While the heatwave that started last week hasn't been as bad as the prior one, it's held on longer than originally forecast and it's not over yet. Temperatures have come down from our 102F (38.9C) peak but we've been stuck at 92F (33C) here for days now. Our air quality has worsened again too so nothing but the most minimal gardening work is getting done but hopefully the weather and air will be better by the end of this week. In the meantime, I've slogged through all the propositions on California's November ballot (12, not including an LA County measure) so I'm prepared to vote as soon as my ballot arrives. I haven't tackled my ironing backlog yet but that's on the docket next...
The dahlias in my cutting garden went into hyperdrive last week. I don't think it was a response to the heat but the heat had an impact nonetheless. Lots of the top-heavy blooms toppled over and even those that didn't bloomed out quickly. There are still a lot of flowers out there but last week was crazy and I only had the energy for two arrangements yesterday.
![]() |
| The sudden appearance of several new Lisianthus blooms after a lengthy hiatus was the inspiration for this arrangement but I think Dahlia 'Iceberg' stole the show |
![]() |
Back view: The rose was a last-minute addition. It's the first white rose I've had bloom this year and it seemed smarter to cut it than let it wither in the heat.
|
![]() |
Top view
|
![]() |
Clockwise from the upper left: Dahlia 'Iceberg', Agonis flexuosa 'Nana', Eustoma grandiflorum (aka Lisianthus), Salvia leucantha, Pandorea jasminoides, Leucophyllum laevigatum, and noID rose
|
Dahlia 'Rip City' is blooming like there's no tomorrow so it won more time in the limelight this week.
![]() |
I love 'Rip City' but I haven't found it easy to find appropriate companions for it
|
![]() |
The manicured fingernails of this vase were the inspiration for this pairing, although I managed to largely cover them up when I added the stems of red Penstemon
|
![]() |
Back view
|
![]() |
Top view: I added the pink Lisianthus mainly because the burgundy centers of those flowers echoed the color of dahlias
|
![]() |
Clockwise from the upper left: Dahlia 'Rip City', Eustoma grandiflorum, Hebe 'Purple Shamrock', Penstemon mexicali 'Mini Red Bells', and Pseuderanthemum 'Texas Tri-star'
|
For more IAVOM creations, Cathy at Rambling in the Garden is the one to see.
All material © 2012-2020 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
