The bright faces of Catharanthus roseus are the main feature of today's vase, as they are the most noticeable flower in the garden at present.
I have used the white-eyed, hot pink variety that I planted last year, as well as the lovely whites which are all from seedlings. Each is dotted with a minuscule yellow center.
In addition there is that other mainstay of late summer, Pennisetum setaceum rubrum, along with sprigs of Lavandula x Goodwin's Creek Gray, just coming back into flower as the heat lessens. And there is foliage from a couple of silver plants: the reliable Artemisia x Powis Castle and the native Encelia farinosa, better known in spring, when it is bright with yellow bloom.
I used a brand new vase too - one that just came out of the kiln this morning. It is glazed on the inside only, leaving the exterior with the softer color and texture of the red clay itself.
I photographed everything outdoors. The wind did interesting things with the Pennisetum, but I managed to get some pictures...!
It's wonderful to be able to link again with In a Vase on Monday at Rambling in the Garden!
And now for an announcement: the blog will soon have a little store! I have been working up a batch of flower pots, handthrown, some quite simple and others decorated in the raw clay. I hope to have pictures up shortly.
So please bear with me as this website will probably be a bit messy from time to time over the next week! Once I have things in order, though, the shop will be opening - with a surprise! :)
Weather Diary: Fair; High: 105 F (41 C)/Low: 82 F (28 C); Humidity: 13%-44%
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Jane (Tuesday, 11 September 2018 06:46)
I see you’re still having very hot and dry weather, Amy. Those Catharanthus, which we call Vinca here, do very well in our hot summers, but I have to plant new ones each year as they die in the frosty winter. I particularly like the white ones. I’ll look forward to seeing your pots!
Loree / danger garden (Tuesday, 11 September 2018 10:11)
How exciting, a shop! Good for you. Also I love what you do Pennisetum, they add so much to a vase.
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Tuesday, 11 September 2018 10:36)
Jane - It is often known as annual vinca here too - it seems to have so many names though! I adore those simple white seedlings: they are such a clean, pure white and quite healthy and vigorous. There is just enough cold here to make the plants shrivel and look unhappy for a few months, but so far they've carried through each winter. Sometime we are going to have a real cold snap and I'll be replanting all my tropicals, but it hasn't happened yet... Must start photographing all those pots now! ;-)
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Tuesday, 11 September 2018 10:45)
Loree - The Pennisetum is luscious in vases. Oddly, my other plants that flower well now, mostly don't cut well, with the obvious exception of the Catharanthus! I'm very much looking forward to getting that shop open - it's been a long-delayed, much-anticipated project, and it's finally coming together in a small way... :-)
Cathy (Tuesday, 11 September 2018 13:56)
Those tiny yellow centres are so cute - Nature is brilliant at these little touches! And today's pot is as gorgeous as all of those you have shown previously, so I am sure your shop will be a big success. Well done you!
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Tuesday, 11 September 2018 14:26)
Cathy - Yes, leave it to nature to know how best to decorate flowers! ;-) And happily these are vigorous too. Thanks so much for the encouragement!
Kris P (Tuesday, 11 September 2018 17:31)
I've long admired your Catharanthus, Amy. I tried it (last year I think) but it's not nearly as happy in my climate as it appears to be in yours. Best wishes with the store prep!
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Tuesday, 11 September 2018 20:59)
Kris - I've wondered just how much heat it requires to be really vigorous! It certainly does thrive in the hottest months here. Thanks so much! :)