Monday, September 19, 2016

In a Vase on Monday, foraging for silver dollars

I wasn't really planning to put together a vase for today (I have so many other things to blog about!) but when I spotted these Lunaria pods in the same field where I picked my weeds for these vases I knew I had to make use of them...

What to go with? Let's see, how about some dark foliage in a similar shape? Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple' needed a little shaping anyway...

And maybe a little foliage with a silver sheen but of a drastically different shape? (Leptospermum lanigerum 'Silver Form')

I didn't cut any branches with the little seed-pod buttons though, I love seeing them on the plant and figure they'd kind of disappear in a vase arrangement.

Finally there were a couple of Callistemon branches I'd pruned the day before but tossed in the yard waste bin...what was I thinking? I dug them out, they still looked fresh!

The finished arrangement.

And inside, where it's living, by the front window.

No flowers to worry about wilting in the sun!

And the back-lighting illuminates the Lunaria perfectly.

The last time I used these in an arrangement I left the outer layers on, because I wanted the seeds to stay in place (polka dots!), this time I wanted the extra silver-sheen you get when only the inner layer is left.

I love the contrast with the Cotinus foliage.

Look ma, no flowers!

But fear not, just across the room are these sunny power-houses of cheer. Not grown by me, bought for a mere $5 at the grocery store, how could I refuse?

Love them!

The kitchen sink/window area currently has another purchased flower, these Alstroemeria were the 1/2 price grab from a "buy one get one half off" coupon I got with the sunflowers. I think they worked great with the Fatshedera foliage I already had in the vase (hoping it will root).

Such cheerful flowers too...

Finally, did you spot the sunflower with no petals? Instead of tossing the one bloom with damaged petals I just pulled them all off. I like it! In a Vase on Monday is hosted by Cathy at Rambling in the Garden. Click on over to her site for links to all the participating blogs!

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

18 comments:

  1. Those Lunaria seedpods are fab! What a brilliant idea to take all the petals off the one sunflower that had some that were damaged.

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    1. I've done it to a couple in the vase now too. The petals are the first thing to look bad, but a gentle tug and voila! A new, fresh, look.

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  2. I love the shape of the leaves and the seed pods in your vase - who needs blooms?! And white alstroemeria - don't think I have seen any before but it looks stunning! Thanks for sharing

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    1. Thanks Cathy, I usually go for the green/yellow Alstroemeria but the white just looked so bright and cheerful...

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  3. Beautiful and creative combo in your first vase, Loree, it looks great! Sunflowers are so cheering and I must admit I have a chocolate brown one on the table minus its ray petals. It was too pretty to toss. :)

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  4. These all make me smile! Lunaria pods are favorites and I let them seed around so usually have a few this time of year. The alstroemeria reminds me of one of the first pieces of Ann Lovejoy's writing that I read. The title is "Sex and the Single Alstroemeria." Your arrangements are gorgeous as always!

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  5. The first arrangement is absolutely gorgeous! I love the combination of silver and dark green, with a tinge of purple in the Cotinus. The green in the white Alstroemeria is picked up wonderfully by the Fashedera leaves. Ok, the petal-less sunflower is pretty cool. I probably would have thought it was some cool new variety with green petals if you hadn't said anything.

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    1. I remember an article in Elle Decor back in the day. The homeowner had pulled all the petals off their sunflowers because she liked them better that way. A bit extreme, but worth repeating when a flower would otherwise be tossed.

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  6. Great vases today. Love Honesty seedpods. A co-worker used to bring me an armload every Autumn. I used to put them in a brown vase decorated with white polka dots. Also used them as the subject for some unsuccessful drawings!

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    1. Oh that sounds fabulous! (the vase combo)

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  7. The petal-less sunflower is perfect in that succulent-shaped vase! I loved the Lunaria arrangement too. I planted 3 Lunaria in spring but, sadly, they wasted away in my garden over the summer. The silver Leptospermum is new to me - I've got a trip planned to the Australian natives nursery planned in October so I'll have to look for it there.

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    1. I am shocked the Lunaria in the field managed to make it through another dry summer. Good luck tracking down the Leptospermum.

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  8. As cheery as the purchases are, your creation is wonderful and more in season. So nice!

    My grandparents had a "silver dollar tree" in a vase too: silver dollars glued onto branches. I believe it was part of a silver wedding anniversary present. All I know as a child was it was a wonder -- I'm sure I prefer the natural version now. :)

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    1. That "silver dollar tree" sounds vaguely familiar, like perhaps my parents or grandparents had one too. It would have been brief though, as that money wouldn't have been allowed to just be decor.

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  9. Charming flowerless arrangement...and the flowers aren't half bad either. I've been pulling the petals off of Echinacea to use in arrangements lately. Those spikey centers are boss.

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  10. In all honesty I think I need to grow some honesty. My grandma always grew it. A biennial I think. I never thought of white alstroemeria. You have given me an idea-I think it might look good with variegated pittosporum.

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