It definitely feels like Spring here. We had temperatures in the low 80sF (28C) last week. It cooled down slightly yesterday and it's expected to slowly drift down into the mid-60sF (18C) as the week continues and the marine layer reappears. While I've enjoyed the warmer temperatures, I nonetheless hope this isn't the new normal. I certainly don't want to find us jumping into summer anytime soon.
My first arrangement this week made use of the dramatic 'Bordeaux' Anemones that have been blooming for weeks already.
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| The plum-colored Anemones aren't easy to photograph. It also didn't help that its petals are prone to spotting but then the overhead watering I did last week when the Santa Ana winds were blowing didn't help there. |
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| Back view: The blue flowers of Aristea inaequalis provided a nice accent when I cut the stems in the morning but unfortunately I find they close up in the afternoon. I'm hoping that the late afternoon sun in the front entry where the vase sits will cause them to reopen. |
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| The flowers made their best showing in this overhead shot |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Anemone coronaria 'Bordeaux', A. c. 'Lord Lieutenant', Aristea inaequalis, noID Ceanothus, Chrysanthemum 'Fairbank Purple Spoon', and Hebe 'Wiri Blush' |
My second arrangement is very pink and still more spring-like.
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| Although the 'Taylor's Perfection' Camellia blooms play the starring role, it was the pink snapdragons that inspired this arrangement |
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| Back view |
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| Overhead view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Antirrhinum majus, Boronia crenulata 'Shark Bay', Camellia williamsii 'Taylor's Perfection', and Narcissus papyraceus |
Our formerly saturated soil is becoming drier by the day. More rain would be appreciated before our all too short rainy season comes to an end in April. AccuWeather currently projects the possibility of rain late this month. My fingers are crossed that forecast is correct.
All material © 2012-2026 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
Both are lovely, I'm trying to follow your lead and have something in vases every week. I can't keep up with you in the flower department, but foliage should be plentiful enough. I've pulled the hose out, I'm betting February will bring some more rain.
ReplyDeleteEven before blogging and when I had a tiny townhouse garden, I regularly cut flowers to take to work or "garnish" the house but I've become more religious about the practice since we acquired our current garden. As you can tell, one arrangement is seldom enough for me these days ;)
DeleteFingers crossed on the rain - for both of us!
Oh those 'Bordeaux' Anemones are swoon inducing, wow. Surprisingly I also loved the pink arrangement.
ReplyDeleteThe 'Bordeaux' anemones are dramatic flowers - and thus far they seem more vigorous than any of the other anemones I planted this year. The second arrangement makes me think of cotton candy fluff but I couldn't help going all out on the pinks on this occasion.
DeleteOh the anemones are delightful, Kris - can you remember how long it took from foliage emerging for them to bloom? I am so hoping to have some in flower this year (in the working greenhouse). Love the additional blues with them, and the pretty pinks of the second vase too. Fingers crossed for some rain for you! 🤞
ReplyDeleteI can't be precise about the timing of the anemones from foliage to blooms, Cathy. I planted the anemone bulbs on October 18th. It seemed the foliage came up more quickly this year (no doubt encouraged by the rain from October through December). My first anemone blooms popped up in late December, probably 4 to 6 weeks after the foliage was abundant. Not all my anemones are blooming yet, though - only the 'Bordeaux' and 'Lord Lieutenant' varieties have flowered thus far. There are at least 3 more varieties that have yet to flower.
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