In a Vase on Monday: Opposites

My garden is in the midst of its summer doldrums; however, with little help from me beyond regular watering, my cutting garden has stepped up production in response to our higher temperatures.  While both of this week's arrangements make use dahlias and zinnias, they deliver entirely different impressions.

The first arrangement is composed of cool colors.  It includes the first flowers of Dahlia 'Mikayla Miranda', which was one of my favorites last year.

'Mikayla Miranda' has beautiful white and lavender petals.  I'm lucky that the last remaining foxglove in my cutting garden is still pumping out lavender flowers to fill out the arrangement too.

I tucked in 2 stems of Dahlia 'Vancouver' to dress up the back view

Top view

Clockwise from the upper left: Acacia cognata 'Cousin Itt'. Digitalis purpurea, Zinnia elegans 'Zinderella Lilac', Dahlia 'Mikayla Miranda', and D. 'Vanvouver'

My second arrangement couldn't be more different.  It includes the warm, rusty tones more characteristic of the fall season.

I added Rudbeckia 'Sahara' to play off the reddish tones of Dahlia 'Creme de Cognac'.  I think the dainty, twisted green stems are wandering vines of a Pandorea jasminoides several feet away - it seems to attempt a sneaky takeover each summer.

Back view: Each Rudbeckia 'Sahara' is a little different

Top view

Clockwise from the upper left: Dahlia 'Creme de Cognac', Leptospermum 'Copper Glow', what I think is Pandorea jasminoides, 2 varieties of Rudbeckia hirta 'Sahara', and Zinnia elegans 'Golden Hour'

I've finally shaken off the chains of COVID but temperatures in the low 90sF (32C) are still restricting the time I spend outside.  My list of projects remains long.  Sadly, some forecasts suggest that September and October in California may be hotter than usual, and that our rainy season may start later.  *SIGH*

For more IAVOM creations, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.

All material © 2012-2024 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party