We had another two inches of rain yesterday morning, so I was not able to go out and cut a bouquet for Mark's bookclub who were meeting at our house. I did, however, manage to make Anna Thomas' "Cheese and Onion Pie" from an old favorite cookbook, "The Vegetarian Epicure."
This morning it was still too wet to do more than cut a few things hanging over the path or fallen onto the ground. This little bouquet has been in my bathroom for a week. This morning I just refreshed the stems of Italian parsley and Toad lilies (Tricyrtis).
Toad lilies bloom so late that some years we have a killing frost when they are still in the bud stage. This year we are having perfect temperatures for me to be able to enjoy them.
This is T. formosana which grows with a nice vertical stem that is quite narrow. Though the flowers look like delicate little orchids, this is a workhorse plant and well-worth growing if you are able.
This arrangement includes a big fuzzy leaf from Bergenia ciliata, a maple-shaped leaf from Kirengeshoma, fallen oak leaves from the driveway and a stem of Cimicifuga whose flowers are going over to seeds.
Be sure to visit Rambling in the Garden to see what other gardeners have put in a vase today.
I love toad lilies. I have a few in my courtyard but should get more and try them in other areas. Wish you could share the rain - things are frying here with heat still in the 90s and no rain in sight. Too much or too little - a sign of the times, I guess.
Posted by: Barbara H. | Monday, September 23, 2019 at 10:26 AM
Oh those toad lilies are delightful, Linda, and what a pretty little arrangeent they make. Was the rain still welcome - did you ahve a dry summer?
Posted by: Cathy | Monday, September 23, 2019 at 11:13 AM
I think you are right about too much or too little rain being a sign of the times.
I was looking at the toad lilies on Digging Dog Nursery's site; some real beauties.
Posted by: Linda Brazill | Monday, September 23, 2019 at 11:48 AM
We did not have a particularly dry summer. Rain is always welcome before winter but we've now had 7 inches ( 17.78 cm.) this month which is excessive.
Posted by: Linda Brazill | Monday, September 23, 2019 at 11:48 AM
I love your arrangements.
I had toad lilies once but they perished - yours are beautiful.
Posted by: Sandra | Monday, September 23, 2019 at 03:33 PM
I like your vases. Toad lilies are one of my faves. Mine are burned up. We haven't had an inch of rain yet this month. UGH....Got 7/10ths last night. The garden has hardly reacted. At least it is to cool down now.
Posted by: Lisa at Greenbow | Monday, September 23, 2019 at 03:54 PM
I'm having a hard time deciding whether I'm more envious of the 2 inches of rain or the toad lilies, Linda.
Posted by: Kris P | Monday, September 23, 2019 at 04:53 PM
That Anna Thomas recipe is so good. It was one of the first dishes I made from the book, it's still a crowd pleaser after almost 50 years. This is the time of year for it, when there are still real tomatoes available. Pro tip: pour the cream into the skillet used to soften the onions and warm the tomatoes to pick up the flavors before beating it with the eggs
Tricyrtis are fascinating, perfect for up-close inspection.
Give your rain systems a nudge to the east, please.
Posted by: Nell | Monday, September 23, 2019 at 11:23 PM
I am always amused to see that in those early days of vegetarian cookbooks, everything was very rich with lots of daily. But that dish is still a winner and I love the idea of putting the cream in the skillet. That's where all the good flavor is.
Posted by: Linda Brazill | Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at 07:41 AM