The "curve" referenced here is the weather. The Los Angeles Times is predicting what could be an epic atmospheric river will hit Southern California this week, beginning as early as Wednesday. Both the online sources I generally consult appear to be in line with one another for once with respect to the pending storm. The most intense rain is currently projected for Thursday. As last week's rain trounced the anemones in my cutting garden, I decided that cutting the most recent blooms was the better part of valor so I started by harvesting several of them.
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| The blue and purplish Anemone coronaria are the most prolific at the moment. The blue-flowered variety were planted in October 2023 as 'Lord Lieutenant' but I suspect they're 'Mr Fokker'. |
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| Back view: I added stems of purple-flowered Hardenbergia 'Meema', which I'd purchased from Annie's Annuals & Perennials in 2024 before the business was shuttered and subsequently sold. I currently have it growing in a pot. |
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| Top view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Anemone coronaria 'Mr Fokker', A. c. 'Mistral Grape', Antirrhinum majus, Echium handiense, Hardenbergia violacea 'Meema', and Osteospermum '4D Silver'. I also used Anemone coronaria 'Mistral Azzurro' and Osteospermum 'Violet Ice' (not shown in closeup). |
I cut three more anemone stems to fill a small vase on our kitchen island as well.
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| This vase includes Anemone coronaria 'Mistral Rosa Chiaro', A. c. 'Mistral Bianco Centro Nero', and Prostanthera ovatifolia 'Variegata' |
I cut the Hippeastrum sold to me as 'Double Record' for a second vase as its blooms were almost fully open. At present, it doesn't look at all like the photo of the plant shown online when I purchased the bulb, which is disappointing.
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| I can only hope that the Hippeastrum's petals will continue to develop as the flowers mature. You can find a photo of what the flowers are supposed to look like here. |
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| Back view: With the exception of the Hippeastrum and the slim stems of a Grevillea, all the other elements have been recycled from one of last week's vases |
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| Top view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Agonis flexuosa 'Nana', Alstroemeria 'Inca Sundance', Grevillea 'Poorinda Leana', Hippeastrum 'Double Record', and Leucospermum 'Sunrise' |
I'm looking forward to the rain; however, for the sake of those in areas affected by the recent fires, I hope it won't be as intense as some experts think it could be. As it is, all three of my rain collection tanks are now full and I've already soaked everything I could with the excess I collected manually in plastic trugs using the overflow coming down our rain chain. The irrigation system is currently off. (Unbelievably, some of my neighbors don't bother shutting theirs off when there's been ample rain.)
For more IAVOM posts, check in with our host, Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.
All material © 2012-2025 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
The blue Anemone, when not fully open, is SO intense! A most saturated blue... quite rare and magnificent. I love how the arrangement shifts smoothly from blue to the wispy Hardenbergia stems in 'grape', via the Echium flowers that possess both colors.
ReplyDeleteThe Hippeastrum, though lovely, looks nothing like the photos online. It must be frustrating. I seem to remember you ordered the bulb after a garden visit... not sure which one... when you fell in love with those blooms.
Chavli
That Hippeastrum teased me for the longest period before finally beginning to open, Chavli. As it did, I was at a loss as to why I'd ordered the bulb as it had little appeal, and still doesn't. When I looked it up online it was obvious why I ordered it but, thus far, it hasn't come close to living up to the promise of its publicity photos. A "buyer beware" label should come with all bulbs I guess.
DeleteThe bulbs you're thinking of that I ordered following the Gardeners' Fling in July, are Lilium 'Zeba'. They won't arrive until sometime in March. Whether they'll grow in my climate is the biggest issue in that case.
The blue Anemone is the star of the show! Your Hippeastrum arrangement has really held on. *So frustrating when it's not what expected. I hope it's a nice well behaved rain, and doesn't cause mud slides.
ReplyDeleteI'm usually wary of the warnings about "epic" weather events published in our newspapers but, weather events do seem to be getting more extreme and, given the recent fires, remaining vigilant may be appropriate. I just wish I had a 1000-gallon cistern to capture that rain for future use ;)
DeleteWhat wonderful colours, especially the first arrangement! We've been forecast some light snow, but I have yet to see any!
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DeleteYou did very well to pick your flowers. Here we can buy anemones very tight in bud, and they do open. Yours are lovely, and it is always a treat to see such a range of blooms beautifully arranged.
ReplyDeleteThanks Noelle. I'm actually surprised that the blue anemones returned in force for a second year, especially as I dig up all the raised planters at the end of the cool season to prepare for my summer dahlias and zinnias.
DeleteYou must be thrilled to have your water collection tanks full, but it's a shame to have the expectation of more rain with nowhere to put it. I imagine what has soaked into the ground will evaporate quite quickly with the temperature you have, but it will certainly have refreshed the garden wonderfully. It seems irresponsible not to switch off automatic irrigation after a period of rain to my mind.
ReplyDeleteYour anemones are gorgeous, especially the blues, and they clearly do well for you. Do you keep them from year to year, or do they have to be replaced? It is always frustrating not to have a plant or bloom you are expecting, although I suppose occasionally the incorrect item may prove to be nicer than the one you intended to purchase!
I dig up all the raised planters in my cutting garden at the end of the cool season to prepare them for the warm season flowers (dahlias and zinnias) and holding onto the anemone bulbs isn't part of my plan. However, the bright blue ones in the one bed and a few 'Mount Everest' anemones in another bed surprised me by coming back for a second year. Maybe this year, I'll be more intentional about conserving the bulbs for use in future years.
DeletePlentiful beautiful blooms indeed. That Echium is a great blue and compliments the sublime Anemones. Is it a tall one? I must see if I can grow more up here because I do have one but they are a bit tender for this clime. Oh gosh the last thing you need is mud slides now. Slow gentle rains just don't happen there do they unless a sea mist? I love seeing all your flowers in those lovely vases.
ReplyDeletehttps://zonethreegardenlife.blog/2025/02/10/in-a-vase-monday-february-10-2025/
Echium handiense hails from the Canary Islands so I'm not sure how it'd do in Canada, Jenny. If you have a greenhouse, you might be able to overwinter it there. Most Echiums prefer a Mediterranean climate such as we have in coastal Southern California. Echium handiense is shorter than most Echiums - usually about 2-3 feet tall and wide here - but Echium candicans can get a lot taller and wider.
DeleteBeautiful blues today, Kris. I have always wondered who Mr. Fokker is? Hoping for a gentle rain for SoCal. Amelia
ReplyDeleteHa! I did a quick search to see if I could find any references to Mr Fokker but wasn't successful in dredging up any details on the gentleman, Amelia ;)
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