Spring arrives early in coastal Southern California. We don't have much of a winter season to begin with. My area doesn't experience freezes, much less snow. Our nighttime temperatures rarely dip below the 40sF (5C) and our daytime temperatures don't often descend below the mid-50s (13C). Weekend temperatures were on the warm side here this week, at least once the morning marine layer lifted. Signs of spring are emerging here and there, although my sweet peas stubbornly remain in stasis, not yet ready to send their vines climbing.
My first arrangement was inspired by the early blooms of Leucospermum 'Sunrise', although the flowers of Metrosideros 'Springfire' ended up playing a more prominent role.
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| I'd intended this arrangement to be mostly orange but 'Springfire' is leaning red at the moment |
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| Back view, with the foliage of Agonis flexuosa 'Nana' contributing its own touch of orangish-red |
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| Top view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Agonis flexuosa 'Nana', Alstroemeria 'Inca Sundance', Grevillea 'Superb', Leonotis leonurus, Leucospermum 'Sunrise', and Metrosideros collina 'Springfire' |
I couldn't resist cutting more of the Anemones in the cutting garden this week.
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| I used 3 varieties of Anemone coronaria in this small vase with my favorite, 'Rarity', front and center |
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| Back view |
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| Top view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Anemone coronaria 'Mistral Azzurro', A. c. 'Mistral Grape', A. c. 'Rarity', Acacia cognata 'Cousin Itt', Boronia crenulata 'Shark Bay', Lavandula multifida, and Limonium perezii |
Last week's arrangements held up pretty well. With a little paring and cleanup, both are still providing spots of color, albeit in different areas.
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| While the first bloom on Hippeastrum 'Marilyn' faded, 2 others opened on the same stem and half the green Eustoma grandiflorum flowers are still looking good too. The pink Anemone 'Rose Chiaro' also held up, along with one stem of Alstroemeria 'Inca Vienna'. I was reminded that the Anemones, like tulips, grow taller even after being cut. |
A little more rain is expected this week, as three atmospheric rivers are reportedly headed our way from the north. If forecasts are to be credited, we can't count on more than half an inch but we got more than predicted with the last rainstorm so maybe we'll have similar luck this time.
For more IAVOM creations, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.
All material © 2012-2025 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
As a fan of orange, its the back side of vase one that really appeals to me, in large part thanks to Agonis flexuosa 'Nana' foliage.
ReplyDeleteThe cool colors of vase two are on the opposite side of the color spectrum, beautifully harmonized. I love how Boronia crenulata is skirting it all bellow.
Finally, last week's pink arrangement is in a new, beautiful vase(!), one I don't remember seeing before. (How is that even possible :-D ).
Chavli
I was pleased by how the back side of the first arrangement turned out, Chavli. That view doesn't always hold its own in my arrangements but the Agonis foliage was perfect in this instance. The small vase with the pink flowers is one I commonly use on my kitchen island for "leftovers" and short-stemmed flowers - a friend gave it to me years ago.
DeleteLeucospermum 'Sunrise" is brilliant! Last week's arrangements held up so well. It looks like wer'e both on rain watch this week.
ReplyDeleteI love that Leucospermum but it was light on flowers last year. It's prone to growing bigger than the spot I provided for it so it has to be pruned regularly but I have to be more careful about the timing of that pruning exercise. It looks as though this could be a banner year for it, though - at least if I don't keep cutting the flowers before they've fully opened.
DeleteDefinitely feeling spring-like here on your blog/in your vases! Up in the PNW we're flirting with snow, you know how I feel about that.
ReplyDeleteWhile snow would be a wonderful, freakish event if it ever happened here, I don't imagine I'd be happy encountering it on a regular basis. I hope your plants aren't damaged by snow, ice or frigid temperatures this year, Loree.
DeleteI love the three different shapes and forms of your vibrant orange arrangements but the pink and purple Anemones in their dear little blue pot are my fave colour! Something about the colour orange these days!
ReplyDeletehttps://zonethreegardenlife.blog/2025/02/03/in-a-vase-monday-february-3-2025/
Orange is an especially good color in the sunnier, hotter climate we have here, Jenny. Aloes with their succulent leaves and generally orange flowers are perfect additions to our gardens but, as you can see, I've got a lot of other orange-flowering plants as well. However, I like pastel colors too, even if they can look bleached out on occasion in my garden.
DeleteSuch a vibrant first vase - and that leonitus is gorgeous! When I see your anemones it always makes me want to to try again, as I have never had success with them - daft really, as they shouldn't be too difficult. Yours are varieties I have not heard of though
ReplyDeleteMost of the Anemone coronaria corms I planted this year are labeled as an Italian variety in the 'Mistral' series, although the suppliers are Dutch growers. The flowers are noticeably larger and the stems are heavier than those of other Anemone coronaria.
DeleteBeautiful! I remember falling in love with Leucospermums during one of my trips out to California. They're so cheery and unique. Lovely arrangements, Kris. :)
ReplyDeleteI've become very fond of Leucospermums, Beth. The flowers are remarkably sturdy and long-lasting - many of the flowers feel almost like plastic when you touch them.
DeleteI'm on the vase one bandwagon this week Kris. Especially cheery when in day 4 of rain. We're at 2.21 so far with another inch or two on the way with a pause on Wednesday til the next batch comes in. Here's hoping you get some decent moisture !
ReplyDeleteI do hope some of that rain makes it down our way, Kathy! Depending upon the source I consult, the rain should arrive either very late tomorrow night or early Wednesday morning. It looks as though the projected rainfall total has declined a bit since yesterday :(
DeleteOh Kris, both are so lovely. Your anemones are swoonworthy and it's nice to see the Leonotis.
ReplyDeleteThanks Susie. I'm a little in love with the Anemones myself this year :)
DeleteSo lovely to see your anemones Kris - makes me think of spring! The Limonium is really gorgeous too. Springfire really adds a punch to your first vase - I appreciate those warm colours. Our daytime temperatures have been down to freezing point again, but no snow so the garden is still pretty frozen. As usual, wishing you some rain Kris!
ReplyDeleteThe anemones are a joy, especially as all my other cool season plants seem to be off to a slow start, Cathy. I'm not sure what's happening with the sweet peas - they germinated but haven't climbed at all. I think the birds may be nipping the seedlings!
DeleteYour temperatures sound positively balmy to me Kris especially as after a couple of mild days we're heading for another cold snap. Beautiful vases. my favourite is the is the blue and purple. I must look out for 'Mistral Grape' in the future 😀 I hope that the forecast of more rain in the week materialises.
ReplyDelete'Mistral Grape' has a very pretty mix of colors in the petals but it seems more delicate than that other 'Mistral' varieties. Fingers remain crossed for rain!
Deletethose Anemones sure are pretty. Choice range of colors in the arrangement and the vase.
ReplyDeleteAt last some productivity from 'Springfire'! :^) Here the bees and hummers are feasting on the flowers.
My sweetpeas have been growing since they sprouted--completely different from last year. Starting to look for flowers soon. Surprise to see Leucospermum 'Tango' has first flowers opening. Lovely 'Surprise" flower in your vase. Seems a bit early to you too?
--hb. for some reason it would only let me be anonymous today. shrug.
The Leucospermum was sold as 'Sunrise' but, whatever its name, it didn't do much of anything last year. Poor timing on pruning on my part perhaps, or possibly it was still settling in. I originally had it in a large pot. In any case, it's off and running this year. Leucospermum 'Goldie', which I think is actually 'High Gold' isn't too gar behind, though - it has lots of buds.
DeleteOops, 'Sunrise', sorry. My error. Hah, I'm me today instead of Anonymous!
DeleteGorgeous and vibrant, I love your first arrangement, Kris. Love the anemones, too. Looks like you are getting some good rain? At least it appears so on the radar. I hope it is a gentle soak, and not a downpour. :) Eliza
ReplyDeleteThere was one thunderstorm during the first rain following the fires, which led to slides in some areas along the Pacific Coast Highway but more of the rain has been lighter. The total for my area since the October 1st start of the "water year" is just 1.9 inches.
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