Golden crocuses, anyone? Or nearly, as Sternbergia lutea has been blooming so freely that I added a few to today's vase.
It went on to be a play on yellows. Not a color I have used much in the past, but there is more available now that the yellow-themed East Border is maturing a little. Perhaps the most eye-catching flower in the border at the moment is Sternbergia lutea. Its golden chalice blooms are among the most brilliant things I have planted, and there are more this year than there were last, which makes this gardener very happy!
But there are also a few yellow roses to be had now: a primrose yellow bloom from Wollerton Old Hall and two deeper-hued buds from a miniature yellow. And Berlandiera lyrata with its dark centers, and the lightly fringed Bouteloua flowers. Yes, there is a good deal of yellow this autumn!
Here are the flowers I have used, clockwise: Berlandiera lyrata (and some Artemisia x "Powis Castle"), Bouteloua gracilis "Blonde Ambition" with Lavandula x intermedia, tomato blossoms, rose "Wollerton Old Hall", Sternbergia lutea with white lantana, and blooms from an unidentified yellow miniature rose.
My handthrown stoneware vase kept the effect bright with its white glaze.
The colors of the Sternbergia, Berlandiera, and the miniature rose blended so effortlessly.
From one more angle, as I loved the effect of the tiny rosebud nestling into the artemisia...
As always, many thanks to Cathy for hosting In a Vase on Monday!
Write a comment
Kris P (Tuesday, 03 October 2017 12:27)
This arrangement is absolutely delightful, Amy. Your use of the Bouteloua makes it for me - it provided that something extra!
Cathy (Tuesday, 03 October 2017 13:59)
How effective these are in the white glazed vase - and I love the way the glaze falls just short of the base of it. Such a gentle vase today and so pretty - thanks for sharing
Cathy (Tuesday, 03 October 2017 15:42)
Mmm, lovely! Those yellow Sternbergia are sooo pretty! I like the yellow and white combination. Your vases are always so lovely Amy. :)
Hollis (Tuesday, 03 October 2017 20:57)
I also really like the Bouteloua! And yes, it looks like spring—which feels very far away having just had our first blizzard of the season.
Brian Skeys (Wednesday, 04 October 2017 13:12)
Very spring like arrangement Amy. They really do look like crocus.
Brian Skeys (Wednesday, 04 October 2017 13:15)
Amy, my website on the comment 5 is incorrect,there is a letter s missing.
Thanks.
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Friday, 06 October 2017 19:14)
Thank you so much, Kris (and apologies for my very late reply!). It took me a long time to decide to use ornamental grasses, but I never want to be without them again, either for the garden or for vases :-)
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Friday, 06 October 2017 19:22)
Cahty@Rambling in the Garden - Thanks very much - so sorry about my very late response! I think the garden is actually feeling gentler as the weather grows nicer. So glad you like the vase too; I think perhaps I should begin using that glaze again... ;-)
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Friday, 06 October 2017 19:39)
Cathy@Words and Herbs - That Sternbergia was very inspiring! :-) Thanks so much - glad you enjoyed the vase too!
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Friday, 06 October 2017 19:43)
Hollis - The Bouteloua has been a fabulous addition - I had no idea that a grass that grows throughout the colder parts of the West would be so well adapted here. And a blizzard - oh, no...! We'll save some sunshine for you if you want to take some winter time out in Arizona! ;-) This is the nice part of the year...
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Friday, 06 October 2017 19:50)
Brian - It took me a bit to figure out that issue with the "S", but, no, you aren't the flea market in Massachusetts, are you?! :-D
I love the Sternbergia; it's not offered commonly here, perhaps because of its tendency to wait a year before it begins blooming? I don't really know. But it is a perfect bulb for my garden, waiting just till temperatures break and then bringing a very welcome burst of color! It seems a good deal more drought tolerant than the true crocus I tried a couple of years ago.
Diana Studer (Thursday, 12 October 2017 16:24)
Oh, the chocolate daisy! And now I have discovered that our tall yellow daisy bush also smells of chocolate if you bury your nose among the flowers.
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Thursday, 12 October 2017 21:58)
Diana - Aren't chocolate-scented flowers wonderful?!