I considered pulling out my sweet pea vines when I cleared most of my cutting garden of the rest of the cool season annuals. As the result of our cooler temperatures, they'd gotten a slow start and our persistent marine layer encouraged the foliage to mildew. However, as the sweet peas stepped up production, I found it hard to let them go. A few sunny afternoons and, all of a sudden, there are more flowers than I can cut.
![]() |
| A lot of those sweet peas are too tall for me to reach without a ladder |
![]() |
| In addition to a varied combination of sweet peas, I added 2 stems of Gladious 'Vuvuzela' growing in the same raised planter |
![]() |
| Back view: I also cut 3 foxglove stems |
![]() |
| Top view |
![]() |
| Clockwise from the upper left: Digitalis purpurea 'Dalmatian Purple', D. 'Dalmatian White', Gladiolus 'Vuvuzela', Lathyrus odoratus 'Blue Shift', L. 'Dancing Queen', L. 'Enchante', and L. 'Oban Bay' |
My second arrangement was inspired by one of the first lilies to make an appearance this year.
![]() |
| I used the lily as my centerpiece even though it was still in the process of opening |
![]() |
| I cut 3 more stems of the 'Golden Celebration' rose this week to dress up the back of the arrangement |
![]() |
| Top view |
![]() |
| Clockwise from the upper left: Abelia grandiflora 'Kaleidoscope', Achillea 'Moonshine', Alstroemeria 'Claire', Lilium 'Conca d'Or', Lagurus ovatus, Orlaya grandiflora, Prunus lilcifolia, and Rosa 'Golden Celebration' |
I'd cut a few stems of Centaurea 'Silver Feather' to include in the first arrangement but they looked wonky so I cut them down in size and threw them into a small vase with more sweet peas for the kitchen island.
![]() |
| The small vase contains Centaurea 'Silver Feather' and Lathyrus odoratus x belinensis 'Erewhon' |
For more IAVOM creations, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.
All
material © 2012-2023
by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
