Monday, February 5, 2018

In a Vase on Monday: a refresh

The previous mantle/vase/moss wonderland was still in place when I returned from Paris, a run of over four weeks. It was time for a refresh.

Besides how could I pass up that big pink Protea bloom and "sculptural" Sago frond when I saw them at the market? I could not.

The Brachyglottis greyi (Senecio greyi) cuttings in the black vase date back to my Christmas mantle. Yes they're rooting, yay! The Cryptomeria japonica 'Rasen' cuttings are from the post-Christmas display. They're still fresh, but no roots....

I'm hoping the two cards in the brass bases can pass as artwork and don't look like too much like greeting cards. I needed more pink but didn't want more flowers, this pair has been laying on my desk for almost a year. It was time I did something with them!

One of my Selaginella kraussiana 'Aurea' dried up and passed on while we were away. One lives on! I love the Tillandsia usneoides depiction in this "piece of artwork"...

My Cybister Amaryllis Evergreen bulb just sort of flopped over one day. Once I investigated I discovered it was mushy, I'd watered it too much. Oh well, it hasn't stopped the flowers, even when I chopped the remaining stalk and put it in water.

I continued the pink focus into three smaller vases.

My Polynesian "head-vase" is holding a combination of Ludisia discolor stems (rooting) and flowers and foliage from Arctostaphylos x ‘Austin Griffiths'. It's an odd combo, but I like it!

The Helleborus x ballardiae Pink Frost plant (swag from Skagit Gardens years ago) gave up a couple of stems to the vase effort.

Grevillea 'Ivanhoe' foliage joins them.

The final vase is filled with cuttings of Alternanthera 'Little Ruby', which are now completely rooted but I haven't potted up yet (at this rate I will just be planting them out in the spring). All three small vases are hanging out on our dining table — which because of our small house size — is practically in the same room as the mantle display.

As always; visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for links to all the Monday bloggers vases.

Weather Diary, Feb 4: Hi 60, Low 47/ Precip 0

All material © 2009-2018 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

23 comments:

  1. You have so many things from your own garden that I would have just assumed it was all yours if you hadn't pointed out what you purchased. Again, if you hadn't said those were cards not little paintings, who would know. I have cards I've kept for years for their artwork.

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    1. Oh to be able to grow big Protea blossoms. I would be in floral heaven! Alas I am restricted to buying them at the market. Glad the cards get a pass from you.

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  2. I keep greeting cards for their cool artwork too. I love the way you have these displayed, and those flamingos are fab. I've been haunting Goodwill lately looking for vases. There's never anything as interesting as your Polynesian lady. I adore her!

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    1. If you keep an eye on eBay I've seen a couple of her type come up for sale there (she's an antique store find, can't imagine her ever turning up at Goodwill).

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  3. All of these combinations are grand. I've never used Hellebores as cut flowers...long story. But maybe this will be the spring (mine won't bloom until March; they're covered with several inches of snow now). I really like your mantle color (and its incorporation in your blog fonts, etc.). It's one of the more interesting colors of nature (mosses, etc.), and whenever I see it I get little creative thoughts... Great vases here.

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    1. This is not a scientific result but... I find the longer the stem the better a Hellebore lasts a cut flower. Glad you like the paint color, I still love it, almost 13 years later...

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  4. I think it's a great idea to use the cards as art, especially when they're as well integrated into the tableau as yours are. As I currently rely almost entirely on e-cards, I should take a lesson there and retrieve some of my all-too-large paper card collection for use that way. The mix of flowers and foliage on the table and mantle sing of early spring to me. I hope they're having the same effect on you.

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    1. The flowers on the table, and the garden outside! Spring is definitely popping up all over the place.

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  5. Do love your panache for a fine arrangement :) speaking of Brachyglottis, we had a bit that was dangling on to the edge of the pond touching the water and it rooted! It’s now planted out.

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    1. That's a great story! I am excited to have a few bits to plant.

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  6. Marvelous proteas, real and on the card! Your house must feel like a garden right now with all of that sweet greenery.

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    1. My house is a garden! (says she who has to move plants to do the laundry).

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  7. I love proteas, I wouldn't have passed it up either. Nice refreshment job, Loree! BTW, I got a chance to listen to your podcast - nice work. I found myself actually being able to imagine the scenes from your posts as you described things. Loved the imperiled postman anecdotes. ;)

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    1. Thanks Eliza, I'm thrilled you listened and enjoyed the podcast.

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  8. What a pretty assortment of blooms, foliage, vases and artwork, all tastefully arranged, as usual. You have some lovely 'things', Loree, and I always enjoy seeing the splashes of green paintwork in this room of yours - such a lovely shade and similar to what we have used in our bedroom

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    1. Oh! You win. That green in the bedroom would be fantastic!

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  9. I must say that you like black vases as much as I. If you ever find those gorgeous pieces with the white flowers gone... Your Tillandsia's make me smile, they are very, very happy.

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    1. My Tillandsias/your Tillandsias! I've actually lost track of which ones came from you...but they're all happy and healthy.

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  10. I always admire how you decorate the whole mantle area; I did that at Christmas but don't ever think to do it at other times; seeing how great yours looks, I think I should.

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  11. Your mantle and area around the fireplace is just a delight. I don't think there is anyone like you for your artistic home displays.

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  12. My mom used that bright green everywhere, which was a little overwhelming and caused me to shun green for many years. Restraint is the name of the game (in paint, not, obviously, in floral displays). I got over my aversion a few years ago but had I not, your use of the color would have returned me to the fold.

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  13. What gorgeous flowers ... and I adore those flamingos.

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