The trimmings in this case come from a rather overgrown Artemisia x "Powis Castle", which is undergoing its autumnal pruning right now - a pruning hastened by the need to plant bulbs nearby. After all, it is autumn, and by this time of year my artemisia is a dishevelled mess of silver lace. There is good new foliage sprouting from the base, so it is time to clip!
The brighter elements in the vase come from Catharanthus roseus - in solid pink and in pink with a white eye - and Russelia equisetiformis "Big Red". The pot is one I handbuilt from red clay.
I do apologize for the poor photos this time; I am not used to activating the flash on my camera, but it had to be done tonight, even though I was shooting outdoors. Clearly I need a bit of practice. At any rate, I hope you can tell the bright effect of those Catharanthus flowers. They are highly satisfactory both in the garden and in a vase. On some, the flower heads have gotten so large that they resemble a very tropical sort of phlox.
Thank you to Cathy for hosting In a Vase on Monday at Rambling in the Garden, where I hope to check other peoples' vases when I get the chance tomorrow!
Weather Diary: Fair; High: 86 F(30 C)/Low: 65 F (18 C); Humidity: 7%-30%
Write a comment
Cathy (Tuesday, 10 October 2017 13:56)
That Catharanthus certainly is striking - it's not something I know but in googling I am reminded again that it is like the periwinkle or vica which is grown in the UK, although not in such a bright colour as this! And how well do they last when cut. Your unglazed vase is the perfect foil for the contents - thanks fro sharing
Cathy (Tuesday, 10 October 2017 17:10)
The Catharanthus is a lovely bright highlight in your vase this week Amy. They seem to flower almost all year round, don't they?
Kris P (Tuesday, 10 October 2017 18:56)
I was so impressed with your success with vinca last year, I tried growing it here. The plants are widely available here (and I've grown them before, albeit in the distant past) but they weren't at all happy and didn't hold up long. Perhaps, the problem was the variety I tried, which had miniature flowers. I'll have to try a different variety in the future.
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Tuesday, 10 October 2017 20:08)
Cathy@Rambling in the Garden - It appears - according to Wikipedia ;-) - that Catharanthus roseus was classified as Vinca rosea at one time. So the similarity is more than skin deep! ;-) The cut stems last well and, though the flowers drop fairly quickly, new ones will open in the vase, so it actually has a rather long vase life in a way. Thanks so much, Cathy!
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Tuesday, 10 October 2017 20:16)
Cathy@Words and Herbs - Yes, nearly all year, though they have a slightly dormant period in late winter and spring. They don't die back, but they get looking wan and a bit ratty. Last spring I cut some of them back and may try that again. They are normally grown as annuals in colder climates, of course, but I have to figure out how best to grow them here. It seems a waste to jerk them out and replace them, when they will come back so nicely in a matter of months... ;-)
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Tuesday, 10 October 2017 20:21)
Kris - That's disappointing - I suspect they like a lot of heat, but I would think you got enough last summer to keep anything happy! I've not seen any with miniature flowers; now you have me intrigued... ;-) Mine are definitely the standard large-flowered types. I do have to keep extra water on the new plants - another reason I think I will keep growing them as perennials! Second year plants are more tolerant.
Helen at Toronto Gardens (Thursday, 12 October 2017 12:02)
Very nice. The 'Powis Castle' makes a fantastic filler, and I do love that big round vase.
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Thursday, 12 October 2017 16:28)
Helen - Thank you so much! "Powis Castle' fills vases so effortlessly; it's probably my best plant for foliage for vases here. So glad to find your blog via your comment; have just spent some very enjoyable time perusing it! :)