Monday, March 14, 2016

In a Vase: Plenty to Pick

monday vase, ranunculus, cutflower, ozothamnus, ranunculus, dianthus, small sunny garden, desert garden, amy myers
Today's vase is full of the plenitude of spring.
monday vase, ranunculus, cutflower, jasmine, dianthus, penstemon, small sunny garden, desert garden, amy myers
The weather now is simply scrumptious, and the garden is putting out its best for spring bloom.  So there were all sorts of flowers to choose from for the Monday Vase with Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.

In the end I picked Ranunculus...
ranunculus, monday vase, ranunculus, cutflower, dianthus, small sunny garden, desert garden, amy myers
...plus dark red Dianthus...
monday vase, ranunculus, cutflower, ozothamnus, dianthus, small sunny garden, desert garden, amy myers
...and also two flowers that have not been seen in this blog often, if at all.  Penstemon pseudospectabilis is sending up flourishes of bloom stems with bright pink trumpets.
penstemon pseudospectabilis, monday vase, ranunculus, cutflower, dianthus, penstemon, small sunny garden, desert garden, amy myers, ozothamnus diosmifolius
This plant has considerably different foliage from Penstemon parryi, which has been in the garden over a year now.  P. pseudospectabilis is not, to my eye, as elegant a plant as its cousin, but its exuberant bloom and unusual round, bluish leaves (sorry, no photos of the foliage yet!) make it well worth adding to the garden.  That, plus its reputation in hot, dry climates!  Its flowers are a brighter pink with the familiar glitter but less of the bearded throat which earns the genus its common name of "beardtongue".
penstemon pseudospectabilis, monday vase, ranunculus, cutflower, penstemon, small sunny garden, desert garden, amy myers
The second newcomer is Ozothamnus diosmifolius, another of the Australian shrubs I have added to the South Border.  This one is grown specifically for cutflowers, hence my eagerness to purchase it last year.  It is blooming at last; the sprays of tiny buds, which florists use as filler, are all over the wispy little bush.  The needlelike foliage is pretty and a bright green, though the overall habit so far is so filmy that the whole plant could easily be lost in a border, I think.
ozothamnus diosmifolius, monday vase, ranunculus, cutflower, ozothamnus, dianthus, small sunny garden, desert garden, amy myers
 Oddly enough, I tried cutting some earlier sprays a few weeks ago, but the stems wilted very quickly and I was unable to complete the vase.  I think the bush needed water, but the sudden meltdown was disheartening.  However, today's batch has been cooperative, and they do combine beautifully to fill out the bouquet.
monday vase, ranunculus, cutflower, penstemon, small sunny garden, desert garden, amy myers, ozothamnus
Also in the vase is jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum), grown in the patio by my sister.  We are making the most of jasmine season; the scent on the patio is heavenly!  It was nice to bring a bit of it indoors.
jasminum polyanthum, monday vase, ranunculus, cutflower, jasmine, small sunny garden, desert garden, amy myers
I am using a much-loved vase given to me by my sister for Christmas some years ago, one of those lovely finds from an antique mall.

Oh yes, and there are a few stems from a Salvia greggii seedling; though their red-pink flowers will drop quickly, the dark bracts and stems are still nice.
monday vase, ranunculus, cutflower, jasmine, dianthus, penstemon, small sunny garden, desert garden, amy myers
With the addition of the jasmine, I am realizing how rarely I use white in my vases.  That will have to change...
jasminum polyanthum, monday vase, ranunculus, cutflower, jasmine, small sunny garden, desert garden, amy myers
I hope all of you are enjoying a bit of spring or autumn by this time!

Have a great week!
monday vase, ranunculus, cutflower, jasmine, dianthus, penstemon, small sunny garden, desert garden, amy myers
Weather Diary: Fair; High: 78 F (26 C)/Low: 57 F (14 C)


14 comments:

  1. so pretty! It is grey here today and not very spring-like, but your vase has reminded me of the joys to come ...

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    1. I hope you will be enjoying spring soon! I am hoping it will last as long as possible here... ;-)

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  2. The reds are luscious, Amy - they combine so well and the buds of the Ozothamnus look really promisingso I am pleased you were able to successfully cut them the second time. I have had that same realisation about whites in the past too!

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    1. I never expected IVoM to point out the gaps in my garden planning, so you see... ;-) At any rate, I am just beginning the white and silver garden, so that will give me plenty of excuse to fill out with white flowers!

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  3. Oh my what a delight in those red blooms...such a plentiful, lovely vase!

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    1. Thank you so much, Donna! It seems I can't get enough reds... ;-)

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  4. The Jasmine flowers are so beautiful and elegant helping to create a lovely vase.

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    1. I'm indebted to my sister for starting what has become a small collection of jasmines - elegance is the perfect word for all of them!

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  5. It's a beautiful bouquet, Amy! Your Ranunculus once again fooled me into thinking it was a rose at first. I have to look for that Penstemon - I haven't had great luck with that genus here but I did recently plant P. parryi and will be hungry for more from the genus if that one makes it in my garden. I also planted an Ozothamnus this past fall but mine is just now showing its first buds. It did well in my former garden so I hope it will like this one as well.

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    1. The ranunculus really makes a nice focal point in a vase, I think! Here's hoping the desert penstemons will grow well for you; I haven't tried the standard hybrids, but I'm not sure I would bother as I find these desert species so attractive... Your comment on Ozothamnus is encouraging - I worry I have it in too much shade, though I understand that is recommended for the pink-flowered types.

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  6. That is a really beautiful arrangement, all that velvety dark loveliness off-set by the delicacy of the jasmine. Goregeous.

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    1. Thanks so much, Janet! The jasmine really seemed to add so much :)

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  7. Just stunning! Your arrangements are always such an inspiration, both in their form and the wonderful color combinations.
    Gorgeous as always!
    - Kate

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