I started tearing my cool season cutting garden apart this weekend. I'm only halfway through the process, partly because I took the time to package a lot of the floral material to give away to neighbors, but I held some of it back for this week's IAVOM arrangements too. I stole the name of this post from the name of the larkspur I cut down: 'Summer Skies'. Although our morning marine layer is still in place, we're getting more sun and blue skies in the afternoon. According to Sunday's Los Angeles Times, a "heat dome" is expected to settle over California later this week; however, it's possible that coastal Southern California may be spared. I can only hope that's the case - early June is too soon for a major heatwave.
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| I paired stems of larkspur 'Summer Skies Mix' with 3 tall stems of Agapanthus for a wispy blue and white arrangement |
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| Back view, showing off Salvia 'Mystic Spires' and Prostanthera ovalifolia (aka mint bush) |
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| Top view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Centranthus ruber 'Albus', 2 variations from the Consolida ajacis 'Summer Skies Mix', noID Agapanthus, white and blue variations of Nigella papillosa, Prostanthera ovalifolia 'Variegata', and Salvia 'Mystic Spires' |
My second arrangement incorporated some of the Nigella from the cutting garden but otherwise consisted of blooms from elsewhere in my garden. The wild carrot (Daucus carota) is very plentiful at the moment.
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| I paired the abundant wild carrot stems with Alstroemeria and ivy geranium (Pelargonium peltatum) |
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| Back view |
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| Top view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: noID Alstroemeria, Daucus carota 'Dara', Leptospermum 'Copper Glow', Nigella papillosa, and 2 varieties of Pelargonium peltatum in burgundy and dark pink |
I considered creating a third arrangement using a Hippeastrum that surprised me by blooming in a neglected pot on my south side patio. I decided to leave it where it was because the flower stalk and the individual blooms are so big I was afraid they'd overwhelm just about anything I paired with it.
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| The individual flowers of the Hippeastrum are larger than my open hand. The bulb, purchased in 2022, was sold as 'Appleblossom' but its coral color suggests otherwise |
I did cut sweet peas to fill a small vase on our kitchen island, though. The remaining sweet peas, on vines extending well above my head, are slated for removal as I clear the third raised planter in my cutting garden this week. While the flowers only last a few days, their scent is heavenly and I'll miss them when they're gone.
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| Lathyrus odoratus 'April in Paris', represented by the ivory flowers with lavender edges, is as highly scented as it's reputation claims |
My fingers are crossed that we sidestep the worst effects of that heat dome. I really need to get my summer-flowering plants in the ground as soon as possible but temperatures in excess of 100F (38C) won't help there.
For more IAVOM creations, visit Cathy of Rambling in the Garden.
All material © 2012-2024 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
Gorgeous Kris, the sweet peas are really special. Hopefully you are spared from the crazy heat headed our way.
ReplyDeleteI hope so too, Tracy. The TV weather forecasters are saying that temperatures in the inland valleys could hit the 90s but Weather Underground is showing a persistent marine layer all week along SoCal's coast.
DeleteBeautiful Kris! I hope that heat dome doesn't descend over you đ€ It sounds like a nightmare and must make completing everyday tasks challenging.
ReplyDeleteTemperatures in the 90sF are unpleasant enough but an abrupt shift to temperatures about 100F can do a lot of damage to plants, not to speak of the energy of the gardener, Anna. I hope you're getting a break from your relentless rain.
DeleteBeautiful colour combos. Where are you?
ReplyDeletehttps://zonethreegardenlife.blog/2024/06/03/in-a-vase-monday-june-3/
Thanks Jenny! I live in coastal Southern California. My garden overlooks the Port of Los Angeles, which is fortunately quite a distance from the city itself ;)
DeleteI couldn't help but wonder what a few lilacs would look like tucked in your first arrangement. 'Tis their season around here and they smell so good! I hope you're spared the worst of the heat. We're predicted to hit the 90's late in the week. It's a welcome development (for me) as we're currently sitting at 56 and have got almost an inch of rain in the last 24hrs.
ReplyDeleteI sighed over 2 of your comments, Loree. Lilacs are uncommon here - even those grown at the local botanic garden look sad, as well as having negligible (if any) scent. Ceanothus is known as the "California lilac" but I'm not clear why as those plants have little scent, at least to my nose. I'm also more than a little envious of your rain - as temperatures rise, it'd be nice if Mother Nature would handle the watering for us but we're unlikely to see any more rain until late fall.
DeleteWell my goodness where to start. Agapanthus and nigella with all the trimmings. Gorgeous. And the reds in the sculptural design of the second vase....wow! That is amazing how hippeastrum just grows in your garden. And there is nothing sweeter than sweet peas in a simple vase filling a room with their fragrance.
ReplyDeleteSadly, I'm waving goodbye to my sweet peas today Donna. The vines have already seen their best days and are going to seed faster than I can cut the flowers, most of which are now way above my head. I'll miss them but they'll be back next year!
DeleteTwo exquisite arrangements. I particularly enjoy the architectural structure of the second, appreciating your use of Daucus carota 'Dara'. The white variety grows along highways, and although its a weed I like the delicate appearance of it.
ReplyDeleteChavli
I think it's becoming a weed here, Chavli. It is a pretty one, though!
DeleteWe’ve had our very first sweet pea flower here and I have a little patch of blue mixed love in a mist. I do love a blue and white mixture and yours are glorious. I’ve got an amaryllis in bud, but the slugs have eaten right through it and ruined it. So disappointing. Slugs have been a big problem this spring. Karen at bramblegarden - although it says anonymous.
ReplyDeleteSweet peas, larkspur and love-in-a-mist are all cool season plants here, Karen. They can't handle our summer temperatures or our summer-dry conditions. I'm sorry to hear about the slug problem. One of the few positive things about our relatively dry conditions is that we don't have a big problem with either snails or slugs.
DeleteOh I LOVE this blue and white vase, Kris - and what a joy to have enough agapanthus to cut! I envy you your larkspur too, as I failed to get any to germinate this year đą The nigella looks lovely in with the other blooms too. The daucus in your second vase makes a great statement too, and the other components work brilliantly with it
ReplyDeleteMost of my Agapanthus came with the garden, Cathy. They're very common plants here and therefore not generally given the respect they deserve. I'd like to try some of the newer varieties but I'd have to find spots to put them!
DeleteLovely selection Kris. Your daucus are a lovely dark colour. (Arwen, Notes from the Under Gardener)
ReplyDeleteThe Daucus was a nice discovery, although it does like to self-seed, Arwen.
DeleteBeautiful. Your garden is very generous to offer up so many blooms. Mystic Spires is great with the Agapanthus and larkspur. I have summer flowers to get planted but where to put them? Need to weed and trim back to find space.
ReplyDeleteMy Salvia 'Mystic Spires' were unimpressive last year but they've gained vigor this year. I can sympathize with the need to find space for your summer flowers. I spent a good part of the day just clearing out my sweet peas. All 3 of my previously crammed raised planters are still littered with a wide variety of weeds so more work is required before I can do any planting.
DeleteAll your bouquets are gorgeous. Your neighbors must love the flowers.
ReplyDeleteAs most of my front garden is hidden behind a long stretch of hedges, my neighbors see little of it on a general basis. The giveaway flowers seem to be popular, though ;)
DeleteStunning arrangements! I wish I had that talent :)
ReplyDeleteI've seen some of your garden flowers, Nikki - you'd probably surprise yourself if you bundled some to pop into a vase.
DeleteSo lushly filled with color. Excellent!
ReplyDeleteForecast here shows around 80F for several days. Hopefully not worse than that.
I'll cross my fingers for you too, HB. This morning's TV forecast indicated that we were unlikely to see much, if any, sun today but it came out around 2pm. Our temperature hasn't reached 72F, though.
DeleteLoving the blues you're rocking there, Kris! And oh, sweet peas! I can't wait for mine to bloom, they're taking their time, only about 15" tall, even though I planted them in March! Hope the heat stays well away from your slice of paradise. :)
ReplyDeletePS from Eliza ;)
DeleteI removed all my sweet peas yesterday, Eliza - they were well over 6 feet tall and a thick jumbled mess. (I didn't thin them out enough this year.) I filled another 8 bottles with cut stems in the process, saving one for myself and offering the other 7 to the neighbors. I'll be envious of yours when they arrive!
DeleteLarkspur is one of my all time favorites, they grow strangely here, but I loved seeing yours and the blue and white combination. The amaryllis in the garden is just stunning. I hope the heat dome holds off! Like forever. Amelia
ReplyDeleteI won't push my luck and wish for a forever reprieve but I'd be happy if we can avoid a major heatwave this early in the season, before my lovely lilies have bloomed and with my dahlia foliage is still in the development stage, Amelia!
DeleteYour weather reports always have such amazing names for different weather systems! It doesn't sound very nice though, so Inhooe you are spared that. I love the blue vase especially today. The Agagpanthus and larkspur are beautiful together. I haven't used Centranthus in a vase for ages and your white one is a reminder to me to try and find a white one for my Moon Bed. Your Daucus carota is huge! And very pretty. Do you grow it from seed?
ReplyDeleteOur marine layer is firmly in place this morning and we're unlikely to get any sun until med-afternoon, which under the circumstances is a good thing! We call this being "socked in," wrapped in clouds and fog.
DeleteI've only sown seeds of Daucus carota once but it comes back each year, seemingly with increased vigor, although that may be another impact of the heavier-than-usual rain we've had this year and last year. In fact, I've included the Daucus in a contribution to your "Wild and Weedy Wednesday" meme today ;)