In a Vase on Monday: Casualties of wind and rain

It had appeared that our rainy season was over.  Even the UCLA climate scientist I depend on for a clear picture of what's happening with California's weather had said that the southern part of our state, with the possible exception of the mountain areas, would be unlikely to see any more rain after mid-April.  Local forecasters gave us a small chance of rain this past weekend but, when I checked the forecast on Saturday, the rainfall estimate was a paltry 0.01/inch.  As a result, I was surprised to wake up and find that we'd received 0.17/inch of rain.  We were also plagued by gusty winds.  The result was that Mother Nature selected most of what ended up in my vases this week.

I featured a post on my steep back slope last Friday.  The space looks its best in spring when everything is growing like crazy but I acknowledge that some of the plants are a bit too exuberant and in need of pruning, if only to eliminate tripping hazards.  That was all too clear on Sunday morning when the combination of wind and rain plastered flower stems across the stairway that offers the only passage in and out of the area.

I cut about 2 dozen tall stems of pink and white Centranthus, many of which I found lying flat on the ground

Back view

Top view: I selected pink Alstroemeria to complement the Centranthus

Clockwise from the upper left: noID pink Alstroemeria, Argyranthemum 'Grandaisy Dark Pink', Centranthus ruber, C. r. 'Albus', Daucus carota 'Dara', and Fuchsia 'Windchimes Upright White'

On Saturday, I'd eyed the Hippeastrum stems in one of my borders for possible use in a vase but I wasn't sure I wanted to sacrifice one of the few remaining stems.  Mother Nature made that decision for me too by snapping a couple of them.  One was no longer vase-worthy but the other became the focus of my second arrangement.

I added larkspur stems from my cutting garden, which had also been battered by the wind

I dressed up the back of the vase with a single stem of Argyranthemum, which has formed a dense mass of primrose yellow flowers filling most of a barrel in my cutting garden

Top view

Clockwise from the upper left: Alstroemeria 'Claire', Argyranthemum 'Angelic Maize', 2 variations of Consolida ajacis from the 'Summer Skies Mix', Hippeastrum 'Luna', Lathyrus odoratus 'April in Paris', and Prostanthera ovalifolia 'Variegata'

For more IAVOM creations, check in with our host, Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.

All material © 2012-2024 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party

In a Vase on Monday: A lot to choose from

With the return of warmer temperatures, the garden is in hyperdrive.  I had too much to choose from so I picked a couple of colors to focus on and got to work looking for flowers that met the profile.

My first arrangement started with the selection of the soft peach tones of Leucospermum 'Spider Hybrid'.

I added a touch of purple to pick up the grayish-lavender pollen presenters in the Leucospermum's flowers

Back view: The number of plants containing anything in the way of soft orange color was limited, hence the addition of 3 stems of Aeonium 'Kiwi' flowers

Top view

Clockwise from the upper left:  Abelia 'Kaleidoscope', Aeonium haworthii 'Kiwi', Freesia, Leucospermum 'Spider Hybrid', Limonium perezii, and Narcissus 'Geranium'

 

I focused on vivid red for my second arrangement, accented with white flowers.

The vase I used has an irregular shape so I photographed it from 3 sides, all of which look a little different.  The red flowers are Argyranthemum and Freesia.

The white flowers are Anemones, Coleonema album (aka white breath of heaven), and Freesia

Alstroemeria 'Inca Lucky' melds the white and red flowers

Top view

Clockwise from the upper left:  Alstroemeria 'Inca Lucky', Coleonema album, Coprosma repens 'Plum Hussey', Anemone coronaria 'Rarity' (although I think the variety may have been incorrectly identified), Argyranthemum 'Grandaisy Red', and white and red Freesia

 

I'd originally planned to add a deep burgundy Anemone 'Mistral Bordeaux' to the second arrangement but I didn't feel it fit so I popped that flower and a few other stems that didn't make the cut into a small vase.  Leftovers from one of last week's arrangement went into yet another vase.

The tiny vase containing the Anemone trying to pass as a rose is on my desk.  The vase of leftovers containing a Leucospermum 'Royal Hawaiian Brandi' flower sits on the kitchen island.

 

For more IAVOM creations, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.

All material © 2012-2023 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party

In a Vase on Monday: Dodging raindrops

There was a good chance of rain yesterday morning, although it wasn't anything like the 85+ percent chance it normally takes for me to bank on it.  I got spit at but I managed to finish just before the rain came down.  While it was a strong shower, it was over in no time, delivering just 0.01/inch of rain; however. temperatures remained low (by own standards) all last week and we're not expecting to get above 60F (15C) for the next ten days so spring isn't exactly unfolding as quickly as I'd expected based on prior years. 

There isn't much new in the garden this week but what there was is plentiful.  I focused on Argyranthemum 'Aramis Bicolor Rose' because it was so floriferous.

I used my asymmetrical crystal glass vase with its prow-like front

Instead of a back view, I took photos of it from 2 sides

Top view

Clockwise from the upper left: Anemone coronaria 'Mount Everest', Argyranthemum 'Aramis Bicolor Rose', Crassula multicava 'Red', pink and white Freesia, and Hebe 'Wiri Blush'

The second arrangement is another case of throwing in everything but the kitchen sink.

The inspiration was Leucadendron 'Cloudbank Ginny' but those stems were almost lost within the rest of the flowers and foliage

I selected this as the back view but I think I like it better than the front view shown above

Top view

Clockwise from the upper left: noID orange and yellow Calendulas, Echeveria agavoides, yellow Freesia, Leucadendron 'Cloudbank Ginny', noID Narcissus, Xylosma congestum, and Grevillea 'Superb'

There's no rain in the forecast until Friday at present but it appears that we're stuck with lower-than-normal temperatures for the time being.  Leucospermum 'Goldie' is getting ever-so-slowly closer to blooming but whether it'll show up next week remains to be seen.  The other Leucospermums are lagging well behind, as are most of the Anemones and all of the Dutch Iris and Scilla peruviana.

For more IAVOM creations, check in with Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.

All material © 2012-2023 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party

In a Vase on Monday: Scented blooms

Even though temperatures remained cool last week, more of our early spring blooms are creeping into view.  This week many of those I selected for "In a Vase on Monday" are scented.

I started with Abelia 'Chiapas', now classified as Veslea floribunda 'Chiapas', which is one of my favorite blooms, even if it is buried beneath a Lantana on my neglected back slope.  I tried propagating it last year but only one cutting developed roots.  It disappeared during the hot summer months but a seedling recently has appeared in the same spot.  It's too early to determine whether or not it's the same plant.

The Abelia/Vesalea is scented, as are the Freesias and the foliage filler, Prostanthera ovalifolia 'Variegata' (aka mint bush)

I added Osteospermum '4D Pink' to dress up the back view

Top view

I inserted a piece of plastic-coated hardware cloth into the cavity of the vase to help keep the stems from flopping

Clockwise from the upper left: Argyranthemum frutescens 'White Butterfly'; Freesias in dark blue, light blue and white; Limonium perezii, Osteospermum '4D Pink'; Polygala myrtifolia; Prostanthera ovalifolia 'Variegata'; and, in the center, Vesalea floribunda 'Chiapas'

 

A noID Narcissus is the only scented flower is the second arrangement.

The starring role was given to Hippeastrum 'Rozetta'

Back view: I used the fresh orange foliage of Xylosma congestum and the flower-like bracts of Leucadendron 'Blush' to play off the pinkish-terracotta tones in the Hippeastrum flowers

Top view

Clockwise from the upper left: Hippeastrum 'Rozetta', noID Narcissus, Leucadendron salignum 'Blush', Lobelia laxiflora, and Xylosma congestum

 

The third arrangement is completely scentless, at least to my nose.

This small arrangement for the kitchen island contains Alstroemeria 'Inca Lucky', Argyranthemum 'Grandaisy Red', and Grevillea lavandulacea 'Penola'

 

For more IAVOM creations, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.

All material © 2012-2023 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party

Bloom Day - February 2023

Spring comes early in coastal Southern California and I expect that many who read this post will consider it proof of that statement.  While there are a lot of flowers making an appearance, they're generally less profuse than they were last year.  A few have only just arrived.  I think the lag I perceive may be attributable to the persistence of colder than average temperatures. 

I'll start with the plants making the biggest splash.

I check out the back slope less often than I should.  I hadn't been down there in almost 2 weeks and was shocked when I realized that Ceanothus arboreus 'Cliff Schmidt' was in full bloom.  It bloomed in February last year and the noID Ceanothus hedge on the main level of the back garden is also blooming so I shouldn't have been surprised.

While on the back slope, I found that the plant I purchased years ago as Abelia speciosa 'Chiapas' is also blooming.  An updated online search for the plant showed no new sources but it appears the plant has been reclassified as Vesalea floribunda.  The new classification reflects a differentiation between the glossy Abelias of Asian origin and species native to Mexico and Central America.  I tried propagating it last year but got only one cutting to develop roots.  I thought I'd lost it over the summer but a tiny seeding recently appeared in its spot.  Fingers crossed but I'm going to take more cuttings this month.

The Aeonium arboreums are producing masses of tall bloom stalks all over my garden.  They make long-lasting cut flowers if you like florescent yellow.

Arctotis 'Pink Sugar' arrived on schedule this month.  It's well ahead of other varieties in its genus this year.

This Calliandra haematocephala (red powder puff) is another reliable bloomer.  The other 2 shrubs that also came with the garden rarely bloom, presumably due to receiving less sun.

Euphorbia rigida has florescent yellow blooms rather like Aeonium arboreum but I love these flowers, probably because they're sparser and the blue foliage tempers the bright yellow

 

Other plants make a splash because of the sheer numbers of varieties that put on a show at the same time.

Most of my Aloes aren't sufficiently well established to bloom but 3 did this year.  Clockwise from the left: Aloe vanbalenii x ferox, A. cryptopoda, and A. vanbalenii x striata.

Argyranthemums are at their best when temperatures are cool.  Clockwise from upper left:  'Aramis Bi-color', 'Pink Comet', 'Grandaisy Red', and 'White Butterfly'.

The large-flowered Grevilleas bloom year-round here but the smaller-flowered varieties join them in late winter and early spring.  Clockwise from upper left: Grevillea alpina x rosmarinifolia, G. 'Peaches & Cream', G. 'Poorinda Leane', and the vigorous G. 'Superb'.

Grevilleas with pink and red flowers include, clockwise from upper left: Grevillea sericea (shown in a wide shot and a closeup), G. lavandulacea 'Penola', and G. 'Scarlet Sprite' (also shown in a wide shot and a closeup)

Several of my potted Hippeastrums, all grown outdoors, are blooming.  Clockwise from upper left: 'La Paz', 'Rozetta', 'Neon', noID sold as 'Blushing Bride' (which should be pink), and dwarf 'Saffron'.

The colored bracts of Leucadendrons aren't true flowers but they're flower-like at this time of year.  Clockwise from upper left: 'Blush', 'Winter Red' (which has pale yellow "blooms" earlier in the year), 'Safari Sunset', 'Chief', and 'Wilson's Wonder'.  The last is usually one of the most floriferous at this time of year but untimely pruning cost me most of those "flowers" this year.

Osteospermums are also at their very best during our cooler months.  Clockwise from upper left: '4D Violet Ice' (wide shot and closeup), 'Double Moonglow', '4D Silver', noID pink variety, '4D Pink' (wide shot and closeup), and a mix of self-sown white varieties.

 

I've grouped the plants just beginning their spring launch in a single collage.

Clockwise from upper left: Alstroemeria 'Inca Lucky', Lobelia laxiflora, Metrosideros collina 'Springfire', Freesia, Anemone coronaria, Ipheion uniflorum, Limonium perezii, and Pyrethropsis hosmariense

 

As those plants get started others are quickly making their way to the exit.

I took these photos of Camellia williamsii 'Taylor's Perfection' a week ago.  It's still flowering but dropping handfuls of flowers every day.

This photo of Pyrus calleryana was also taken a week ago,  Half those petals are now on the ground.  It's the closest thing to snowflakes we get here.

 

As always, Bloom Day came with a few surprises.

I planted 10 of these tulip bulbs (Tulipa humilis 'Alba Coerulea Oculata') in early November and promptly forgot about them until 8 bloomed.  They're supposed to grow 4-6 inches tall but all have stems that are one inch at best.  Only time will tell if they'll return to bloom another year (as some species tulips do here) and if they'll grow any taller in future years.

This Isopogon anemonifolius, an Australian native, has flowered sporadically.  The flowers are supposed to be yellow but all have have this ivory color.

I discovered this Agave vilmoriniana, commonly known as octopus agave, while pruning an out-of-control Leucadendron.  This makes 3 agaves in my garden with bloom stalks.  As all are monocarpic, there are going to be some large holes in my garden several months from now!

 

I'll end this post as I usually do with the best of the rest, organized by color.

Clockwise from upper left:  Teucrium fruticans 'Azureum', Trichostemma 'Mignight Magic', Viola 'Penny Peach', Pericallis 'Senetti Violet Bi-color', Salvia rosmarinus 'Gold Dust' (aka rosemary), S. 'Pozo Blue', and Felicia aethiopica

Clockwise from upper left: noID Cyclamen, Gomphrena decumbens 'Itsy Bitsy', Primula vulgaris, and Ribes viburnifolium (aka Catalina currant)

Top row: Boronia crenulata 'Shark Bay', Cistus 'Grayswood Pink', and Coleonema 'Sunset Gold'
Middle row: Camellia sasanqua, Cuphea 'Starfire Pink', and Medinilla myriantha
Bottom row: Dianthis barbatus, Hebe 'Wiri Blush', and Pelargonium peltatum

Clockwise from upper left: Crassula orbicularis var rosularis, Dianthus barbatus, Pelargonium 'White Lady', P. peltatum, and Daphne odora

Clockwise from upper left: Arbutus 'Marina', Erysimum 'Winter Orchid', Euryops chrysanthemoides, noID orange Calendula, Gaillardia 'Spintop Copper Sun', noID Narcissus, Senna artemisioides, and noID yellow Calendula

 

Are you convinced that spring is making an entrance in my little corner of the world?  There are a lot of flowers yet in the wings but, even with almost no rain in February as yet, January's heavier-than-usual rainfall has my dream of a glorious spring looking like it may become a reality.

For more Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day posts, visit our host, Carol at May Dreams Gardens.

All material © 2012-2023 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party