Well, summer rolled in like a lion here and I can only cross my fingers in the hope that it'll achieve the proverbial gentleness of a lamb as the season progresses. We topped 94F (34C) yesterday. Today's temperature is forecast to be "much" cooler than yesterday's but then that's what Saturday's forecast said about Sunday so I won't be placing any bets on it.
At least I got out early in the morning on Sunday to cut flowers and putter in the garden before ducking inside for the afternoon. I only wish I'd gotten all my mulch spread before the heat arrived but maybe the heat will break later this week, allowing me to get back to that chore.
The 'Montego Bay' lily I eyed earlier in the week as a possible centerpiece for a floral arrangement was sadly past its prime on Sunday but my lilies are slowly unfolding one after another and I was able to select another one.
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| A tall stalk of Lilium 'Orange Planet' filled in nicely, complemented by 3 of the last blooms of Leucospermum 'Royal Hawaiian Brandi' |
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| Back view: I used Alstroemerias and Lobelia as fillers |
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| Top view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Acacia cognata 'Cousin Itt', Alstroemeria 'Third Harmonic', A. 'Indian Summer', Leucospermum 'Royal Hawaiian Brandi', Lilium 'Orange Planet', and Lobelia laxiflora |
Another of the Hippeastrums I planted in the ground last year produced an unexpected bloom stalk and, fearing that it wouldn't survive this initial heatwave, I decided to cut it for a second arrangement.
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| Hippeastrum 'Rosetta' produced just 2 flowers on a relatively short bloom stalk. This bulb was much more robust when I grew it in a pot but I expect it's still getting established in its new spot in a front garden bed. |
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| Back view |
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| Top view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Alstroemeria 'Inca Husky', A. 'Inca Vienna', Cuphea 'Honeybells', Fuchsia 'Windchimes White', Hippeastrum 'Rosetta', and Prostanthera ovalifolia 'Variegata' |
For more IAVOM creations, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.
All material © 2012-2024 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
I'm so fortunate to experience a mild summer (so far) and can count on one hand the number of days when temperature climbed past low 80's.
ReplyDeleteI love both vases this morning but, as always, I'm partial to orange. Especially with Acacia cognata 'Cousin Itt', a wonderful addition to any vase, making it look so fresh and cool, balancing the hot orange.
Chavli
I should use 'Cousin Itt' more often in arrangements as my foliage filler as it's plentiful and holds up well. It retains its deep green color even as the foliage dries. My only issue with it is that the leaves are slightly sticky.
DeleteWe were scorched this weekend, too. I hope you are cooler today. What a beautiful lily, love the coloring!
ReplyDeleteWell, we seem to have topped out at 88F today, which is a nominal improvement! I hope your temperatures have come down some too, Tracy.
DeleteYes, only uo to 26 or 27C here, so not as hot as you! Your vase certainly reflects your heat and the blooms really sizzle - your second vase is the cooling balm we need after that first one!
ReplyDelete27C would be considered relatively comfortable here, Cathy ;) My garden is definitely shifting into summer mode, which is making things difficult for some plants that could use a slower and smoother transition.
DeleteSo much beauty in your garden brought to your vases. It was in the high 90s all week with humidity making it feel like it was over hundred with no rain. Now the rain came and cooler temps. Hoping you get a bit of some relief.
ReplyDeleteWe're simmering just below the 90F mark today, Donna. We're lucky that our heat is "dry," rarely accompanied by a spike in humidity. Unfortunately, rain is a virtual impossibility during the summer months here unless monsoonal conditions in the deserts to the east swing off-course into our area.
DeleteFiery indeed. The temp and the flowers! We're 93F as I write, down from 94 yesterday. Whew, so glad it's cooler! I have managed to water a few times over the past week, which has really given me a nice time in the garden. Your lily is beautiful and you found a good set of companions. Stay cool.
ReplyDeleteBy comparison to much of the country, we're lucky our temperatures haven't been worse here, Susie. However, the sudden shift from the long cool stretch of weather we had courtesy of our morning marine layer to the current sharp rise in temperatures is a hard adjustment for my plants.
DeleteI was lucky, my Montego Lilies are just beginning to bloom. Don't they smell lovely? I am in southern NJ. Sounds like we are having the same weather. It's been hot here, last night's storms cooled it down a bit, but it will be shooting up again tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm afraid that the nasty "heat dome" that hovered over much of California the week before last moved its way east toward you on the eastern coast, contributing to your high temperatures. I live along the Southern California coast and our "June Gloom" (marine layer) insulated us from that event. Unfortunately for us, the marine influence has deserted us but, as it rarely hangs on into July, that was to be expected.
DeleteSplendid creations, Kris! Loving that apricot-orange lily with the striking alstroemerias. All your alstros are such solid players!
ReplyDeleteHope the heat abates and the marine layer lingers. :) Eliza
The marine layer is still forming but it's thinner and dies off in the early morning hours at my altitude so it's no longer providing much of a buffer against the escalating afternoon temperatures. The best hours to be outside are currently before 8am!
DeleteWe've had several 100-degree days in a row. Yuck. I don't think many of the flowers you show in this post would do so well here.
ReplyDeleteWe were VERY lucky to be protected from the heat dome's high temperatures by our marine layer, Gerhard. Unfortunately, it's greatly diminished now, usually disappearing at our elevation before I've had breakfast, so our temperatures are rising. I'm worried that the lilies that took their time about blooming when the marine layer was in effect are going to go into shock.
DeleteI love the way you created two stunning, color-themed blooms. Just beautiful! My Asiatic Lilies are starting to bloom--they're such great cut flowers. Your Hippeastrum blooms are gorgeous, too!
ReplyDeleteThanks Beth. Lilies have a reputation for being short-lived here but I'm glad I jumped in head first and planted numerous lily bulbs several years ago. It's also nice that the Hippeastrum I've planted out in the garden show signs of naturalizing, especially as those seem to bloom on a different schedule than those planted in pots in the fall.
DeleteWell, we are complaining at 25°C! LOL! I am so glad we don't get many days over 30, although it may get that hot at the weekend. Your first arrangement really is fiery! The lilies are beauties. I also like the combination of Hippeastrum with those pink Alstromerias (did I spell that properly!) - a perfect match. Stay cool Kris. And hope the forecast is right and it will be a lot cooler tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteOur temperatures have come down a little, Cathy. It's now just very warm instead of toasty!
DeleteI love the peaches and oranges today (well, Monday) gorgeous. And the first combo is brilliant. Tasty. It is odd to me it is warmer there than here. Go figure, I am sure we will get it later...no worries for lack of a hot summer. Amelia
ReplyDeleteWell, we're lucky that SoCal heat is "dry heat," which I understand is more palatable than heat accompanied your high-humidity, Amelia. Unfortunately, although the ocean is visible from our back garden, we sit on the "wrong" (eastern-facing) side of our peninsula, which doesn't benefit from the cool western winds so our temperatures often mirror those of downtown Los Angeles.
DeleteTwo beautiful colour schemes and I love seeing the different flowers, (for me anyway!) Ocean view - beautiful! We made it to 25C one day this week!
ReplyDeleteWe'd consider 25C cool and comfortable, Jenny ;) Luckily our temperatures have dropped into the low to mid-80sF (27-29C) as the week has progressed.
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