Waste not want not.
I didn’t intend to end up with the mindset of someone who lived through The Great Depression but at times I realize that’s exactly who I am. I do believe in occasionally buying cut flowers (crazy wasteful? No, not really, cuz they make me SO HAPPY). I also see the value in every stem I cut from my garden, prune something? Don’t toss it in the bin, put it in a vase!
I pruned on the Arctostaphylos densiflora ‘Harmony’, then cut a few out of control clematis branches (attempting to rule over the bamboo). Looking at those stems I decided it was time to cut a few of the Magnolia laevifolia branches that were too low and laying on the ground. I'd been waiting until those soft brown buds were about to burst before I dared to do so.
It's a mash-up.
As it turns out clematis make great cut stems, they went briefly limp but are fine now.
I'm counting on those flower buds to open.
This was a fun exercise, but I'm not sure the "mash up" look is one I really enjoy.
A single type of cut stem in vase is much easier to appreciate, for example here are a couple extra Arctostaphylos densiflora ‘Harmony’ branches on their own.
And I had to share this. There was another random branch on my Fatsia japonica that was calling out to be pruned. I finally did it, but (you know) I couldn't just toss it in the bin. Into the vase it went!
As is the custom I am joining up with Cathy at Rambling in the Garden. She started this vase-centered Monday blogging meme. One I enjoy but have rarely participated in.
All material © 2009-2015 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
How fab another Monday vase. I hadn't thought of putting my pruning in a vase until today but mine are more dainty than your Fatsia
ReplyDeleteThere used to be a plant in that corner, and I was missing the greenery. The fatsia branch fit just perfectly!
DeleteWhat a gorgeous, inspiring garden you have. Waiting for the last snow to melt in my garden, so visiting yours is a joy.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Snow...ugh. You have my sympathy.
DeleteWith so much material why not? Your foliage centric arrangement is refreshing! clematis in a vase...why have I not thought of that before, hmmmm....
ReplyDeleteSome of your cuttings might root as well, you could end up with extra plants :)
I wasn't sure the clematis was going to be happy in the case but I got lucky! And extra plants...that's never a bad thing!
DeleteAnd who knows something may root and you have more plants.
ReplyDeleteI had a couple branches of X Fatshedera lizei ‘Annemieke’ in a vase for awhile, they rooted! So it certainly does happen...
DeleteOh I think the mash up looks great - and look at all those fat clematis buds!! It will be lovely if they open. I had to laugh at your fatsia - but why not shove it in a vase?! This is a great post, Loree, with a reminder that we can all take to heart as we tidy up up our gardens. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteOne of those clematis buds is just now about to burst. Unlike the magnolia which is sort of shriveling. So sad. Glad you enjoyed it!
DeleteI know how long cut flowers last, but how long before these foliage cuttings start looking spent? Do you ever inadvertently bring critters in with these?
ReplyDeleteIn my experience (I do a lot of this, usually more of the stick a branch in a vase style) they last A LONG time. As in I get tired of them while they're still looking good. I had a single fatsia leaf in a vase for about 6 mos once, it still looked perfect when I finally tossed it. Critters? Yes! I shake everything good to try and get most of the spiders off but still one makes it in every now and then. I will not cut euphorbia or hellebore flowers because it's guaranteed they come with aphids.
DeleteThe system just gobbled up my comment - grrrr :( I said something about liking the mish mash approach and how exciting it was to see the big fat clematis buds. Also thanked you for reminding us all about the potential of using our prunings and for sharing your vases - something like that but with more words!!
ReplyDeleteYou got through, both times, thank you!
DeleteI was pleased to see you show up on the "In a Vase" roster this morning, Loree. You do make the most of your pruned material - I'm impressed! (I'm usually so tired after a pruning adventure, it's all I can do to haul the remains to the trash.) I like all your vases but I love the one with the Arctostaphylos branches. It looks as though you have a great selection of vases on hand too.
ReplyDeleteI do have quite a few vases. Andrew has suggested getting rid of a few but I just give him the stink eye!
DeleteYou have such a knack for the thrown together arrangement -- it's beautiful & reminds me of European estate homes for some reason! A friend just shared with me this past weekend that she intentionally leaves some stragglers on certain shrubs when she winter prunes (spirea for example) just so that when they start to leaf out she can trim them to add to arrangements.
ReplyDeleteI like the way your friend things, that's brilliant!
DeleteYour mash up arrangement reminds me of those overblown romantic floral paintings and I like it but the couple of stems of Arctostaphylos are also beautiful! Happy pruning!
ReplyDeleteThanks Outlaw!
DeleteI like the idea of using pruned material for a vase....a perfect way to reuse in the garden and make the most out of the plants.
ReplyDeleteThanks Donna! It's amazing the things that last well in a vase.
DeletePutting all that crockery to good use might be reason enough to join this meme. I hope so, because your design sense adds a lot. I'm finding myself holding off pruning several things until the foliage reaches just the right stage to be useful in a vase. Your house color is the perfect backdrop for shooting photos.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had the wherewithal to join up weekly, I admire those if you that do so faithfully. You're inspiring.
DeleteHope the clematis opens for you. I've not had good luck with it in a vase, but now I'm motivated to try again. The Arctostaphylos branches are gorgeous. susie
ReplyDeleteActually first thing this morning I noticed two of them had opened!
DeleteI love the big buds on the clematis and magnolia, but I agree that the single arctostaphylos in the vase is better. I wonder if that fatsia will root! Had some trouble reaching your blog from the email and searching google, but the link on my blog worked fine. Might have just been a problem on my end that resolved by the time I tried the link.
ReplyDeleteWonder what's up with that? Google is probably mad at me because I didn't listen to some of their recommendations for making my blog more user friendly. Such a small percentage of people appear to be reading via mobile devices that I haven't made it a priority yet.
DeleteSuch creativity.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jennifer!
DeleteHaha, the Fatsia branch looks great!!!
ReplyDeleteKind of like I have my own little papaya tree.
DeleteI'm a pruning hoarder, too. I can't stand putting perfectly good greens in the compost bin. Although, I'll admit, I HATE pruning. You're welcome to come whack away at my house.
ReplyDeleteOkay if I run out of things to prune on here I'll be over (doubtful that's gonna happen anytime soon!).
DeleteYou have such a great eye for design! I love them all, but especially that beautiful Arctostaphylos densiflora ‘Harmony’ arrangement. Swooning here...
ReplyDeleteThanks Luisa!
DeleteBeautiful arrangements. The stuff I prune definitely belongs in the bin or in the compost, not in a vase.
ReplyDeleteThe massive rose pruning you do comes to mind?...
Delete