I started tearing my cool season cutting garden apart this weekend. I'm only halfway through the process, partly because I took the time to package a lot of the floral material to give away to neighbors, but I held some of it back for this week's IAVOM arrangements too. I stole the name of this post from the name of the larkspur I cut down: 'Summer Skies'. Although our morning marine layer is still in place, we're getting more sun and blue skies in the afternoon. According to Sunday's Los Angeles Times, a "heat dome" is expected to settle over California later this week; however, it's possible that coastal Southern California may be spared. I can only hope that's the case - early June is too soon for a major heatwave.
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| I paired stems of larkspur 'Summer Skies Mix' with 3 tall stems of Agapanthus for a wispy blue and white arrangement |
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| Back view, showing off Salvia 'Mystic Spires' and Prostanthera ovalifolia (aka mint bush) |
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| Top view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Centranthus ruber 'Albus', 2 variations from the Consolida ajacis 'Summer Skies Mix', noID Agapanthus, white and blue variations of Nigella papillosa, Prostanthera ovalifolia 'Variegata', and Salvia 'Mystic Spires' |
My second arrangement incorporated some of the Nigella from the cutting garden but otherwise consisted of blooms from elsewhere in my garden. The wild carrot (Daucus carota) is very plentiful at the moment.
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| I paired the abundant wild carrot stems with Alstroemeria and ivy geranium (Pelargonium peltatum) |
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| Back view |
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| Top view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: noID Alstroemeria, Daucus carota 'Dara', Leptospermum 'Copper Glow', Nigella papillosa, and 2 varieties of Pelargonium peltatum in burgundy and dark pink |
I considered creating a third arrangement using a Hippeastrum that surprised me by blooming in a neglected pot on my south side patio. I decided to leave it where it was because the flower stalk and the individual blooms are so big I was afraid they'd overwhelm just about anything I paired with it.
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| The individual flowers of the Hippeastrum are larger than my open hand. The bulb, purchased in 2022, was sold as 'Appleblossom' but its coral color suggests otherwise |
I did cut sweet peas to fill a small vase on our kitchen island, though. The remaining sweet peas, on vines extending well above my head, are slated for removal as I clear the third raised planter in my cutting garden this week. While the flowers only last a few days, their scent is heavenly and I'll miss them when they're gone.
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| Lathyrus odoratus 'April in Paris', represented by the ivory flowers with lavender edges, is as highly scented as it's reputation claims |
My fingers are crossed that we sidestep the worst effects of that heat dome. I really need to get my summer-flowering plants in the ground as soon as possible but temperatures in excess of 100F (38C) won't help there.
For more IAVOM creations, visit Cathy of Rambling in the Garden.
All material © 2012-2024 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
