In a Vase: Rose Petals and Fireworks

St Swithun rose, close-up

It seems strange today to keep a virtual eye on the storms, rain, and devastation caused by Harvey, then walk outside into bright blue skies and August heat.  Nevertheless, it is August, temperatures are remaining petulantly high, and the garden is in a rather disheveled state.  Many blooms are a bit crispy around the edges.  

 

But a few of the roses continue to bloom, and it is time for a Monday Vase.

In a Vase on Monday for 08-28-17, rose St Swithun, Russelia, and stoneware jar

A flash of bright color comes from Russelia equisetiformis "Big Red", which generally lasts well when cut.  The color, and perhaps its flyaway growth habit, have earned it the name of Firecracker Plant, which I seldom use as it is shared with Cuphea ignea, among others.  Safest to call it Russelia!  But it lent its name to this week's title.

Russelia equisetiformis "Big Red"

Despite the brilliance of the Russelia, it is the roses that really make the bouquet.  Once again I have blooms from  the luxurious Crown Princess Margareta...

Rose "Crown Princess Margareta", close-up

...and the more delicate, porcelain-pink St. Swithun.

Rose "St. Swithun", close-up

Greenery is supplied by Acacia salicina...

Foliage of Acacia salicina with rose "Crown Princess Margareta"

...with its long, wiry foliage and branches.

Foliage, Acacia salicina

It even has some out of season flower buds tucked in.

Bud end, Acacia salicina

In all, there is only a handful of flowers, which fit neatly into my small, handthrown jar.  

In a Vase on Monday for 08-28-17, rose Crown Princess Margareta, Russelia, and stoneware jar

By next Monday it will be September; hopefully temperatures will begin to ramp down soon!   And hopefully Harvey's rain and flooding will slacken much sooner.

 

Do check the lovely vases at Rambling in the Garden, where Cathy encourages us to celebrate the garden's bounty each week!

Russelia equisetiformis "Big Red"

Weather Diary: Sunny; High: 107 F(42 C)/Low: 86 F (30 C)

Previous Post: Ten Flowers


Write a comment

Comments: 4
  • #1

    Cathy (Tuesday, 29 August 2017 11:35)

    Loved the muted end of summer colours of this!

  • #2

    Kris P (Tuesday, 29 August 2017 12:20)

    Yikes - 107! We're pretty toasty here too but we haven't reached that level. As always, it's wonderful to see your roses, which perform so much better than mine despite your higher summer temperatures.

  • #3

    Amy@smallsunnygarden (Thursday, 31 August 2017 13:55)

    Cathy - It's lovely to watch the season change the colors so subtly, even when they are the 'same'!

  • #4

    Amy@smallsunnygarden (Thursday, 31 August 2017)

    Kris - I'm beginning to believe that selection of rose varieties matters far more than I used to think - at least in more extreme climate situations! Most of my roses don't look this good right now... ;-) I think these two do best with the heat, along with The Alnwick Rose, which simply hasn't tried to really bloom yet, so I'm letting it wait...