Everything is still looking great, with a tiny exception or two...
So I decided this week's vase would be something for the dining table, something that compliments the mantle theme.
I scouted around for a container I hadn't used before, something that fit with the colors on the mantle. Ah! My vintage Frankoma planter...
I always think of it as the Franklinia planter, wrong. That's a tree.
So gathering cuttings...I wanted something big to anchor things and thought one of these Fatsia japonica 'Variegata' leaves would be just the ticket.
There are a few blooms in my garden right now, but none are really superstar material, at least none that I wanted to cut. I figured a few sprigs of Grevillea ‘Poorinda Leane’ would give a hint of floral color.
Flowers past, the seed-heads of Clematis tibetana var. vernayi are such amazing puff-balls (as long as you get them before the rain ruins them), why not include those too?
The rangy stems of Leptospermum lanigerum are hard to appreciate unless you're close to them, or the plant is featured against a solid background. What the heck, I cut a couple of those.
A few Hebe 'Karo Golden Esk' branches were also cut. I've been in serious Hebe lust lately and thought it was time to try them as cut stems.
I couldn't get over the need for a statement flower or two. Finally my eyes settled on the fruit of the Fatsia japonica. I would have loved for them to have turned to black, but the white-ish green stage will work.
And what the heck, a couple of branches of Corokia Cotoneaster for strange structure.
And a great opportunity to see the white backs of the leaves, something you rarely see on the plant.
The finished arrangement, which sadly doesn't include the Corokia Cotoneaster branches. It was crazy enough without them - I put them in and things just went too far. Besides their dark coloring was just a bit too dramatic for this shades of green and yellow creation.
The strong curves and bends of the Fatsia leaf add all the drama this one needs.
The Clematis seed heads were also a no go, they looked like I dropped cotton balls in the mix. Instead they became part of a small vase of leftover pieces.
The Corokia went in it's own vase too...and it looks like I need to turn a couple branches around to se the white sides!
In a Vase on Monday is hosted at Rambling in the Garden. I owe Cathy a huge thank you for giving me the push to do more of this cutting and arranging thing. I've always done it, and enjoyed it, but I'm doing more now that I have an excuse to share what I come up with. Thank you Cathy!
All material © 2009-2016 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
Love this. That is a great vase and the drama of your arrangement is perfect. It is always interesting to see the plants in situ and how they work in an arrangement. That variegated Fatsia and the Hebe have me jealous. Actually I am always jealous of things in your garden. Zonal issues obviously but all your plants look so healthy and happy.
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda! I am beginning to wonder how much more rain some of my plants can deal with, and still look healthy. It's getting VERY soggy out there.
DeleteStunningly beautiful - every single photograph is a delight!
ReplyDeleteAh, thanks Sandra!
DeleteLoree you have outdone yourself with these amazing plants...love the twisty branches and clematis seed heads but the main vase is a stunner.
ReplyDeleteThank you Donna! I always feel lucky when I manage to find a few fluffy Clematis seed heads before they fall apart.
DeleteBeautiful work--your room is so pretty. The Corokia in the vast by itself is great just as it is.
ReplyDeleteThanks Hoov!
DeleteSensational! Don't you love it when you get a few bonus vases with what's left over from the main event? I'm mad for the Fatsia fruits.
ReplyDeleteAren't they great!? (the fruits) I think I've scored a record crop this year, it's nice to find a use for some of them.
DeleteThis is exactly how the multiple vase thing happens. All 3 vases are gorgeous, although I LOVE the one with the Fatsia leaf. I've never though of cutting branches from my Corokias but they are wonderful - maybe when they plants are bigger...
ReplyDeleteI hesitated for that very reason (size), but then uncovered a couple of very low branches that were buried by the neighbors leaves. It's a win/win...I get branches for a vase and there's one less place for passing leaves to get caught up.
DeleteYou gathered such interesting materials and worked them into a lovely arrangement of greens. The Fatsia japonica fruits are just right as a focal flower. I enjoyed seeing your "edits" as well--in the end you put them to good use also. Susie
ReplyDeleteThanks Susie! I am loath to toss things I've cut from the garden - so it was nice to find a way to use them.
DeleteClassy arrangement as always, and the corokia on its own really does work superbly too. Love your interiors, you have a beautiful home!
ReplyDeleteThanks you guys...small...but we like it.
DeleteI love the arrangements and the plants materials you used. You certainly have a knack for it! Those clematis seed heads look just like marabou! Lovely!
ReplyDeleteConfession; I had to look up marabou...
DeleteHow interesting to hear all your thought processes and the resultant vase with the fatsia leaves and fruits is gorgeous and is ably supported by the hebe. Details such as the placement on the two mats have not been forgotten and show what a good eye you have got - as has rejecting the orokia and clematis heads from your main vase. This is why sharing is such fun - thank you Loree.
ReplyDeleteWell, my edited thought process at least. If I was being completely transparent there would have been a few "well this is stupid...not going anywhere...can't share this...oh wait, it's kinda nice...what was I thinking" moments as well!
DeleteExtremely well-done as always! All three vases are great and the main one looks good from above as well as from the side. Nice arrangement with the placemats, tillandsia, and the, ahem, hairy balls. What are they? Really work well!
ReplyDeleteThey're really not hairy, just kind of bumpy. They're seed pods that Andrew picked up on a walk. Once upon a time I knew what they were, but I've since forgotten...
DeleteI'm getting a little lust going on for those Fatsia fruits. They remind me of little sputniks, they probably didn't look like the Fatsia fruit, but they popped into my brain???
ReplyDeleteIndeed, they are very sputnik-like!
DeleteI really like the Fatsia in the main arrangement and the Clematis seedheads in the smaller arrangement. All look like professional arrangements that people would pay big bucks for at a florist. Nice!
ReplyDeleteI like that! "Big Bucks"...or maybe just enough to buy a couple more new plants?
DeleteGorgeous -- you have such an eye for design. The shapes and colors are wonderful. (Also: I love your Instagram. All kinds of photo goodness, and it warms this dog person's heart to see Lila surveying her kingdom <3 )
ReplyDeleteThanks Luisa, glad to know somebody is enjoying those photos. I recently overheard a conversation where someone was complaining about kids and dogs infiltrating an otherwise "themed" photo stream and wondered if I was an offender.
DeleteSo nice! And you were able to pull such a lovely designed vase without any traditional flowers, and such a great matching color palette. Impressive!
ReplyDeleteThanks Renee, it was kind of a chance for me to walk my talk...about foliage being king in the garden.
DeleteI love the movement you've created in the evergreen vase, Picking flowers from the garden and then having some bits and pieces over to create 2nd and 3rd vases is a real bonus, they all look perfect together on the table.
ReplyDeleteThanks Christina! Left-overs are good, as long as you've got a place for them.
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