longest season, nipping at our heels as even flowers I associate with summer are sending up flowers. As summer is our driest season and increasing hot, a long summer isn't something we look forward to.
DeleteI do miss all the flowers in bloom in my old garden...so many would be popping up already. But your incredible vases help that loss!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I can be of service, Donna ;)
DeleteMy goodness, a wealth of spring flowers in your garden. The blues are a lovely combination and I like the kale in the second, it doesn't last long here either..Wonderful, I love that cactus vase. Just read your latest post and saw the Dombeya! Yay. Can you grow Proteas? The leucadendrons remind me of Proteas. Also planted some dahlias in bags...
ReplyDeleteLeucadendrons, as well as Leucospermums, are in the Proteaceae family, Amelia. I have just a single plant in the Protea genus, which has yet to bloom but I haven't given up on it yet. Like the Leucospermums, it may just take its time in settling in.
DeleteYay, for planting dahlias! Looking ahead toward summer/fall, I just potted up a large number of dahlia tubers myself to get a head start on the season.
Aren't those irises just gorgeous! I love your overhead photos. All the different elements are so pretty in your collages too. As always, wonderful arrangements Kris!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cathy.
Delete