One of my favorite plants is Arthropodium cirratum (aka Renga lily), native to New Zealand. It has strappy evergreen leaves, tolerates dry shade, and produces sprays of beautiful flowers in early summer. Much as I love it, I've found it difficult to use in floral arrangements (probably because I'm prone to cramming too much into my vases). The plants have bloomed heavily this year and I was determined to use them in an arrangement that shows off the small flowers.
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| Resisting my usual predilection for stuffing vases, I used only 4 elements, 3 of which are tall and wispy |
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| Back view: The small Arthropodium flowers have white petals with fuzzy purple and yellow stamens |
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| Top view: I played off the purple in the Arthropodium's stamens using the flowers of Centaurea 'Silver Feather' |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Arthropodium cirratum, Centaurea 'Silver Feather', Dahlia 'Vancouver', and Leucanthemum x superbum |
Staying with the purplish theme, I cut a flowering artichoke for a second arrangement, although it ended up being the only thing that went into the vase.
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| The artichoke is Cynara scolymus 'Purple Romagna'. It's a full 12 inches in diameter and extremely heavy. It's also more prickly than any of my agaves and I got stabbed repeatedly just cutting its stalk. I used one of the only vases I had that could hold it without tipping over and it left no room for additions. |
Our marine layer is slowly fading. It was absent entirely at our elevation on Saturday morning and temperatures soared accordingly. Unfortunately, heat, wind, and dry conditions contributed to a wildfire in north Los Angeles County on Saturday, approximately a hundred miles away. It's already burned more than 12,000 acres and prompted evacuations, and it's still largely uncontained. Luckily, here along the coast, our morning marine layer returned yesterday and it looks as though it'll hang around for most of this week, even if it's lighter and likely to clear earlier.
For more IAVOM creations, drop in on Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.
All material © 2012-2024 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
I love the Arthropodium cirratum arrangement; it is light, airy and suitable for hot weather (and in a favorite vase too).
ReplyDeleteI'm growing artichoke (again...), mostly for the statement-making large silvery leafs. I don't even expect a prickly monster flower (thought wouldn't object if one appeared). That impressive massive bloom may need a low bowl rather than a vase :-D
Chavli
Thanks Chavli. I didn't grow artichokes until I acquired my current garden and I was surprised by just how much they seem to like this climate. They come back year-after-year, even on my neglected back slope. This year those grew ridiculously tall and one toppled over under the weight of the heavy chokes. The 'Purple Romanga' in my back border has also grown larger and, given its vicious thorns, I may have to remove it or risk losing the gardeners that keep the hedge behind it pruned.
DeleteOh what a pretty vase, Kris - those 'Renga lilies' are lovely and that centurae is stunning!. It must have been hard to restrain yourself and not stuff your vase, but the end result is worth it - and that artichoke is astonishing! Twelve inches in diameter...?! đČ
ReplyDeleteThe artichoke proved to be a little scarier than I'd expected, Cathy. I remember cutting one of the same variety last year but neither the plant nor the choke was as large. This one was wicked!
DeleteOMG! That artichoke bloom is stunning. I think you've cut one for a vase in the past, is that correct? I remember swooning somewhere and I think it must have been here. I saw images of the fire on the NYT Instagram this morning. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteYes, I cut a choke from the same plant last year but it wasn't nearly as large as this one and I was able to squeeze other flowers into the vase in that case. This choke is VERY heavy so I was limited as to what to put it in without it tipping over.
DeleteWildfires are the worst part of summer here. I understand there are something like a dozen now in California but the one in Gorman is closest to us. Last I heard, it's still only 4% contained and it's been burning since Saturday. It's not even officially summer yet...
Wow that Arthropodium cirratum is so lovely and full. And I love that dahlia. We never see an artichoke growing here so I enjoyed that although your hands did not.
ReplyDeleteYes I saw that fire in the news and was sad to see it was just continuing and not contained yet. Getting very hot here and dry but likely with the heat index going to 100 we will see thunderstorms. Maybe they will release rain over us.
I'm going to have to cut that artichoke back before it hurts somebody, although that somebody may be me while trying to corral it ;)
DeleteI love the Renga Lilies and have tried (unsuccessfully) to buy some to try in dry shade. There is little information on them for Florida - which might be a clue! The vase looks great and displays the Rengas beautifully. If only I could grow artichokes! Such a neat flower. Amelia
ReplyDeleteFWIW, the only seller I've found who carries Arthropodium cirratum is Annie's in Northern California - I got my original plants by mail order and have divided them now and again over the years. I've yet to see a local nursery or garden center that carries them. Unfortunately, the blankety-blank gophers like them too and ate some from underneath ;) As to artichokes, apparently they love SoCal's climate.
DeleteSo pretty! The artichoke plant is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks Hena. The artichoke plant has an interesting structure to it but it needs to be handled with care as it's also very prickly.
DeleteRenga lillies are new to me, they look lovely and combine brilliantly with the other elements.
ReplyDeleteOther than the mail order nursery I bought my plants from, I've never seen Renga lilies anywhere else other than in photos of New Zealand and Australian gardens, Sharon.
DeleteI like the airier arrangement. The color range is lovely
ReplyDeleteI keep hoping one year we'll have a no-sky-july, but still waiting.
Unfortunately, I don't think this is going to be the year for a No-Sky-July, HB. The marine layer is getting thinner day by day.
DeleteThey are so lovely, Kris. I have a thing about lavender and white (and green), and you've combined them in such a beautiful way. The Renga Lily is special. <3
ReplyDeleteThanks Beth. The Renga lilies are unusual!
DeleteSurprises in store for us this week, Kris! Different from your usual style, I like them very much. The willowy look to the delicate bloom of the Renga lilies and purple centaurea suggest motion, like a gentle breeze is swaying the stems. Love the new dahlia, too. I've never seen an artichoke in bloom, so huge! I guess that one escaped being cooked for dinner. ;) Eliza
ReplyDeleteI've eaten a couple of the smaller artichokes growing on the back slope but the 'Purple Romagna' variety in my backyard border is so pretty both prior to bloom and afterwards, I've generally left them alone as garden decorations. The new dahlia is one I picked up at my local garden center a couple of weeks ago simply because I couldn't resist it. My sprouted dahlias have all been planted but it'll be awhile before I see flowers.
DeleteThe Renga lily is a new one to me and such a Kiwi name! I must look it up to see how tough it is. Your arrangement is beautiful and I envy you that gorgeous artichoke!
ReplyDeleteThe artichoke is a trifle vicious but beautiful!
DeleteI was wondering if you ate the artichoke, then saw Eliza mentioned it. Talk about a domineering plant--built-in protection to keep anything else get attention. It's truly awesome in its form, color and defense system. Your first vase is just lovely. Beautiful colors.
ReplyDeleteI cut back that artichoke's leaves to protect anyone walking along the path behind it yesterday, Susie. Safety first! I should see if any of the chokes on my back slope are still suitable for eating before summer makes them unusable for any purpose.
DeleteHeh, I just planted an artichoke. I suppose I am going to regret it, eventually!
ReplyDeleteYour tougher winters may keep the artichokes in line, Jerry! My only recommendation is to give them ample space, especially if you have any as prickly as 'Purple Romagna'!
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