There's still a lot to choose from and more than enough in my garden to fill two vases. We even had a tiny amount of rain this past weekend. It was just 0.07/inch over two days but every little bit helps. There's also a good chance of rain in the wee hours of Monday morning but, as I schedule these posts to publish first thing in the morning, I won't be able to confirm that until I get an opportunity to sit down at my computer and Monday mornings are usually busy.
My first arrangement is centered around one of my favorite Hippeastrums, commonly known as the butterfly amaryllis.
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| I received a Hippeastrum papilio from my friend PZ earlier this year and managed to get hold of a couple more bulbs by mail after another seller cancelled the order I placed back in December. I didn't actually think any would bloom this spring but they have. I cut 2 stems plus one produced by Hippeastrum 'Evergreen'. |
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| Off-the-cuff, I wasn't sure what I had on hand to accent the red and green colors of the butterfly amaryllis but I found more than enough. The "purple" Ranunculus closely echoes the burgundy in the amaryllis but it lends a heavy weight to the back of the arrangement, which could use more lime green. |
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| Overhead view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Agonis flexuosa 'Nana', Erysimum 'Winter Orchid', Helleborus 'Red Lady', Heuchera maxima, Hippeastrum 'Evergreen', H; papilio, and noID purple Ranunculus |
I'd originally planned to put together a second arrangement using Iris hollandica 'Eye of the Tiger' but that's another dark and moody flower and these days I find I need something bright and cheerful to look at each week. The world seems very dark and depressing of late.
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| You can't get much more cheerful than a white and yellow arrangement |
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| Back view |
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| Overhead view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Abelia grandiflora 'Radiance', Antirrhinum majus, Freesia, Iris hollandica 'Casa Blanca', Leucospermum 'High Gold', Narcissus 'Geranium', and Phlomis fruticosa |
For more IAVOM creations, visit our host, Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.
All material © 2012-2025 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
The white-and-yellow one is my favorite--we need cheerful and hopeful these days. Not that the other isn't just as lovely The chartreusy color in the 'Evergreen' matches that and brings out the one in the papilio. The shapes of all the different plants in that one work as well.
ReplyDeleteJust to note my clump of papilio is growing massive--this is a vigorous plant!!
I'm beginning to realize that about Hippeastrum papilio! I'd thought it was touchy based solely on the fact that 3 bulbs I transplanted into the ground years ago disappeared but, in retrospect I probably just placed them in the wrong area. I'm hoping my new bulbs live long and prosper!
DeleteBoth are great! The white and yellow arrangement is positively happy. I can't pick a favorite this week.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tracy! I like both of them this week, although I have a nominal preference for the second one, mainly because I need to see something cheerful ;)
DeleteI don't even know which of the two arrangements is the most beautiful. Happy April!
ReplyDeletejanice.
Thanks Janice! You don't need to choose ;)
DeleteThat butterfly amaryllis is wonderful, Kris - your grow it outside? You have paired it wonderfully with that gorgeous ranunculus and the heuchera blooms - but I was surprised to see a hellebore - is it not too hot and dry for them? What a contrast your cheery and sunny second vase is, so completely different
ReplyDeleteI grow all my Hippeastrums outside, although the new varieties usually spend their first year in pots. I generally plant those that do well and that I especially like in the ground after that; however, I'm starting to run out of spots for them in the ground. Not every open space is appropriate ;)
DeleteHellebores are mediocre plants at best in my garden. The 2 that have done the best for me here are 'Anna's Red' and 'Phoebe'.
Two beautiful vases Kris! The first is most striking - the two hippeastrums compliment each other perfectly and other flowers echo their colours. Your second vase is so sunny and cheering. Pleased to hear that you have had more rain and I hope that there was more this morning.
ReplyDeleteWe got just 0.28/inch of rain today, Anna. Not great but something is better than nothing!
DeleteThat burgundy and lime is spectacular - vitality among the gloom!
ReplyDeletePickwick was our first cat. A lonely only. And we were both out working all day. She slept at the bottom of the garden, and when we came home ... her tail and miaow came up the slope before her! Since her we have always had a pair.
Introduced to each other slowly. Except. Sparkles was an adult male, and Henry was a tiny - dumped at our doorstep - kitten. Who Sparkles learnt to mother.
Yes, Meeko probably would adapt - I just wonder how painful the transition would be. My husband would likely have a fit too!
DeleteThe pale green markings on the butterfly Amaryllis make it so pretty, and the other one highlights that light colour too. Balances beautifully with the dark burgundies. And I love the white iris Kris. I don't think I have seen pure white ones before. That is such a cheerful vase!
ReplyDeleteThe white Dutch Iris do seem to be relatively uncommon. I hope that, in time, mine will produce as many bulb offsets as 'Sapphire Beauty' has.
DeleteStunning as always! I can understand why you needed more of that gorgeous Hippeastrum. I may have to search that one out. The world of flowers is always uplifting isn't it - no matter what the human species does they persist and find a way to sustain us. Thank you for you sunny arrangements. Nothing from me this week, just this!! Keep smiling.
ReplyDeletehttps://zonethreegardenlife.blog/2025/03/31/monday-march-31-2025/
Gardens and flowers do help take the edge off the ugly stuff, if only briefly!
DeleteLovely colour combinations Kris.
ReplyDeleteThanks Elaine. The garden was very accommodating this week.
DeleteSo many beautiful individual flowers. Both arrangements are exciting.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I try to do right by the flowers but don't always succeed.
DeleteDark and dramatic for me please (gorgeous!), although light and bright screams "spring!".
ReplyDeleteThe butterfly amaryllis do dramatic well!
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