After more than a week of unusually warm, summer-like temperatures, it's cooled dramatically the past couple of days, varying from the upper 50sF (14C) to the low 60sF (17C). The marine layer has returned as well, hanging on into the mid-afternoon. There's even a chance of rain on Friday, although I'm not laying any odds on that yet.
I cut more flowers than I'd planned, and ended up with three arrangements this week. The first one is very pink.
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| I cut a single Hippeastrum flower, rescuing it from the ravages of an earwig insect |
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| Back view: the pink edging the Hippeastrum's petals directed me to complement that bloom with pink and white Alstroemeria and snapdragon stems |
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| Overhead view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: noID Alstroemeria, pink and white Antirrhinum majus, Argyranthemum frutescens, Hippeastrum 'Aphrodite', and Leptospermum 'Copper Glow' (foliage) |
My second arrangement was inspired by the dark purple bearded Iris at the bottom of our back slope. The flowers were admittedly looking a little battered but I cut them anyway, along with a stem bearing two unopened buds.
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| Although the Irises were intended to be the centerpiece of the arrangement, I think the flowering stems of the Prostanthera ovalifolia 'Variegata' (aka mint bush) stole the show |
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| Back view |
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| Overhead view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Ageratina (possibly A. adenophora), noID Iris germanica, Osteospermum '4D Pink', Phlomis purpurea, Prostanthera ovalifolia 'Variegata, and Scabiosa 'Flutter Deep Blue' |
I initially cut a few blue Echium stems for the purple arrangement but they didn't fit well so I ended up with a third arrangement, embellishing them with two stems of another bearded Iris.
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| The third arrangement ended up on the kitchen island. The vase contains more Ageratina, Echium webbii, and Iris germanica 'Gilt Edge' |
For more IAVOM creations, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.
All material © 2012-2025 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
Beautiful, I can't believe how much you have to work with! Earwigs, ugh - a good reminder that I need to order some Sluggo Plus right now.
ReplyDeleteEarwigs give me the creeps - and how dare they invade that pretty Hippeastrum flower!
DeleteI love all three of your exuberant vases. You must be in floral heaven this time of year. The berry color snapdragon is delicious, reminiscent of summer sorbet!
ReplyDeleteThe white puffs of Ageratina complement the gentle variegation of Prostanthera ovalifolia beautifully.
Those sky blue flowers of the Echium: Wowza!
Chavli
Echium webbii is probably my favorite in that genus. It does well here and doesn't get too big, although it does get woody in time. I formerly ordered replacement plants from Annie's when that happened but, as the company that took over the mail order portion of that business has yet to initiate online plant sales, I may have to try my hand at propagating it on my own.
DeleteThree arrangements--wow! And I can't pick a favorite; they're all stunning!! I love the color themes and the structure and elements of all three. Your temps are like ours right now, which doesn't happen very often. Most of the time we're either much, much colder here or slightly hotter and more humid. Here's to 50s and 60s, which the plants like, too!
ReplyDeleteYes, the cooler temperatures and the marine layer will probably give my garden a boost, even without any rain :)
DeleteMy goodness, you are on a summer roll now, Kris, with three vases again! I love the first two in particular, but that gorgeous pink antirrhinum is the stand-out star this week!
ReplyDeleteThat's my favorite this week too, Cathy. It's already looking like the bearded Iris aren't holding up well but then I cut most of them in full flower.
DeleteAll three are beautiful, Kris, we can only dream of such abundance here. I'd love to be able to grow Echium but don't think it'd survive our winters although they aren't that cold. Is the Hippeastrum growing in the garden? I wonder what to do with my bulb - might just give it a go and plant it in a bed. Wishing you a Happy Easter and some nice rain :)
ReplyDeleteThe Hippeastrum flower I cut for the first arrangement was growing in a pot but I've planted many of my bulbs in the garden after a round in pots, Annette. They don't all make it in my drier borders but most do :)
DeleteWow you have outdone yourself this week Kris. So many gorgeous colour echos in each arrangement. Really beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThanks Elaine. Spring is at its peak here - and I already feel summer's creep.
DeleteI've restarted my spring tradition of taking a small bouquet of daffodils into the office on Mondays. They aren't as well-structured as yours, but it brings a little fragrance and cheer into my work week. That white Ageratina is really pretty!
ReplyDeleteI used to take small bouquets to work with me on Mondays too, although my garden in those days was very small. Years later, with a larger garden, that's probably one of the factors that drew me into the IAVOM meme. Beware that Ageratina, Jerry! I never planted it - it arrived on its own and, pretty as it is, it's considered a rampant weed in farmland areas.
DeleteAll three are fresh and lovely, I especially like the form of Very Pink. How is your husband doing?
ReplyDeleteHe's better, Loree, but we do have to confirm that the problem is an ulcer and pursue next steps in treating it so we avoid any further trips to the ER. Another doctor visit is pending.
DeleteSuch treasures Kris - impossible to choose a favourite vase this week! I'm off to find out more about hippeastrum 'Aphrodite. She's stunning 😍
ReplyDeleteHippeastrum is beautiful, although in the future I need to watch out for encroachment on the part of earwigs - yuck!
DeleteThree variations of beautiful! I like how the pink edges of the hippeastrum picks up the dark pinks in the first, the deep purple and pink in the second and the porcelain blue of the iris in the third. Fabulous! Eliza
ReplyDeleteThanks Eliza. The garden is in peak spring mode!
DeleteThe soft blues and creams in your last vase are lovely and dreamy Kris. Your Antirrhinums are wonderful… I only sowed mine yesterday! And as for the second vase, it is hard to say which flower stole the show as they are all shining! I must look up 'mint bush' - does it smell minty? Have a good week Kris!
ReplyDeleteThe mint bush does indeed have a soft minty scent, Cathy - and none of invasive qualities of real mint!
DeleteWith each vase I'm in awe. Love the last one in blue. You have a great supply of beautiful blooms to choose from.
ReplyDeleteI'm lucky to have the garden space to grow a wide variety of flowering plants :)
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