In a Vase on Monday: Lurid or lovely?

Dutch Iris 'Eye of the Tiger' burst into bloom last week.  Last year, when the blooms first appeared, I considered pulling up the bulbs but the color of the flowers grew on me so I left them in place.  I used the flowers in one arrangement last year but I didn't want to duplicate the mix this time around.  However, the colors I combined this time were much the same even if the accent materials I used were different (with one exception).

The falls of Iris 'Eye of the Tiger' open in a bronze color, gradually transitioning to maroon, while the standards are a dark purple

Back view: Like last year I played off the gold "eyes" in the Iris falls using yellow flowers, this time choosing the Dr Seuss-like flowers of Phlomis fruticosa

Top view

Clockwise from the upper left: Abelia 'Kaleidoscope', Phlomis fruticosa (aka Jerusalem sage), Xylosma congestum, Iris hollandica 'Eye of the Tiger', and Limonium perezii (aka sea lavender)

The inspiration for my second arrangement was the 'Cynthia' species tulips.  As in prior years, 'Cynthia' lagged her cousin 'Lady Jane' by several weeks.  The Ixia bulb blooms and Alstroemeria 'Inca Sundance' showed up just in time to join in.

The partially open buds of Alstroemeria 'Inca Sundance' mirror the appearance of the 'Cynthia' species tulips.  The flowers of 'Inca Sundance' should open fully within a day or so.  The tulips should open fully with mid-day sun exposure in our front entry.

Back view: I've got a noID pink Alstroemeria that leans to the yellow end of the color spectrum and another that leans blue.  I used the former to fill in the back of the arrangement.

Top view

Clockwise from the upper left: Acacia cognata 'Cousin Itt', Ixia (aka African corn lilies and wand flowers), Alstroemeria 'Inca Vienna', noID pink Alstroemeria, A. 'Inca Sundance', Tulipa clusiana 'Cynthia', and Xylosma congestum

For more IAVOM creations, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.

All material © 2012-2023 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party