This week's flowers for 'In A Vase On Monday' were uncomfortably soggy when picked this morning, after yet another prolonged deluge yesterday. At least we escaped the dramatic thunderstorms that affected other parts of the country. I may well return to the vase before it gets dark when it has dripped dried for a while and have a bit of a faff as I crammed too much in. Most of the flowers have featured in vases this year such as ammi visnaga, a nameless still going strong persicaria as well as dahlia 'Copper Boy'. There is also a stem of geum 'Totally Tangerine' from which I was able to pick a stem for a vase on 22nd March! The folaige doesn't do it for me but for staying power it's a star looking good in the company of thalictrum and polemonium in the spring, red astrantias and a hardy geranium in the summer and dahlias come autumn.
Two flowers that haven't been in vases this year are firstly the white cosmos 'Purity'. I didn't sow this favourite in the spring but a seedling appeared in the paving close to where it grew last year. I was amazed to see it sprouting so left it to its own devices and it has gone on to flower. There is also a new to me this year dahlia 'Waltzing Matilda', which was grown in a large pot alongside annual purple swan river daisies. I would like to say that Matilda waltzed all summer long but sadly she stuttered and limped her way through producing odd flowers at intermittent intervals. The flowers themselves though are large and most appealing. I have read much in the way of praise of 'Matilda' both in print and online so will persist. I will be removing her from the pot soon, will overwinter the tuber and will try her in a different spot in the ground next year. Has anybody else grown 'Matilda' this year? Would love to know what you thought of her if you did.
Thanks to Cathy over at 'Rambling In The Garden' for providing us with the opportunity to share vases every week. Here we have a week of more above average temperatures predicted and some dry weather on the cards. Greenhouse sorting and cleaning is on the cards in readiness for sowing next spring. Hope that you all have a good week ahead.
That is an interesting array of Autumn blooms, and am interested to hear about the Cosmos seeding. Those Dahlias with their petals as if sculptured and carefully places look particularly beautiful in the sunshine. Have a lovely week Anna.
ReplyDeleteThanks Noelle. Funnily enough I noticed another little cosmos 'Purity' seedling yesterday. It had germinated in a terracotta pan of succulents and has one mini flower 😂 Hope that you have a good week too.
DeleteArwen of Notes From the Undergardener has grown Matilda which seems to have waltzed nicely for her - pronpting me to actively consider it for next year. That is a shapely jar you have for plonking blooms in, and very fetching they look too - I don't think I have used persicaria in a vase this year. It amazes me what will seed itself and where, and cosmos must certainly have been more welcome than others (like anemanthele, which is planning for garden domination I think!) - how considerate of it to flower!
ReplyDeleteI will certainly persevere with 'Matilda' Cathy as I've read some glowing accounts of her. Maybe growing in a pot in a very dry year didn't suit her although I tried to keep on top of the watering regularly. The jar is just an old pickle jar - a relic from a Christmas past 😂 The cosmos seedling was most welcome. The plant from which it sprouted was in a container last year and apart from the fact that it just grew too tall there was an active wasp nest in the eaves above. I wasn't as diligent as usual with the dead heading routine!
DeleteIt's a pretty combination, Anna, even if it started off a little soggy. I'd love to have a deluge of rain like that you described. We got 0.04/inch (just over 1mm) of rain from the system that moved through here late last week and counted ourselves lucky for that. Our 2023 "water year" started October 1st and it's expected to be another very dry one :( I grew Dahlia 'Waltzing Mathilda' last year. I loved the dark foliage and the flowers but the latter were relatively sparse.
ReplyDeleteThe flowers were still soggy when I photographed them Kris and slightly droopy too. I just wish that I could send some rain in your direction! I'm in the north west of England which is wetter than the south and we managed to escape drought restrictions this summer. Interesting to hear that you found the flowers on 'Waltzing Matilda' relatively sparse. I will see what transpires next year.
DeleteYour green and orange/pink combo looks fresh, even if the blooms were soggy when picked, Anna. I've not grown 'Waltzing Mathilda' but it's on my list after seeing it looking stunning in numerous arrangements online.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your visit and kind words Horticat 😀 'Waltzing Matilda's reputation certainly goes before her so I will certainly try her again.
ReplyDeleteAnna, you have some beautiful blooms. I made a note of your Matilda dahlia and also, dahlia 'Copper Boy', which I admire very much. Have a happy week.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a pretty combination Anna. The dahlias are very striking, especially Matilda. How wonderful that Geum Totally Tangerine flowered all summer for you! Love the Persicaria too. :-)
ReplyDeleteDahlias are hanging on well aren't they?
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