Surprise! I have two arrangements this week. (Just kidding - I know regular readers would be more surprised if I had just one, especially during the spring season.) They could't be more different. The first is unusual in terms of its color mix. The second can best be described as frothy.
The first arrangement was inspired by Dutch Iris 'Lion King'. Although the blue Dutch Irises are almost done blooming, 'Lion King' always seems to lag behind.
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| It's not easy to find companion plants to enhance the colors of this Iris's petals and I wondered if the choices I made duplicated those I've made in the past. However, I looked back at the photos of other arrangements using this Iris and was somewhat surprised that, with the exception of the yellow Leucospermum flowers, I haven't used any of the other elements before. |
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| Back view |
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| Top view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Acacia cognata 'Cousin Itt', Aristea inaequalis seedpods, Iris hollandica 'Lion King', Leucospermum 'High Gold', Phlomis fruticosa, and Salvia africana-lutea |
I didn't have great expectations for the second arrangement but I liked the way it turned out, even though it strikes me as very girly. The inspiration was the Polygala myrtifolia (sweet pea bush) that's growing all over my garden. Although I've pulled what seems like hundreds of its seedlings this year, it's still abundant. It makes a decent groundcover so I've left more of it in place than perhaps I should.
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| The frilly bits are flowering stems of Prostanthera ovalifolia (aka mint bush) and sweet peas. Sweet pea petals seem to drop within 3-4 days and I have suspicions that the flowers on the mint bush may not last long in a vase either but I'll enjoy it while I can. |
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| Back view: It has a heavenly scent! |
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| Top view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Digitalis purpurea, Lathyrys odoratus 'April in Paris', a noID purple sweet pea, Nigella papillosa, Polygala myrtifolia, and Prostanthera ovalifolia 'Variegata' |
Last week's arrangement featuring peach foxgloves held up well and, as I couldn't bring myself to toss all the contents in my compost bin, I cut it down to a smaller size and gave it a place on the kitchen island.
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| I've always recognized that Alstroemeria and Leucosperum flowers have long vase lives but I don't recall foxgloves holding up as well |
It's looking as though our rainy season is probably over but at least cooler-than-usual temperatures may persist for another month or more. For more IAVOM creations, visit our host, Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.
All material © 2012-2024 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
