Friday, August 12, 2016

In a Vase on Friday: Weeds 3 Ways

Truth be told life gets in the way sometimes and I end up creating my "Monday" vases on other days of the week. Such is the case this week, I'll have a house-guest this weekend and Monday's post will be for Bloomday. Still I was inspired and had an empty spot on the dining table. A vase (or three) needed to be filled...

This vacant lot (used to be the location of a public school, and the land is still owned by Portland Public Schools) is just a couple of blocks from our home. I walk through it all the time with Lila and love watching the changing of the weed population. Whereas Crimson Clover used to cover the field, now Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carota) is taking hold.

Much to the delight of some.

I don't remember seeing the Tragopogon dubius, aka Western Salsify, aka Yellow Goat's Beard, bloom. No matter because the flowers don't appeal to me, it's the seed heads that grab my attention.

Walking home with my riches...

Love the umbels...

And the seeds that follow...

After taking my "bouquets" indoors I came back out to clean off the worktable, only to discover the rejects being devoured.

And inside...

Not a conventional grouping, but I love them!

With these "weeds" I'll join up with the regular Monday Vase post over on Rambling in the Garden, come Monday.

In the meantime I hope you have a lovely weekend. Do remember to stop and appreciate a weed or three, would you?

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

17 comments:

  1. Those western salsify seed heads look especially fantastic in the vase! How long before the seeds start flying?

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    1. Still solid! Walking home with my treasures there was quite a wind and I thought I might arrive with nothing but the stalks. Not the case.

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  2. I've noticed the Queen Anne's Lace flowering in several nearby fields. I love it, but it's not convenient to walk to it. You're lucky to have a field where you can walk with Lila and have access to it.

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    1. That's how I feel about the Teasel I see growing on my route to the airport. I want to stop and cut some but don't want to risk death to do it!

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  3. All favorites of mine but I don't really have access to them. Lucky you to be able to walk among them which is a great way to enjoy them. Love the airy-ness of the arrangements in your rooms and the subtle color echoes.

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    1. Airy-ness is a great compliment, thank you! It is difficult to remain so in small spaces.

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  4. I LOVE those seed heads! Next time I go wandering on the empty lot up the street, I'll have to remember to take my clippers. Have a wonderful weekend, Loree!

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  5. Your weeds are splendid in vases! Like you, I adore Tragopogon dubius seed heads but usually only see them by the side of the highway I drive to and from work on. I've thought of pulling over from time to time but thought that the seed heads would disintegrate. Like Alan, I'm curious to know how long they'll last in the vase. Would a nice coating of hairspray or spray adhesive keep them together?

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    1. They are really quite solid, unlike dandelions. I only had one start to fall apart on me in the field. Tough buggers!

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  6. If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, we're lucky to have you out there beholding for us.

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    1. Ah that's such a nice thing to say Ricki!

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  7. We always have fresh flowers on the dining table and never thought to use "weeds." The way you arranged them looks so artistic and it's a great idea!

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  8. Those seed heads are astonishing in their size and solidity - I can't quiet get my head round them! And although 'my' plant has similarities to Queen Anne's Lace it is is shorter and more delicate but no doubt somewhere in the same family

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  9. I'd be picking these right along side of you, Loree. They are fabulous and look so good next to each other. The tragopodon just makes me sigh. ;)

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  10. Some of my carrots grown in containers have gone to seed. They make such beautiful flower arrangements. Thanks for the inspiration.

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