Monday, March 6, 2017

In a Vase on Monday; time to prune the Edgeworthia

I couldn't help myself, I had to include a full wall shot because I am still so in love with that big Philodendron leaf print. I finally framed it a few weeks ago and fully intend to hang it on the dining room wall, I just haven't gotten around to it, yet...

But the focus of this post is supposed to be on the vases. And vases I have, multiples in fact. I needed to prune the crossing branches on my Edegeworthia chrysantha 'Nanjing Gold', why not do it when the blooms are just starting to open? That way fragrant blossoms come indoors...

I know I did a similar vase post last year at this time, but I didn't let myself look at it. I didn't want to be influenced by what I included then, or feel bad about using the same elements again. Each vase includes bits of Edgeworthia, as well as Fatsia japonica seed heads, Grevillea australis branches, and fronds from my inherited Polystichum munitum (aka sword fern).

I bought the pair of small metal urns at The Gardener's Choice in Tigard, OR, last fall. Truth is they're just a light metal, probably aluminum. But their finish is so good they look to be much heavier.

The tall white vase at the center is holding a branch of Grevillia juniperina ‘Molonglo’, which honestly, I expected to be dead after our winter temperatures, but it's not. Thus I need to start pruning back its enthusiasm.

There are even blooms!

Did you spot the crazy metal curls? I don't know exactly what it's supposed to be, but I picked it up at a Digs Inside & Out half-off sale and I love it.

The camera is an old piece i picked up at a thrift shop years ago. I didn't think I'd ever used it in a mantle display before, but Andrew said something like "oh I see the camera and plumb bobs are back"... have you seen the plumb bobs before? I also thought they were new to the mantle. I was once obsessed and started a collection. Now I just have the three. Three is probably enough.

I know you've seen the Craspedia (aka billy balls — the yellow dots) before, they're oldies but goodies that come out ever so often. They carry the color theme to the end of the mantle.

So, in case you don't know In a Vase on Monday is something we bloggers do, weekly — or whenever the mood strikes. The participating blog posts are curated by Cathy, who blogs at Rambling in the Garden. She's the one who started it all, join in the fun. Won't you?

Weather Diary, March 5: Hi 47, Low 36/ Precip .09

All material © 2009-2017 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

23 comments:

  1. Oh, the metal thingy from Digs is sort of Tillandsia-ish. It's cool. Hmm... if that Grevillea survived your winter, it would probably survive mine, I wonder if I should give it a try?

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    1. I lost 3 of that same Grevillea after the winter of 2013/14, they however were planted in the front garden in a location with more exposure to our dreaded (cold) east winds. Location, location, location...appears to be key.

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  2. 3 plumb bobs IS a collection! I particularly like the arrangements in photo no. 3. I don't think we should worry too much about using the same flowers and other items in our arrangements each year. It's hard to avoid when we are seasonally dependent on what's blooming any given week. Then add in favorites vases etc. Seems like we all do a pretty good job changing it up a little each week. That said, can't wait to post my millionth photo of emerging peonies!

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    1. Ah the peonies! Your comment had me checking for emerging growth yesterday. I got nothin.

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  3. Your arrangements are always so creatively presented. Love the Edgeworthia. I don't see it often even outdoors, but have never seen it used in a vase. And those fatsia pods are wonderful. /susie

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    1. Thanks Susie! It's not a commonly seen cut branch around here either.

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  4. You are right, the leaf print looks great. So simple to do but effective. Did you use a printing press or just the back of a spoon?

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    1. Ah Steve you're giving me too much credit! It's purchased, from Schoolhouse Electric, where my husband works.

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  5. Your mantle is an ode to the coming of spring, Loree! I love the Edgeworthia, a plant I can't remember ever seeing down this way even though Sunset says it will grow here (given sufficient water). Your Grevillea 'Molonglo' is far happier than mine, which I recently dug up and plopped in the compost bin - it never thrived here and I made things worse by moving it when the Lotus berthelotti swamped it, causing it to die outright.

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    1. It's kind of a mystery why this G. 'Molonglo' is happy when I've lost so many others. I'm not complaining though!

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    2. I am having great success with Edgeworthia in northeast Georgia, Zone 7b/8a. Planted on the west side of my home in direct sunlight. A neighbor has one that is even larger than mine.

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  6. I would love to browse around your house, Loree, and look at all your bits and pices as well as your totally unique vases. The fatsia seed heads are brilliant with the edgworthia - and I too love the meatl curls, and the tactile nature of some plumb bobs, although when I wallpapered the other week I couldn't find any and tied a vintage weight onto a piece of string instead ;)

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    1. Ah, so maybe someday I will actually use my plumb bobs! That would be fun.

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  7. Fabulous use of your prunings! The metal tillandsia has the added benefit of never needing water. Your yellow and green arrangements are cheerful and spring-like in spite of the fact that snow is falling outside my window at the moment. Your mantle always looks so clean and well put together.

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    1. I couldn't believe it when I woke up and looked out the window to see fat flakes falling from the sky. I am so ready for some dry, warm, days.

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  8. Really pretty mantle. I like the metal Tillandsia--even I could not kill those. The Fatsia balls are quite striking! If mine bloom I won't be sorry.

    I have seen Edgeworthia in bloom at the Huntington, under the oaks south of the Brody Botanical Center (the glass conservatory), but never anywhere else in So Cal. Deciduous shrubs are fairly uncommon here.

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    1. At the Huntington huh? That's interesting. If I lived in SoCal I doubt I would try to grow any deciduous shrubs.

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  9. Those vases are gorgeous! I'm not familiar with Edgeworthia, but I love what you've done with it and the rest of the material. Love the texture of those metal curls too...!

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    1. Thanks Amy! I bought my Edgeworthia for the foliage, but the flowers are a favorite now.

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  10. You have so many cool props...how in the world do you keep your house looking so pristine? Is there a Fibber McGee closet somewhere?

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    1. Well to my way of thinking they aren't props, they're things I love and I surround myself with. (I had to look up Fibber McGee closet...and I can safely say no. The only thing in our house that fits that description is the rubbermaid/tupperware cabinet...).

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  11. That metal Tillandsia thing is super groovy. Good score.

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  12. Kris, I have three large Edgeworthia growing in my Northeast Georgia garden (zone 8a) - full sun and red clay. Gone from 3 gal plants to 4 x 6 foot shrubs in 4 years.

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