With spring already off to a roaring start here, there were plenty of flowers to choose from on Sunday. However, with the wind blowing and the skies showing the possibility of rain, I hustled to cut materials for two vases before breakfast. As it turned out, the promise of rain never materialized, although it remained windy and cold all day. (Our version of "cold" means that temperatures ranged from the low-to-mid 50sF/10-13C.)
I cut just three stems of my favorite Leucospermum (because I couldn't bear to cut more this early in the season) but I'm not entirely happy with the flowers I selected to accompany them. The mix is a bit busy for my liking.
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| The Leucospermum's pollen presenters have a pale lavender color when in bud but, as the flowers open more fully, the pink elements gain more prominence . I chose to emphasize the pink but in retrospect I think I should've skipped the flashy Alstroemeria stems. |
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| Back view |
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| Overhead view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Alstroemeria 'Inca Vienna', noID pink Alstroemeria, Coleonema pulchellum 'Sunset Gold', Leucospermum 'Spider Hybrid', Anemone coronaria 'Rarity', A. c. 'Rosa Chiaro', Sparaxis tricolor, and Narcissus 'Katie Heath' |
My second arrangement made use of flowers that may not be available to me much longer. I didn't have high expectations for it but I'm relatively pleased with it overall. It was inspired by the fluffy red flowers of Calliandra haematocephala (aka red powder puff) but anchored by one of Hippeastrums currently rushing to the plant's seasonal finish line.
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| I have 4 Calliandra shrubs, all of them planted by a prior owner as foundation plants alongside the house and garage. With a new ordinance requiring removal of plants that could provide fuel in the event of a wildfire, I'm afraid I may have to remove all of them, as well as other shrubs close to the house. |
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| Back view: I'd originally planned to stick with a red and white color scheme but I added touches of soft yellow to give the arrangement more verve. The elements could have used a bit more space but the heavy Hippeastrum demanded the support offered by this vase. |
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| Overhead view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Calendula officianalis 'Cantaloupe Mix', Freesia, Leptospermum 'Copper Glow' foliage, Calliandra haematocephala, Grevillea lavandulacea 'Penola', Hippeastrum 'Elvas', and noID Narcissus |
Although Sunday's rainstorm passed us by, both weather services I check currently show a seventy percent chance of rain this coming Wednesday so I remain hopeful I'll be able to replenish my collection tanks. I need something to be hopeful for - the daily news about the performance of our country's leaders becomes more depressing and disgraceful with every passing day. I think the tide is turning but that can't happen fast enough.
For more IAVOM creations, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden, who leads the merry Monday band of ardent amateur flower arrangers.
All material © 2012-2025 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
