Like the simple wreath I posted about last Monday this arrangement is meant to be a pause between the harvest celebration of autumn/Thanksgiving and the full on gift giving, bright and colorful, chaos of Christmas. We went away for Thanksgiving, in fact it's the first time I've celebrated Thanksgiving at home, with my entire family, since we moved to Portland back in 2004. I knew when we returned to Portland I would want my surroundings to be neutral, I got rid of all the pumpkins, gourds and the like before we left. Unfortunately cold weather moved in right as we were leaving (I expect I'll be updating you on that soon) so I didn't mind cutting bits of what could have been (might still be) evergreen garden stars...
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The base of the arrangement - Blue Chalksticks. I've long ago forgotten if these are Senecio mandraliscae or Senecio serpens. Whichever it is I've kept a 4" plant purchased years ago going and going. I simply take cuttings each autumn, plant them up indoors and then plant them out each spring. That one plant has now morphed into multiple flats like what you see below.
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If I lived in the warm parts of California that Senecio could take over my garden in no time. And I'd probably have Asparagus densiflorus 'Myers'/aka Fox Tail Fern growing right along with it. So working with my "California Dreaming" theme I cut a few of those "tails"...after all mid 20's were expected...who knew if it would live?
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And since I needed a third element, Acacia baileyana 'Purpurea'. Another sure-fire plant in Zone 9, not so much here in Zone 8.
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The end result is exactly what I was hoping for. Something that takes me away to warmer points south...
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I'm sure it's too much to hope for but what the heck, maybe the fragrant flowers of the Acacia might open?
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Those with eagle-eyes may have noticed (from the first photo, above), I've re-purposed the Echeveria cuttings that were used in the orange bowl a few weeks ago.
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It was time to take it apart, and look...they were already rooting! They are starting to etiolate however - no matter what I do I cannot keep Echeveria happy over the winter, just not enough light. So you know what, I don't worry about it! I just enjoy them while I can.
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I also reused the Kalanchoe pumila cuttings from the orange bowl.
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And here's a little tip. The Acacia baileyana 'Purpurea' and Asparagus densiflorus 'Myers' both need water to stay looking their best. However I was afraid the Senecio (Blue Chalksticks) would rot in water. My solution was to use a wooden chopstick, embedded in the bottom of the Chalkstick cutting, to keep them above the waterline.
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It worked! No rotting.
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Here's a close up of the vase I used this week. Another ancient thrift store find that I know nothing about, other than that I love it.
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As you probably know by now - the invitation to share stems from your garden on Monday is the creation of Cathy at Rambling in the Garden. There you will find links to all the bloggers participating this week.
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With our cold weather I am indeed California Dreaming...while also preparing for a Christmas makeover. Details of the Poinsettia Challenge will be posted tomorrow!
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All material © 2009-2015 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
The base of the arrangement - Blue Chalksticks. I've long ago forgotten if these are Senecio mandraliscae or Senecio serpens. Whichever it is I've kept a 4" plant purchased years ago going and going. I simply take cuttings each autumn, plant them up indoors and then plant them out each spring. That one plant has now morphed into multiple flats like what you see below.
If I lived in the warm parts of California that Senecio could take over my garden in no time. And I'd probably have Asparagus densiflorus 'Myers'/aka Fox Tail Fern growing right along with it. So working with my "California Dreaming" theme I cut a few of those "tails"...after all mid 20's were expected...who knew if it would live?
And since I needed a third element, Acacia baileyana 'Purpurea'. Another sure-fire plant in Zone 9, not so much here in Zone 8.
The end result is exactly what I was hoping for. Something that takes me away to warmer points south...
I'm sure it's too much to hope for but what the heck, maybe the fragrant flowers of the Acacia might open?
Those with eagle-eyes may have noticed (from the first photo, above), I've re-purposed the Echeveria cuttings that were used in the orange bowl a few weeks ago.
It was time to take it apart, and look...they were already rooting! They are starting to etiolate however - no matter what I do I cannot keep Echeveria happy over the winter, just not enough light. So you know what, I don't worry about it! I just enjoy them while I can.
I also reused the Kalanchoe pumila cuttings from the orange bowl.
And here's a little tip. The Acacia baileyana 'Purpurea' and Asparagus densiflorus 'Myers' both need water to stay looking their best. However I was afraid the Senecio (Blue Chalksticks) would rot in water. My solution was to use a wooden chopstick, embedded in the bottom of the Chalkstick cutting, to keep them above the waterline.
It worked! No rotting.
Here's a close up of the vase I used this week. Another ancient thrift store find that I know nothing about, other than that I love it.
As you probably know by now - the invitation to share stems from your garden on Monday is the creation of Cathy at Rambling in the Garden. There you will find links to all the bloggers participating this week.
With our cold weather I am indeed California Dreaming...while also preparing for a Christmas makeover. Details of the Poinsettia Challenge will be posted tomorrow!
All material © 2009-2015 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.