My title was chosen to describe my first arrangement. While it was inspired by Hippeastrum 'Luna', that stem ended up being literally pushed to the side by the vase's other contents. Still, the arrangement does glow.
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| I transplanted the Hippeastrum 'Luna' bulbs that produced abundant blooms when grown in pots last year in a bed after they flowered and 2 have produced flower stalks so far. However, Alstroemeria 'Claire' assumed center stage, backed up by 2 white-flowered foxgloves. |
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| The back view shows off stems of Achillea 'Moonshine' and Helichrysum 'Icicles' |
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| Top view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Achillea 'Moonshine', Alstroemeria 'Claire', Digitalis purpurea 'Dalmatian White', Helichrysum thianschanicum 'Icicles', Prunus ilicifolia, and Hippeastrum 'Luna' |
I selected the 'Chantilly Pink' snapdragons in my cutting garden for my second arrangement, originally planning to combine these with some of the Centranthus ruber that currently covers a large part of my back slope; however, the two pinks didn't mesh well so I ended up combining the snapdragons with other flowers.
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| Alstroemeria 'Inca Vienna', which was just the right shade of pink, took center stage in this arrangement too |
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| I dressed up the back view with a different noID pink Alstroemeria, which didn't quite align with the pink of the snapdragon but did play off the Dorycnium hirsutum (aka hairy Canary clover) |
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| Top view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: noID Anemone coronaria, Dorycnium hirsutum, Alstromeria 'Inca Vienna', Heuchera maxima, Leptospermum 'Copper Glow', Orlaya grandiflora, and Antirrhinum majus 'Chantilly Pink' |
I'd intended to stop at two arrangements this week but, after just a few warmer days the cutting garden has suddenly stepped up its output. I probably should've selected more foxgloves but I couldn't help myself from cutting the first sweet pea blooms.
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| There still aren't many sweet peas blooms but I cut every one available |
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| Back view: I filled in with larkspur (Consolida ajacis) and a couple stems of Coriandrum sativum (aka cilantro) |
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| Top view |
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First 2 rows, clockwise: Lathyrus odoratus 'Blue Shift', 'Lavender Ice', 'Dancing Queen', and 'Oban Bay'
Bottom row: Orlaya grandiflora and Consolida ajacis 'Summer Skies Mix' and 'Earl Grey' |
I'm hoping the sweet peas continue to accelerate production. Temperatures in the low 80sF (26-27C) are predicted for downtown Los Angeles but, as our morning marine layer is still going strong along the coast, it's likely to keep our afternoon temperatures well below that. Nonetheless, signs of summer's approach are showing up. The Achillea 'Moonshine' blooms are one sign. Buds developing on the Agapanthus are another, and yesterday morning I discovered the first sprout of one of the dahlia tubers I potted up in late April. Summer is definitely mounting an advance.
For more IAVOM blooms, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.
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material © 2012-2023
by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
