Well, summer rolled in like a lion here and I can only cross my fingers in the hope that it'll achieve the proverbial gentleness of a lamb as the season progresses. We topped 94F (34C) yesterday. Today's temperature is forecast to be "much" cooler than yesterday's but then that's what Saturday's forecast said about Sunday so I won't be placing any bets on it.
At least I got out early in the morning on Sunday to cut flowers and putter in the garden before ducking inside for the afternoon. I only wish I'd gotten all my mulch spread before the heat arrived but maybe the heat will break later this week, allowing me to get back to that chore.
The 'Montego Bay' lily I eyed earlier in the week as a possible centerpiece for a floral arrangement was sadly past its prime on Sunday but my lilies are slowly unfolding one after another and I was able to select another one.
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| A tall stalk of Lilium 'Orange Planet' filled in nicely, complemented by 3 of the last blooms of Leucospermum 'Royal Hawaiian Brandi' |
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| Back view: I used Alstroemerias and Lobelia as fillers |
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| Top view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Acacia cognata 'Cousin Itt', Alstroemeria 'Third Harmonic', A. 'Indian Summer', Leucospermum 'Royal Hawaiian Brandi', Lilium 'Orange Planet', and Lobelia laxiflora |
Another of the Hippeastrums I planted in the ground last year produced an unexpected bloom stalk and, fearing that it wouldn't survive this initial heatwave, I decided to cut it for a second arrangement.
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| Hippeastrum 'Rosetta' produced just 2 flowers on a relatively short bloom stalk. This bulb was much more robust when I grew it in a pot but I expect it's still getting established in its new spot in a front garden bed. |
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| Back view |
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| Top view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Alstroemeria 'Inca Husky', A. 'Inca Vienna', Cuphea 'Honeybells', Fuchsia 'Windchimes White', Hippeastrum 'Rosetta', and Prostanthera ovalifolia 'Variegata' |
For more IAVOM creations, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.
All material © 2012-2024 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
