Do you remember the first time you were enchanted by cut flowers in a vase? Although each element was lovely on its own, combined they were amazing. My mother filled jars with nasturtiums, which grew in sunny patches in the avocado orchard. Unfortunately, they last only two days before they start to look tired. Aren’t we always looking for flowers with staying power? Alstroemerias, proteas, roses…what’s your preference? Before you answer, consider: You may be creating a child’s fond memory. These are from my garden. Above: Red-and-white miniature roses, ivy geraniums and Martha Washington geraniums (pelargoniums). Alstroemerias, aloe flowers, yellow roses. Pink ‘Simplicity’ roses, Crocosma repens ‘Marble Queen’, aeonium flowers. Roses and bulbine blooms. Wish I knew what the blue is. Echeveria flowers in a midcentury figurine. It suggests a little girl who happened upon flowers, and gathered them in her apron. Aeonium ‘Sunburst’ in a green vase chosen because the base echoes the shape of the rosette. Aloe flower in a Fiestaware vase. Blue and orange are opposites on the color wheel, so the contrast is eye-popping. Succulent rosettes repeat the colors in this blown-glass, iridescent vase. I’m curious, do you say “vahz” or “vayz”? I say “vayz” but I suspect “vahz” is correct.
My goal is to share the beauty of waterwise, easy-care succulents in gardens, containers and landscapes via blog posts, newsletters, public speaking and workshops, photos, videos, merchandise, and social media (Facebook and Pinterest). My books: Designing with Succulents, Succulent Container Gardens, and Succulents Simplified. www.debraleebaldwin.com