As much as I enjoy the panoply of blooms that are available for sale at the San Francisco Flower Market, there's nothing quite like the joy of growing one's own.
In this particular instance, it was never my intention to grow these glorious tennis ball-sized globes at all but, as the old adage goes, "the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry".
You might remember back in February reading about the leeks I planted which stubbornly refused to grow for what seemed like an eternity. There were two dozen of them.
Yesterday, I took my secateurs to hand and snipped half a dozen of the blooms to bring indoors. I added them to foraged wild fennel, which grows in abundance in the Bay Area, much like the cow parsley I recall in England which lined every countryside lane. The intoxicating licorice-like aroma of the feathery fennel fronds is such an unexpected olfactory treat.
In this particular instance, it was never my intention to grow these glorious tennis ball-sized globes at all but, as the old adage goes, "the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry".
Photo: Chronica Domus
You might remember back in February reading about the leeks I planted which stubbornly refused to grow for what seemed like an eternity. There were two dozen of them.
Blink, and you might just miss a row of wimpy leeks in the early spring vegetable garden
Photo: Chronica Domus
Well, those feeble little things finally grew up and provided our kitchen with their flavorful goodness for weeks on end. However, too much of a good thing is... well, you get the picture.
Before I knew it, the remainder of the crop began to climb skyward. Seemingly overnight, the plants had metamorphosed into beguiling five foot tall tapers crowned by purple globes. I was delighted at their transformation, as were the local honey bees which found them of interest.
Behold, a bee magnet!
Photo: Chronica Domus
Yesterday, I took my secateurs to hand and snipped half a dozen of the blooms to bring indoors. I added them to foraged wild fennel, which grows in abundance in the Bay Area, much like the cow parsley I recall in England which lined every countryside lane. The intoxicating licorice-like aroma of the feathery fennel fronds is such an unexpected olfactory treat.
Fennel flowers take on the appearance of exploding golden fireworks when in full bloom
Photo: Chronica Domus
It took me a matter of minutes to assemble the modest arrangement you see below, which sits on our kitchen table. The best part of this little story is that I managed to use my otherwise inedible leeks. Waste not, want not, I suppose.
An old earthenware crock finds new life as a flower vessel
Photo: Chronica Domus
Is there something indigenous to your region which may occasionally find its way into your home, in the manner of our wild fennel?
Absolutely - and then I mix them with garden flowers:). At the moment there's an arrangement of yarrow, shasta daisies, and white hybrid teas on the dining room table.
ReplyDeleteTo say nothing of a great cheap bowl from hong kong on the sideboard:). We have to go again, if you'll permit me, once I sort out all these issues with my my mom. xox.
Hello Lisa,
DeleteYes, please do let me know when you are next available for a gallivant to the market. Perhaps we could add a second bowl to your sideboard.
Hello CD, Ohio has a profusion of meadow flowers that could be brought inside, but somehow we always leave them the way we found them. I am not much of a hand at arranging flowers (indolence is probably the real reason), but I always admire yours. I do not think they could look nicer if they were made of the costliest florists' blooms. In fact, using wild flowers and oddments of garden produce, both of which embody pleasant memories, make your arrangements that much more interesting and meaningful.
ReplyDelete--Jim
Hello Jim,
DeleteI've always been a fan of nature and a bit of a forager. When I lived in Kent, known by many as The Garden of England, I used to regularly forage for flowers, branches, nuts, and fruits. In fact, we children passed many happy hours doing so. And, believe me, there was so much that Mother Nature provided in the countryside that anything we took was not missed by anyone. Well, except for the time my sisters and I went scrumping for apples, but that little tale is for another time.
These are my favorite types of arrangements -just glorious.
ReplyDeleteThank you, AD. I think the combination of the wild fennel and leek blooms scream of summer.
DeleteWhat a pretty arrangement. We have a new garden so we are waiting to see what arrives!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jen Lawrence.
DeleteAwaiting a new garden's surprises to emerge is an exciting prospect. Hoping lots of sleeping bulbs and rhizomes, and other goodies, come your way.
One of the best surprises of our garden was the wisteria, which I imagined would be purple when in bloom. As it turned out, our long wait of almost a year was rewarded handsomely with an avalanche of snowy-white cascading blooms and heavenly scent.
CD,
ReplyDeleteI love the flowers you grew. I had a similar experience with onion. It's never produced the produce I was hoping for, but I did get some lovely blooms. I prefer unexpected blooms, such as those found with produce and maybe vines of any kind (I got some lovely sweet pea vines, and little else, from this years planting.
xo,
Karen
Hello Karen,
DeleteGardening is so much fun when Mother Nature has the final word. One never quite knows exactly what will thrive at planting time, no matter how attentive and nurturing one is.
My sweet pea vines are very late this year and are only about a foot high, which does not bode well for any future blooms. I hope you have better luck than I do this year.
I love the naturalness of this arrangement. I find garden blooms and wildflowers much more charming than exotic florists' flowers. Back in New England where I grew up, I often see Queen Anne's Lace, buttercups, and purple asters (at least that's what I think they are called) growing by the side of the road in summer. I am tempted to take some home for an arrangement but wind up leaving them where they are so I can admire them another day.
ReplyDeleteHello slf,
DeleteI too admire the beauty of wildflowers and garden blooms and have never liked the structured arrangements sold by the large florist chains.
I'd entirely forgotten about buttercups since moving to California. They grow in abundance in England and I recall them with much fondness from my childhood.
Next time you encounter a patch of wildflowers, do take some home. More than likely, they won't be missed by anyone.
In Chicago, starting about 15 years ago there was a big push to build landscaped medians on the major boulevards along with the major North/South artery of Lake Shore Drive. They are wonderful urban renewal projects and my boyhood home of North Carolina has many miles of wildflowers on the highway medians that look absolutely beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThat arrangement you have in the recommisioned flower vessel looks wonderful on that rustic table.
Hello GSL,
DeleteHow nice that otherwise "dead" spaces are awakening through planting schemes.
Over here we often see swaths of California poppies on the side of freeways in the spring, lupines, and of course, wild fennel.
just beautiful CD!I planted my first alium and the bees and I have just loved it - sad to see it finished after I came back from holiday but then there were other flowers to make up for it. I am buying more for next year bc I just love them. But nothing too indigenous to London that I can think of :)
ReplyDeleteWhy, thank you! I've not planted allium bulbs for several years but after observing the leeks going mad and blooming, I think I'll stick to those so that I get the best of both worlds - food (the leek) and flowers (the blooms).
DeleteIt was lovely to observe how many bumble and honey bees were attracted to the purple globes.
You've now got me wondering what in London there is to forage in terms of wild flowers. I can't think of a thing I'm afraid. Whole other story in Kent where I lived as a young girl. I think my favorite things to bring home were the apples, cherries, hazelnuts and, of course, my beloved bluebells.
Such glories for all the senses, alliums! Allia??
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely colours, perfect from the wheel---purples and yellows are such great companions. I hope your Summer is going well, and I know your weather is lovely. We had a fabulous trip to Georgia to visit some of the kiddos (and meet the youngest Grandson, who simply captivated our hearts).
And after our return, our computer was on its last gasp, somehow, just out of the blue, so that took some several days for Chris to see to.
We have company out of the blue, as well---our Best Man and his own Dearie appeared yesterday, thirty years and one day after we all stood together on my parents' deck amongst Mother's vast field of calladiums and the sound of locusts singing in the trees.
must go cut that gorgeous melon!
r
Hello racheld,
DeleteI had not thought of the color wheel when I placed the fennel and leek blooms together, but how right you are!
Pleased to read that you've been busy with your newest grandson (how exciting for you!), and entertaining impromptu visitors.
Enjoy the melon!