The garden is full of blooming beauties, especially after recent rains. We didn't get enough rain to break the drought, but it helps.
At the time I prepared this vase, the first Zinnia (Z. elegans 'State Fair Mix') of the season had bloomed. I had to celebrate it...and the beginning of true summer...with a simple arrangement.
While I don't have a true "favorite" in the garden, Zinnias are among my favorite summer-blooming cut flowers. I grow them from seeds started indoors in late winter/early spring. And once blooming, they continue to provide endless flowers with repeated cuttings until the first hard freeze. Hummingbirds and other pollinators love them, and so do I.
Also, in the simple arrangement: Fiddlehead Ferns (Matteuccia struthiopteris) of which we have an endless supply.
Deptford Pinks (Dianthus armeria) and Calamintha (C. nepeta). I probably should pull all the former, since they're non-native and somewhat invasive. But I prefer to wait until they flower to enjoy the beauty, and then uproot them.
While I don't have a true "favorite" in the garden, Zinnias are among my favorite summer-blooming cut flowers. I grow them from seeds started indoors in late winter/early spring. And once blooming, they continue to provide endless flowers with repeated cuttings until the first hard freeze. Hummingbirds and other pollinators love them, and so do I.
Also, in the simple arrangement: Fiddlehead Ferns (Matteuccia struthiopteris) of which we have an endless supply.
Deptford Pinks (Dianthus armeria) and Calamintha (C. nepeta). I probably should pull all the former, since they're non-native and somewhat invasive. But I prefer to wait until they flower to enjoy the beauty, and then uproot them.
A large Allium seedhead: I believe this one is 'Ambassador.'
'May Night' Salvias, which after deadheading will bloom several more times in the weeks ahead.
A handful of the bright and warm 'Sunrise Rose' Lantanas (L. camara).
It's a simple arrangement, but a sweet way to celebrate the first Zinnia. :)
As I was wrapping up this post, I noticed the Asiatic Lilies (Lilium asiaticum) were beginning to bloom, so I picked a couple and plopped them in a vase.
I'm linking this post to the meme In a Vase on Monday, hosted by Cathy at Rambling in the Garden. Check it out and participate!
Oh Beth that is the perfect beginning to summer vase. I adore zinnias and planted a few more I got from our local garden center. Such a wonderful beginning to summer in that vase! Enjoy the garden my friend.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Donna. The Zinnias really cheer me up, and they keep coming until the first hard frost. It's a special joy to see the pollinators enjoying them, too. :)
DeleteIt's lovely Beth - the shape the ferns give it especially, and I love the Zinnia. Like the way you put lantana around the base too. 😃
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cathy. I need to remember to use the ferns more often and more plentifully. They really add structure, and I must keep them under control out in the backyard. ;-)
DeleteThe first time of picking in the season of a particular type of flower is a type of celebration, and your zinnia is joined by some other fine flowers and foliage: delightful.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Yes, it's a feeling of truly being blessed by lovely gifts of blooms. I almost think those of us in cold climates appreciate it more because we only have abundance like this for part of the year. LOL.
DeleteThe centre of the Zinnia is stunning, Beth. My first zinnia is in bloom too, but as it is the green Envy variety I would have to think carefully about what to pair it with...perhaps next IAVOM? You have chosen some lovely partners for yours, and the lantana is especially striking, not something easily grown here
ReplyDeleteZinnias are fun elements in any arrangement...no matter what the color. I'll look forward to your upcoming IAVOM posts. They're always so lovely.
DeleteAh, your vase of summer is beautiful. I love zinnias. Mine are only an inch or two, getting a very late start with them this year. Lantana is opening this week though. Your Asiatic Lilies are striking--such useful flowers.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susie. I cheated with the Lantanas and purchased plants, since they're annuals here. The Zinnias are growing slower than usual because hose water isn't as beneficial as rainwater. But they're coming along... :)
DeleteHah! Its funny you have Zinnias blooming long before mine here in SoCal. It's a beauty of a Zinnia, and the arrangement over all is a fascinating complex mix of textures, not only colors.
ReplyDeleteThe lilies--yummy! Hope you get some more rain soon, to break your drought.
Thanks! I guess I "cheated" by starting the Zinnias as seeds in a warm house with bright windows. It sure is wonderful to have them for arrangements from mid-June through early October. :) Thanks for your kind words about the drought. Fingers crossed.
DeleteThat vase definitely looks like summer. We only got .23" of rain over the weekend.
ReplyDeleteThe forecasts for rain were so much more plentiful than what we received. Here's hoping the trend is a little more rainy going forward.
DeleteIndeed, simple is good! My fave by far is the beautiful green vase with lilies :) PS Laramie weather report: rain seems to have ended, temps climbing.
ReplyDeleteLove the Lilies...always. Please send some of the rain you had our way. Droughts are rough in parts of the country that usually have moderate amounts of rain. They change the landscape so dramatically.
DeleteCongratulations on the rain, even if it wasn't as much as you'd have liked to see. I love that little pink Dianthus and I'm sorry to hear it's invasive. The Salvia is lovely too.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kris. It helps a little. Still...only under 2 inches since the beginning of May. Our normal total precipitation for May and June would be more than 9 inches. :(
DeleteA wonderful first week of summer vase! Deptford pinks showed up in my garden a year of two ago, not sure where they came from, but I've been watching them closely. I pick all the blooms before they can spread. I'll likely yank them all soon.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Eliza. I just pulled a few more yesterday. They're beautiful flowers, but I don't want them to take over. :)
DeleteWonderful summer color that you can enjoy indoors!! Tina
ReplyDeleteHi Tina: Yes, the colors are bright and beautiful. They cheer me up. :)
DeleteSo beautiful and so creatively arranged.
ReplyDeleteThank you. It's a fun activity, isn't it? :)
DeleteZinnia are one of my favorites too. This year I planted the cactus variety, I am looking forward to seeing how they do. :-)
ReplyDeleteOh, those are fun, too. I'd love to see them featured on your blog. They seem like they'd be great for arrangements, too.
DeleteYou have a beautiful group of flowers. You have more bloomers than I do right now, but I hope to catch up with your lovely garden.
ReplyDeleteIt goes in waves for all of us, doesn't it, Pat? It seems like there's a flush of blooms in early and mid-spring, and then others in mid-summer and late-summer/fall. My Irises didn't bloom much this season, so I didn't have as many blooms in late spring/early summer as usual.
DeleteSo pretty and gorgeous colours. I love zinnias too but I always have problems with slugs when the plants are young.
ReplyDeleteWe haven't had much rain, so slugs haven't been as much of an issue so far this growing season. Also, I put small tubs of beer around them, so the slugs drown. It took a bit for the Zinnias to get going, but they're really starting to take off now.
DeleteI will agree and say zinnias are one of my favorite flowers too. The closer you get, the more beautiful they look. Your first bloom of the season deserves to be celebrated!
ReplyDeleteJeannie@GetMeToTheCountry
Oh, so true about the beauty close-up. Zinnias are rewarding for so many reasons. :)
DeleteSuch a delicately threaded centre
ReplyDeleteThe flowers keep giving. :)
Delete