Flowers from Yard to Vase - CA series

The white ones bloom about 2 weeks before the yellow flag iris. The was one that was opened when I was picking the white ones for the vase.

As a rule, I am not a huge fan of bearded irises. But, I got this one years ago from a co-worker, and I have grown to like it a lot. It has a light spicy scent.

They don't last very long in a vase, but if you pick off the spent blooms daily, there is enough new ones opening up so that it is presentable for about 3 days. The coloring of the yard photo is much more representative of the true color. I had to use a flash for this photo and it washes out the color.

Here's a better shot of it - more true to color.

I like that pseudacorus too! I'm also not a fan of bearded.

I'll take your share---I just love them, even though they don't last very long, and even when they fall over!

Ima - I probably would grow a few more bearded irises if I had more space. As it stands, I only have a couple of each variety of plants so that I can get the different bloom times throughout the year. If you lived closer, you are certainly welcomed to my extras. LoL

Roses are the staple of many gardens, so I had to have a few. I like this shrubby one because it has a profusion of flowers now, another flush in the fall, and a sprinkling of blooms in the 6 months inbetween. I don't know what kind it is - I saw it in a friend's garden, took a cutting, and it rooted.

Since I like to keep my plants in check, cutting flowers for arrangements is a great way to prune and deadhead. The drawback of this plant is that it is quite thorny, and you have to wear gloves to handle the branches. I learned the hard way and got badly scratched the first time I tried this. I like the varying shades of reddish-coral color.

And here they are in a vase.

Here's one of mine, the wind is blowing so hard, these poor flowers are better off inside!

And now in a milk bottle vase.

Mrs. Colla - nice flower bed. I think I recognize papaver, digitalis, and coreopsis. What are the others?
I often cut the flowers too when I know a rain is coming, or strong wind, that is going to demolish the flowers if left outside.

Thanks for posting!

Peony season is just about over for me. These Sarah Bernhardts are the last to bloom.

I tried an experiment last year with picking peonies when they were about golf-ball to base-ball size, stripped the leaves, wrapped and refrigerated them for 2 weeks to delay the blooming time. Though obviously not as good as freshly picked, it was acceptable.

These in the vase are freshly picked, and I took the photo outside because the coloring is so much more natural.

This one is slightly out of sequence. My last bird of paradise bloom is fading now. They start blooming around Feb, and continues to the end of May. Those of you in Southern California probably consider these weeds, LoL, but here in northern CA where they can freeze back if not planted in a protected area, I do treasure mine.

They do beautifully in a vase. The waxy flowers last forever..... The leaves make good greens for other arrangements too.

Soilsandup, Austin roses, I forget which ones, a single clematis flower and those monster poppies I put out from last years seeds.

My peonies don't bloom... after 6 years. Bad stock maybe, I bought them for a dollar at a sale, or I planted them wrong. I admire all the flower vases here so much~ thanks!
Christie

And this one vase I love; it fits so many little flowers!

Christie - Marin may just not be cold enough for the peonies. I have a friend in SF who gave me 4 of hers because they never bloomed for her - and they did OK here. I am just on the edge of being able to plant them. You may want to try tree peonies - they need less winter chill, and they are great plants too.

I also like to collect vases - I get most of mines from thrift stores and garage sales. And my second most favorite vases are discarded laboratory ware - I work in UC Davis and when things get obsolete and labs need to get rid of stuff, I try to save some of the more interesting glassware.

Asiatic lilies are the first of the lilium family to bloom here. I have grown a variety of them, and they come and go, some stay for a few years, some only for one season. I grew some without the stamens, but they petered out after two years. This Lollipop one has had the longest staying power - maybe 5 years now?

And in a vase.

For all you vase people, I just discovered something real fun!
My man and boy had drawn on a little glass vase for mothers day, but it washed off.
Now I discovered Pebeo glass paint! It comes in actual paint, that you can apply with brushes, sponges or stamps, or markers.
They allow light through either transparent or translucent.
For a opaque look, try the porcelain paint.

You air dry it for 24 to 36 hours, than put it in your oven, turn the heat to 300 degrees for 30 or 35 minutes, and then turn the oven off and let it cool.

You can put it in the dish washer, microwave and all!

I am going to paint!!

Soils, I have tree peonies, and only one bloomed, with 1 bloom, after years. Maybe they need more sun than what they have... If I dig them up, would you want mine?

Your lilies look great soils. I've had dwindling lilies too. Most of them are pretty weak and spindly after only a couple of years. They must want winter cold to do well. I looked it up on the web and it's pretty clear that they want a winter chill period. Guess we have to grow them like annuals the same as we do with our tulips.

Hey, it sounds like there should be a Round Up for Northern California where you could all bring stuff to trade. From Gilroy, Watsonville, Sacramento, Marin, etc areas you could all get together. California is such a large, long state, it is unreasonable to expect one Round Up could service everyone and pretty much everyone at our RU is from Southern California (with some AZ regulars). Just a thought.

I would like a NorCal roundup too!!!

About 4 years ago, one DGer did host a couple of roundups in Stockton. I don't know if she is still an active member. But, yes, it would be great to have a northern CA roundup. I got rid of a bunch of white gingers and Amaryllis belladonnas that year, and was happy to see them go to good homes. It was held in the fall - a great time for dividing perennials. In a year or two, I should have a who bunch of dahlias to share too.

Okay, this is my first attempt at cutting flowers and arranging them in a vase so go easy on me! ^_^

Gardensox - nice and elegant. What is the purple plant? Don't forget to post the garden shot. Would love to see where you have the plants in your garden.

Have you gotten your water meter in your part of Sacramento yet? Mines was installed last summer, so it will be interesting to see how much the utility bills will change.

Thanks. The purple plant is Verbena bonariensis or Upright Verbena. The rose is called 'Sexy Rexy'. I'll definitely post a picture of the garden shot later today when I have access to my photos.

I also got the water meter installed last summer and I'm waiting for the metering to kick in. I'm a little nervous about it, to be honest. I try to conserve water in the garden and I think I do a pretty good job at it. But I'm definitely guilty of using more than my share of water for the morning shower.

Here's a picture of the Upright Verbena. It's a pretty airy, wispy plant so it's for me to get a good picture of it.

That's interesting - I am only familiar with the trailing verbenas. It is nice to know that there are some upright ones. I don't have a lot blooming now, except for the lilies, so that would be a nice addition for this time of the year. That was one of the goals of this thread - to learn! So thanks for introducing me to a new plant.

One of the lilies blooming now is my Pink Perfection trumpet lily. This one is a great multiplier.

And here it is in a vase. They are great cut flowers with very strong stems. I added some leatherleaf fern for the greenery. It is in front of a painting where I work of fauna and flora from one of the early ages. The leatherleaf fern grows without any care - just have to cut off some of the old fronds periodically. It is in the shade in the rear of one of my beds. Divides well too.

I love the combination with the ferns!

Thanks, Christie!

So, will we be expecting some yard to vase photos from you in your hand-painted vases soon? LoL.

I got back from a week in the Los Angeles area and found my Easter lilies in full bloom. That was a nice surprise. I used to collect Easter lilies from my church and put them in the yard after the blooms died. They may last a couple of years, and then die off. My sister came across one bunch 5 years ago that was a terrific grower and bloomer - she had one stalk with over 20 blooms, and must have had 20 bulblets around it. She has been dividing that patch, and gave me some last year. I am hoping that they will be perpetual bulbs for me too.

I am normally a just stick the flowers in a vase type of person, but here is my attempt to be artistic. LoL. Easter lilies, gardenias, a white calla that is a summer bloomer (as opposed to the larger, white calla lilies that blooms in early spring), peony and watsonia leaves.

Soils, that is a realy neat combo!!

Thanks!! Are you going to go to Annie's in the next few days? I wish I lived close enough to take advantage of their 20% off sale that is going on now. The prices at the nursery itself is less than the catalog price, so making a personal visit is really worth it. I spent over $50 last month when I had my daughter take a side trip to Richmond on her way to San Francisco.

This message was edited Jun 18, 2010 10:04 PM

Soils, I put in an order online. I do not drive a car, I have no depth perception!
And besides, if I order online, DH doesn't need to nag at me buying plants ;-)