Monday, December 2, 2024

In a Vase on Monday: Variations on a theme

I've been happy to see that the lisianthus plants I happened upon at my local garden center six-plus weeks ago have started to bloom, even if I've yet to see blooms on any of the plants that were supposed to have blue flowers.  I cut two stems of the lavender-blushed variety again this week but used different flowers and foliage to complement them.

The lavender blooms of Polygala myrtifolia and Pelargonium peltatum look better with the lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum) than the flowers I selected last week 

The shiny dark green Ceanothus foliage I used is nice but, in retrospect, this back view could've benefited from some lighter elements

Top view

Clockwise from the upper left: Ceanothus griseus horizontalis 'Carmel Creeper', Leucadendron 'Jubilee Crown', Pelargonium peltatum 'Lavender Blizzard', Eustoma grandiflorum, and Polygala myrtifolia (aka sweet pea shrub)


I've been planning to cut the flowers of Tagetes lemmonii (aka Mexican marigold) for a few weeks now but, as my husband dislikes their scent, I knew I couldn't use too many stems without annoying him.  I clipped flowers from two other shrubs, Senna bicapsularis and Grevillea 'Superb' to fill out the arrangement.  The Senna flowers are on their way out but the ever-blooming Grevillea is always available to fill out a vase.

The color mix is very autumnal but I wasn't entirely happy with it, at least in this view

Back view

Top view: I did like this particular view

Clockwise from the upper left: Agonis flexuosa 'Nana', berries of Auranticarpa rhombifolium, Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple', Grevillea 'Superb' (shown with a seed head of Echinacea purpurea), Senna bicapsularis, and Tagetes lemmonii 


Our temperatures have been vacillating but we've had several days of warm afternoon readings in the low to low-to-mid 70sF (21-24C), which have been prompting the Ranunculus and Anemone bulbs to sprout.  Temperatures could go higher still beginning next weekend.  Meanwhile, our "water year" total (counted from October 1st) stands at 0.19/inch with little to no rain in sight.  If Santa could deliver rain, I'd send him a letter...


For more IAVOM creations, check in with Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.



All material © 2012-2024 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party

22 comments:

  1. Maybe Santa can deliver rain. You just need to Believe... :-D
    I refreshed my memory and peek at last week's IAVOM. You are right: Lisianthus, pretty as a rose, benefits from being a lone bright focus, surrounded by the green lushness of the Ceanothus foliage; it seemed a bit overwhelmed last week.
    The autumnal second vase is so perfect in its color mix- plus the orange berries, on which I commented recently: this is a joyous color mix: I LOVE it.
    Foggy and 36° in Seattle this morning, will warm up to 44°... We had a stretch of dry, semi sunny days. Perfect:-D
    Chavli

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. While a "warm" day of 44F would have me huddling in the house, cooler temperatures would be appreciated here, Chavli. According to forecasters, we're looking at higher than "normal" temperatures (whatever that means) in the mid-to-upper 70s through the weekend.

      Delete
  2. Ah, it's nice to see the lisianthus blooms be the star in a vase again, I do love those flowers. I hope your husband wasn't "offended" by the second vase!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He hasn't commented on the smell of the Tagetes lemmonii so I guess I struck the right balance with that arrangement, Loree.

      Delete
  3. The lisianthus is gorgeous. Cotinus leaves look brilliant in that fall arrangement, I need to steal that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It'll be interesting to see how long the Cotinus leaves hold on, Tracy. I half-expected them all to drop overnight but that didn't happen.

      Delete
  4. The Lisianthus make an excellent centerpiece for arrangements. Who needs roses when you have Lisanthus? (well besides me.)

    I'm amazed the Tagetes doesn't drive you out of the house, mine is so very strong. Glorious in flower, though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My sense of smell isn't very strong and I did restrain myself to 2 stems of the Tagetes. If my husband doesn't complain, I figure I'm okay. When I was doing docent tours at the local botanic garden, I discovered that people varied a lot when it came to their assessment of that plant's scent.

      Delete
  5. What a lovely contrasting pair of vases, Kris - the soft calming colours of the first, and the bright sunny colours of the second. Fingers crossed for some rain!đŸ€žđŸ»

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The weather really isn't cooperating at all thus far here, Cathy!

      Delete
  6. The first vase looks so fresh and lush Kris. And the second has a definite autumnal feel to it. Your Grevillea and Cotinus make a great impact with their beautiful colour. Hope Santa brings you some rain!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The first vase does look more like spring than fall, Cathy. I feel very lucky to have found a supply of lisianthus this late in the year. In retrospect, I wish I'd bought every plant the garden center had!

      Delete
  7. Lisianthus are such interesting and beautiful flowers, aren't they? I didn't know much about them until recently, but their growth patterns and form are so unique. Fabulous arrangements, Kris! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Beth. Lisianthus, especially the multi-petaled varieties, are fabulous, long-lasting flowers. They're short-lived perennials here.

      Delete
  8. My goodness, I love the color and textures in the first vase and such a color contrast with the second..I love those marigolds, cannot get them to grow here at all! Amelia

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've tried the Tagetes lemmonii in a couple of spots but they've only thrived in one spot thus far, Amelia. They need a moderate level of moisture, not too much or too little.

      Delete
  9. Lovely to see Lisianthus as I love them but doubt my season would be long enough to try! My lanterns this week compliment your lovely tangerine and orange display of blooms. It's funny about Tagetes, any Marigold for that matter as the deer didn't like them for years but now acquiring a bit of a taste!
    https://zonethreegardenlife.blog/2024/12/02/in-a-vase-monday-december-2nd/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think some animals just get desperate as winter moves in, Jenny ;) I've noticed that the more astringent persimmons ('Hachiya' variety) in my garden are now getting a lot of attention from crittersre (birds, squirrels and probably rats) now that the "nicer" persimmons are gone and the pickings elsewhere are sparse.

      Delete
  10. Well done! That overhead shot illuminates the great selection of colors and textures. Your Lisianthus are beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did really like the overhead view of that second arrangement, Susie. The colors appeared more balanced than they were in the other views.

      Delete
  11. Technically, it is still autumn and your autumn-colored bouquet is esp. lovely, perfect for a t-day table arrangement. Yummy colors! Eliza

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That autumn arrangement turned out better than I expected, at least when viewed from above ;)

      Delete

I enjoy receiving your comments and suggestions! Google has turned on reCAPTCHA affecting some commentator IDs so, if you wish to identify yourself, please add your name to your comment.