Three Arrangements from a Bouquet

It's a pity if I just let the bouquet flowers fade and don't do any arrangements. I would feel ashamed. So, I did three arrangements using some of the bouquet flowers and other materials from my garden.

1) Orange lily, yarrow, horsetail and hosta / ceramic

2) White and orange lilies, green branch, golden rod and hosta / tilted ceramic container

3) Gerbera Daisy, yarrow and wisteria vine / ceramic

Happy Birthday To Dear Agong (Grandpa)

This particular birthday was very special and unique. My husband turned 80 years old this month and in the middle of this pandemic. After a lot of discussion with the family, we decided for the kids and grandkids to come home for just the day. We all missed seeing each other very much. We were very cautious, eating lunch that we ordered in separately, socially distancing in our families. We also wore masks inside the whole time. My daughter brought balloons and a large bouquet to add a festive feeling, and luckily, they actually matched my Oncidium orchid! We were thankful to celebrate together and we were so happy to see everyone. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, MY DEAR!

All my grandchildren and Sidney the dog

My youngest grandson in our back yard garden

Magnolia Flower and Basket

Headmistress Lemoto Akane Teshigahara, Sogetsu School of Ikabana. She once said the Magnolia flower is one of her favorite flowers. I love it too.
In my front yard there are three Magnolia trees. The flowers are big, fragrant and showy but short lived, last only a day! Why not catch its beauty and prolong its life!

Orchids - Oncidium (Dancing Lady) - Spectacular

I bought one Oncidium orchid from the Bucks County Orchid Society two years ago. It had two upright long stems, full of flowers and looked very healthy! The name tag said: Odontocidium Catatante 'Kilauea Karma'. I had been enjoying it for a long while, until its flowers faded, then I forgot about this plant completely. This past May, I noticed there was a new spike about 5 cm. I watched it grow longer and longer, when it started to bloom, 5 weeks had passed already. The flowering stem is up to more than 4 feet long.
This orchid produces spectacular flowers of bright orange and gold color on a very arch like flowering stem, because it's long and heavy. I am thrilled and proud!

The flowers from this orchid are bountiful (approximately 80 flowers) and bright, demanding attention.

6/18/2020 in full bloom

close up view

6/14/2020

5/13/2020

6/2/2020

Onc. Mtdm. Issaku Nagata

6/17/2020

The Ocidium orchid is an easy to grow hybrid that will tolerate the average home temperatures and require a well- lit spot, but no direct sunlight during the growing season.

Orchid - A pair of Lady Slippers

Paphiopedilum (lady slipper) " Pinocchio" is one of  my favorite orchids. It not only produces one bud after another and also seems last forever! This same plant, had bloomed ( lasting ) more than 6 months as I remembered. That's why named "Pinocchio".

6/2/2020

6/7/2020

6/2/2020 Oncidium

6/2/2020 Oncidium

Say Good By to Spring Flower 1

 Mother Nature has gradually ended Spring flowers in my garden. The weather is getting warmer, Summer flowers are on their way to flowering.

Here are my last iris and peony arrangements:

Single petal peony and iris / porcelain container 

Iris and Tulip Poplar (big tall tree, falling branch with flower)

Peony, clematis and Solomon's seal / ceramic 

another look

Arrangements 2

Say good bye to peony arrangement :

peony and Japanese maple / bamboo basket

peony, hosta, Solomom's seal and painted branch

with round basket, plastic container in it

Iris Arrangements (2) - White, Yellow and Purple

The purple, white and yellow Japanese irises were blooming beautifully this year! But they won't last long, only about ten days for their peak beauty time.

I arranged them individually using each color.

6/2/2020

5/24/2020 

5/31/2020

Clementis 6/1/2020

Japanese Irises 5/31/2020

Iris Arrangements (1) - Purple

Time seems to flow differently these days! Gardening, Ikebana, reading and listening to classic music occupy most of my time. So, time goes by as normal as possible.
I would like to do ikebana at the same time as I like to listen classic music. This time, Chopin piano concerto no.1 in E minor was with me, it soothed me and made me calm!

Purple Japanese iris arrangements:

two triangular ceramic containers made by my daughter
for mother's day gift couple years ago.  (5/31/2020)

Sweet mock orange (my neighbor's large shrub, fragrant) 

Orchid bloom - May and June

After Mother's Day (5/17/2020), most of my orchids and some house plants have been moved to outside. My orchids need fresh air, sun light and rain shower, let Mother Nature to take care them for now. It's time to take break for me and orchids!

Cat. "Apple blossom" 6/1/ 2020 photoc

5/13/2020

5/16/2020

5/16/2020

5/13/2020

5/23/2020

6/1/2020 (Buds are produced one after another)

4/10/2020

5/23/2020