March started out warm here but turned cold again (low-mid 50sF/13C) as a storm moved through the area on Thursday into Friday. Unfortunately, the storm blew through without delivering a drop of rain in our location. Nonetheless, the periodic warm spells seem to have pushed spring into hyperdrive. I wasn't sure what to cut for In a Vase on Monday simply because there were suddenly too many choices. However, when strong gusty winds knocked over Hippeastrum 'Ambiance' twice before I tucked it into a corner next to the house, I figured I might as well cut at least one of its tall stems before another gust caused it to crash and break.
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| I potted the Hippeastrum 'Ambiance' and Hippeastrum 'Luna' bulbs at about the same time but, while the latter shot up quickly, 'Ambiance' didn't show any sign of growth whatsoever until recently, when it suddenly produced 2 bloom stalks that towered above the remaining 'Luna' blooms |
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| Back view: I hadn't planned on using yellow in this arrangement but the brick red streaks in the petals of 'Ambiance' sent me on the trail of red-orange flowers and the colors in Lobelia laxiflora in turn led me to include 2 leftover blooms of Leucospermum 'Goldie' from last week's arrangement. I added a third Leucospermum to round things out. |
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| Top view: Even though I cut the Hippeastrum and other stems down dramatically in size, this arrangement was so tall I had to use a chair to take this overhead shot |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Hippeastrum 'Ambiance', Leucospermum 'Goldie', Leucadendron salignum 'Chief', Lobelia laxiflora, and Lotus berthelotii 'Amazon Sunset' |
The wind also blew over the tall stems of the 'Chantilly' snapdragons so I cut some of those and let their colors dictate the remaining selections for my second arrangement.
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| In retrospect, I realized that this arrangement is similar in many respects to one of my Valentine's Day creations. There are no Grevilleas in this one but there are Leucospermums, both of which are members of the Proteaceae family. I even used the same vase. |
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| Back view: The stems of Leucospermum 'Goldie' are stretching into my flagstone path so I didn't feel badly about cutting them for 2 vases this week. I also remember that the squirrels started consuming these flowers in large numbers last spring and I'm reluctant to make their "harvest' easy. |
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| Top view: The peach-colored Leucospermum at the center of the arrangement is 'Royal Hawaiian Brandi', which is just starting to bloom |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Agonis flexuosa 'Nana', Antirrhinum majus 'Chantilly Bronze' and 'Chantilly 'Peach', Freesia, and Leucospermum 'Royal Hawaiian Brandi' and 'Goldie' |
For more IAVOM creations, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.
All material © 2012-2022 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
This is so beautiful. I seem to remember seeing that snapdragon in a catalog and thinking I'd like to have it. The ones I planted last year did so well. I hope you get rain soon.
ReplyDeleteSnapdragons are generally rust magnets as soon as the weather warms here, Phillip, which is why I installed them in as small plants (received by mail order from Annie's Annuals) in early December. We've had a few winter heatwaves this year but so far, so good...
DeleteHippeastrums look great in a vase and I like the way you have emphahsised the the colour of the blooms in the additional material (although I much prefer the front view to the back). YOur second vase makes me think of cocktails, not that I am cocktail drinker myself!!
ReplyDeleteThe cocktail analogy is interesting, Cathy! That arrangement made me think of sherbet, which I haven't eaten since I was a kid.
DeleteWowza, gorgeous Ambiance and I love the Lotus with it...overhead views are great gives a real sense of the size of the flowers. It is windy here too...hoping for rain as well and getting minute showers.
ReplyDeleteLast week the weather forecasters predicted an 83% probability of rain - not a lot or rain, mind you, but at least a measurable amount - so, jaded as I am about weather forecasts, I got my hopes up. Clearly, I should never take up gambling :(
DeleteBeautiful Kris. Interesting how long some Hippeastrum bulbs take. I love seeing your snapdragons I have one that overwintered, barely. Seeing yours makes me anxious to hit the garden centers.
ReplyDeleteI'd seriously considered tossing that 'Ambiance' bulb out as it didn't so much as hint it might bloom until sometime near mid-February, when it shot up like a rocket!
DeleteI've yet to see anything in the 'Chantilly' series of snapdragons in my local garden centers, although one was offering a single variety in the 'Dragon' series. It looked similar in that it had upward-facing blooms.
Shrub Queen is right: Wowza! I mean, I opened your post expecting beautiful arrangements, but these are extra colorful and vibrant. Roller-coaster weather is tough on the system, no matter what range of temps you're talking about. I hope your days ahead are more pleasant. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I understand you're experiencing roller-coaster weather shifts in your part of the country too, Beth. It seems to be a common malady this winter, even if it manifests differently in different climates.
DeleteLove the tropical fruit punch vibe of the second bunch and the way the snapdragons change colour as they open. A bit of warmth for you as your weather turns cool again. That hippeastrum is gorgeous too.
ReplyDeleteI've always loved snapdragons but I adore these in the 'Chantilly' series, Horticat. As snapdragons don't do at all well in warm weather here, I'm hoping it'll stay cool long enough to get full enjoyment out of them this year.
Delete'Ambiance' looks a lot like H. papilio. The stripes are so cool. It makes a great pairing with the Lotus.
ReplyDeletePutting what collected in my 5 tubs and barrels, I got exactly a pint of rainwater. Wind really blowing here. Sigh.
The wind was at its most vicious here from late Thursday into Saturday, HB. It's still blowing but not as badly. I hope you don't have any downed trees in the neighborhood this time.
DeleteToo bad your first arrangement wasn't blooming at Christmas - all that red, green and gold would be perfect for the holiday, or maybe without 'Goldie' for Valentine's Day. A refreshing change from red roses!
ReplyDeleteLove the Chantilly snaps, I should look for them come spring. My regular guy never offers much beyond bedding snaps, which don't appeal to me. The Leucospermums are such a wonderful addition to these arrangements, and so long-lasting, too. We rarely see them on offer for sale here, mostly the big pink proteas are what we see.
Ha! I had the same thoughts about the color of the 'Ambiance' flowers, Eliza. When I was considering other plants to accent the blooms, one of my options was red Cotoneaster berries but I felt that was way too Christmas-y.
DeleteAs I mentioned in response to Susie, I've never seen plants in the 'Chantilly' series anywhere other than at Annie's Annuals. Floret Flowers offered seeds for at least one variety (as well as some others they called "Azalea snapdragons") but the seeds appear to be sold out. My local garden center offered a single variety in what they called the 'Dragon Series' so maybe they're slowly creeping into the trade.
Absolutely glorious! Your vases make me feel I am on holiday! :-)
ReplyDeleteHa! Many of the flowers you can grow in your climate are exotic to my eyes too, Sandra ;)
DeleteWow both vases are really gorgeous...I think I am a bit more partial to the yellows and oranges right now.
ReplyDeleteThe red and white color of the Hippeastrum would have been perfect for Christmas or Valentine's Day but it was tardy about blooming ;)
DeleteSo many beautiful flowers Kris! I am sorry to learn the rain never materialized.
ReplyDeleteMe too, Loree.
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