The choice of material suitable for cutting remains skimpy but I ended up filling two vases anyway. The first was built around Camellia sasanqua flowers, which although plentiful at the moment, are fragile and prone to shattering quickly, especially when cut. Hence the title of this post.
 |
| I lost 3 Camellia flowers just in the process of cutting and arranging them |
 |
| Back view: I used my "clasped hands vase" but, as if often the case, I ended up covering the hands with the pretty manicured fingernails with the vase's contents. The curly green foliage shown here is scented Pelargonium 'Colocho'. |
 |
| Overhead view |
 |
| Clockwise from the upper left: noID Camellia sasanqua (possibly 'October Magic Rose'), Correa pulchella 'Pink Eyre', Leptospermum scoparium 'Pink Pearl', and Pelargonium graveolens 'Colocho' |
The second arrangement was inspired by my first
Hippeastrum bloom. I'd ordered thirteen new
Hippeastrum bulbs (commonly called Amaryllis) this year, all of which I potted up between late October and early November. I'd planned to give away some of those I'd planted in individual pots as holiday gifts but, to date, only one has shown any signs of growth. Once it took off, it speedily reached bloom stage. However, as I allowed it to get battered by rain in its early stages of development, it was stunted and not gift-worthy so I cut it for my vase.
 |
| This is Hippeastrum 'Double Razzmatazz'. The other 2 of these have yet to show any sign of producing buds, even though they were planted in pots of the same size at the same time. All the bulbs would probably respond better if grown inside where it's warmer but I don't have the space for them in my kitchen window (or anywhere else). |
 |
| Back view: The stems of Leucadendron 'Safari Sunset' are colorful bracts but they're doing a good job of imitating flowers when set against the dark green foliage I included |
 |
| Overhead view, showing off 2 stems of the first paperwhite Narcissus to make an appearance in my garden |
 |
| From the upper left: Cistus ladanifer 'Blanche', Hippeastrum 'Razzmatazz', Leucadendron salignum 'Safari Sunset', and Narcissus papyraceus |
We've had no rain since the two storms that moved through in late November. There was a little rain in the forecast afterwards but that didn't materialize. There's now a projection for rain in mid-December and again in late December but it's still too early to get invested in either possibility. Meanwhile, I'm rapidly using up the rainwater I collected earlier.
For more IAVOM creations, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.
All material © 2012-2025 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
They are both beautiful, Kris. Hippeastrum have a mind of their own, lol.
ReplyDeleteI've planted quite a number of Hippeastrums in the ground over the years and I can never predict when they'll bloom, Tracy - there's no schedule whatsoever that I can detect. As to the potted ones, I think they want the warmth of being grown inside and I haven't given them that (so far).
DeleteWell, I knew when I opened your post I was going to be happy, as always. :) But my goodness, the color of that first Camellia...sigh. It's just so beautiful! Both arrangements are lovely!
ReplyDeleteI know you love Camellias, Beth! I wish you could find a warm protected space for one in a pot.
DeleteI love the camellia arrangement and the use of Pelargonium graveolens foliage is inspired!
ReplyDeleteI love that funky Pelargonium, Loree. It has a nice scent too.
DeleteWhat a lovely pair of vases, Kris. I love the pinks in the first vase, and you have found some great subjects to complement the camellia blooms. The leucadendron bracts are indeed brilliant and work so well with your amaryllis. It's interesting to hear that your amaryllis are very variable in their growth rates too - as well as the two planted up bulbs I bought, I bought 3 unpotted ones as well, which I plan to stagger the planting times of, and have just planted one yesterday
ReplyDeleteWhile the Amaryllis belladonna I've planted in the ground are very predictable late summer bloomers, the Hippeastrums planted in the ground have been completely unpredictable here. Those purchased as winter blooms in pots usually flower during the December-January timetable here but they still refuse to accommodate my gift delivery schedule ;)
DeleteBoth lovely vases Kris. The pink Camellia is so pretty, and the second vase is quite festive with that lovely Amaryllis (Hippeastrum!) at the centre.
ReplyDeleteThanks Cathy!
DeleteLove your vases especially the Amaryllis and Leucadendron display. Leucadendron's are so versatile and
ReplyDeleteI can't even remember my garden before Leucadendrons anymore :)
DeleteThe first vase shows a favorite: Leptospermum scoparium 'Pink Pearl'... I thought it was marked for removal, maybe just sever pruning by your tree service. In any case, I'm delight to see it again. As a gardener, I'm not able to maintain manicured painted nails so I don't mind them being covered from view in that vase :-D
ReplyDeleteThough Hippeastrum 'Double Razzmatazz' has undeniable star power (Wow!), L. 'Safari Sunset' has magnificent coloration in its own right.
Chavli
I didn't want to cut the 2 'Pink Pearl' Leptospermums down when they've got plenty of flowers, Chavli. One is almost bloomed out and I may ask my husband to cut that one down for me in the near term but the second may remain a little longer. Hoover Boo of Piece of Eden believes that I can cut the shrubs to the ground and they'll rebound so I'm going to try that. I'm not sure I can manage their size and still get them to bloom but I want to at least give that a try :)
DeleteWhat? did I say that? I though I asked if it was possible, not said. Yikes. My bad!! Maybe it was one of the nights I was up with Natasha for hours.
DeleteA search says don't cut down into bare wood they won't sprout from bare wood (like Lavenders don't).
leptospermum pruning pat welsh
Deletehttps://www.patwelsh.com/pruning/how-to-prune-leptospermum/
Thanks for the link, HB. Based on Walsh's input, it sounds as though a pruning that dramatic is highly unlikely to be successful. I was a little dubious to begin with so no worries. The shrubs were big for that spot to begin with and look more awkward now that the fence is gone so plan B is to find a more suitable spot for a new 'Pink Pearl'.
DeleteP.S. I just looked up your original comment on the Leptospermum. You DID pose it as a question rather than a flat statement, adding only that they're tough plants. I must've interpreted the remarks through rose-colored glasses ;)
DeleteI like the asymetrical shape of the first one. Very cool.
ReplyDeleteThat Hippeastrum, wowza! A focal point beyond focal points.
The Camellia stems were short and uncooperative so the asymmetry couldn't be avoided but then that particular vase is also awkward to work with. I hope our current warmer temperatures prompt some action on the part of my other potted Hippeastrums!
DeletePretty combos, Kris. It's a pity that the camellia doesn't last, but worth a spotlight. I just love leptospermum blossoms, like crinkled paper! Eliza
ReplyDeleteThe 'Pink Pearl' flowers do look and act much like straw flowers. If only that Leptospermum didn't get so big! I need to find another spot for one.
DeleteI think your cobbling worked out well. I find that some of the more ephemeral vases I enjoy more for their fleeting beauty..A.melia.
ReplyDeleteI've been tempted to cut some of the daylilies that've recently made an appearance (one by one) but then that would require cutting the entire bloom stalk. I doubt that the remaining buds would ever open afterwards.
Delete