A chance of rain was forecast for this past weekend but it was predicted to be light, if it showed up at all. When rain arrived in the form of intermittent showers on both Saturday and Sunday it was much more than expected. We received four-fifths of an inch, which was a nice boon. However, it complicated the process of collecting flowers to fill a vase (or two) on Sunday. After all, given our patchy relationship with rain in coastal Southern California, I don't have a lot of practice in assessing when the next downpour may occur. But flowers remain plentiful so at least I didn't have to dash far to collect materials.
I went all-out with pink flowers for the first arrangement.
![]() |
| Alstroemerias and Centranthus ruber show up in earnest in the spring |
![]() |
| Back view: I clipped tall stems of the white-flowered Ageratum that mysteriously appeared in my back border. I've no record nor recollection of planting such an Ageratum. Ageratum is also said to prefer moist soil and isn't known for growing over 3 feet tall. |
![]() |
| Top view |
![]() |
| Clockwise from the upper left: Antirrhinum majus, Leptospermum 'Copper Glow', L. scoparium 'Pink Pearl', noID pink Alstroemeria, noID Ageratum, Centranthus ruber, and Digitalis purpurea |
I'm delighted to report that at least some of the Hippeastrums I planted in the ground last year are handling that transition well. Every one of the Hippeastrum 'Luna' bulbs in one back garden bed has a bloom stalk so I decided to rescue one from the pummeling rain.
![]() |
| Hippeastrum 'Luna' was one of my favorite potted selections last year so I'm especially pleased to see it again |
![]() |
| Back view: When temperatures soared in the low 80sF last week, many of my Dutch Iris blooms began to wither so I decided to take advantage of those that are left while I can. I'm still waiting on some varieties of those Iris to make their first appearance so I hope their season isn't over yet. |
![]() |
| Top view |
![]() |
| Clockwise from the upper left: Acacia cognata 'Cousin Itt', Alstroemeria 'Claire', Felicia aethiopica, Hippeastrum 'Luna', Iris hollandica 'Sapphire Beauty, and Phlomis fruticosa |
With two back-to-back years of rainfall well above average (our water year to date total is 19.31 inches!), my garden is especially colorful this year. My neighborhood is also very colorful, which can be partly attributed to this fellow.
![]() |
| Credit for this photo goes to my neighbor CF. She caught our new resident showing off his fancy tail feathers. He's clearly not one of the juvenile males who show up for a short period after being kicked out of the family nest. My new theory is that he and a peahen (that I've yet to see) are minding a nest in one of the nearby pine trees. Apparently, that's their favorite place to nest in our urban area rife with coyotes. |
For more colorful IAVOM contributions, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.
Note: My Garden Bloggers Bloom Day post will be published on Wednesday, April 17th.
All material © 2012-2024 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
