I tried to stop my vase stuffing ways this week by being more selective about what I cut during my stroll through the garden in pursuit of plants for "In a Vase on Monday." That's hard to do with spring in full swing! I'd nothing specific in mind when I headed out with my clippers and, somewhat to my own surprise, the first plant I focused on was
Festuca californica, a native California bunch grass. It's been in my garden for almost 4 years but I don't remember ever seeing it in bloom prior to this year, another side-effect of ample winter rain perhaps. In any case, use of the delicate grass required that I stick to the plan to allow my plant materials space to breathe in their vase so the grass wouldn't be lost.
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| While I limited the types of flowers for this vase, I think I should have used fewer stems of each |
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| or trimmed the foliage a bit more |
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| The grass didn't photograph well from above |
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| Clockwise from the left, the vase contains: Phlomis fruticosa, noID Alstroemeria, Festuca californica, Pelargonium peltatum 'Pink Blizzard', and Prunus laurocerasus |
The inspiration for the second vase was one of my favorite
Pelargoniums,
'Oldbury Duet', which made its appearance in the front garden several weeks ago. I've been wanting to do something with it ever since.
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| Front view, showing the rippled side of the small crystal vase |
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| Back view, showing the vase's clear side |
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| Top view with the sweet peas hogging the scene |
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| Clockwise from the upper left, the vase contains: Hebe 'Wiri Blush', Lathyrus odoratus, Pelargonium 'Oldbury Duet', and Stachys 'Lilac Falls' |
There are more flowering plants in the wings. My
Gaura lindheimeri began to open the moment my Bloom Day post was in the can and it appears that
Centaurea 'Silver Feather' may bloom for the first time this year. The pleasures of spring continue to unfold but warmer weather is in the offing so it remains to be seen which plants will realize their potential. You'll probably see whichever do in future vases but here are this week's efforts in their places:
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| The first vase sits on the dining room table and the second in the front entry |
Visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden to see what she and other bloggers have "In a Vase on Monday."
All material © 2012-2017 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
