Monday, August 21, 2017

In a Vase on Monday — same vase, different method

Last week I put together an arrangement using Floral Soil, a natural alternative to oasis (that green gunk florists used for years to keep their stems upright). This week I thought I'd try an old fashioned alternative — chicken wire. I used the same low, wide, vase...

And crumpled the wire up and shoved it inside.

The Hibscus needed a little trimming (there is a window back there, somewhere) so I used the tips with flowers in the vase.

The wire kept the stems where I placed them, the only drawback being catching the cut-up ends on the wire and having to work to "wiggle" them further in. Why were the ends cut-up? Anytime I stick a woody-stem in water I make a few vertical cuts up into the stem, hoping it will help it to take up the water.

Other bits in the vase include Pennisetum purpureum 'Vertigo'...

χ Fatshedera lizei ‘Annemieke’ and an inherited Clematis montana.

The vase went back on the mantle, because once you've claimed a bit of space you don't want to give it up.

I cut three stems of the "grass" for the pointy tips, but didn't want to waste anything so bent the lower pieces into sort of loops and tucked them in.

The new growth on the Clematis picks up the color scheme nicely.

I declare the chicken wire test successful!

Visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for links to all the Monday Vases...

Weather Diary, Aug 20: Hi 81, Low 56/ Precip 0

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

24 comments:

  1. Making loops with the extra grass is very clever! I like the colors in this arrangement very much.

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  2. Good to know that the chicken wire works so well. Love the arrangement, especially the loop idea.

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  3. I'll have to try the chicken wire trick. (I already ordered some Floral Soil cupcakes.) The Hibiscus is very pretty and as usual you did a masterful job with the foliage elements.

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    1. I can't wait to hear what you think of both the cupcakes and the chicken wire!

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  4. It's very pretty and I'm glad you still have your space. You have beautiful trailing leaves and a clever trick with the grass.

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  5. Great colors with the fireplace materials. And nice to be able to use the wire more than once.

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    1. So true, the wire will really be everlasting.

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  6. Gorgeous, one of my favorites and I like all of your arrangements!

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  7. This is great! It's a wonderful how-to, and your artistry, as always, is impressive!

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  8. Gorgeous! You are so talented!!! Didn't get around go buying any Vertigo this year, and admit some regret about this. I like the nifty loops...

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    1. I wasn't planning to but I walked into Portland Nursery right after they'd gotten a large shipment, and it was on sale! (although horribly root bound, hence the sale)

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  9. Your beautiful arrangement completes the other artistic touches on your mantle.

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    1. Gotta work with what the husband creates.

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  10. Beautiful. I have got to look at the flea market for some old flower "frogs" to go in my vases.

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    Replies
    1. They're getting so rare, and expensive!

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  11. I have used chicken wire alot in arrangements, and create a rough ball instead of a crumpled mass. I start with a square of cut wire and turn it into a cylinder then tuck in the ends, so all the cut tips are towards the center. It allows various size stems to tuck in and the opposite end of the ball helps keep stems standing. I keep the wire balls in their respective vases, and replace them if they rust.

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  12. Thanks for reminding us of this way of supporting blooms as I am sure most of us want to avoid using floral foam. I like the way you have curled the ends of the grass in too

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  13. Fun tips in support of a stunning arrangement. I'm wondering how long the Hibiscus lasts in a vase.

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    1. The foliage is still going strong over a week later. The flowers fade and fall but the new buds open...quite nice actually!

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