IAVOM and Bloom Day Intersection

Two of my favorite memes, In a Vase on Monday and Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day, intersect once again this month.  This means a longer than usual post, especially as the floral parade is already getting started in my area of coastal Southern California.  The good news is that I'll limit the commentary that usually accompanies my photos.

I'll start with this week's floral arrangements for In a Vase on Monday, hosted by Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.

The Anemone that provides the focal point here wasn't the bulb I ordered but at least it was appropriate for a Valentine's Day arrangement.  Front, top and back views are shown.  The contents include: Anemone coronaria 'Bicolore', noID Antirrhinum majus, Calliandra haematocephala, Grevillea lavandulacea 'Penola', Leptospermum 'Copper Glow', and Leptospermum scoparium 'Pink Pearl.

The second arrangement took advantage of the first of the Freesias to bloom.  The contents include: Agryranthemum frutescens, white and yellow Freesias, noID Narcissus, Senna artemisioides, and Westringia fruticosa 'Morning Light'.

Moving on to Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day, hosted by Carol at May Dreams Gardens, I'll start with the plants that are putting on the best floral show this month.  Unlike much of the US, we haven't faced freezes or snow.  We also have had woefully little rain but that's a whole other issue.

Anemone coronaria grown from corms planted in November.  Clockwise from the upper left: 'Mistral Azzurro', 'The Bride', 'Mistral Bicolore', and 'Lord Lieutenant'.

Arctotis 'Pink Sugar'

Calliandra haematocephala (aka pink powder puff)

Coleonema puchellum 'Sunset Gold'

Echium handiense 'Pride of Fuerteventura'

The smaller-flowered Grevillea have taken off this month.  Clockwise from the upper left: G. alpina x rosmarinifolia, G. 'Poorinda Leane', G. sericea, G. lavandulacea 'Penola', a close-up of G. 'Scarlet Spite', and a wider view of the same plant in the landscape

The large-flowered Grevillea never stop.  Left to right: 'Ned Kelly', 'Peaches & Cream', and 'Superb'.

Leptospermum scoparium 'Pink Pearl'

It'll be time to cut back the "flowering"Leucadendrons soon.  Top row: Leucadendron 'Safari Sunset'.  Bottom row: Leucadendron 'Wilson's Wonder' and L. 'Summer Red', which shifted from blonde to red this month.

Osteospermums prefer cool temperatures.  Clockwise from the top left: '4D Silver', two views of 'Violet Ice, 'Berry White', 'Zion Copper Amethyst', a self-seeded mix, and a self-seeded pink variety.

Pyrus calleryana (aka ornamental pear)

Rosmarinus officinalis 'Gold Dust'

Isopogon anemonifolius, planted in 2018, has bloomed only once before but it appears to be preparing to do so again

At last xMangave 'Silver Fox' is blooming.  It's bloom spike first appeared in August!  Whether it'll emulate its Agave parent (and die after blooming) or its Manfreda parent (and live on) has yet to be determined.

The first Freesia and Helleborus 'Red Lady'

Clockwise from the upper left: Felicia aethiopica, Lavandula dentata (I think), L. multifida, Limonium perezii, Polygala fruticosa, and Trichostemma 'Midnight Magic'

Clockwise from the upper left: Argyranthemum frutescens, Coleonema album, Crassula multicava 'Red', Gazania 'White Flame'', Trifolium (aka common clover), and Westringia fruticosa 'Morning Light'

Clockwise from upper left: Aeonium arboreum, noID Cymbidium, Euphorbia rigida, Euryops chrysanthemoides 'Sonnenschein', noID Gazania, Lomanda 'Breeze', and Senna artemisioides

Clockwise from the top left: Aloe deltoideodonta, A. striata, Alstroemeria 'Indian Sunset', Bignonia capreolata, Bryophyllum fedtschenkoi, and noID Kalanchoe

Clockwise from the upper left: Antirrhinum majus, self-seeded Gazania, Gomphrena decumbens 'Itsy Bitsy', Lobelia laxiflora, Metrosideros collina 'Springfire', and Ribes viburnifolium (aka Catalina perfume currant)

Top row: Arctostaphylos bakeri 'Louis Edmunds', Argyranthemum frutescens, and Bauhina x blakeana Middle row: last noID Camellia sasanqua, C. williamsii 'Taylor's Perfection', and Centranthus ruber Bottom row: noID Cyclamen, Hemerocallis 'Russian Rhapsody', and Jasminum polyanthum