Monday, May 9, 2016

In a Vase on Monday: back to the basics

I've written about my fondness for bringing in prunings from the garden, to enjoy in a vase (why toss them in the yard waste bin when they can be enjoyed in the house?) As gardening chores amp up I'll no doubt be doing more of this kind of creation than an actual thought out and "designed" vase. At first I wasn't going to share these (too simple), but then I thought of those who've said they don't have the creativity to put together an arrangement. Okay...but you can stick a leaf or two in a vase, right?

The Ligularia I recently purchased had some droopy leaves around the bottom which I removed to make it easier to plant.

I like how they fit together.

And those colorful backsides are easy to see in a vase.

Here three Syneilesis aconitifolia leaves are joined by a bit of vine left over from last week's vase.

Here's the patch the leaves came from.

As summer wears on they start to droop a little and get in the way of the walkway leading to the patio. And yes I realize it's only May – not yet summer – but it's been abnormally warm and we seem to have started our dry season a little early this year.

Before the Green on Green tour last August I made this little support to keep them from getting trampled.

It was time to pull it out and put it to work again, but in doing so I broke a couple of stems.

Oh well, now I enjoy them up-close...

On the dining table.

This vase is filled with Grevillea australis prunings.

Complete with seeds.

This one is driving my husband a little crazy ("I shouldn't have to fight the shrubbery to make coffee") and I could have been more artful with the display but hey...

It's a variegated Ginkgo so it's pretty gorgeous all by itself.

Finally I had to share my Mother's Day card. Isn't that the best?

Almost as cute as the real thing. Oh and speaking of "the real thing", visit Rambling in the Garden for the round up of Monday garden vases, no doubt ones with real arrangements...

All material © 2009-2016 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

24 comments:

  1. Love the simplicity this week -- just what my eyes need after an exhausting working weekend. (Not that I don't love your more complex creations too!)

    You've also given me an idea for my own vase...

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  2. Your artistry in flower and leaf arranging is amazing. Love the mantle display too.

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    1. Thanks Jenny, the mantle has been kind of annoying me...too busy!

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  3. That's a gorgeous card, nice one Andrew! And more often it's the spontaneous creations like you've done that turn out the best!

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    1. Isn't that card fabulous? It looks like such a simple drawing but really captures Lila's personality.

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  4. Simple, elegant, and beautiful, like a little black dress with pearls. The card and your baby are adorable. You may just have to hold on to that Andrew guy!

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  5. Loree thank you for reminding us that a vase can be as simple as a few lovely prunings from the garden. These were fabulous.

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    1. Thanks Donna, I appreciate the thumbs up.

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  6. The individual arrangements may be simple but the vignettes are masterful, Loree. Your husband is definitely a keeper - I love the Mother's Day card.

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    1. There were sweet words inside the card too, but I'm keeping those private.

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  7. AnonymousMay 09, 2016

    Your trio of foliage vases are artfully arranged and looked wonderful together. I like the view of the Ligularia's red underside. The Ginko is beautiful too. Susie

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    1. Thank you Susie, I hated to cut that Ginkgo branch but it was in a bad place. At least I get to enjoy it indoors.

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  8. Love all of these simple "arrangements." I could definitely do something like this.

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  9. Simple arrangements often are the most artistic and these are outstanding!
    Jim would be saying the same thing as Andrew about the Ginko, but I would hold firm for a bit then move it... just sayin'. The leaf vases on the mantle are amazing, as is your sweet pup. And lastly, move the shrub, Andrew's card is a treasure!

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    1. Do not worry, I moved the branch the next day. I can't afford to upset my coffee maker!

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  10. I like these types of arrangements best. All spring/summer and into the autumn, I find myself breaking off little stems of flowers and placing them in bud vases. They work so well tucked on little shelves and nooks around the house. And, yes, wow--the Ligularia leaves look nifty locked together in an embrace!

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    1. Glad to hear it Beth! The other day I noticed some workers going to town on a rose bush just up the street, I wanted so bad to take some of the cuttings for a vase, before they crushed them and hauled them away. And I don't even particularly care for roses! I just didn't want them to go to waste.

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  11. Yesterday I was cutting off Hellebore flowers which are in the way of the new leaves. Made 3 different groupings in vases. Sometimes these definitely are as nice as the more elaborate creations.

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  12. AnonymousMay 10, 2016

    Isn't it lovely to have the opportunity to inspect foliage close up in a vase like this - great idea! Thanks for sharing

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  13. We must never let these husbands get together to compare notes.

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