I expected another cluster of lilies this week, but the majority of them are still holding their buds tight, which is also true of most of the dahlias that have produced buds in my garden thus far. I do have two dahlias with flowers, though, one purchased in flower from a local garden center, and one I received as a baby plant from a grower back in early April. I chose to cut flowers of the latter as it's produced blooms at a steady pace for the past two weeks.
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| As the flowers of Dahlia 'Karma Caroline' are notably smaller than the "dinner plate" varieties I tend to favor, I threw in a stem of a noID Hippeastrum in a similar color similar to that of the dahlia to add weight to the arrangement |
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| The back view of the arrangement provides a better view of the Hippeastrum, as well as a closeup of the pale green Lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum) I added to the mix |
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| Overhead view: I'd characterize this dahlia as a waterlily type, although I don't think the grower did so |
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| Clockwise from the upper left, the vase contains: noID Alstroemeria, Crassula pubescens, Dahlia 'Karma Caroline', Eustoma grandiflorum, noID Hippeastrum, and Leucadendon 'Jester' |
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| Arrangement in place on the front entry table (Note: the vase in this case is a smaller version of the vase I used last week) |
Three of the six 'Montego Bay' lilies I used last week were still in good shape, although they'd faded in color since they were originally cut.
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| The 3 remaining lilies and 2 glossy stems of Coprosma 'Plum Hussey' were relegated to the kitchen island |
The marine layer is still present most mornings but it generally lifts earlier in the day now. Temperatures have been in the low 70sF (22C) here along the coast. We've yet to experience blasts of heat like the freak heatwave that hit SoCal back in February. The question is: how long will that luck hold?
Check in with Cathy at Rambling in the Garden to see what she and other contributors have to share on IAVOM this week.
All material © 2012-2026 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
Congratulations on your first Dahlias, it's been a long wait. Indeed it resembles a waterlily and very sweet. I think you are fortunate to have so many colorful shrubs to support all the vases you assemble. Case in point: Leucadendon 'Jester'. Uncharacteristically, I cut a few blooms in my own garden last week and realized I have no shrubs to add support to my vase...
ReplyDeleteChavli
Shrubs, notably Leucadendrons of all kinds, are my go-to stems to support floral arrangements of all kinds ;)
DeleteSumptuous summer color! I agree they do look waterlily like. Did your Lisianthus overwinter? I was surprised to see a couple make it through the winter.
ReplyDeleteI've been trying to figure out where these particular Lisianthus came from, Tracy. I'm still unsure but I think they're part of a collection that arrived as plugs shortly before my little medical "event" this year. If so, they're part of a larger group that didn't survive the extended period of my absence. I've had Lisianthus overwinter for 2-3 years before but they're not consistent.
DeleteI love this color scheme. Still takes getting used to that summers are warmer here in the PNW than LA, especially inland. At the coast it's mostly 70s. And that warehouse fire near DTLA is not making life any easier -- the air quality is terrible/dangerous.
ReplyDeleteWe're usually warmer here than you are in LB, Denise, at least once the marine layer has moved out for the balance of the summer months. We often have temperatures more like downtown LA than parts of PV. Luckily for us, we're not currently experiencing the poor air quality readings being seen elsewhere at the moment.
DeleteThis is another one of your arrangements, Kris, for which I don't know where to start with a comment. It's simply perfect in every way--from the front, the top, and every other angle. Please tell us more about that beautiful pearlized vessel at the bottom. You've inspired me to be more creative with my containers for this meme. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI purchased a pair of those vases online 2-3 years ago. I love them but I can't remember the source, much less the specific vendor, any more. As I call, they were fairly reasonably priced by comparison with what I've paid in any department store.
DeleteI love this vase....and the flowers are so beautiful in their deep pink colors. Once again a perfect combo.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't sure how to describe the flower colors at first but now I'd say they make me think of watermelon ;)
DeleteThat's a pretty pink, makes me think of popsicles. :) My dahlias are being stubborn, slow to grow as it has been cool and dry, even though I've been supplemental watering. We had a few warm days and a bit of rain, but nothing steady. Things are bound to change come July! Eliza
ReplyDeleteDahlia 'Karma Caroline' is a great way to start the dahlia season. It's a lovely color. The hippeastrum is great too. I love, love the Lisianthus. You have the most exciting flowers. Hope you're feeling better and better each day.
ReplyDeleteMy dahlias are tardy this year too, as, I notice, are the bedding dahlias currently sold in supermarkets - not sure why, as we didn't have a cold winter. As always you have found the perfect companions for yours - and the white/green lisianthus is absolutely beautiful!
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