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Although this could very well be a picture of me finding a new treasure at a favorite nursery, it's actually an illustration by David Catrow for a children's book called Plantzilla.

Monday, June 11, 2018

In a Vase on Monday - Bamboozled

Ah, floriferous June with so many choices for a vase.  It's also prime bamboo shooting season and every stroll in the garden includes snapping, kicking. and cutting bamboo culms coming up where they're not wanted.  There also may be a bit of swearing involved followed by a vow to do more rhizome pruning.  Anyway, the new shoots are interesting and it always seems a shame to just throw them into the yard waste container.  The severed shoots usually sit around the garden for a while before they're thrown out.  On Sunday, I decided to put a few in a container.

These were meant to be the centerpiece  for lots of blooms but nothing looked really great with these giant lumps in the middle of the container. 

So more were thrown in and  tied together so they'd stand up and some bamboo leaves were added.  I can hear my mother's voice saying, "Well, isn't that different?"  


Joining the vase are this cloisonne koi in memory of my oldest and largest Koi, Remington  (He was a steely silver and black.  Do you remember Remington Steele?) who died on Friday. 


 In a Vase on Monday is hosted by Cathy at Rambling in the Garden. Click here to see her vase and to find links to those of other participating bloggers.


17 comments:

  1. What bamboo do you grow again? The shoots look familiar but I can't quite place them.

    BTW -- you don't eat any of the shoots? Consider it!

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    1. I grow several bamboos but this one is Phyllostachys vivax. I've never tried eating any of these as I didn't think this was a very tasty variety. Perhaps I'll cut these up and give it a go.

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  2. As inventive as always, Peter - these bamboo shoots make such attractive contents for you vase and you have used them to graet effect. I do hope the snapping, kicking, cutting and swearing is not too stressful fo you... :)

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  3. I love it, in all its weirdness! So sorry to hear your steely koi has passed on to the great big pond in the sky. And of course I remember Remington Steele, who could forget the young, pre-James Bond Pierce Brosnan on TV?

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  4. Ha, my mom says the very same thing, and most likely with the very same meaning.

    I love the arrangement, excellent use of material that would otherwise have been tossed. So sorry about Remmington’s death, how old was he?

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    1. He must have only been six or seven which is really young for a koi Got him as a tiny three inch guy and he was a foot and a half long and quite heavy when I removed him from the pond. Young for a koi which can live 25- 30 years in a pond.

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  5. What a beautiful vase....I have never seen bamboo shoots like this....simply fascinating and perfect in the vase you chose. A fitting tribute to Remington.

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  6. My mother was never so nice in phrasing her reactions but, nice or not, I suppose the meaning comes across. I'm sorry you lost your steely Koi but this is a nice remembrance.

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  7. The bamboo loves quite nice and dramatic in the indoor setting.

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  8. This is interesting. You have reminded me of why I don't want bamboo even though I think it is beautiful and and interesting plant. Mothers! So sorry you lost Mr Steele. He was an beautiful old friend.

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  9. Now that is thinking outside the box! I like it, it is appealing, like a piece of sculpture or architecture.
    Sad about Remington's demise, their relatively short lives is the worst part of pet ownership. :(

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  10. Well I'll be damned , you win the unique award this week !

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  11. Absolutely brilliant. Love the contrast of the heavy culms and delicate greenery amidst all the dark blue. Sorry to hear about your Steeley Koi.

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  12. Those are hefty bamboo shoots! You can make anything look good in a vase on Monday.
    Sorry to hear about Remington.

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  13. It looks like a Pokemon! Very creative (and I mean that sincerely...)

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  14. I never know what to expect here. These bamboos are very striking and deserve to be admired though they do look like thugs. I'm wary of bamboo in the garden.

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  15. I think they are rather fun; but I also like the thought that you might be able to eat the shoots. That would turn a problem into a real positive!

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Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! I love to hear your thoughts.