I'm prone to stuffing my vases to the hilt but I managed to keep my first floral arrangement very simple for a change.
 |
| I'd left this deep coral-colored Hippeastrum in a pot tucked into a shady corner last year without any expectation of it blooming so its arrival was a surprise. It was sold to me as 'Appleblossom', which it most certainly isn't, but I've yet to put a name to the cultivar. |
 |
| I've treated the first view as the "front" of the arrangement but this side view shows off the large trumpet flower to greater advantage |
 |
| Back view: My ever-blooming Grevillea 'Superb' provided the perfect accent |
 |
| Overhead view |
 |
| Clockwise from the upper left: Agonis flexuosa 'Nana', Grevillea 'Superb', noID Hippeastrum, and Leucadendron 'Safari Sunset' |
However, a leopard can't change its spots. My second arrangement went off the rails and is a tangled mess by comparison to the first arrangement. An airier combination might have done more to show off the individual elements but, once again, I couldn't help myself.
 |
| My foxgloves have been relatively disappointing thus far this year but 2 giant bloom stalks in separate areas of the garden provided the inspiration for this arrangement |
 |
| Back view: I added 2 tall stems of Salvia canariensis as a filler, along with 2 equally tall but slender stems of Arthropodium cirratum (aka Renga lily) |
 |
| Overhead view |
 |
| Clockwise from the upper left: white Antirrhinum majus, Arthropodium cirratum, Lathyrus odoratus 'April in Paris', pinkish and purple foxfloves (Digitalis purpurea), Nigella papillosa 'African Bride', Prostanthera ovalifolia 'Variegata', and Salvia canariensis var candidissima |
We had cooler weather last week but we're expecting another warm-up this week. Temperatures up to 90F (32C) are predicted for the inland valleys. Online sources suggest that our temperatures along the coast shouldn't soar above the low 70s (23C); however, I'm keeping in mind those sources were wrong about the impact of the last heatwave to hit Southern California. Nevertheless, I'm hopeful they're right this time as I spent the weekend planting a couple of the beds left empty when I removed some flammable specimens - another round of temperatures in the mid-90sF wouldn't be helpful at this stage.
For more IAVOM creations, check in with Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.
All material © 2012-2025 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
I googled Hippeastrum Appleblossom and yours definitely isn't that. It is better and I put it in the 'happy accident' category. Maybe your'll be able to track down the ID eventually.
ReplyDeleteThere's the philosophical question whether the leopard should even try to change its spots. Judging by your arrangement, I conclude it shouldn't :-D
Chavli
Ha! Well, this leopard is likely incapable of changing her spots in any event, Chavli ;)
DeleteYour right about Appleblossom which is a delicate mix of pink and cream. However, the red one is quite pretty too. The purple foxglove arrangement really grabbed my attention. The pale foxglove stem is really lovely. Might have to try foxgloves again. They are a bit iffy here as they often don't survive the winter to bloom.
ReplyDeleteThe pale foxglove was the one that really grabbed my attention, Elaine. I can't remember a foxglove that combined with yellow undertones like that. Foxgloves need extra water here. Both the stems I used were growing in large containers that received regular water not available elsewhere in my garden. Sadly, the plugs I planted in a border this year are probably going to get the heave-ho as summer is already creeping up on us and they're not responding well.
DeleteI've stood and watched people pick up bulbs from those cardboard boxes at a nursery and put them back in the wrong box, I am assuming by accident. To me it's a wonder anyone ends up with the bulbs they thought they were getting. You certainly made the best of the unexpected color.
ReplyDeleteI almost always buy bulbs directly from growers or wholesalers who I'd expect would manage their inventory better than garden centers with open bulb bins. Yet recent experience suggests something on a 75-25 percent chance of receiving the bulbs you see in catalogs or online.
DeleteYou, stuff your vases, Kris - really?!! Your first is indeed a little restrained, but I love the stuffedness of the second. Your foxgloves are always gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI wish the foxgloves were doing as well this year as in prior years, Cathy. I don't know whether I planted my plugs too late this year, or if weather the simply wasn't accommodating. However, I'm glad that at least 2 plants have come through.
DeleteOh Kris, the color of that Hippeastrum is stunning. It cheers me up. And the Foxgloves and friends arrangement is perfect, too. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteThat Hippeastrum is certainly vivid! I'm already eyeing areas in the garden to plant out the bulb in hope of getting it to naturalize.
DeleteTough to pick a favorite today! Love the coral hues, but equally beautiful are the foxglove and salvia combo. As to your personal style of arranging, no apologies needed. I think when it comes to creativity, to each their own. I struggle to keep things simple, too, but often I just let my design follow an inner chord. As it should be! Eliza
ReplyDeleteIf I cut a stem, it seems I feel compelled to use it in an arrangement, whether it fits or not ;)
DeleteWow, the Foxgloves! I have always associated them with cool and damp, only I suppose because they grew so well in the U.K. Yours are gorgeous. Same with Sweet Peas. Mine are just at a standstill. They obviously need some warmth! ....and my 'African Bride' has only just germinated!! Love seeing all your cheerful colours.
ReplyDeletehttps://zonethreegardenlife.blog/2025/05/19/in-a-vase-monday-may-19th-2025/
While I can't grow foxgloves in my garden borders because they're too dry, I've generally had success growing them in the raised planters of my cutting garden and in large containers that I water more frequently. This year both the foxgloves and the sweet peas in my cutting garden have been slow to get moving. The heatwave we had a week ago set both into motion and have prompted my dahlia tubers to sprout too; however, the heat (peaking at 95F/35C last week) and the onset of a second heatwave today may push things too hard too fast! It's unfortunate that Mother Nature can't ease into the transition to summer ;)
DeleteLovely foxgloves Kris, and I do like that Salvia. (I think I like ALL salvias actually! LOL!) You clearly have lots of choice when it comes to cutting flowers now. Wishing you some cool breezes.
ReplyDeleteThanks Cathy. Unfortunately, the forecasts appear to have understated the surge in temperatures here. It was toasty yesterday and it's expected to be hotter today.
DeleteI love both arrangements and find the Amaryllis difficult to deal with due to the two flower splay. Wonderful result. Overstuffed garden bounty is always a good thing. Amelia
ReplyDeleteThose huge Amaryllis blooms can be difficult to manage!
Delete