BCOS 2013-2014 Show Table Awards

Buck County Orchid Society Show Table Awards night and pot luck dinner was held on 6/18/2014. I made Sushi roll along with many other member's delicious dishes. We have summer break for July and August, will resume our monthly meeting in September.

E. Mariae. I don't have this one, I really like it.
Every member got one dinner favor to take home

Onc. Sharry Baby. "Sweet fragrance"
Smell like milk chocolate

Onc. Wils. Pacific Panache

My Garden (2) - 2014 Summer

The Summer is approaching, we have more rainy days than usual this month. The trees, the lawn and the plants look so green and lush.

Honey Sucker

Dried Allium, good for Ikebana use

Iris and clematis

Japanese Iris 

Clematis

Knock Out Rose 

Spirea Japanica

Red Currant

Peony Arrangement

The flowers of tree peonies were long gone, the other common peonies, some are still blooming, but they are fading now.
I composed two arrangements. They are the same style but using different materials and containers. It brings a different look and beauty.

Eucalyptus and  peony in the big flat ceramic vase

Peony with  purple flower ( Salvia?)  in a
ceramic container.

My Garden (1)- 2014 Spring

There is a saying "April showers bring May flowers", but it did not happen this year. We had a very long, harsh winter and short spring season. Mother natural messed up her schedule. My garden flowers, some delayed their blooming and some finished their bloom in a flash. I snapped some photos in time for their beauty. Here are some of Peony, Iris, Coral Bell and Clematis.

MWGC - May Little Show

"On My Way to Cape May" A creative design using a found object from the seashore, beach, or ocean.
I like one of our member's design, it's simple and elegant (2nd picture below).

My design. Plant material: Phlox and Weigela

Plant material: Weigela. (1st place)

Another Little Show: "Supper on the Terrace"
An Exhibition Table type 11. (1st place)

This month's program: "A Living Wreath" using hardy
sempervivum and other succulents planted on the wet  wreath.

An Arrangement Using Allium

These Allium flowers are from my garden.The leaves and baby breath are leftover from my Mother's Day bouquet.

Basket arrangement

This arrangement was inspired by the Ikebana International's baskets demonstrating arrangement program.
I made this basket using green midollino sticks last year. This was my second time using it. Materials are white Lily, Spirea and Pine.(done by 5/7/2014)

"For centuries baskets have been used in ikebana, particularly for informal and warm weather arrangements. Baskets are containers, they may be works of art, but they can also become an integral part of ikebana design." (From Ikebana International Program booklet)
The three pictures below were done by I.I. members' demo. pieces, they are from different schools.

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May Orchid Bloom and House Plant

This month, I have five blooming orchid plants supposed to be shown at BCOS May's meeting but I missed it. I post them here as a record. Every year after Mother's Day, I transferred most of my orchids from in-house to outside. Now, they will enjoy their vacation under big pine trees with fresh air and natural rainfall, before the frost starts, they will be home again.

C. Iana. Appleblossom
I divided this plant last year. One plant became three and all
of them are blooming this year.

Phalaenopsis  

Onc. Hawaiian Sunset

Close up view, fragrant

Close up view

Agapanthus (African Lily)

Clivia Lily

Mother's Day Arrangement

My children gave me two bouquets of beautiful flowers for Mother's Day. I am so happy and grateful.
I used them to create some ikebana. Thank you, children! Love you all.

Two Free Style Arrangements

I have two arrangements for today's class, one is done with flowering branches heavily arranged, another one is airy, lightly arranged. All the materials are from my garden and beyond. I like to use the seasonal flowers. I think I chose the right containers for both arrangement perfectly. (5/6/2014)

 Eastern Red bud, Bridal spirea and Tulip in
a light blue ceramic Suiban

Branch (forget the name) and rhododendron
 in a tall ceramic vase