The weather continues very hot, and the tropicals are coming into their own. Today's vase features two of them, both long-blooming stalwarts for the summer garden here. Neither is very reliable for cutting, but they were plunged into just-boiled water(!) and have at least lasted well enough to feature for a few hours.
First, there is the Crape Myrtle, Lagerstroemia indica "Dynamite"...
...then the Firebush, Hamelia patens.
For good measure, I also added the grass Pennisetum setaceum rubrum - not a tropical but it fills out the textures in the vase nicely.
I used my small, copper-green stoneware vase mainly because the color was cool and refreshing.
What with heat and lack of water (more on that in my next post), both the Hamelia and Lagerstroemia felt a little limp when I cut them. All the more remarkable that they perked up to make a happy vase!
Well, summer is a good time for tropicals. And to think that by next Monday it will be July...!
Do check the last of the June vases from Cathy's wonderful IaVoM meme at Rambling in the Garden!
Weather Diary: Fair with heavy dust haze; High: 112 F (44 C)/Low: 87 F (31 C); Humidity: 7%-42%
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AlisonC (Tuesday, 27 June 2017 12:45)
A striking vase with plenty of colour. I hope they lasted a little while. The grass should last at least!
Cathy (Tuesday, 27 June 2017 13:51)
I love the contrast of hot coloured flowers with the cooling vase - the Hamelia looks lovely with Pennisetum. I am not familiar with the red Crape myrtle, but the shrub must look really pretty!
Kris P (Wednesday, 28 June 2017 13:57)
Your Pennisetum blooms earlier than mine, Amy. I love the Crape Myrtle and, after seeing many while attending the Garden Bloggers' Fling back east, I'm seriously thinking about getting myself one, assuming I can figure out where to put it. I missed IaVoM for the first time since I began participating this week...
Cathy (Thursday, 29 June 2017 10:33)
Your vase certainly does seem to give off a very warm glow, Amy - that crape myrtle must look stunning in your garden! Thanks for sharing
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Thursday, 29 June 2017 15:25)
Alison - They did last long enough to be enjoyed. And the Pennisetum is fabulous and will still be lovely even when dried. Hopefully I will remember to save some this time!
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Thursday, 29 June 2017 15:28)
Cathy@Words and Herbs - Thank you so much! It was an unusual combination of colors, even for me ;-) , but it kept the room freshened up while they lasted. The crape myrtle is a dream out in the garden; it did get an extra soaking in spite of our well problems. It's definitely a keeper!
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Thursday, 29 June 2017 15:41)
Kris - I was actually worried about you when I saw no Monday vase... having forgotten about the Fling with all my water woes at present! I'm looking forward to a second look at your post when I can get it on a bigger screen, as it looks wonderful... :)
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Thursday, 29 June 2017 15:45)
Cathy@Rambling in the Garden - The crape myrtle is fabulous in the ground, with every hope of it getting more so for many years to come. I do wish the the stems lasted better when cut. Perhaps someday I'll find there's a better way to condition them, who knows?!