Our temperatures are still simmering in the upper 80s to low 90sF (31-33C) and our humidity levels remain high as well. Spending any time in the garden after 9am is a fools errand, although I admit I've exhibited my share of foolish behavior during the last two weeks. Even so, my garden's received much less attention than it needs.
This week, it was Dahlia 'Labyrinth' that grabbed my attention. Although a large number of the blooms were no longer in their prime, there were more than I needed to stuff fill a vase.
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| This view was intended to be the back of the arrangement but I've given it the front view here as it shows off the beauty of the 'Labyrinth' flowers particularly well |
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| "Back view" of the arrangement showing more dahlias, along with a couple of zinnias. The zinnia seeds got a very late start this year and, so far, I've been disappointed by the number that germinated given the sheer volume of seeds I sowed, but perhaps they'll surprise me before the season's over. However, my guess is that the local critters dislodged many of the seeds before they had a chance to get started. |
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| Overhead view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left, the vase contains: Dahlia 'Labyrinth', Leucadendron 'Wilson's Wonder'. Tanacetum parthenium 'Aureum', Zinnia 'Benary's Giant Salmon Rose', and Z. 'Queeny Lemon Peach' (with a hitch-hiking ant I only noticed belatedly) |
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| The arrangement in place in the front entry (with the zinnias were given more attention) |
I cut more flowers than I could use in my vase so the leftovers went into a second, smaller vase. Although dahlias last far longer in the garden than they do in a vase, I can enjoy them more in the house than in the garden at present as there seems to be little chance of relief from the heat in the near term.
The leftovers include Dahlia 'Omega' (rear left), D. 'Honeymoon' (middle), and another D. 'Labyrinth' (right).
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| The fillers, in addition to another 'Giant Salmon' Zinnia and more Tanacetum, includes a spray of the peachy-pink Callistemon 'Cane's Hybrid', which I discovered in full bloom on a last-minute walk through my back garden yesterday morning. The Callistemon flowers may conceivably be dried-up and brown by next week. |
Of late, I've been cutting flowers and giving them away in record numbers to friends and neighbors. That provides it's own source of enjoyment when I'm unable to actually work in the garden itself.
To see what others have found to enjoy in their gardens, check in with Cathy at Rambling in the Garden to see what she and others have found to brighten their hot summer days.
All material © 2012-2026 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
High humidity is difficult to deal with, a real energy zapper. Your arrangements are lovely, how nice you are sharing your dahlia wealth!
ReplyDeleteThe quality of your blooms are superb, and the Dahlias especially good. We are as hot as you, but I think the humidity might be less!
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