There aren't many new flowers on the scene this week, although I've been pleased to see bulbs and various shrubs developing buds. We've had a seemingly never-ending series of Santa Ana wind events and, while the most recent of these haven't been severe, it's been very dry, with humidity levels routinely below 20 percent. There's zero chance of rain in the ten-day forecast and the most recent long-term forecast, while not surprising, almost made me cry. Last year's rainfall was terrible and I knew this year might be much the same but the early rain at the start of our rainy season in October followed by the heavier-than-usual December rain boosted my expectations, even though both November and January were bone-dry. Now it seems possible that the December rain may be it until the next "water year" arrives in October. Meanwhile, my collected rainwater is already running out.
My cutting garden isn't at all floriferous at the moment but there are a few Anemone blooms and those provided the starting point for both of my small arrangements this week. The pink blooms of Anemone coronaria 'Admiral' are making their third appearance in a row for In a Vase on Monday, albeit with different companions this time.
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| There were a few Centranthus blooms on my back slope and I stumbled upon 2 Fuchsia 'Old Berkeley' blooms on a plant in my shade house quite by accident |
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| Back view, dominated by the foliage of Prostanthera ovalifolia 'Variegata' (aka mint bush) |
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| Top view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Anemone coronaria 'Admiral', Centranthus ruber, C. alba, Fuchsia 'Old Berkeley', Leptospermum scoparium 'Pink Pearl', and Prostanthera ovalifolia 'Variegata' |
The blue Anemone blooms are new but some of their companions have already appeared in prior posts this year.
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| The centerpiece of this 5-inch tall vase is the blue Anemone coronaria (which once again doesn't look like the 'Lord Lieutenant' cultivar is was supposed to be) |
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| Back view: The noID Ceanothus hedge keeps on giving. I added some alyssum (Lobularia maritima), a rampant weed here no matter how dry it is, to lighten things up. |
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| Top view |
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| Top row: Anemone coronaria, noID Ceanothus, and the first Freesia bloom of the season (!) Middle row: Lavandula multifida, Lobularia maritima, and Osteospermum 'Violet Ice' Bottom row: Salvia 'Bee's Bliss', Scabiosa columbaria 'Flutter Deep Blue', and Westringia 'Morning Light' |
Last week's Anemones and two hellebore stems survived even though I let the arrangement go entirely dry so they ended up in the vase on the kitchen island.
For more IAVOM creations, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.
All material © 2012-2022 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party