Monday, November 21, 2022

Holiday warmth

The upcoming Thanksgiving holiday called for warm colors in this week's floral arrangements, even if the temperatures in my part of the Northern Hemisphere are probably warmer than most at the moment.  During the last several days temperatures have ranged from the mid-60s to the low-70sF (18-22C) and that trend is currently expected to continue into the coming weekend.

Grevillea 'Superb' was the inspiration for this arrangement but Leucadendron 'Jester' and Anthurium 'Maine' may have stolen the show

The first powder-puff flower of Calliandra haematocephala was a last-minute addition to dress up the back view

Top view

Clockwise from the upper left: Agonis flexuosa 'Nana', Anthurium 'Maine', Calliandra haematocephala, Grevillea 'Superb', and Leucadendron 'Jester'

My second arrangement made use of the golden flowers of Tagetes lemmonii (aka Mexican marigold).  My husband doesn't care for the scent of the leaves but thus far he apparently hasn't noticed it.  Hopefully, the front entry is airy enough that its placement there won't bother him.

I used as ornamental tea pot as my vase

Back view dressed up with Cotoneaster berries

Top view

Clockwise from the upper left are: Coprosma repens 'Plum Hussey', noID Cotoneaster, Gaillardia 'Spintop Copper Sun' and Tagetes lemmonii.  The prop is another in the series of mice celebrating the seasons.  These 2 are painting green leaves orange, which is practically-speaking what I'd have to do to get much of any autumn color in my garden.

I downsized last week's arrangement featuring Leucadendron stems and a succulent rosette for placement on the kitchen island.

The plants are showing few signs of wear beyond the loss of some coleus leaves

Happy Thanksgiving to all who are celebrating the holiday!  For more IAVOM creations, visit our host, Cathy in Rambling in the Garden.


All material © 2012-2022 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party


24 comments:

  1. Leucadendron 'Jester'!!! Hand down, steals the show.
    (You don't grow Anthurium, do you?)
    Chavli

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    1. I have 2 'Jesters' but the one that gets the most sun is by far the flashiest Leucadendron in my garden. The Anthurium is in a pot in my lath house :)

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  2. Your main vase certainly has a Christmassy/Thanksgiving feel to it, Kris, with the red and green, but I am especially taken with the yellows of your second vase and was surprised to see how big it was when you showed it in context in the last picture. I think the yellows feel especially welcome because it has been a very very grey day here today!

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    1. The Mexican marigold stems are quite long. They'd have worked in a taller vase but I didn't want to cut the number of stems that it would take to fill a bigger container given my husband's misgiving about the plant's scent ;)

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  3. Oh I would welcome your current temperatures with open arms Kris 😂 Your vases are both most vibrant and colourful. I know exactly what your husband means about the smell of the tagetes foliage as I can't abide it either. Still the flowers are most cheerful.

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    1. My husband still hasn't said anything about the scent of the Tagetes foliage but then our notorious Santa Ana winds have been blowing, leaving both of us with stuffy noses from the allergies the winds promote.

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  4. Those arrangement will really gild your home for thanksgiving, and those anthuriums are gorgeous. Happy thanksgiving.

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  5. Warm, indeed. I love the Anthurium, you must grow those in containers?? I have been trying to grow Lemmoni Marigolds for a couple of years. August always gets them. Maybe they are a winter annual here. I like them and so do the butterflies, the scent is very controversial.

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    1. Yes, the Anthurium is in a pot in my shade house. Tagetes lemmonii is very common here. Perhaps they like our dry as dust soil!

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  6. Your floral arrangements are so beautiful and just perfect in every way and the Anthurium are such a nice touch! Wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving.

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    1. Thanks Lee. Best wishes for a happy Thanksgiving to you as well!

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  7. Both of your bunches are beautiful and bright, Kris. The anthirium in the first is particularly striking and festive. I find it curious that your husband (and others) have said that they don't enjoy the scent of Tagetes lemmonni. I find it absolutely delicious! Our neighbour has a large shrub in her front yard, which she often clips with hedge trimmers. I make a point of going out to speak to her when she does this so I can enjoy that beautiful fruity scent :) A happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

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    1. The scent of Tagetes lemmonii doesn't bother me at all but some people find is absolutely repulsive. One nose isn't like all others it seems ;)

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  8. Both arrangements are very festive. Never been a fan of anthuriums but it looks great mixed in with the leucodendron. I hope you have a wonderful holiday.

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    1. Thanks Elaine. I wasn't a fan of Anthurium in the past but it's grown on me. My mother-in-law used to grow it as a houseplant.

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  9. Yowza! That first one is just scrumptious! Love it! And, I wish I could sniff the second one - I love the smell of that Tagetes. Tried growing it, but don't have enough sun.

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    1. I was surprised at how well that first arrangement came together myself, Anna ;)

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  10. I always love the foliage you use and the Leucadendron is stunning. That and the Grevillea are two of my favourites in your vases in general and this vase is fabulous! The golden vase really glows as well, especially with the berries. Enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday Kris!

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    1. Thanks Cathy. I'm always a little loathe to cut Leucadendron 'Jester' but I decided it was in need of a little pruning :)

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  11. Anthuriums are always going to steal the show. So striking. You made a beautiful arrangement with it. 'Jester' is a good companion for the Anthurium's glamour.

    The scent of T. lemonii is extremely powerful--I love the plant and grow it off and on, but avoid getting too close. Not a bad scent, just strong!

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    1. Like paperwhite Narcissus flowers, too many stems of Tagetes lemmonii in a warm, enclosed area inside the house can be overwhelming!

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  12. Lovely holiday cheer, Kris. I hope your thanksgiving was a pleasant one! Eliza

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    1. Low key but pleasant. I hope you had a great holiday too, Eliza.

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