Even though temperatures remained cool last week, more of our early spring blooms are creeping into view. This week many of those I selected for "In a Vase on Monday" are scented.
I started with Abelia 'Chiapas', now classified as Veslea floribunda 'Chiapas', which is one of my favorite blooms, even if it is buried beneath a Lantana on my neglected back slope. I tried propagating it last year but only one cutting developed roots. It disappeared during the hot summer months but a seedling recently has appeared in the same spot. It's too early to determine whether or not it's the same plant.
 |
| The Abelia/Vesalea is scented, as are the Freesias and the foliage filler, Prostanthera ovalifolia 'Variegata' (aka mint bush) |
 |
| I added Osteospermum '4D Pink' to dress up the back view |
 |
| Top view |
 |
| I inserted a piece of plastic-coated hardware cloth into the cavity of the vase to help keep the stems from flopping |
 |
| Clockwise from the upper left: Argyranthemum frutescens 'White Butterfly'; Freesias in dark blue, light blue and white; Limonium perezii, Osteospermum '4D Pink'; Polygala myrtifolia; Prostanthera ovalifolia 'Variegata'; and, in the center, Vesalea floribunda 'Chiapas' |
A noID Narcissus is the only scented flower is the second arrangement.
 |
| The starring role was given to Hippeastrum 'Rozetta' |
 |
| Back view: I used the fresh orange foliage of Xylosma congestum and the flower-like bracts of Leucadendron 'Blush' to play off the pinkish-terracotta tones in the Hippeastrum flowers |
 |
| Top view |
 |
| Clockwise from the upper left: Hippeastrum 'Rozetta', noID Narcissus, Leucadendron salignum 'Blush', Lobelia laxiflora, and Xylosma congestum |
The third arrangement is completely scentless, at least to my nose.
 |
| This small arrangement for the kitchen island contains Alstroemeria 'Inca Lucky', Argyranthemum 'Grandaisy Red', and Grevillea lavandulacea 'Penola' |
For more IAVOM creations, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.
All material © 2012-2023 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
Wow, I can't even pick a favorite this week!
ReplyDeleteThe first is so effervescent, the second is in one of my favorite vases, and the third simply knocked my socks off: the red daisies and company are stunning.
It must be spring in your garden if we are back to the 3-vase IAVOM entries :-D
Chavli
Ha, when I ended up with 3 vases I thought that too, Chavli! It looks a lot like spring here at the moment but, according to the local weather forecasters, we're about to experience a winter rerun. The storm coming in is expected to deliver our coldest daytime temperatures yet this year (but hopefully some rain too).
DeleteLovely arrangements this week Kris. I especially like the back view of the second one with. The daffs and the foliage really sing together. Grandaisy red is a stunning colour. With the cool weather your Spring flowers must be lasting longer than usual.
ReplyDeleteWith the exception of Camellia 'Taylor's Perfection' which hated the high winds, I think the early spring blooms are indeed lasting longer. The downside of the cooler temperatures is that they've also slowed down the bloom cycle of some plants but that's okay as long as there are no early heatwaves to take those late flowers out prematurely once they arrive.
DeleteSo lovely! I was up in Seattle for the Northwest Flower and Garden show last week and weekend, just catching up on your blog posts. Another agave is blooming! I look forward to seeing it's progress in the coming weeks/months.
ReplyDeleteThree agaves in bloom and all different species! That's a bit of a surprise. I've counseled my largest Agave ovatifolia not to follow its neighbor, the A. vilmoriniana - that would be a bridge too far.
DeleteSuch bright and pretty colors are almost blinding compared to the dull colors of our winter. It is so nice to see your beautiful bouquets again. Although not those flowers, the colors are a foretaste of things to come here eventually and a delight to the eye in the meantime.
ReplyDeleteThe first arrangement looks very spring-like to my eyes too, Cindy. Spring does come early here, although winter has seemed especially cold (by our standards) this year and we're about to get even colder if the weather forecasters are to be believed.
DeleteAll three lovely, #3 my favorite--simple yet striking.
ReplyDeleteFirst Freesia flower opened here Saturday.
Looks like it will the best Freesia season ever--was it the January rain?
Rain rarely hurts, at least as far as the garden's concerned! I've been wondering if it's the January rain that prompted 3 agaves to develop flowers stalks (although A. 'Multicolor' got started before the January rains arrived). I'm waiting to see if the other bulbs follow the Freesias lead.
DeleteLove the blues,as always. That Sea Lavendar is fabulous. Amelia
ReplyDeleteSea lavender gets raggedy with time but otherwise it's the perfect plant. I pulled several up late last year but I think it's time to add more to fill some empty spots.
DeleteYour vast assortment of blooms is absolutely fascinating. Each vase is unique and wonderful. Love the reds in the third vase, just amazing. Have a good week Kris.
ReplyDeleteIt's just that time of year when the garden is in a giving mode, Susie. Best wishes to you as well.
DeleteA stunning trio, Kris. That last one is my favorite, the red Argyranthemum and Grevillea are wonderful! Plant lust! :D Eliza
ReplyDeleteThe red arrangement seems to be very popular this week, Eliza. I don't know if that's due to the vivid red tones or its relative simplicity.
DeleteThree attractive arrangements. I too like the red one it is a little different.
ReplyDeleteBold but simple at the same time - I'll have to remember to combine those 2 elements again in the future, Noelle.
DeleteBeautiful and all very different from one another. Love your freesia blooms - the smell of them remind me of childhood. The red argyranthemum makes a statement and to my mind the blooms look huge for that type of flower (at first I though it was an arctotis). You have so many lovely blooms to play with at the moment - that must be fun 🙂
ReplyDeleteThe flowers of 'Grandaisy Red' Argyranthemum are substantially than those of other Argyranthemums, Horticat. I discovered this new introduction last year but it didn't hold up especially well for some reason. I couldn't pass on this red one when I saw it in a local garden center a couple of months ago. It's doing well thus far. I picked up a yellow variety a week ago too. It'll be interesting to see if they hold up better this time around. Other Argyranthemums last 2-3 years in my garden before getting raggedy.
DeleteI enjoyed working out the different contents of that first vase, Kris, and must look into which abelia are available in the UK, as I am the lookout for a couple of new flowering shrubs. It may be small and scentless, but your third vase is still especially striking
ReplyDeleteAlthough Abelias and Vesalea appear very similar, they're now classified as different genera, Cathy. Abelias are native to Asia and all I've ever seen here have glossy leaves. What I purchased years ago as Abelia species 'Chiapas' has been reclassified as Vesalea floribunda to recognize its Mexican/Central American heritage. I haven't been able to find any of these plants, even by mail order, which is unfortunate as I love the plant. I'm trying to propagate it from cuttings.
DeleteThe pinks and purples are lovely and make me think of June, when the lavender starts flowering here! I can only imagine how the freesias smell… I actually bought myself some as cut flowers recently but was so disappointed with the lack of scent. I really love the Xylosma foliage in the second vase. And the red daisies in the last vase are very eye-catching. 😃
ReplyDeleteLovely all, and thanks for sharing that cool trick to keep the flowers separated and upright. I will definitely make use of that!
ReplyDeleteI used to use pieces of chicken wire but it rusts and leaves marks in vases. The plastic-coated hardware cloth is both more easily manipulated and doesn't rust.
DeleteWow, all your arrangements are beautiful. I really love the purple combo with the Freesias, but they're all amazing. Thanks for sharing the tips, too. :)
ReplyDeleteIf only Freesias didn't tend to flop (if not supported by nearby plants), they'd be the perfect plant, Beth.
Delete