This week, my arrangements differ in texture as much as color. The lilies in my garden have been appearing one after another and, as heat is in the forecast, I thought it best to use at least some of them in vases while I can.
Back view: I added a single Lilium 'Pretty Woman' (which I had caged) and 2 stems of white Agapanthus that were blocking the dirt path I use when cleaning up the back garden border |
Top view |
Clockwise from the upper left: noID Agapanthus, noID Alstroemeria, Hebe 'Wiri Blush', Lilium 'Friso', L. 'Pretty Woman', and Leptospermum 'Copper Glow' |
My selection of thistles for my second vase wasn't planned. As I was cleaning up parts of my garden on Saturday, I discovered that the fancy artichoke in my back garden border had either been knocked to the ground by a critter overnight, or simply fallen over under its own considerable weight.
Back view: Even with just a single artichoke stem, I could only squeeze in a few other slender stems |
Clockwise from the left: Cynara scolymus 'Purple Romagna', Erngium planum 'Blue Glitter', and Limonium perezii |
I honestly hadn't planned any additional arrangements but ended up with two more anyway. In one case, I'd cut flowers to be included in the vase containing the artichoke but popped them into a tiny vase when I decided the stems were too short to make an impact in that arrangement.
In the last case, the second of the beautiful Gladiolus 'Guinea' in another back garden border flopped over on its own and I couldn't bear letting it go to waste.
We managed to avoid the heat that afflicted much of Los Angeles County last week but this week's heat sounds more menacing. Hopefully, our morning marine layer will stick with us now, when it's really needed and keep those afternoon temperatures within bounds, but with the weather world-wide becoming less predictable, who knows?
For more IAVOM creations, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.
All material © 2012-2023 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
Lovely variety this week, Kris! Like you, I went around salvaging fallen angels to make a vase this week. No sense wasting good flowers, right?
ReplyDeleteThe weather all around is shocking no matter where you look. Hard to look at the weather channel. :( Eliza
New records for the hottest day on the planet day after day isn't a good thing, that's for certain, Eliza! Yes, I can't ignore a fallen flower, or even one I've cut and chosen not to use as I'd originally envisioned.
DeleteIt's funny how this week, with each vase you revealed I thought IT was my favorite. The all-white Agapanthus is great with the lilies, the artichoke is wholly unexpected, the cactus vase is cute and color perfect, and the forth arrangement has that spectacular gladiola! Years ago, I lusted after gladiolus 'Isle Of Capri' which is no longer available. Gladiolus 'Guinea' reminds me of it.
ReplyDeleteChavli
I looked up Gladiolus 'Isle of Capri' and, although publicity photos of the flower were available, I couldn't find it for sale online either, Chavli. I got my 'Guinea' bulbs from Brent & Becky's bulbs. If you're interested in that one, their site says it'll be available in January ;)
DeleteI love the title of your blog. Makes me think heaven and hell. Love that Artichoke. Pretty spectacular.
ReplyDeleteThat artichoke did have nasty spines. I ended up with one in my finger even though I was wearing gloves. It bites! My other artichokes aren't nearly as vicious.
DeleteAbundance!
ReplyDeleteIt's true! I'm hardly even noticing the absence of flowers - or buds - on my dahlias (at least so far).
DeleteOMG! That Cynara scolymus 'Purple Romagna' is amazing! You featured it well. Simple arrangement lover that I am, I also really like the cactus vase combo.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't have guessed that those 2 would catch you eye, Loree ;)
DeleteLove your lily vase and I am pleased the rabbits missed them! Perhaps one day I will have sufficient spikes of agapanthus to cut some for a vase... 😉 The artichoke vase is surpisingly effective too, and I adore your snippets in the cacti vases - thanks for sharing them all
ReplyDeleteI understand that Agapanthus are now being bed to handle colder temperatures, Cathy. In fact, I think I heard that was true of this year's Chelsea Show winner, Agapanthus 'Black Jack', too. That one isn't even available in the US yet but I gather it is in the UK.
DeleteTwo completely different stunning vases. Love and miss my lilies and with agapanthus...be still my heart! And I have never seen an artichoke in bloom in a vase....genius and love the mix of flowers added to it. Wow.
ReplyDeleteI probably wouldn't have cut that artichoke if I hadn't found it toppled over, Donna. It's very photogenic all by itself. The stem and blooming choke are amazingly heavy, though.
DeleteMy goodness, those are fantastic. I love the artichoke. Amelia
ReplyDeleteThis is the second (or maybe third) time the artichoke has borne fruit (or rather veg) in my garden, Amelia. I really hope it'll reappear next year despite its early demise this year.
DeleteFabulous vases Kris! I'm most envious of your white agapanthus flowers - I have one but the plant is all foliage. I hope that the morning marine layer is listening and duly obliges.
ReplyDeleteWell, the marine layer was back again this morning but it cleared before 10am, Anna. We reached a high of 83F (28C) today, which is higher than expected but not too bad. It currently looks like the marine layer will stay with us all week, at least during the morning hours :)
DeleteOh how lovely. The lilies are blooming here, too--all the different forms. I guess this is one of a few times of year when we have somewhat similar schedules. I really like the vase with the artichoke--both the arrangement and the actual vase.
ReplyDeleteLilies aren't known for lasting a long time here but I'm pleased that they've put on a pretty good show this year, Beth. I just need to remember to protect the plants from the ravenous rabbits when their foliage starts to emerge.
DeleteSuch stunning arrangement. I love this.
ReplyDeleteLove the lilies. Would love to have a pair of agapanthus in the way of my path! The artichoke is a grand thing on its own. Amazing. Everything you grow is unique. Hope the weather is good to you Kris. Have a good week.
ReplyDeleteThe good news is that, when plants are hidden from view like those tall stalks of Agapanthus, I feel no compunction at all about cutting them, Susie ;)
DeleteMaking beautiful use of the face-plants in the garden!
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping that having 2 plants keel over in one week is an anomaly, Denise!
DeleteYour lilies are doing well this year, how lovely having enough to pick. And how lovely having such an abundance of flowers generally to pick. As usual, they are all gorgeous. The artichoke is very stylish.
ReplyDeleteWhoops, I forgot to say that that was me writing your last comment.
ReplyDeleteThanks Chloris. My original 'Pretty Woman' lily is still loaded with buds and it's much taller than it was last year - it may actually become the tree lily it was advertised to be!
DeleteThe artichoke is a beauty Kris, and I am so glad you could rescue it and make an arrangement with it. We have plants knocked about all over the place aftr hefty thunder storms last night, so I may find a few things that need rescuing too! All the different shades of pink in your first vase are delicious together. Oh, and I love that little cactus vase!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cathy. I already miss that artichoke in the border and I really hope that it comes back from the roots. In the meantime, I'll be looking for others of the same variety. I've only seen it locally on the one occasion I brought my plant home.
Delete