Yes, it was time for another mantle redo and I thought the Royal Copely vase collection (or rather (ehm) part of it) would be just the thing to make the house feel in-touch with the season. Since I've never much cared for arrangements in those vases – they're really better as stand alone pieces – I worked in a few white ones so I'd have something to hold garden cuttings.
Here we have a mix of Euphorbia rigida (which I also used a couple weeks back), more Helleborus x hybridus 'Jade Tiger' (used last week) and a few leaves of a dying Begonia (three leaves was all it had left, and I was tired of looking at them so sad and pathetic!). Oh and there are a couple of bent leaves of a Cordyline in there too, C. Electric Star. They kind of prop up the Begonia leaves.
I will miss that Begonia, but it hadn't looked good for months.
At the other end of the mantle I tucked a Hoya species (yep, that's all the label says) into one of the black Royal Copely pieces. It's the multi-colored foliage that gets me, any blooms that may show up will just be a bonus.
Moving to the left...
I was excited to find this little Jonathan Adler plate at Goodwill, it's perfect for many things – even a Tillandsia – although it hides the dots.
The big Monstera leaf is not real, in case you were wondering (my husband thought it was).
It took me awhile to decided what would hold it's own against the big graphic leaf, finally I hit upon using a few stems from the Equisetum hyemale (horsetail)...
I've got a big tank of it growing in the back garden. This is an older photo, from a day when Lila decided to play hide and seek. Can you spot the dog?
The horsetail alone wasn't enough, so I cut my lanky (both in form and foliage) Aeoniums and stuck them in the vase too. Later in the spring I'll plant them out and they should root and grow on.
Another look at this little arrangement.
The colors make me happy...
Again I'm joining up with Cathy who hosts this Monday vase party. Visit her blog for links to all those participating this week.
All material © 2009-2016 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
That's a lovely collection of vases and foliage. You are so talented at this kind of thing.
ReplyDeleteIt's fun to try and come up with something different each week, and of course my life-long collecting of vases is finally paying off! You should give it a try Alison.
DeleteOho...great Goodwill score. The begonia leaves found new life as the stars of your vase and what an impressive collection. Your cupboards must be overflowing with goodies.
ReplyDeleteFor some reason your comment has me thinking about the vases I got rid of when we moved to Portland, and then a few others when we had a garage sale after buying the house. I wonder what treasures I let slip through my fingers!?
DeleteAnother magnificent mantle! You are so talented!
ReplyDeleteRight back at cha Outlaw.
DeleteI really need to pay a visit to my local Goodwill or "Sally" shops - I'm stuck in a rut with my own vase material. You mantle redesign is wonderfully fresh and spring-like. You're not tossing out the begonia tuber, are you? I'd think that those ornamental begonias would do well up your way where their thirst can be properly sated. I love that Hoya, which isn't a variety I've seen before.
ReplyDeleteEsty is also fairly dangerous for vase shopping as I recently discovered. Shipping charges have kept me from doing anything but wow, there are some nice finds on there.
DeleteThat Begonia isn't hardy for us, outdoors, but maybe I'll tuck the tuber into the ground and see what happens. Then again the summer here is so dry I don't know if it will get the drinks it needs.
The first arrangement with the Euphorbia, Hellebores etc. has me drooling. I need to add all those plants to my garden (if possible!). Just a perfect combo of colors, textures, shapes. This may be one of my top favorites that anyone has posted on this meme. And it would be worth growing a Begonia just to be able to snatch leaves as needed for groupings like this.
ReplyDeleteReally? Wow...thank you. That's quite the compliment!
DeleteWhat a fabulous vase collection...and stunning arrangements to make that mantel sing. I adore using the same horsetail in arrangements...mine grows next to my pond.
ReplyDeleteIs your horsetail in the ground? And does it stay in-bounds? I've heard so many horror stories of it taking over.
DeleteA commanding presentation. The begonia is strong with the hellebores and euphorbia and Equisetum is a favorite of mine.
ReplyDeleteWhy thank you! I love that phrase "commanding presentation"...
Deleteit's amazing what you can pull off when you are an artistic genius--and you have no cats. so groovy.
ReplyDeleteJust the other day Andrew said "what if our next pet is a cat"...you can imagine the look he got.
DeleteHow colorful! I always like the color choice you make for your mantle-scapes. They seem to go with your outdoor garden so well.
ReplyDeleteI am rather partial to certain color schemes.
DeleteYour Monday vases are always so unquie Loree - I love to see what you come up with. Thanks for sharing your Royal Copely collection with us too - I can see why you like the pieces and the varied material you have chosen to accompany them is perfect :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, as always, for hosting Cathy!
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