HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY

 

Hello all,

I need to clarify something before I go on with my usual post. Some of you may have noticed that you didn't receive the usual email notification for the weekly post. You're not imagining it - I didn't get it either.

From what I can tell, this wasn't an issue with the post itself but with the email subscription system (the service that sends blog updates to your inbox). Occasionally, these services glitch - emails can be delayed, filtered into spam or promotions folders or not sent at all due to changes on the platform's end.

The email may have landed in your spam, junk or promotions folder.

If you rely on the email system and missed the most recent post, you can always check the blog directly.

Thanks so much for sticking around and for your patience when tech does what tech does.

The arrangement at the top of this post is in a large, ceramic container by Graham Wilke. Because of its size and weight, I use it infrequently. There are a number of streets in our area that have Corymbia ficifolia 'Red flowering Gum' planted on the nature strips. I would have to say they are my favourite native trees. I cut a small branch, having fought the myriad of bees and one, very disgruntled rainbow lorikeet. I used it with white hydrangeas and a piece of dried wood, which I felt, complemented the container.

Below is an arrangement that I had included in my previous post. Then I had used only one piece of dried wisteria but, seeing it every time I walked past, I felt the wisteria was too weak. So, I added another one and I now feel it is more balanced.

The photograph, below, is of a succulent, the name of which I don't know. It is growing under a tree and, in its effort to reach the sun, it grows very long and lanky. I cut these pieces and challenged myself to make something with them.

In the first arrangement I used the succulent on its own, relying on its long stem to create line and space in this modern, conical container. I didn't feel it needed flowers.

The second is loosely based on Variation No. 4 Hanging arrangement.  In this case I did use flowers - hydrangeas.

Below is a photograph of yet another incarnation of my hoops arrangement. This time I used leucadendrons for the flowers.

As you all know by now, I have masses of agapanthus. The two in the arrangement, below, are fascinating because they are only half open. I believe the cause is the very hot day we had last week, which dried up the exterior sheath and did not allow it to fully open as the flowers inside grew.

Mary made a freestyle arrangement, using NZ flax, which she shaped into 'birds' and added hydrangeas and umbrella grass stems in a ceramic suiban.

I am so dreading tomorrow. The temperature is predicted to be in the low to mid forties. Sam and I have been trying to protect as many of our plants as possible. We went to the extent of moving all the pots that can be moved into our store room under the house. All the old sheets are covering the hydrangeas and we're keeping our fingers crossed. Of course, I'll be out there with the hose for as long as I can tolerate the heat.

Bye for now,

Emily