I wasn't feeling particularly inspired by the contents of my garden this week. I decided to cut two stems of the pink lily in my backyard border, not because it was especially compelling, but because I could tell it wasn't going to hold up another week. As the plant was also surrounded by a wire cage to protect it from the rabbits who apparently have a huge appetite for lily foliage, it also wasn't doing much for the landscape.
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| I've had the noID pink lily for at least 5 years. The bulb was a gift with purchase and it blooms reliably but it's nothing special. The fluffy blooms of the pink and white Lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum) upstaged it in my view. |
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| Back view: I used pink and white Centrantus ruber as filler material |
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| Top view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Abelia grandiflora 'Edward Goucher', Centranthus ruber, pink and white Eustoma grandiflorum, Leptospermum 'Copper Glow', and noID lily |
I decided on a blue, white and yellow arrangement to make use of some of my blue Lisianthus, as well as the yellow-flowered gumweed (Grindelia camporum) in the same bed.
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| I planted the blue Lisianthus earlier this year and, unlike the more well-established pink and white varieties that have been in the garden for over a year, many of the plants are struggling. In contrast, the native Grindelia is thriving (like the weed its common name suggests it is) but it's also flopping all over its neighbors so I took the opportunity to cut it back until I can move it somewhere more appropriate. |
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| Back view: The Agapanthus are now in full bloom so they're a logical choice in any blue-themed arrangement |
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| Top view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Abelia grandiflora 'Hopley's Variegated', Argyranthemum frutescens 'White Butterfly', Arthropodium cirratum, noID Agapanthus, Eustoma grandiflorum, Grindelia camporum, and Orlaya grandiflora |
Both arrangements turned out better than I'd expected but, with the drought taking its toll on the plants in my borders, I'm looking forward to the dahlias in my cutting garden. One plant is already showing multiple buds...
For more floral creations, visit our IAVOM host, Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.
All material © 2012-2022by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party