My friend Hoover Boo (the handle she goes by on her blog, Piece of Eden) often says "rain is magic" and that seems to be the case this year. Our largely unirrigated back slope came with a plethora of calla lily bulbs, something I discovered our first spring living here. The plants go underground as soon as summer arrives, only to reappear with the rain. However, I had fewer plants and very few flowers last year. They seem committed to making a comeback this year.
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| I pulled 7 of the tall lily stems but cut them down to better fit with the other materials I collected |
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| Back view: the Lotus berthelotii (aka parrot's beak) is attempting to steal the show |
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| Overhead view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Agonis flexuosa 'Nana', Antirrhinum majus, Freesia, Grevillea 'Poorinda Leane', Lotus berthelotii, and Zantedeschia aethiopica |
I changed my mind a few times about a second arrangement, both about having one and what flowers I'd use if I did. In the end, I leaned into the blues, primarily because they're so readily available at present. The anemones and sea squill won't last long once the temperatures soar so I decided I'd best use them while I can.
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| I added a touch of yellow to break up the blues a bit |
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| Back view: I filled in with stems of Ageratina adenophora (aka Crofton weed), a plant native to Mexico and considered invasive in California, which I believe planted itself here a couple of years ago. I cut it back hard last year but decided not to pull it out. It hasn't spread (yet) but it has grown back to its former size. |
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| Overhead view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Ageratina adenophora, Narcissus papyraceus, Osteospermum '4D Pink', Anemone coronaria 'Azzurro', A. c. 'Lord Lieutenant', Hebe 'Grace Kelly' (which is gradually losing its variegated foliage), and Scilla peruviana |
We got over two inches of rain last week, which was great. Unfortunately, the additional rain originally forecast for later this week has all but completely evaporated. AccuWeather's longer-term forecasts show the possibility of more rain in mid-to-late March but the chances they've floated are nothing to lay bets on. Meanwhile, I'm all too aware that our rainy season typically comes to an end in April.
For more IAVOM creations, check in with Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.
All material © 2012-2026 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
The callas with lotus berthelotii is a great combo, I wouldn't have thought to put those together. The fluffy hebe looking like a cat's tail is my favorite in the blue. It will be interesting to follow along with what differences this year brings (with your rainfall) compared to last.
ReplyDeleteAs long as I've been following your IAVOM, I don't remember calla lily in your vase. Of course there's a good chance I'm mistaken. I find them to be a very elegant addition to any vase. They came with my garden too, look grand all summer and melt with the first sign of frost.
ReplyDeleteChavli