After a full week of warmer temperatures, the three bulbs of Hippeastrum 'Luna' I planted in a single pot exploded into bloom. In addition to the stem I cut for a previous IAVOM post two weeks ago and the two I cut this week, there are still seven flower stalks, almost all of which are in full bloom. The longer stems allowed me to to go big this week, using a heavy lead crystal vase I received as a birthday gift a few years ago.
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| The thick stems and top-heavy blooms of the Hippeastrum required the support of an equally heavy vase like this one. Thank you D! |
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| Back view: I used stems of Polygala fruticosa, a paperwhite-type Narcissus, and Aeonium arboreum as fillers. The foliage is Acacia cognata 'Cousin Itt', which is showing signs of developing the tiny yellow flowers that I've only seen once before. |
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| This photo taken in early March 2020 shows the Acacia flowers. I didn't notice any flowers in 2021 but then that was an exceptionally dry year. Our wet December may have prompted the plants to bud again but I expect Hippeastrum 'Luna' will have bloomed out before I see any Acacia flowers this year. |
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| Top view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Acacia cognata 'Cousin Itt', Aeonium arboreum, Polygala fruticosa, Hippeastrum 'Luna', and noID Narcissus tazetta |
Spring flowers are already making their first tentative appearances here so I cut a hodge-podge of pink blooms for a second, more demure arrangement.
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| It's normal for us to see clear signs of spring in February but I expect the combination of a wet December and the warm, dry January weather is moving the schedule along. I couldn't find any previous record of Anemone coronaria blooming in January. |
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| Back view: After a very brief hiatus, the pink Scabiosa columbaria is back |
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| Top view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Argyranthemum frutescens 'Comet Pink', Nemesia 'Banana Swirl', Boronia crenulata 'Shark Bay', Anemone coronaria 'Admiral', Polygala fruticosa, Prostanthera ovalifolia 'Variegata', Scabiosa columbaria 'Flutter Rose Pink', and Pelargonium peltatum |
We're looking forward to an end to the strong Santa Ana winds that plagued parts of California last week but there's no rain in sight at the moment. Long-range projections currently suggest that our best chances for measurable rain won't happen until after mid-February. Can you hear me sigh?
For more IAVOM posts, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.
All material © 2012-2022 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
