We received a great deal of rain between November 13th and November 21st, at least by our standards. According to my rooftop rain meter, it was nearly three inches and it could've been more as the meter was clogged for almost a day during the height of the first storm. Unfortunately, my flowers took something of a beating so I was left to collect a lot of bits and pieces to fill my first vase, which was inspired by the last of dahlias that'd surprised me by blooming earlier this month, long after I'd given up on it flowering at all.
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| Not only was the dahlia late to flower, it also wasn't anything close to what what the tuber's seller advertised. My best guess is that it's Dahlia 'Ferncliff Illusion'. I cut the last fully opened flower and one partially opened bud and then disposed of the tuber. |
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| Back view: I used 2 stems of Polygala (aka sweet pea shrub) to create a base to support the dahlia and squeezed in lots of other small stems, including the 2 stems of the Chrysanthemum 'Fairbank Purple Spoon' shown in this view. |
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| Overhead view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Abelia grandiflora 'Hopley's Variegated', Argyranthemum 'Everest', Gomphrena decumbens 'Itsy Bitsy', mystery Dahlia (possibly 'Ferncliff Illusion'), Chrysanthemum 'Fairbank Purple Spoon', Matthiola incana in ivory and magenta, and Polygala myrtifolia |
Protea 'Claire' produced two especially nice flowers this week and I couldn't resist cutting them for a simple arrangement.
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| These 2 Protea flowers opened more fully than those I've previously cut. I used the dark Leucadendron 'Ebony' to play off the dark center of the Protea's flower. 'Ebony' is a sport of L. 'Safari Sunset', which I purchased for a song years ago before it'd been clearly differentiated from 'Safari' by sellers. |
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| Back view |
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| Overhead view |
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| From left to right: Leucadendron salignum 'Blush', L. 'Ebony', and hybrid Protea 'Claire' |
Our Thanksgiving holiday is later this year than usual but the holidays still feel as if they've arrived all too soon. But then it's hard to feel excited this year with the continual horrors pouring out of our federal government. My husband and I'll have a quiet Thanksgiving but I'm scheduled to meet up with a group of girlfriends the following Sunday, which I'm looking forward to. Since we've all retired and some of us have scattered, this group meets all too infrequently.
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
Thanks for sharing not one but two vases this week. The Proteas are delightful, they are such an exotic flower to us and pairing them with the dark leaved Leucadendron 'Ebony' really sets off all the elements. Happy Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteI've used the Proteas a few times now but I couldn't help myself this week as they look better than virtually any other flowers this week after the pounding rain we had at times ;)
DeleteProtea 'Claire' is a beauty, and I'd say 3" of rain in a little over a week IS substantial, by any standard. It's a quiet Thanksgiving at home for us, I hope you have a good one!
ReplyDeleteI'm actually glad to skip freeway travel this year in exchange for a quiet Thanksgiving at home. Best wishes to you and Andrew as well!
DeleteNice to see a late dahlia, even if not what you expected. I love the protea and 'Ebony' together, it has a kind of harvest vibe to match the holiday. :)
ReplyDeleteHope your T-day is a good one! Eliza
Thanks Eliza! I hope you enjoy a great holiday - and meal! - as well.
DeleteHow fun to meet up with girlfriends. I love the Protea arrangement, it feels absolutely perfect for this time of year.
ReplyDeleteI had the same feeling about the Protea, Tracy. It may be pink but it still manages to have a seasonal vibe :)
DeleteYes, Noelle is spot on commenting on the contrast between the protea and the leucadendron - they work so well together. You have done wonders with with your bedraggled remnants in your first vase though and you certainly wouldn't guess they have been subject to so much rain. That chrysanthemum is especially pretty and it goes so well with the dahlia. Enjoy your girls' get together on Sunday 👍
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to miss the Zoom call, Cathy. My friend in Chicago flies in annually for the Thanksgiving holiday period and getting our entire group together on one day during that period is always something of a challenge. Scheduling was especially dicey this year due the effects of the extended government shutdown on air travel not only for her but also 2 others that were on tenterhooks about getting home from family trips.
DeleteTHE PROTEAS! I love them. Happy Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteAbove comment from Ameli.a Protea lover.
ReplyDeleteThey are very pretty. I have 2 but wish I had more. Only one is currently blooming and the one that isn't doesn't even show any buds yet.
DeleteI really like that dark foliage with the Protea Kris. Lovely vases, both of them. Have a Happy Thanksgiving holiday, and have fun with your friends at the weekend!
ReplyDeleteYes, I think the Protea and Leucadendron 'Ebony' were made for each other ;) Thanks for the good wishes, Cathy.
DeleteWell, even if your plants/flowers took a beating, they're still amazing! Both vases are lovely, but the 'Claire' arrangement with the 'Ebony' foliage really captured my attention. Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteThanks Beth! Best wishes for a happy holiday to you too.
DeleteThese arrangements are so beautiful! They will be so perfect for your Thanksgiving table. Hope you have a good holiday!
ReplyDelete