Monday, August 8, 2016

In a Vase on Monday, channeling my inner FTD Florist

I think I've mentioned I'm growing Zinnia from seed this year?

Needing to rotate my tomato crop I couldn't come up with a veggie that I really wanted to grow in the second stock tank, so I opted for Zinnias — strictly for cutting. I planned to grow Z. 'Envy' but I guess that one has been replaced by Z. ‘Benary’s Giant Lime’ — at least at the supplier I was dealing with.

To my eye 'Envy' is greener, where as ‘Benary’s Giant Lime’ has a yellow bent. Oh well. The seeds have certainly produced, and I've cut several handfuls of flowers only to have more open the next day. I guess it's time to do a dedicated "In a Vase" post using these stems.

Not wanting to be monochromatic I looked around for suitable companion flowers. Aha! There were a few orange Crocosmia only visible when I stood in a certain spot on the patio. That's no good (wasted!)...so I cut them.

Combined with a sprig of Grevillea 'Ivanhoe' foliage and using that special orange vase here's what I came up with...

And yes, the post title kind of reveals how I was feeling about this creation.

I adore the elements...but it felt kind of "churchy" when it all was said and done.

As if to back up how I was feeling, when Andrew came home — and noticed it — he said "where'd you get that?" ... ("I made it, from things in the garden")... "Oh, it looked like something a florist put together"...and I don't think he meant it was over-the-top-romantic or special.

Oh well.

I still like it, especially from the back side (whodda thought?)

Poor thing ended up behind the kitchen sink, since a cactus had been moved outside recently and the space seemed to beg for something new. Plus, then I can appreciate at it when doing the dishes!

"In a Vase on Monday" is hosted by Cathy at Rambling in the Garden. To see what other bloggers have put together this week just click on that there ^ link...

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

28 comments:

  1. Don't you love having flowers or a plant by the kitchen sink! I think that Zinnia bud is stunning. I usually only see them open and don't think I've ever seen the bud stage as I don't grow them.

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    1. Me too! (the Zinnia bud) And yes, there is usually always something by the sink, even if it's just a leaf in a vase.

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  2. Somehow in your hands the result is way more creative than the usual FTD style. Love the zinnia and it does look a little more yellow than green from here. I used to grow Envy every year and should try to bring it back. Burpee still has it but it doesn't often show up on the seed rack at the nursery these days.

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    1. Thanks you Shirley, and oddly the flowers fade to a greener color once inside. Maybe too much sun is turning them yellow?

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  3. I love the color combination but I get the FTD reference - the arrangement lacks your usual verve and foliage emphasis.

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    1. Thanks for this Kris, I appreciate when someone says how they feel! (really)

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  4. I like this Loree--nice design. Certainly bold and colorful. /susie

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  5. I had to Google FTD - in the UK it is Interflora. Whether it is your 'usual' style or not is irrelevant because and I although I get what you mean about churchy and what Andrew meant by a florist's style, but in all truth it looks most effective and the elemts work really well together. The zinnias especially look fantastic but thecrocosmia is an inspired accompaniment

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    1. Thanks Cathy, and I'm glad you understand the "churchy" label, many times that confuses people.

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  6. You're being hard on yourself -- this is lovely and stylish!

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  7. Gorgeous! I think it may look especially nice in the photos...feels bigger than life.

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    1. Maybe if it were bigger I would like it better?

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  8. The perfect pairing with that vase - I love it!

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  9. excellent kitchen sink view I must say ! I am feeling bad now that I took the lazy way out an bought Zinnias in 4 inch pots, which clearly had been treated with growth inhibitors. Took them 6 weeks to look like normal plants.Next year it's back to seeds I go. And what the hell Loree, embrace your inner florist.

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    1. If only you could see out the windows at all the dead lawns and dandelions in my neighbors front yards!

      Seeds in my regular borders don't work so well for me -- too much competition and they get shaded out. But here, success! Who knows what I might do next year!

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  10. Oh, now this is yummy. I have a thing for that yellow-to-green/chartreusey range. This is an eye-catcher, because of the flower colors, the plant forms, and your expert arranging. I wish I could keep flowers out by the sink, but my cats eat them. The arrangement looks so at home there!

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    1. One of the many reasons we don't have a cat!

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  11. My thought was retro mid century modern. The colors, vase, and form worked together perfectly to make this a delightful period piece. Loved it when I saw it in person!

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    1. "retro mid-century modern" three of my favorite words!

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  12. "churchy"???
    I'd worship at that sanctuary of gorgeousness any day!

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  13. 'Envy' was always a reluctant seed strain, so maybe this is an improvement (in success rate, if not in color). I doubt your local florist would have 'Ivanhoe' on hand and I've never seen Crocosmia turn up in their creations. Their zig-zaggy form is perfect in tandem with the leaf shape of the Grevillea.

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    1. Ya I did really like the way the zig-zag played with the leaves, glad you approve!

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  14. Lovely arrangement - the vase is gorgeous and perfect for those shades. :)

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