The full moon rose as orange and round as one of these calendulas last night, although I was thinking of sunshine as I picked them and the California Poppies at the end of the day. California Poppies, Calendula, Cynoglossum, and Dill sow themselves around the garden if they can find a nice place. I sometimes take them for granted, but I’m very grateful for them.
My Shallots were flowering and I’m sure they are not supposed to, and the flowers are so cute, like little elf hats or ice cream cones. Stock and Freesia provide scent, a small Kniphofia a darker orange, and Scilla Natalensis will open its starry blue flowers over the week. Dutch Irises Autumn Princess and a dark purple one with Tulip Black Diamond and Lavenders Dentata and Sidonie provide a complementary foil.
The sun is moving around the horizon, rising earlier in the East, and our evenings are getting longer, giving me a bit more daylight for photos. Pop over to Rambling in the Garden, where Autumn is being celebrated with Dahlias and Daisies.
Absent Gardener 
What a dramatic bouquet! And so lush. I like how you also used it as the blog header.
Thank you 🙂
Love the way these rich colors work together.
Thanks, orange is such a sunny colour, especially in grey weather.
Such striking contrasts, Cath, and I like your title. I keep hoping my Californian poppies will self seed – the white ones do, but not the orange and red ones I have grown, not so far, anyway. Thanks for sharing ps interestingly, we have just had a full moon in the UK too and I am just trying to work out the logistics of that…must be the way the earth tilts…
Love the colors and the pop from the Dill, I like it in arrangements and use Fennel flowers also.
Rich colors, the iris esp. are so beautiful!
I love those colours together Cath – such striking tulips! The moon was beautiful here too the last few nights, in a misty autumn sky. The little blue stars are the perfect accompaniment and so lovely to see the fresh dill flowers! 🙂
I love all those warm oranges. If only my own California poppies (in California!) shined as yours do!
I like the way that the variations in orange hues, picked up in the irises etc. make this such arich and intense display. The shallots are a wonderful addition.
Such a lovely combination of colours. I especially like orange with the dark colours and the blue of the forget me nots ( is that what they are?)
Thank you. The blues are Cynoglossum, sometimes called Chinese forget me nots, but not in the same family as the usual ones.
What a change in your vase this week, it shouts a change is season, I love the rich colours.
Yin and Yang…in perfect balance.
Thank you 🙂
I love the blue and orange combination. I shall look out for those Dutch Iris, especially the autumn princess. Really pretty. Thanks for sharing – and for following my blog too. Much appreciated. Karen
Thanks, the Dutch Iris are great. I think my favourite is Tigers Eye.
These flowers are so beautiful!
Thank you!
Your arrangements are gorgeous! May I please use a photo for a story I’m writing about the perfect native flowers for a California wedding?
Brenda
Hi Brenda,
Sorry for the late reply! You are welcome to use the photo. I would love to see the article.