The answer is two 'Zombie' Hippeastrums of course! We had a few days of warmer temperatures and my Hippeastrums, all grown outside, have begun to open one after another, with 'Zombie' leading the parade.
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| I added 2 flowering stems of Arbutus 'Marina' in front to add more interest but I've no idea how long the small bell-like flowers will hold up. They look fragile. |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| Back view: Like the last time I cut 'Zombie' for a vase, I used the ever-abundant flowers of Grevillea 'Superb' as a filler |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| Top view |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| Clockwise from the upper left: Arbutus 'Marina', white Freesia with noID Narcissus, Grevillea 'Superb', Leptospermum 'Copper Glow', Leucadendron salignum 'Blush' (now faded to ivory/yellow), another noID Narcissus (Tazetta type), and Hippeastrum 'Zombie' |
While the first arrangement sings of spring, the second looks like a reminder that winter isn't done with us yet. I had to fight the inclination to pick a cheerier set of blooms for my second arrangement but I'd already pruned stems of Leucadendron 'Wilson's Wonder' so I felt locked into the color scheme those stems set for me.
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| Cybister Hippeastrum 'Emerald' is much less flashy than 'Zombie' |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| Back view: The last of the Leucadendron 'Wilson's Wonder' stems I cut, which originally bore green cones with light yellow bracts, now sport brown cones with reddish-green bracts |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| Top view |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| Clockwise from the upper left: Corokia x virgata 'Sunsplash', Hippeastrum 'Emerald', Leptospermum 'Copper Glow', Leucadendron 'Blush', L. 'Wilson's Wonder', and Pyracantha berries |
The rainstorm that had been forecast for Sunday/Monday this week has largely fizzled out, although it's possible we'll get a stray shower or two between Monday night and Tuesday morning. There's now a greater chance of rain later in the week from Friday night through Saturday, possibly spilling into Sunday morning. Much as I've appreciated the rain we've received thus far, as well as a short break to dry out a bit, I'm also hoping we haven't already seen the last of our rainy season.
For more IAVOM creations, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.
All material © 2012-2024 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
