Yesterday was cold (from our viewpoint) and damp. We got almost half an inch of rain on Saturday but we had some sun that afternoon. In contrast, Sunday was cloudy and damp most of the day so collecting material to put together a vase wasn't nearly the pleasure it usually is. New Year's Day is expected to be much sunnier, at least by late morning, so hopefully the Tournament of Rose Parade won't disappoint the tourists!
My garden is still relatively low on flowers but I managed two arrangements anyway.
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| One of the 'La Paz' Hippeastrums I planted out in the garden last year surprised me with a bloom stalk. When planted in the ground they don't usually bloom until spring at earliest, if they bloom at all. The other 2 planted in the same area have yet to make an appearance but then a gopher tunneled through the area earlier. |
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| Back view: As the Hippeastrum 'Apricot Parfait' I used past week was still in good shape, I added it to this arrangement to fill it out |
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| Top view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Alstroemeria 'Inca Lucky', Coprosma repens 'Plum Hussey', Leptospermum 'Copper Glow', Hippeastrum 'Apricot Parfait', Leucadendron 'Jester', L. 'Summer Red', L. 'Safari Sunset', and Hippeastrum 'La Paz' |
With all my Christmas decorations tucked away, I needed another flower arrangement for the front entry.
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| This arrangement turned out a little lopsided but I gave up fiddling with it |
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| Back view, showing off Hebe 'Purple Shamrock' |
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| Top view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Hebe 'Purple Shamrock' Pelargonium 'Lady Plymouth', Pericallis x hybrida (aka Cineraria, syn. Senecio cruentus), Pelargonium peltatum 'Lavender Blizzard', and Polygala myrtifolia |
I hope your New Year's Day is a good one, sunny or not!
All material © 2012-2024 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
I wish my garden was as sparse as yours...incredible! Those Hippeastrums are magnificent and remind me of fireworks. The second is pure delight with the purply flowers and all that yummy foliage! Happy New Year! Stay safe, I read where you had an earthquake just off the coast. Seems things are rocking and rolling in the Pacific Ocean these days.
ReplyDeleteI think Hippeastrums have become my winter substitute for dahlias, Donna; however, I should probably start growing some of those planted in pots inside the warmer house as the vast majority of my bulbs are taking their time this year.
DeleteThe 4.1 magnitude earthquake this morning was centered in the ocean directly off the part of the peninsula I live on. I was outside when it happened and didn't even feel it but my husband did. I learned of it when I came inside and found a slew of e-mail and text messages!
Interesting that one did, and the other didn't.
DeleteIn the case of the lower-magnitude earthquakes, I've found that, when you're actively moving around outdoors, the movement of the earth isn't as noticeable - and this quake was relatively brief, not one of the long rolling ones.
DeleteI'm glad the dual hippeastrum vase can be seen from both sides, wouldn't want to waste one of those huge flowers! Up here in Portland our NY day is gloriously sunny, I think it bodes well for the year.
ReplyDeleteThat Hippeastrum 'Apricot Parfait' bulb was worth the purchase. It's not only developing its third bloom stalk but this second one lasted longer than the first. We got sun this morning - and an earthquake! It's no doubt going to be an interesting year.
DeleteBeautiful vases as always Kris. I chuckled at your words "In contrast, Sunday was cloudy and damp most of the day so collecting material to put together a vase wasn't nearly the pleasure it usually is". That seems to have been my usual collecting flowers weather for a good few months now 😢 It must be so unusual for you though. Wishing you a most Happy New Year and I hope that your garden flourishes in 2024 xxx
ReplyDeleteI actually thought of you and the other UK and European contributors when I put on a sweater and a jacket to cut materials from the garden yesterday, Anna. It is indeed unusual when the sun doesn't peak out at all. Years ago, when I was on a business trip in the Pacific Northwest, a weather forecaster commented that there would be "sunbursts" during the course of the day - and it took me a few moments to translate what that meant!
DeleteA vibrant welcome to the New Year! And yay for rain. I find living in a mostly sunny place overcast skies drag me down. I love the Amaryllis (Hippa can't spell it yet) mine do the same thing in the garden, but they are always a surprise. Happy New Year! Amelia
ReplyDeleteIt's the dampness that felt like the real downer for me, Amelia. I love rain (partly because it is so unusual) but dense fog and cold damp air gets old fast. I'm hoping my Amaryllis/Hippeastrum naturalize in the garden. They did that without much of any assistance at our old place just 15 miles away but they've been more stubborn about it here.
DeleteKris these arrangements are both so pretty ! You should see my very dead looking garden right now .. seeing this is a flower feast for me, I can almost smell the freshness !
ReplyDeleteThanks CGJ. Coastal Southern California's climate is very different than yours I expect ;)
DeleteHappy New Year Kris! I love the vase with La Paz as I am growing the same one (indoors!) this year and it has wowed me so far… one stem has bloomed, one is just opening and two more stems with buds are coming up! I like the Pelargonium foliage in the second vase and it was very refreshing to see some greens and pink after all the red of the holidays. Happy gardening in 2024!
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping the gopher hasn't destroyed my other 2 'La Paz' bulbs, Cathy. The critter seems to be on the move...The 'Lady Plymouth' foliage was a last minute addition to give that second arrangement a lighter note - I'm glad it resonated.
DeleteI am always amazed at the variety of bouquets you manage to pick from your garden each week. Using the scented geraniums and Hippeastrum adds an unusual and beautiful element. All the best of 2024. Here's to great gardening , nice weather and a bit of peace in the world.
ReplyDeleteI'd be happier if peace came as a tidal wave but I'll be satisfied if the powers-that-be would at least start chipping steadily away at achieving it. Gardening at least offers respite. Best wishes for a healthy and productive new year, Elaine.
DeleteYou found some real beauties in your garden to enjoy indoors, Kris! Happy New Year to you. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Jo. Coastal Southern California is kinder to gardeners than many other parts of the Northern Hemisphere.
DeleteYour vases are lush and beautiful. The first vase is rich and vibrant. I love the purple and green combination, a great transition into the new year.
ReplyDeleteThe purple and green arrangement actually has more appeal to me at the moment, Susie, even if it lacks any star players in terms of blooms. I think the colors are a nice break from the red and green holiday colors.
DeleteYou must be thrilled with your half inch of rain, Kris! Here, we had a very wet December although not as wet as October! I love the colours of your hippeastrum, and what a lovely combination of foliage and purple blooms you have garnered for your second vase
ReplyDeleteOur current rain total (since the October 1st start of the "water year") is 2.72 inches, Cathy. Not great but we've seen worse. The Hippeastrums have proven to offer nice blooms to fill the floral gap during this time of year :)
DeleteHappy New Year! You're starting out 2024 with a bang!
ReplyDeleteYes, we are! Happily, the quake caused no damage that I'm aware of anywhere in our vicinity.
DeleteFine arrangements despite less material to work with. The Hippeastrums make great focal points, like a big Lily or Dahlia. Your home is always made lovelier with your bouquets.
ReplyDeleteMy potted 'La Paz' flower stems are progressing--I thought they'd only appear in spring as well.
I'm just hoping that the blanket-y blank gophers haven't eaten or otherwise destroyed the other 2 'La Paz' bulbs I planted out last year.
DeleteHappy New Year! The Hippeastrum is gorgeous. I like both arrangements, they feel just right for celebrating the start of a new year.
ReplyDeleteI think flowers are a good way of starting out a new week and a new year, Tracy. I hope your new year has started out well.
DeleteLa Paz is a beautiful Hippeastrum. It must be nice to plant them once and have them return. I'm not good at renewing the bulbs I get and end up throwing them in the compost when they peter out.
ReplyDeleteI admire your getting down to business with your Xmas decorations. I've put some things away, but the tree and cards are still up. My spouse is asking for more time to enjoy the tree! The cards will hang around for another week or two I expect! Eliza
The Hippeastrums did better when planted out in my former garden but my issue here may have more to do with water than other conditions. I stubbornly continue to plant the bulbs out in the hope that at least some of them will naturalize.
DeleteI was tempted to hang on to my Christmas decorations a bit longer this year but, when my husband started taking down the outdoor lights, I decided that Scrooge had thrown down the gauntlet!
Lovely colors. Happy New Year to you.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Best wishes to you too.
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