As a by-product of this year's heavier-than-usual rainfall, my back slope is now grossly overgrown. It's difficult to walk down there at the moment as plants crowd the narrow concrete stairway from both sides. On Saturday afternoon, I decided it was past time to cut back some of that exuberant growth. I've only made a stab at that thus far but, while I was there, I noticed that the Matilija poppies (Romneya coulteri) were blooming. Although I've repeatedly tried - and failed - to remove this plant since discovering what a thug it is, I can't ignore those lovely flowers. They don't last long in a vase but I cut the freshest blooms I could find and created an arrangement around them.
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| Even the freshest of these poppies shatter within 2-3 days, collapsing in a pool of ruffled petals and yellow stamens. They make quite a mess so I may regret my decision to cut so many of them for this vase. |
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| Back view: I used my peach snapdragons as filler material because those flowers were overdue for deadheading. The rust-resistant snapdragons aren't so resistant this year either. |
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| Top view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Achillea 'Moonshine', noID Lonicera (honeysuckle), Xylosma congestum, Antirrhinum majus 'Chantilly Peach', and Romneya coulteri |
My second arrangement is something of a disappointment. The purple foxgloves in my cutting garden have been begging for their time in the limelight and I had plenty of material to pair with them. I tend to lean toward combinations of plants that coordinate closely in color but I took that a bit too far this week. The resulting arrangement could have used more contrast to allow each element to show off against its companions.
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| All the stems I cut were tall so they demanded the heavy cut-glass vase. Unfortunately, the center of the arrangement ended up looking like a dying star forming a black hole. |
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| Back view: In retrospect, I should have skipped the Allium atropurpureum. I looked for more Arthropodium cirratum (aka Renga lily) but the single stem I'd included was the only one with open flowers I could find. |
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| Top view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Allium atropurpureum, Arthopodium cirratum (aka Renga lily), Coriandrum sativum, Digitalis purpurea 'Dalmatian Purple', Cotinus coggygyria 'Royal Purple', Nigella papillosa, Salvia canariensis var candidissima, and Orlaya grandiflora |
Our marine layer remains a persistent presence, seldom clearing before late afternoon. The high level of humidity it creates. combined with warmer afternoon temperatures, is encouraging mildew and rust among the densely planted flowers in my cutting garden, many of which now stretch above my head. I think it may be time to assemble bouquets to give away before the flowers lose their appeal.
For more IAVOM creations, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.
All material © 2012-2023 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
The Romneya coulteri arrangement reminds me of the PBS NewsHour series Brief But Spectacular. I love it! It's too bad they don't last longer, but since they're in a part of the garden you don't see, why not cut them!
ReplyDeleteHa! When thinking about a title, I failed to consider "Brief but Spectacular" even though I watch PBS NewsHour every day. The problem with the poppies is that they're spreading and could very well end up moving into my neighbor's property, assuming the mass of ivy doesn't strangle them.
DeleteThuggish or not, the romneya look really effective in your vase, espeially coupled with the apricota and yellows of the other blooms. Not surprisingly though, i loved the deep purples of your second vase and how you always manage to use your foxgloves to their full advantage
ReplyDeleteThe foxgloves took off, virtually in unison - and they're all huge! I gave some to a neighbor yesterday but I think I need to hand more off, if only to allow the plants to sprout new stems.
DeleteThose huge white poppies with more Snaps are glorious. They certainly shout joy! I love purple so I am fine with the second vase. I might have added a bit of pink or even orange but I like the purple as is!
ReplyDeleteThanks Donna. Oddly, I did consider cutting a stem of pink foxglove at one point and passed on that, when in retrospect it would have made a great addition.
DeleteThe poppies may be messy, but I love their striking fried-egg look. The snaps are a fine accompaniment. I see what you mean about the heaviness of vase 2, but I still love that deep, rich color! Eliza
ReplyDeleteOne of the common names for that poppy is the fried egg flower ;)
DeleteA rich yellow is nicely connecting all the different elements of the first vase. Romneya coulteri is beautiful (and scary).
ReplyDeleteThe second vase is more up my alley color-wise. I understand your critique, though admit it doesn't interfere with my enjoyment: the purples are so varied and saturated, I love it. With the abundance in your garden, you can try it again next week... maybe you'll be happier with the results.
Chavli
That's true, I can create a do-over of sorts with the purple foxgloves. Since I cut the only 2 Alliums, they can't even factor into the equation. And you're right, those poppy flowers are exceptionally tall and scary - and spreading...
DeleteOhh, Kris. The foxgloves and snaps are fantastic. I would have found the poppies difficult to resist even if it involves cleaning later! The fried egg flower, I love it. Amelia
ReplyDeleteI just caught the first poppy flower in the process of shattering but at least I was able to remove it before it spread all over the floor. The flowers are admittedly very impressive but the stems are 7+ feet tall and flop all over. Planted in an area that's shaded much of the day I expect they're stretching to catch what sunlight they can.
DeleteWell, not all arrangements can be long lasting. Made a cool photo!
ReplyDeleteLove the rich deep colors of the 2nd. Everything gets so bleached out in our summers, some saturation in Spring is a joy.
A much more positive way of looking at my second arrangement, HB!
DeleteI tend to do monochromatic arrangements as well, so I understand your disappointment. It’s frustrating when a gorgeous flower is also a thug
ReplyDeleteI can't say I wasn't warned, although at the time I thought anything I planted down there would struggle just to survive. While some things have struggled, the Matilija poppy isn't one of them (even if I do think it wants more sun).
DeleteSeeing the matilija poppies massed in your vase is wonderful, Kris--whatever havoc the plants may be wreaking on your slope!
ReplyDeleteSadly, 2 of the poppy flowers in that vase have already shattered. It's a good thing I used a lot of them ;)
DeleteI'm sure "overgrown" in your garden is incredibly beautiful! Thanks for sharing the amazing arrangements. :)
ReplyDeleteThe unusual exuberant overgrowth is pretty to look at but more than a little overwhelming to manage, Beth ;)
DeleteI really like the second arrangement. It is very moody and dramatic. The Romneya look like giant poached eggs. Lends credence to 'beauty is fleeting'.
ReplyDeleteThe Romneya are running for the exit today, Elaine. I'll be surprised if they all haven't collapsed by the end of the day. It probably doesn't help that the heater is still turning on at night as our temperatures remain on the cool side.
DeleteThose poppies are really beautiful Kris! I hope you don't regret using them, and pick some more while they look so good! 😃 And the second vase is cool and calming - you are too hard on yourself. It looks lovely, especially in that photo taken from above.
ReplyDeleteThanks Cathy. The second arrangement has grown on me, although I do wish I'd included a bit of pink.
DeleteThey might not last long, but they are gorgeous while they bloom.
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed they are!
DeleteThere is something about that Romneya arrangement that I absolutely love, The way the white pops of the pinks, peaches, yellows, and greens, plus the difference in flower sizes and textures. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jerry. I liked it too but, true to my prediction, it fell apart on Wednesday.
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