Pansies are the first flower I fell in love with as a child and although the conditions in Southern California aren't optimal for growing them, I inevitably cave in and buy some every year. This year I at least held off until the summer-like temperatures that persisted through November finally gave way. I planted plugs of a few varieties in December and, with regular rainwater, courtesy of my rain collection tanks, they're doing well so they were a natural choice for this week's "In a Vase on Monday," the meme hosted by Cathy of
Rambling in a Garden. Their short stems necessitated use of tiny vases. Of course, going tiny, I couldn't stop at just one vase.
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| I created 3 coordinated, but not identical, vases |
The vases contain different foliage but the same 3 floral elements:
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| Viola x wittrockiana was used in all 3 vases - most are from a mix called 'Pandora's Box' but the third vase also includes a cream-colored viola. In addition, each vase includes Gomphrena decumbens 'Itsy Bitsy' and flowers of a noID Narcissus growing in several areas of my backyard garden. |
Here's a closer look at the individual vases, each of which manages to project a slightly different personality.
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| In addition to Violas, Narcissus and Gomphrena, this vase includes Pseuderanthemum atropupureum 'Texas Tri-star' and Coleonema pulchellum 'Sunset Gold' |
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| The extra elements in the green vase are leatherleaf fern (Rumorha adiantiformis) and Abelia 'Confetti' |
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| The only divergent element in the yellow vase is Erysimum linifolium 'Variegatum' |
I couldn't find a good place to arrange all 3 vases as a group so they ended up in different spots.
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| The dining room table |
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| The mantle in the master bedroom |
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| And the desk in my home office |
Last week's arrangement held up amazingly well, although the flowers of
Grevillea 'Peaches & Cream' are now starting the fall apart. There are still lots of flowers on the shrub but I couldn't bear to cut any more.
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| Gratuitous photo of my beautiful Grevillea 'Peaches & Cream' in the front garden |
Visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden to find what she and other gardeners have managed to put together from materials in their gardens this week.
All material © 2012-2016 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
