We got a little less than half an inch of rain last week but the forecast for this week indicates that we're likely to have a series of rainstorms beginning in the early morning on Monday and continuing off and on through Thursday, possibly delivering another inch and a half. I selected the flowers I cut on Sunday with the coming rain in mind.
The first arrangement was intended to add a touch of sunshine inside the house as a distraction from the gloomy skies outdoors.
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| The first of the Dutch Iris flowered on Saturday. They were sold as Iris hollandica x 'Montecito' but, instead of being pure yellow and white, they have a touch of pale lavender-blue in the standards, which suggests that at least these first blooms are Iris x hollandica 'Apollo'. |
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| Back view: I added stems of Anemone 'Azzurro' and Limonium perezii (aka sea lavender) to pick up on the pale blue color in the Iris |
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| Overhead view: The addition of 3 chunky Leucospermum 'High Gold' stems may have been heavy-handed in contrast to the slender Iris stems |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Acacia cognata 'Cousin Itt', white and yellow Freesia, Anemone coronaria 'Azzurro', Iris x hollandica 'Montecito'/'Apollo', Leucospermum 'High Gold', and Limonium perezii |
The second arrangement was designed around
Hippeastrum 'Aphrodite', which just came into bloom. I planted the bulb in a relatively small pot and it'd blown over three times recently because it was top-heavy so I decided to rescue it before its tall stem was broken by the wind gusts that are expected to accompany the rain.
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| The petal color of the 'Aphrodite' Hippeastrum is more similar to 'Amadeus Candy' than I'd realized |
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| Back view: I needed tall stems to support the Hippeastrum so I ended up cutting snapdragons again this week. The snaps are showing the first few signs of rust on their foliage and the sweet peas climbing the nearby supports are already encroaching on them too. |
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| Overhead view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: dark and light pink Antirrhinum majus, Coleonema album (aka breath of heaven), and Hippeastrum 'Aphrodite' |
I'd originally thought I'd add
Anemone stems to the second arrangement but the color mix wasn't right in my eyes so I ended up with a third vase to grace the kitchen island.
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| The small vase contains 3 varieties of Anemone coronaria: 'Azzurro', 'Bordeaux', and 'Rarity' |
I'm looking forward to the rain even though a flood watch will be in effect from 9am to 9pm on Monday. Hopefully, my rain storage tanks will be at least partially refilled in the process.
For more IAVOM creations, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.
All material © 2012-2026 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
To my eyes, L. 'High Gold' stems aren't heavy-handed but perfectly balanced and excellent companion to the Freesia. That yellow hue is stunning.
ReplyDeleteGoodness, 'Aphrodite' Hippeastrum is so good. Very romantic and appropriate for Valentine's Day. And the berry-licious snapdragon... swoon.
Chavli
'Aphrodite' is another keeper among this year's crop of Hippeastrums, Chavli. It'll go in the ground and I'll cross my fingers that it naturalizes.
DeleteThese are both so cheery, I had to laugh even though I'm feeling very glum about the rain at the moment. *I know, we need it - I'm sulking! The freesia is such a great addition.
ReplyDeleteWe really do need the rain, although I wish it wasn't as cold as it is at the moment (not that many people outside coastal SoCal probably think temperatures in the mid-50sF are "cold"). Freesias are a staple in my garden - the gophers took out some of them this year but I plant more bulbs every year.
DeleteOh that wine colored Anemone, it steals the show! (for my eyes) Glad you've got blooms indoors to enjoy, here's to lots of rain coming your way (but not too much).
ReplyDeleteThe rain's been steady since early this morning but not pounding. We've racked up 0.38/inch thus far and we're getting close to reaching a 9-inch total for the season so far. Not great, yet not nearly as low as some years.
DeleteOh I am so glad you have been having some rain, Kris, and I hope it continues for you and brings an acceptable amount 👍Your first vase suggests sunnier, times, however, with the yellow freesias and leucospermum. Aphrodite is a real star, and I suppose you are confident that it will regrow for you in your conditions? What great vases she has given you - and then we are treated to your lovely anemones too!
ReplyDeleteI can't claim I'm entirely confident about success in naturalizing Hippeastrum 'Aphrodite' once it's planted in the ground as my results with other Hippeastrum bulbs have varied, Cathy. It may take awhile in any case but I'm hopeful ;)
DeleteBeautiful all. Are you having more rain than usual? It's funny how much overcast skies affect those of us who are used to the sun. Enjoy your color. I love it. Ame.lia.
ReplyDeleteWe got more rain during the October-December period than usual that early in the season but it was mostly dry (and warmer) after the first days of January. Overall, I'd estimate we're running lower than "normal" on the rain in my location on the peninsula; however, the foothill, mountain, and valley areas got a lot more rain than we did. Snow coverage has been an issue for the mountain areas of late but the current storms may remedy that issue.
DeleteLooking at your flowers, I see spring in full swing. We're back in high 40s/low 50s, which feels like winter to me.
ReplyDeleteIt's actually 49F here this morning, Gerhard! That's the lowest temperature I've noted in quite awhile. This week's rainstorms have dropped temperatures dramatically but my guess is we'll be back up in the 70s once they're gone.
DeleteSo glad you finally got some decent rain Kris. Love the snapdragons again. That first vase really is pure sunshine and a very welcome burst of golden colour. (The sun has been rare here recently). I like the golden Leucospermum. And the Anemones are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWe're getting the rain in doses with breaks in-between, which probably helps to prevent flash floods (here at least). I was pleased to see some sun and blue skies here today, while knowing that the rain also isn't done with us.
Deletethe Acacia looks like a Hula skirt, sort of but in a good way--what a beautiful green it is.
ReplyDeleteWe had 1.7" from this one last I looked, but more since. More tonight, so the forecast said. The garden and the gardener are celebrating!
The Acacia stems stay green in a vase for an extended period, even as the foliage dries. I'm still waiting on the tiny flowers the plant produces in spring, though.
DeleteAs of this morning, since Monday we've had 2 inches of rain. The wind, lightning, and thunder in the wee hours this morning was something!
A pretty pair, Kris. Love the double Hippeastrum and the bright snaps make a good match. The sunny yellows in the first are so lovely and cheerful. It occurred to me that it is a 'double-tier' arrangement as the the iris, anemones and freesia will fade before the Leucospermum and statice, giving you 'round two.' 😉 Eliza
ReplyDeleteThat's very true, Eliza. I often reduce arrangements to smaller versions of the original, which I post sometimes but not most ;)
DeleteThe yellow one made me smile. I've got sunshine on a cloudy day!
ReplyDeleteIt's raining here again today so I need that touch of sunshine in our front entry too, Jerry ;) We've received more than 2 inches of rain since Monday, which is a lot for us. My current (possibly understated) total for the season to date is 10.59 inches. Last time I heard, the valley location I grew up in had collected nearly double that. But I'm just happy that my rain storage barrels are full once again.
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