In a Vase on Monday: Faux orchids and blobby things

No, I didn't create a vase using silk or plastic flowers.  The "faux orchids" of the title refer to the flowers of Bauhinia x blakeana, also known as the Hong Kong orchid tree.  Despite a warm blast from Santa Ana winds this past weekend, the tree is currently blanketed in flowers.



Although they don't usually last long in a vase, I decided to make use of the orchid-like flowers this week.  The "blobby things" refer to the apt name Cathy, the hostess of "In a Vase on Monday," gave to Gomphrena 'Itsy Bitsy' when I used these odd flowers in a vase last month.

Front view

Back view

Here's a closer look at the individual elements:

Top row: Flowers of Bauhinia x blakeana Bottom row: Gomphrena decumbens 'Itsy Bitsy' (aka "blobby things"), Leucadendron 'Pisa', and Plectranthus scutellarioides 'Lava Rose'

Hopefully, the Bauhinia flowers will last at least a few days.  I cut longer stems this time and cut into the woody bases to improve water uptake.  The vase currently sits in the front entryway.



Visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden to see what she and other gardeners are featuring this week.  As winter cold takes hold in many areas (but not here, where temperatures are hovering just below 80F/26C), participants are getting very creative about finding materials for their arrangements.


All material © 2012-2015 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party