In a Vase on Monday – a mash-up of multiples

I've done a little mantle modification since my last "In a Vase" post.

I was yearning for a full, "traditional-style" arrangement and this is what I came up with.

The base element (holding everything together) is a couple branches from Arctostaphylos densiflora 'Harmony'.

Providing texture and chartreuse floral punch are a few stems of Euphorbia rigida.

And bringing color that works with the fireplace tile, and other things nearby, a couple stems of Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Rainbow'.

The ingredients, combined. Oh and I tucked in a few sprigs of Black Mondo Grass, just because.

If you've ever cut fresh stems of Euphorbia rigida you know that white latex sap comes pouring out. I was careful to not get any on my skin, and when I cut the stem to the length needed for the arrangement I seared it with a flame, like I learned to do with cut Poinsettia stems in this tutorial. I figure it's supposed to help the Euphorbia live longer and it would certainly allow the water to stay fresher.

To fill a vase at the opposite end of the mantle I clipped a few branches from Arctostaphylos densiflora ‘Sentinel’, which is already in bloom. I thought about adding a few of the Euphorbia stems, or something completely different, but decided that I liked the tension between the full arrangement on one end and this simple one on the other.

Now for the centerpiece! Yes, more paper flowers. These are "growing" on branches from Poncirus trifoliata...(my what BIG thorns you have!)...

In the garden...

I had a lot of fun making these flowers, they're all different – some based on the ones I made for the wreath (tutorial here) or a second style discovered here.

Others I just started cutting, folding and gluing to see what I would end up with.

I also planned to cut more Monstera deliciosa (split-leaf Philodendron) leaves and make a plant, but decided three was enough.

However since I'd began trying my hand at making paper flowers with black and white pages I couldn't just let those flowers go to waste, so I made a few more and stuck them on another Poncirus trifoliata branch.

I wanted this vase to have a little foliage so I cut some Callistemon 'Woodlander's Hardy Red' branches, luckily there were seed pods too for additional interest.

The black and white pages also came from an old, falling apart, garden book.

With these creations I think I've worked the paper flower thing out, although no doubt come gift-giving season I'll be using them in my wrapping efforts.

So are you all familiar with the concept behind "In a Vase on Monday"? It's the creation of Cathy who blogs at Rambling in the Garden. She encourages us all to get out and see what we've got in our garden that can be cut and brought into the house to be enjoyed in a vase. It's a lot of fun, you should try it!

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

Well, it was a long walk...

The problem is, when I start walking...well I could go forever. Then I realize a couple of hours have gone by and I've only been walking in one direction – away from home. I guess it's time to turn and head back...here's the second half of the walk I began posting about last week.

I could smell this before I could see it. One of the Hamamelis, but I don't know which one.

Catkins, of some variety, pretty aren't they?

So that's really a thing then? I had no idea. I thought it was just something older people said.

I wonder if this front garden is the work of Darcy Daniels? It has her style...

Nice hellstrip treatment, no need for tall plants.

Curving rusted metal barrier, Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Rainbow'...

Another peek at the rusted metal, and lots of tasty plants...

Nice combo!

The green, fallen leaves, glowing twigs...they all work very well together.

On another street. I think I've shared this before, although there used to be bananas...

There are now chickens. Several.

Standing on the sidewalk, looking at this, I felt like I could see an entire thought process...that's problem solving.

I've shared bits of the landscape around the green house on prior walks. The tall new construction is going up behind them. An ADU? A flag lot?

Like that last example this is the kind of new construction I feel has some soul.

The rose is nice...

But the style can stand on it's own.

Where as I feel like this kind of infill is just about squeezing in every square foot possible and trying to look like everything, while really looking like nothing.

Ditto.

And this...OMG this! Infill of the worse kind. I think this model typically has garages under each unit, accessed from the front. However since there are alleys in this part of town the garage entrance is from the back and the front, and where the entry would normally be, is left with a hideous wall of lattice and cement. Oh and a place to park the obnoxious recycling and yard waste containers that the city provides us with. U.G.L.Y.

Let's breath deep and appreciate the foliage...

These...I want these.

Yes, yes I could really do something with these.

Normally Blue Atlas Cedar grown like this kind of give me the creeps. This one however did not.

Wait, who's that? Tanuki is that you?

My what big &@!!$ you have...

And these guys! OMG...you have no idea the noise. It was bath time and they were carrying on like it was Mardi Gras. Wings flapping, songs being sang. I accidentally broke up the party, when really all I wanted to do was enjoy it.

This. I've been scratching my head about this for awhile now.

This however is a new head-scratcher. The house recently got a good scrubbing and went on the market. It sold fast, and for a lot of $, that's how it works around here these days. The tree however, it's getting the heave-ho.

"Yes I'll buy the house, for $75,000 over asking. Just make that ridiculous maple go away..."

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