In a Vase on Monday: Pinks, purples and blues

After more than a week of unusually warm, summer-like temperatures, it's cooled dramatically the past couple of days, varying from the upper 50sF (14C) to the low 60sF (17C).  The marine layer has returned as well, hanging on into the mid-afternoon.  There's even a chance of rain on Friday, although I'm not laying any odds on that yet.

I cut more flowers than I'd planned, and ended up with three arrangements this week.  The first one is very pink.

I cut a single Hippeastrum flower, rescuing it from the ravages of an earwig insect

Back view: the pink edging the Hippeastrum's petals directed me to complement that bloom with pink and white Alstroemeria and snapdragon stems

Overhead view

Clockwise from the upper left: noID Alstroemeria, pink and white Antirrhinum majus, Argyranthemum frutescens, Hippeastrum 'Aphrodite', and Leptospermum 'Copper Glow' (foliage)

My second arrangement was inspired by the dark purple bearded Iris at the bottom of our back slope.  The flowers were admittedly looking a little battered but I cut them anyway, along with a stem bearing two unopened buds.

Although the Irises were intended to be the centerpiece of the arrangement, I think the flowering stems of the Prostanthera ovalifolia 'Variegata' (aka mint bush) stole the show

Back view

Overhead view

Clockwise from the upper left: Ageratina (possibly A. adenophora), noID Iris germanica, Osteospermum '4D Pink', Phlomis purpurea, Prostanthera ovalifolia 'Variegata, and Scabiosa 'Flutter Deep Blue'

I initially cut a few blue Echium stems for the purple arrangement but they didn't fit well so I ended up with a third arrangement, embellishing them with two stems of another bearded Iris.

The third arrangement ended up on the kitchen island.  The vase contains more Ageratina, Echium webbii, and Iris germanica 'Gilt Edge'

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

All material © 2012-2025 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party

In a Vase on Monday: Opposites

Surprise!  I have two arrangements this week.  (Just kidding - I know regular readers would be more surprised if I had just one, especially during the spring season.)  They could't be more different.  The first is unusual in terms of its color mix.  The second can best be described as frothy.

The first arrangement was inspired by Dutch Iris 'Lion King'.  Although the blue Dutch Irises are almost done blooming, 'Lion King' always seems to lag behind.

It's not easy to find companion plants to enhance the colors of this Iris's petals and I wondered if the choices I made duplicated those I've made in the past.  However, I looked back at the photos of other arrangements using this Iris and was somewhat surprised that, with the exception of the yellow Leucospermum flowers, I haven't used any of the other elements before.

Back view

Top view

Clockwise from the upper left: Acacia cognata 'Cousin Itt', Aristea inaequalis seedpods, Iris hollandica 'Lion King', Leucospermum 'High Gold', Phlomis fruticosa, and Salvia africana-lutea

I didn't have great expectations for the second arrangement but I liked the way it turned out, even though it strikes me as very girly. The inspiration was the Polygala myrtifolia (sweet pea bush) that's growing all over my garden.  Although I've pulled what seems like hundreds of its seedlings this year, it's still abundant.  It makes a decent groundcover so I've left more of it in place than perhaps I should.

The frilly bits are flowering stems of Prostanthera ovalifolia (aka mint bush) and sweet peas.  Sweet pea petals seem to drop within 3-4 days and I have suspicions that the flowers on the mint bush may not last long in a vase either but I'll enjoy it while I can.

Back view: It has a heavenly scent!

Top view

Clockwise from the upper left: Digitalis purpurea, Lathyrys odoratus 'April in Paris', a noID purple sweet pea, Nigella papillosa, Polygala myrtifolia, and Prostanthera ovalifolia 'Variegata' 

Last week's arrangement featuring peach foxgloves held up well and, as I couldn't bring myself to toss all the contents in my compost bin, I cut it down to a smaller size and gave it a place on the kitchen island.

I've always recognized that Alstroemeria and Leucosperum flowers have long vase lives but I don't recall foxgloves holding up as well

It's looking as though our rainy season is probably over but at least cooler-than-usual temperatures may persist for another month or more.  For more IAVOM creations, visit 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: Pungent Scents

Since last October, I've participated in an online meeting with other gardeners on a roughly monthly basis to discuss selected garden books.  Last week, we discussed The Scentual Garden: Exploring the World of Botanical Fragrance by Ken Druse.  I'd recommended the book based mainly on its fabulous photographs; however, the general consensus was that it's a "coffee table book."  Druse addressed the science of scent, how it can be captured and preserved, and how scented plants can be presented in a landscape but his central focus was on classification.  I for one was disappointed there wasn't more emphasis on how to use fragrant plants in association and how to carry fragrance through the seasons.  The book nonetheless spurred a lively discussion about how each of us respond to the scents in our own gardens, which fragrances we like and which we don't.  That exchange emphasized points Druse made in the introductory section of his book: scent is in the "nose of the beholder" and, in many cases, how we feel about a scent depends a lot on the long-term memories associated with them.

I didn't set out to select plants for this week's "In a Vase on Monday" post based on scent but, as it turned out, I ended up with two arrangements this week each of which included stems of particularly pungent scented plants.  The first arrangement was inspired by the Agapanthus just now beginning to bloom in my garden.  If Agapanthus has a scent, my nose is incapable of detecting it but two of the other plants I included in the mix did register, one very strongly.

My theme was color, not scent, based.  I chose blue and white colored flowers.  The scent was supplied by Salvia clevelandii 'Winnifred Gilman', another Salvia hybrid, and the minty foliage of Prostanthera ovalifolia 'Variegata'.

Back view:  The mint scent of the variegated Prostanthera is light and very pleasant.  I expect I could tuck a few stems in my pillow case and have nothing but sweet dreams.  In contrast, the Salvias have a heavy, musky scent.  I expect that they would bother me with prolonged exposure in an enclosed space.

Top view: The other elements had little or no noticeable scent

   

Top row: noID Agapanthus and two of the varied colors of Consolida ajacis 'Summer Skies' mix
Middle row: noID Delphinium, Gilia tricolor, and Globularia x indubia
Bottom row: Phacelia tanacetifolia, Prostanthera ovalifolia 'Variegata', and Salvia clevelandii 'Winnifred Gilman'
(Included but not shown in close-up is Salvia leucophylla x clevelandii 'Pozo Blue')

I should note that Druse is based in the northeastern part of the US.  His book emphasizes the plants with which he's most familiar and there's relatively little overlap with the plants I grow in the Mediterranean climate of my coastal Southern California garden.  The inspiration for my second arrangement this week was the Matilija poppies (Romneya coulteri) blooming on my back slope.  This genus isn't mentioned in Druse's book.  I can detect a only a light scent from the flowers but bees love the plant.

I took this photo in the California Natives display garden at Seaside Gardens Nursery just over a week ago.  The bees really do swarm the blooms like this but, as the blooms in my garden are generally well over head-height, I don't manage to catch photos like this here.

The Matilija poppies established a color theme for this arrangement as well

Back view: The only flowers with scent I can detect in this arrangement are those of the Achillea 'Moonshine', which has a marigold-like scent I find unpleasant when sniffed close up, and Tagetes lemmonii, which I like in moderation but I know some people detest

Top view

Top row: Abelia grandiflora 'Hopley's Variegated', Achillea 'Moonshine', and Alstroemeria 'Inca Sundance'
Middle row: Alstroemeria 'Claire' and Centranthus ruber albus
Bottom row: Romneya coulteri and Tagetes lemmonii

My husband is more sensitive to scent than I am.  He's objected to the smell of Tagetes lemmonii in the past so I use it sparingly in arrangements.  I can't remember if he's complained about Salvia clevelandii before but I personally find it a heavy scent so I'm waiting to see if he says anything.  What scents do you prize in your garden?  Are there scented plants you grow despite finding their fragrance objectionable?

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

All material © 2012-2021 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party

In a Vase on Monday: Going crazy

The title of this post has less to do with my mental state than the fact that, at long last, Dahlia 'Gitts Crazy' has bloomed, earning it the starring role in my first arrangement.  The dahlia was planted during the latter part of April, late based on my usual practice, but not as late as others that bloomed much earlier.  I'd nearly given up on it when it finally budded out.

I sacrificed several nascent buds to cut the first blooming stem of 'Gitts Crazy' but, as its season is going to be relatively short, that seemed a better approach than sacrificing the bloom while waiting for those buds to mature

I filled the arrangement out with stems of Dahlia 'Labyrinth', which has continued to be generous with its blooms.  The 'Labyrinth' and 'Gitts Crazy' tubers were planted on the same date.

Top view

Clockwise from the upper left: Dahlias 'Gitts Crazy' and 'Labyrinth', Abelia grandiflora 'Kaleidoscope', Auranticarpa rhombifolium, Calliandra haematocephala, Correa 'Sister Dawn', and Zinnia elegans 'Queen Lime Blush'

My usual fall bloomers have recently shown up too, chief among them the bush violet (Barleria obtusa).  Since it made its first appearance with a few stray blooms last week, it's moved into high gear.  Each stem bears literally dozens of buds.  No single bloom lasts long but even those still in bud open gradually after the stem is cut, extending the show.

Barleria obtusa was the inspiration for this arrangement but Dahlia 'Iceberg' is nudging everything else into supporting roles

Back view: I used variegated mint bush (Prostanthera ovalifolia)  to lighten up the darker foliage of the bush violet.  Mint bush produces beautiful purple blooms in the spring but I grow it for its wonderful foliage.

Top view

Clockwise from the left: Barleria obtusa, Dahlia 'Iceberg', Prostanthera ovalifolia 'Variegata', and Eustoma grandiflorum (aka Lisianthus)

For more arrangements created by contributors from materials on hand in their gardens, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.

All material © 2012-2020 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party

Empty pots no more

I recently emptied two large pots sitting in our front entry area and relocated their contents.  Those pots stood empty for more than three weeks, which surprises even me.  While I think an empty pot can add mystery or perhaps an artistic touch in a well-placed spot in a garden, I'm not capable of leaving mine unplanted for long.  It's arguable that the front entry isn't the right place for empty pots anyway.

This week, on a trip to the local garden center to pick up compost and planting mix (my usual excuse for such trips), I discovered several plants that I thought would do to fill those empty pots.  My choices are a little iffy as one of my key plants has shown itself to be short-lived and I've killed another at least twice but I plunged ahead anyway.  Those empty pots were starting to bug me.

The empty pots in question, photographed in January

The plants I chose to fill the two blue pots were these:

This is Prostanthera ovalifolia 'Variegata' (aka mint bush).  It produces lovely purple blooms but the scented foliage alone is worth its inclusion in the garden.  They never survive more than a couple of years in my garden yet I still love them.

This is Boronia crenulata 'Shark Bay', the plant I've killed twice

I filled in with Nemesia '7th Heaven Mix', white Violas, and Lobularia maritima (sweet alyssum)

The effect is muted but pleasing.  Both the Prostanthera and the Boronia are Australian natives that can get by with partial shade.  I expect the mint bush could grow to 4x3 feet and the Boronia to roughly half that size in their pots.  It's an experiment - and I've been known to swap out potted plants seasonally in any case.

One of 2 identical pots

But I didn't leave things there.  You see, there was this Pericallis hybrid I'd been eyeing for some time and the garden center finally got a supply of smaller plants in stock.  I couldn't pass it up.  One came home with me and I popped it into an empty pot I had stored behind the garage.

This is Pericallis 'Senetti Magic Salmon'.  Isn't that flower color fabulous?

I couldn't get a great after shot of the front door area as it's still shady.

My conclusion is that I could use a few more pots here.  I'll get to that at some point.

Today and tomorrow are supposed to be warmer, with a chance of rain late Sunday and Monday.  Perfect for planting.  Luckily, reinforcements arrived right on time.

I used the gift card a friend gave me for Christmas

My haul includes (clockwise from the upper left): Lobelia fistulosa, Echium wildpretii, Lupinus propinquus, Erysimum x allionii (2), and Clarkia unguiculata (3)

I hope you enjoy the weekend, whatever your weather.


All material © 2012-2020 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party

In a Vase on Monday: Stuffed to the Gills (Again)

When I walked into the garden to select flowers for "In a Vase on Monday," the popular meme hosted by Cathy of Rambling in the Garden, I'd already selected 2 plants I wanted to use.  The first was Prostanthera ovalifolia (aka purple mint bush), which I'd discovered in full bloom last week.  The plant sits on my 45-degree front slope behind several Limonium perezii and, as the 2 plants are similar in color, it was almost hidden.

The Prostanthera is in the background here, blending in all too well with the Limonium in the foreground

I thought including a stem in one of my vases would at least give the plant its moment to shine; however, cutting it without tumbling head first or tromping on the surrounding plants was more difficult than I'd anticipated.  When I had my stem, I realized I had no idea what I should use to accent it, yet, by the time I completed a stroll around the garden, I had too much material (again).  Spring is bursting out all over!

Front view with the poor Prostanthera once again in the background while sweet peas occupy the front and center of the vase

The back view gives the Prostanthera greater prominence but it shares the stage with the fluffy Ageratum corymbosum

Top view showing the contents as an ensemble cast

The vase contains: Top row - Ageratum corymbosum, the Ageratum's pretty purple leaf, and Coriandrum sativum
Middle row - blue and lavender forms of Lathyrus odoratus and Matthiola incana
Bottom row - Polygala myrtifolia 'Mariposa', Prostanthera ovalifolia, and Westringia fruticosa 'Mundi'

The second flower I planned to use this week was the noID Alstroemeria that's blooming profusely underneath the still leafless mimosa tree (Albizia julibrissin).  This pink Alstroemeria, a variety that goes dormant in summer, came with the garden, as did the noID orange daylilies that grow in the same location.  The Alstroemeria and the Hemerocallis look awful together so I'm not at all hesitant to use the former in vases once the foliage of the latter shows up.  However, not wanting to repeat myself, I wasn't at all sure what I should use to accent the flowers.  As before, the garden provided too many options (all of which I found impossible to resist).

At least the Alstroemeria can claim to have a prominent place in this vase, although the maroon sweet peas are perhaps too assertive

Back view: Those Pelargonium peltatum stems look more dark pink than red in person!

Top view, showing off the New Zealand tea tree stems that surprised me with another heavy flush of blooms

Clockwise from the upper left, the vase contains: noID Alstoemeria, more Coriandrum sativum, maroon Lathyrus odoratus, Leptospermum scoparium 'Pink Pearl', Papaver nudicaule with tiny stems of Pelargonium 'White Lady', and noID reddish-pink Pelargonium peltatum

The well-packed vases found their places.

The first vase is in the front entryway and the second is on the dining room table

Visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden to see what spring has wrought elsewhere in the northern hemisphere and which fall beauties are delighting bloggers in the southern hemisphere.


All material © 2012-2017 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party