The Friends of the the apparently safe from 2011 budget cuts Conservatory at Volunteer Park send out this invite via Facebook for a focus on the chrysanthemum — a flower as intricate and pretty as it is tough to spell. Correctly. Here are some pics of dahlias (oh man, how embarrassing! — see below in comments) from the CHS flickr pool to accompany the invite. Thanks to Hill shutterbug Rob for the lovely pictures. I want to touch those flowers! Lovely. Happy fall flowers, Capitol Hill.
VOLUNTEER PARK CONSERVATORY HOSTS:
CHRYSANTHEMUM SEASON
Sogetsu Mercer Island Presents
Ikebana Arrangements in the Seasonal House October 5 – 17
The Sogetsu Mercer Island Ikebana group began in 1983. The branch currently has 33 active members including 20 with teacher’s diplomas.
Ikebana is the ancient art of Japanese art of flower arranging. This artistic medium combines the products of nature with man’s creativity.
Sogetsu School is one of several creative movements, or schools, within the world of Ikebana. Sogetsu Ikebana features the idea that Ikebana may be arranged anytime, anywhere, by anyone and with any material. The Sogetsu School aims always to be alive, using plants, branches, grasses and flowers to express the natural shapes, graceful lines and color combinations to vividly express the experiences of the present age.
When someone asked Sofu Teshigahara, the Founder, “If you are in the desert what do you arrange?” Sofu Sensei replied “I might arrange the stones”.
The flowers in the pics are dahlias. Every one. Not a chrysanthemum to be seen. Beautiful though.
Blush. I’m a dahlia shade of red. Despite my many visits to the dahlia garden, my brain apparently wanted these to be chrysanthemums very very badly. Sigh.
I thought this was going to be an article about the cafe. Now I am disappointed that I can’t complain about something. Flowers are nice.
what about arranging the Astragalus cottamii
and the Parry’s Penstemon, Penstemon parryi
or the Heart, Setcreasea pallida
last one I promise, Tree Mallow, Lavatera maritima
I’m flattered that you liked my photos. Now I’m encouraged to walk through Volunteer Park to the bus more often.
Wow, awesome photo!
Don’t limit yourself. I’m sure somebody has an allergy to Dahlias. Although this is perhaps a vegetarian option.
I love these photos–thanks so much for taking them!
It’s even more embarrassing since my dahlia club (Puget Sound Dahlia Association) has placed two new plaques on stands near the dahlia garden. A photographer is allowed some license in captioning, but it always should be clear what the subject is. A Funnel Sucker may make for quick identification, but the rest of the readers may want to know where the photo was taken and what the flower was. Hint: the plantings all are staked and bear labels.
Still, a very nice photo taken from an uncommon angle in the fog. Our club has maintained this garden since 1984, when we worked with Mayor Royer to rededicate the City’s commitment to its official flower: the dahlia!