While I can't claim we're in the middle of a true heatwave, it's been unseasonably toasty here of late with temperatures running in the low 80sF (27-28C). Humidity levels remain low and my plants are begging for infusions of extra water despite the fact that the automated irrigation system currently kicks in twice a week. The morning marine layer is projected to make appearances on and off this week, which should lower the temperatures and raise the humidity but I won't count on that until I see it happen. February is traditionally the wettest month of our all-too-short rainy season in Los Angeles County but the ten-day forecast doesn't hold any real chance of rain at this point. However, the warmth is bringing on fresh flowers in my garden on a steady basis.
As a nod to the warmer conditions, I selected a few blooms of the fiery Leucospermum 'Sunrise' to guide the choices for my first arrangement.
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| I threw in a few stems of white Marguerite daisies (Argyranthemum frutescens) at the last minute to help balance all the red-orange colors but I don't think it really did the trick. I also can't explain why the 2 stems of Alstroemeria suddenly collapsed the way they did. |
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| Back view: more yellow Marguerite daisies might have helped |
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| Overhead view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Agonis flexuosa 'Nana', Alstroemeria 'Indian Summer', Argyranthemum frutescens 'Beauty Yellow', A. f. 'Mount Everest', Antirrhinum majus, Grevillea 'Poorinda Leane', and Leucospermum 'Sunrise' |
ICE (the acronym for the US Immigations & Customs Enforcement agency) has been on my mind and as a friend and I joined an ICE Out protest on Saturday, I felt compelled to add that reference to my post's title when I cut two of the first Scilla peruviana (aka Portuguese squill) to bloom this year and added more blue tones to complement them.
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| I probably should've held off on cutting the Scilla peruviana until the stems were taller but I couldn't resist. These are the first blooms from new bulbs I planted in November. My larger clump (which I still haven't divided) hasn't developed buds yet but I've little doubt they're on their way. |
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| Back view: I can't account for the lavender Anemone blooms. They're distinct from the 'Azzurro' variety I used last week but they're definitely not either of the 2 other bulb varieties ('Rarity' and 'Rosa Chiaro') I ordered this fall. My best guess is that they're 'Mona Lisa', included in my order by mistake. |
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| Overhead view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Anemone coronaria 'Lord Lieutenant', noID Anemone (maybe 'Mona Lisa'), noID Ceanothus, and Scilla peruviana |
Last week's Hippeastrum 'Amadeus Candy' held up well, with the last two buds opening as the week came to an end. I couldn't bring myself to toss them out so they were plunked in a small vase for the kitchen island.
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| The other 2 bulbs of 'Amadeus Candy' are already in full bloom. I guess I couldn't count on their pacing their bloom schedules more widely. |
For more IAVOM creations, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.
All material © 2012-2026 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
Your flower arrangements are beautiful! I am enjoying them as in the northeast we have been in a cold blast with a foot of snow and temperatures in the single digits over the past week. Your beautiful blooms bring hope!
ReplyDeleteOur temperatures are in stark contrast with those in much of the US at the moment, Lee. I hope you and your garden find weather conditions improving soon!
DeleteBeautiful Kris -- I love that Leucospermum, WOW! I'm hoping we both get some sprinkles next week?
ReplyDeleteThe chance of rain here anytime soon currently appear bleak, Tracy :( Although Weather Underground projects a 30% chance in the week hours of Saturday morning, AccuWeather gives it a 5% chance. The projections for rain mid-month have also fallen.
DeleteLeucospermum 'Sunrise' steals the show, wow! I love how the blues of your icy arrangement work with each other to make a unified whole. Hopefully the protest you attended ended better than the one in Portland where the crowd (people of all ages including children and elderly) were sprayed with tear gas.
ReplyDeleteUgh! I heard there was some trouble in downtown LA too. There were no thugs on site in Torrance; however, my husband was worried about my attendance, as were members of my friend's family. It's very sad when we all become worried about violence in response to acting on our Constitutional rights to free speech and protest.
DeleteOh that is a fiery vase indeed, Kris - what a great selection of material you have been able to use, as always. And of course I love the blues - what a pleasure to have them in your garden as well as in a vase in the house. Thanks for always joining in IAVOM
ReplyDeleteOh that sounds positively toasty Kris especially when compared to our current temperatures - tomorrow's high is predicted to be 5 degrees centigrade. A couple of contrasting vases which illustrate both warmth and cold so well. Wishing you strength to keep on protesting in whatever way you can 🤗
ReplyDelete