Our morning marine layer is still in place but it's retreating earlier and earlier each day. Yesterday, we were socked in at 6am but the sunshine cut through the gloom well before 8am. I dashed out the door before breakfast (albeit after feeding the cat) to cut flowers. Our temperature hit 89F (31C) on Saturday but, although Sunday ended up a few degrees cooler, it was still on the toasty side.
I'd already decided to cut a stalk of Lilium 'Friso' and planned to accent it using stems of Daucus carota 'Dara' but I struggled a bit to find plant material that'd help the lily stand straight in its vase. I settled on Myrtus communis, which is just now producing its first flowers.
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| 'Friso's' flowers tend to point downward and the stalk wants to lean in one direction or another under its own weight |
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| Back view: The Daucus flowers are especially prolific this year, all self-sown |
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| Overhead view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Argyranthemum 'Grandaisy Dark Pink', Cuphea 'Starfire Pink', Daucus carota 'Dara', noID ruffled Leucanthemum x superbum, Lilium 'Friso', and Myrtus communis |
Much as I love lilies, my second floral arrangement turned out to be my favorite this week. I still don't have many foxglove stems in bloom but, given the warmer temperatures, I thought it best to cut what I had before they fried.
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| I used a small piece of plastic-coated hardware cloth to support the flowers I cut, which works well |
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| Back view |
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| Overhead view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Ageratum corymbosum, Consolida ajacis, Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple', Digitalis purpurea, Pelargonium peltatum 'Lavender Blizzard', and Polygala myrtifolia |
We're headed into the 4th of July holiday. The reminders that fireworks are illegal here given the high risk of wildfires and numerous warnings that violators will be prosecuted and fined finally seem to have made a difference. The fact that Southern California was devastated by a series of wildfires earlier this year may also have had an impact. We usually hear "practice" fireworks every day and night for a month or more prior to the holiday but there's been far less of that this year. We've heard a couple of what I assume were authorized public displays (presumably overseen by fire department personnel) but that's it. We'll see what happens this coming Friday!
For more IAVOM posts, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.
All material © 2012-2025 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
So beautiful... and I'm with you regarding the second vase: it's a marvel of color. I love it, well done!
ReplyDeleteIt serves as a reminder to myself of how well the purple smoke bush works in arrangements. I'm one of those who like the scent of the cut branches. I'm inspired to incorporate it in my next flower arrangement!
Chavli
Ah 4th of July, I wonder what it will be like here. We had a freakish storm on the 20th and 21st that dropped 1.75" of rain. However yesterday was 90 and today is headed to 94 so I doubt that moisture is doing much at the surface any longer. It's so nice to see your lilies, we're not quite there yet.
ReplyDeleteI like how "firecracker-y" the first arrangement is, nice timing! Our firework practice has been down this year as well, knock on wood. We will see what the next few days are like.
ReplyDeleteThat's great news that the fireworks might be reduced this year. Hard to choose, but the first arrangement with the ammi and lilies might be my fav.
ReplyDeleteYour foxgloves are always so beautiful, Kris, so I agree with you on your second vase, although the first one has its merits too with those lilies and the daucus
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