It's officially autumn and the migration of plants from outdoors to in has begun. When my niece visited she bet that I wouldn't have space in the greenhouse for all the plants that need to come in. Some plants have made their way into the people house for winter and more shelving has been erected in the greenhouse. I'm hoping to prove her wrong but it seems that someone may have too many tender plants. How could this have happened? It would appear that, like puppies, plants don't stay the same size as they were when you brought them home. Go figure. In keeping with the migratory theme, I chose three ceramic birds that I got when I was in seventh grade and had my very first job in a gift shop. (They aren't migratory birds but suspend disbelief for a moment.)
The contents of the vase simply wouldn't cooperate and kept flopping all over the place. A wiser person might have tied the stems together before putting them in the vase.
The hardy fuchsias are still blooming like there's no tomorrow, bless them. Japanese Anemones, and a few sprigs of Calluna vulgaris 'Peter Sparks' which had to come home with me because of the name.
A late bloom of Parahebe perfoliata, and foliage from Lonicera nitida, Senecio vira vira, and Sambucus nigra got thrown in.
Oh yes, and a bit of Origanum 'Kent Beauty' caught my eye as well.
Would any of this stand up in the middle of the vase? No. It all wanted to flop over to the sides. Oh well, sometimes the flowers win.
Hopefully you were more successful in exerting your arranging ability over the contents of your vase this week. In A Vase On Monday is hosted by Cathy at Rambling in the Garden. Click
here to see what others have found to bring inside to brighten their week. Thanks again Cathy for hosting and inspiring!
I have no idea how I'm going to overwinter all of my stuff this year, as there is little room in the garage. I also have no idea how you can manage to put beautiful vases together each week, floppy or not. Let's not get started on the endless supply of props either...
ReplyDeleteIt's usually a challenge to get a vase together for Monday. Truth be told, until this challenge, I almost never cut flowers from my garden preferring to enjoy them outside.
DeleteEmotive, energized? Not floppy at all. A job in 7th grade and you still have mementos. That's impressive.
ReplyDeleteBless you for finding alternative adjectives. Gardeners are such generous people. It may be time to let go of a few things but the birds will stay.
DeleteI focused on the fuchsias.
ReplyDeleteLets not speak of what is to come inside and what to toss. I'm at a spot where I've decided to throw away from indoors much of what would fall to my family to dispose of when I'm gone. That might include plants but wholesale throwing away can happen there.
Perhaps a plant/yard sale is in order. Stuff is fun but it does require work.
DeleteIt still looks beautiful, even if it is floppy. I've moved nearly all my plants into the greenhouse. I thought I saw a night-time temp in the 30s in the forecast, and started scrambling, but then they changed it. So now there's just a couple of pots left to move. At least it's done and I can concentrate now on making some changes to the back garden.
ReplyDeleteGood gosh Alison...you're way way way ahead of me. I'm getting started tomorrow.
DeleteFloral viagra aka Oasis might have made a difference. I'm impressed that you're nearly done with your migration. I'm still plugging along. Glad I didn't see that thirty degree low prediction or I'd have been scrambling too!
DeleteIt's beautiful Peter, and thanks for identifying the Origanum has I was having trouble figuring out what it was. Good luck fitting in all the plants!
ReplyDeleteThanks, I'll need some luck but was out working on it again and am thinking that, although it'll be pretty crowded during the coldest months, there will be space.
DeleteYou never fail to raise a smile from me Peter - love the way you write. Thank you for sharing it all - and your floppy vase too ;)
ReplyDeleteGlad to share the fun, Cathy!
DeleteI think loose and airy is perfectly acceptable in arrangements, Peter and I love your darling trio of birds. What zone/state do you garden in? I'm in MA and we had our first light frost last night. The end of the garden is in sight, unfortunately. :(
ReplyDeleteThank you. I garden in Tacoma, Washington USDA zone 8 but moved here from Alaska (zone 3-4) many years ago and remember well the first frost coming earlier and ending the summer abruptly. Here things are a bit more gradual and often we don't see frost until November.
DeleteThey're flopping beautifully, Peter! I love the Japanese anemones - a few buds have miraculously appeared in my garden from plants put in by prior owners but the heatwave that descended over the weekend and plans to hang on through the week may take them out like the grim reaper. With the temperature at 98F here, it's hard to believe that all of you up north are already worried about frost but I guess no gardener avoids Mother Nature's challenges. Best wishes with the great migration!
ReplyDeleteThank you Kris. When I lived farther north, I dreamed of living in a place like this were roses and broad leaved evergreens were hardy in the ground. Isn't it funny that here I take those for granted and baby even more tender things. Crazy!
DeleteI like your floppy flowers. You don' t want them all standing to attention do you? So far we are still warm and summery here, so the big frost question is on hold. I cannot imagine what I shall do with all my tender stuff when the big 'F' day arrives and yet still I buy more. The succulents and tender stuff are spawning at an alarming rate. It will all end in tears.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Chloris. It will all end in tears - so true. Why do we continue to acquire tender plants instead of simply enjoying the plethora of fine and beautiful hardy things we are able to grow?
DeleteThanks, Chloris. It will all end in tears - so true. Why do we continue to acquire tender plants instead of simply enjoying the plethora of fine and beautiful hardy things we are able to grow?
DeleteI liked fuchsias in your unusual vase, Peter. And I also really love your embroidery header!
ReplyDeleteIt's September Slump in a vase. Pretty, though, just like outside.
ReplyDeleteWhat you call a flop looks more like a graceful arabesque to me. The Lonicera foliage is a nice graphic element.
ReplyDelete