Wordless Wednesday – Following The Morning Routine
In A Vase On Monday – May Blooms
Every Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden invites us to share a vase with materials selected from our gardens.
The vases more than the flowers were to be the focal point today. My daughter gave me a wonderful pair of modern sculptural vases for Mother’s Day. The oval shaped donut vases interlock and can be uses singly or paired.
I wanted to introduce them with a more stellar design but I will need to experiment and get to know the vases better. I stubbornly chose the wrong materials this morning, knowing the stems were too stiff to work well with the curving lines of the vases. So after much brute force, I manipulated the flowers enough to have something presentable, but only after adding a third vase into the mix.
The oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Ruby Slippers’) is doing great this year, unlike last year. It likes the rains we’ve had this spring. I was determined to use it today.
It took a lot of years and trying (and eventually, buying plants rather than seeds) to establish Bachelor’s Buttons in the garden. These are Centaurea cyanus ‘Blue Boy’ in their second year.
I included two yellow snapdragons that surprised me this week and a pink Hydrangea macrophylla, just coming into flower.
Materials
Flowers
Centaurea cyanus ‘Blue Boy’ (Bachelor’s Button, Cornflower)
Hydrangea macrophylla
Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Ruby Slippers’ (Lil’ Ruby dwarf Oakleaf Hydrangea)
Snapdragon
Foliage
none
Containers
Modern oval donut vase pair. Large vase – h: 8.4” w: 6.3” caliber: 1.7”; Small vase – h: 6.8” w: 5.4” caliber: 1.3”
Textured, incised ceramic pedestal vase, rice or bone color. 5×6-inches.
Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting each week. Visit her blog to see her vase and check out those of other gardeners from around the world.
Finding The Path
A grand thunderstorm overnight Tuesday brought much-needed rain. It also left the pathway stones in the meditation circle a bit wet and muddy. The circle was still in shadow early this morning when I took these pictures, but I wanted to document what feels to me like major progress.
It’s been several years since the meditation circle has been completely weeded, with the paths clear of obstacles so I could actually walk the labyrinth. Over this past week I have been removing various grasses and zillions of dandelions, along with other inappropriate interlopers, replacing them with colorful annual flowers as I went along. Sunday I finished both weeding and planting.
Native perennial Penstemon ‘Husker’s Red’ was planted into the meditation circle during its first year. Later Verbena bonariensis and Cleome were introduced. All have multiplied readily, spilling themselves into the walking paths.
At first it was welcomed, petals or foliage softening the hard edges of the stone blocks. Starry-eyed when those flowers started blooming, I would leave them to do their thing.
Through the years I have moved many of the excess elsewhere and passed along many to friends—still they continued to overrun their space making the labyrinth unusable most of the summer.
This year I decided to reclaim the circle for its intended purpose.
There still are plenty of penstemon, beckoning hummingbirds as they come into flower. It’s the stem and leaves that are red, not the flowers. I probably thought otherwise when I bought them.

Meditation Circle – Some years the various thymes in the center of the circle are happy and this is one of those years.
On a whim at the garden center last week I chose two trays of Salvia splendens? (Scarlet Sage) to serve as the labyrinth’s walls along the stone paths.
I used to grow this salvia every year. In my experience the red plants are more reliable but I couldn’t resist this color mixture. The purple ones play off the foliage color of the penstemon while the other colors brighten the scheme.
I dropped cerinthe seeds in lots of places in the garden. For some reason one place it liked best was the meditation circle. Although the plants are perilously near the path, today their bluish bracts made me very happy.
Can I be ruthless? Will I keep my meditation circle weeded and walkable all summer? Sure hope so. Stay tuned.
In A Vase On Monday – Peony Pinks
Every Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden invites us to share a vase with materials selected from our gardens.
Today’s vase features the last of the peonies. Paeonia ‘Madame Emile Debatene’ has had a good run this spring.
P. ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ did not have many flowers this year, but I did not mind cutting them. The weather has turned hot and dry so they will not last well outdoors. I went ahead and prepared this vase on Wednesday. (Update: Saturday night brought a nice rain, but more would be welcome.)
I used an orangey-pink snapdragon and a few newly flowering Bachelor’s Buttons to provide some relief from all the pink.
Materials
Flowers
Centaurea cyanus ‘Blue Boy’ (Bachelor’s Button, Cornflower)
Paeonia lactiflora ‘Sarah Bernhardt’
Paeonia ‘Madame Emile Debatene’
Perennial Everlasting Sweet Pea
Snapdragon
Yarrow
Foliage
Italian Oregano
Container
Red/black raku vase, Charles Chrisco, Chrisco’s Pottery—Seagrove Potters
Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting each week. Visit her blog to see her vase and check out those of other gardeners from around the world.
Silent Sunday – Hellebores Making Plans
In A Vase On Monday – Purple With Fragrance
Every Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden invites us to share a vase with materials selected from our gardens.
I didn’t have a plan for today but the irises called out once again. They are having a stellar year. The earliest-blooming irises flowered at the end of March and, in the weeks since there has been a steady succession of irises.
An abundant armful of Iris ‘Helen Collingwood’ stuffed tightly into a large, heavy glass vessel reflects this particular flower’s vigorous, bountiful nature in the garden.
This is a large display, 20-inches tall by 17-inches across.
I. ‘Helen Collingwood’ is distinctively scented (meaning I can smell it easily and it smells nice). It may be difficult to tell from the photographs, but the standards are very pale lavender. The falls are violet-purple.
Iris Siberica ‘Concord Crush’ gets much less real estate in the borders, but in its second year it’s making an impact as well. It seemed natural to tuck in a few right out front.
Materials
Flowers
Iris ‘Helen Collingwood’
Iris Siberica ‘Concord Crush’
Foliage
None
Container
Glass Vase, 12” tall by 7″ wide
I’m way behind reading and commenting but I hope to catch up soon. I appreciate hearing from you and look forward to virtual visits to your own gardens again.
Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting each week. Visit her blog to see her vase and check out those of other gardeners from around the world.
Early May, MidAfternoon
Yesterday (Wednesday, May 3) I had a few moments to wander the borders in midafternoon. I had been eying a patch of Siberian iris through the windows and finally had to inspect them.
The day was sunny, bright, and very breezy, not great conditions for photographing the flowers, but it was a lovely opportunity to just be in the garden.
Added to the garden last year, this Siberian iris seemed unhappy last weekend after so much rain but rallied nicely.
Planted nearby is Peony Pink Parfait, the first peony I ever added to the garden. It’s been crowded out this year by irises and has only a few flowers.
Seeking a little shade, my favorite spot yesterday was underneath a Cercis canadensis (Eastern Redbud) in the southwest corner.
For a time Iris ‘Helen Colingwood’ and Heuchera villosa ‘Big Top Bronze’ (Coral Bells) pair up to form a dynamic color combination.
Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’ is quickly laying claim to this section of the garden as evidenced by its emerging green foliage surrounding the heuchera and beyond.
Given half a chance, Lamb’s Ears fill in anywhere and beyond. As they are fairly easy to remove I’ve left them to ramble for now.
Hellebores have been wonderful this year. I appreciate their long bloom time. Even as they fade they continue to add interest throughout this area.
In A Vase On Monday – Paeonia ‘Madame Emile Debatene’
Every Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden invites us to share a vase with materials selected from our gardens.
Today’s vase features Paeonia ‘Madame Emile Debatene’. A weekend of relentless downpours and thunderstorms could not dampen her beauty.
Materials
Flowers
Achillea filipendulina (Fern-leaf Yarrow)
Baptisia ‘Purple Smoke’
Paeonia ‘Madame Emile Debatene’
Foliage
Baptisia ‘Purple Smoke’
Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’
Container
Hand painted Fenton Glass Vase – USA
Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting each week. Visit her blog to see her vase and check out those of other gardeners from around the world.
In A Vase On Monday – Monochrome II
Every Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden invites us to share a vase with materials selected from our gardens. I have two vases again this week, both with a single color focus.
Graceful arching branching of pass-along roses caught my eye in the garden this morning and I decided to feature the rose and try to recreate the its elegant flowing lines.
The container is a sculptural centerpiece designed by my daughter. She turned a slight crack in a piece of walnut into a design feature by shaping and carving the board. Small holes bored down the length of the wood are just the right size to hold tea candles and small vases (I’ve used narrow vodka glasses today).
Materials
Flowers and foliage
Virgie’s Rose
Container
Handcrafted centerpiece, walnut. MLB.
Iris
Before I was bewitched by the roses my intention was to feature an Ikebana-style arrangement using a yellow passalong iris. Something simple with a bit of foliage.
Since I spent most of my free time with the roses, there was little time to fiddle with the iris design or frame better photographs. It looks cheery though in the foyer.
The various leaf shapes and textures are interesting and worth exploring another time. I particularly like the hydrangea nestled against the iris.
Materials
Flowers
Narcissus x medioluteus (Twin Sisters / Cemetery Ladies )
Iris germanica (Tall bearded iris)
Foliage
Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Ruby Slippers’ (Lil’ Ruby dwarf Oakleaf Hydrangea)
Polygonatum biflorum(Solomon’s seal)
Tanacetum vulgare (Tansy)
Container
Porcelain Ikebana vase, Georgetown Pottery, Maine. Rectangle Blue Zen (6.75L x 3.75W x 2H inches)
Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting each week. Visit her blog to see her vase and check out those of other gardeners from around the world.
An April Amble
After a busy week I enjoyed a leisurely walk around the garden this morning. Asiatic lilies and dahlias from past years are peeking through the soil and recently planted azaleas and hydrangeas are settling in. It seems like a good time to document some of the flowers.
Southern Border
Having staked out territory all around the property, Aquilegia is finishing its spring show.
Returning from last spring, bachelor’s buttons began opening this week.
Following on the success of Coral Charm, the second peony to flower this spring is Festiva Maxima. It made its first appearance this morning.
My passalong roses are in full bloom.
Southwest Corner
A redbud stands at the southwest corner of the garden. Its signature heart-shaped leaves are at the tender spring green stage.
Drifts of Lamb’s ears, Japanese roof iris and columbine play easily beneath a tall bearded pass-along iris I have had since the late seventies.
Phlox, black and blue salvia foliage, dark heuchera, hellebores.
The woodland phlox is fading and Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’ leaves are emerging throughout this corner of the garden.
A small island at this corner of the garden is filled with irises, dianthus and a healthy-looking Powis Castle artemisia.
Western Border
Hellebores are less prominent now but still offer pleasing vignettes.
After a lackluster showing last year, the oakleaf hydrangea looks promising.
This delicate iris is a pass-along sent from Idaho by my sister-in-law Kathleen. First planted in my previous garden, I brought it along when we moved (nearly 22 years ago).
She described it as Japanese iris but I do not know.
Twin Sisters are the last of the daffodil show, which began this year in early February.
A few secondary buds open on Coral Charm this week. Faded petals from the first flowers are scattered beneath.
Northern Border
All finished with its spring show the flowering dogwood at the corner of the northern border is full of fresh green foliage. A second of Virgie’s passalong rose colors up the border. I didn’t get the roses cut back very much this year and after the rainy winter the there is a lot of black spot on the leaves.
In its second year in the northern border this passalong iris came from Pris at Petals and Wings.
A single snapdragon from a few years ago is beginning to open near the iris bed. A large group of Iris ‘Immortality’ is in full bloom; Iris ‘Helen Collingwood’ is just starting to open. Underneath, pansies from my friend Susan last fall provide colorful accents.
Meditation Circle
The center of the meditation circle has a couple of English thyme that were planted last year and which finally seem happy. The dark plants in the background are Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’. It self-sows in this area.
I dropped a few seeds of Cerinthe several years ago along one of the paths in the meditation circle, planning to relocate the plants if they survived. (Still there.)
Southern Side Path
I showed the side path on Wednesday but just to complete to walk around my garden, I include it today. More buds have opened on Clematis ‘Jackmanii’ and baptisia is simply wonderful this year.
Irises are spilling over onto the slate path.
Since taking this walk the garden had a nice drenching rain with dark gray clouds all afternoon. Tomorrow should be a beautiful spring day 72F.
Wordless Wednesday – Along The Southern Side Path
In A Vase On Monday – Monochrome
Every Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden invites us to share a vase with materials selected from our gardens. With both in their prime, it was difficult to choose between irises and peonies so both get a deserved moment in the limelight this week.
Iris
The irises coloring the front yard this week are passalongs that came without a name. Their delicate flowers are more petite and flowy than many of my irises.
I love their pure violet blue hue and their slender confident stature rising above the green grass and wanted to translate this monochromatic growing scheme into a simple vase.
Reusing Lamb’s ears in the same container from last week, the vase came together quickly. Versatile Cerinthe used as filler made a pleasant partner to the iris.
Materials
Flowers
Iris, a passalong
‘Pride of Gibraltar’ Hummingbird Cerinthe
Foliage
Stachys byzantina (Lamb’s Ear)
Container
Textured, incised ceramic pedestal vase, rice or bone color. 5×6-inches, with floral pin holder.
Black stones
Peony
With more rain forecast I cut most of the open Coral Charm peonies Friday morning.
Fern-like foliage of Tansy brought its own calming texture to the complex structure of the flowers.
Materials
Flowers
Helleborus x hybridus
Paeonia lactiflora ‘Coral Charm’ (Coral Charm Peony)
Foliage
Tanacetum vulgare (Tansy)
Container
Black metal suiban. 4 x 9.5 x 6.5 inches. Japan.
Black stones
Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting each week. Visit her blog to see her vase and check out those of other gardeners from around the world.
Wordless Wednesday – Passalong Beauty
In A Vase On Monday – Spring Intention
Every Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden invites us to share a vase with items collected from our gardens.
It is easy to become distracted in the spring garden. The only thing I knew I wanted in today’s vase was cerinthe and then when I went out to gather materials this morning I completely forgot to get some, realizing the omission only after this vase was assembled. So much for intention; I’ve come to appreciate flexibility and resiliency just as much.
A single Coral Charm peony was available this morning. At its feet was a large spread of Stachys byzantina, fuzzy lamb’s ears, glistening in the sunlight. The combination was serendipitously satisfying in its contrast of texture and form.
A touch of recently planted Purple Bicolor Sweet William, along with hellebores heading to seed, and bulbous seed pods of summer snowflakes fill out the design.
Materials
Flowers
Dianthus ‘Purple Bicolor’ (Sweet William)
Helleborus x hybridus
Paeonia lactiflora ‘Coral Charm’ (Coral Charm Peony)
Foliage
Leucojum aestivum (summer snowflake) Seedheads
Stachys byzantina (Lamb’s Ear)
Container
Textured, incised ceramic pedestal vase, rice or bone color. 5×6-inches, with floral pin holder.
Black stones
Had to include one more image. Since bringing the peony inside it is already opening more fully.
Have a wonderful week. Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting each week. Visit her blog to see her vase and check out those of other gardeners from around the world.
Silent Sunday – Easter
Flowers On A Rainy Friday
Yesterday was warm and sunny; today, is very different, only 46F., windy with hard rain at times. Today during an early morning lull I took a quick walk around the borders, coming away with garden views distinctly dissimilar to yesterday’s.
Nodding in the breeze with birdsong as backdrop this stand of Aquilegia canadensis (Eastern red columbine) is one of many that has self-seeded all around the garden.
The first Twin Sisters / Cemetery Ladies (Narcissus x medioluteus) were beginning to open yesterday.
Irises continue to awaken around the garden. This pinky, peachy, sometimes orangey one in the foreground is Iris germanica ‘Raspberry Blush’.
The first peony to flower each year at pbmGarden is always Paeonia lactiflora ‘Coral Charm’. Its first bloom came out yesterday looking perky and fresh, and today is drenched.
Heuchera villosa ‘Big Top Bronze’ (Coral Bells) are leafing out, making a nice contrast to the green of hellebores and emerging tansy nearby.
I am quite partial to phlox and adore this Phlox divaricata (Eastern Blue Phlox). It has been nibbled heavily in the last several years and am happy to see its return.
Polygonatum biflorum(Solomon’s seal) is hidden by hellebores and irises, so when I remembered to look it was already in bloom.
With a couple of buds showing color, Virgie’s Rose is a passalong from my mother’s first cousin, and is one of many plants she shared with me through the years. The deep purple in the left background is a nice grouping of Iris ‘Crimson King’.
Thanks for stopping by. I’ll leave you with a closer look at I. ‘Crimson King’ yesterday basking in yesterday’s sunshine.
In A Vase On Monday – Crimson King
Every Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden invites us to share a vase with materials gathered from our gardens.
Spring is coming on too quickly for me to keep up. Suddenly the early irises are in full bloom.
A passalong from a dear neighbor ever so many years ago, the dark and intense reddish-violet Iris ‘Crimson King’ is the main star in today’s vase.
Amassed onto one side for impact, white Cheerfulness daffodils were selected to brighten and to provide contrast against the intense purple of Crimson King.
Iris germanica ‘Orinoco Flow’ brings texture and pattern to the design, while reinforcing the purple and white theme. Similarly Hellebores, chosen originally to serve as fillers, also heighten and enhance the color theme.
Materials
Flowers
Iris ‘Crimson King’
Iris germanica ‘Orinoco Flow’
Narcissus ‘Cheerfulness’
Helleborus x hybridus
Foliage
Leucanthemum x superbum ‘Becky’
Container
Textured, incised ceramic pedestal vase, rice or bone color. 5×6-inches, with floral pin holder.
Black stones
Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting each week. Visit her blog to see her vase and check out those of other gardeners from around the world.
Wordless Wednesday – Cheerfulness and Iris
In A Vase On Monday – Branches And Iris
Every Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden encourages us to share a vase with materials gathered from our gardens. Our flowering dogwood opened a couple days ago so, braving a few strikes of lightning and raindrops, I clipped a few branches to highlight today.
At the same time I rescued a deep yellow daffodil and one with pink accents from the pending rains.
A reliable clump of Dutch iris circa 2001 bloomed en masse yesterday and I felt they deserved to be featured as well, as much for their resilience as for their beauty.
The selections turned out to be not particularly compatible in shape or color, but with no time to search for more materials they managed to keep their co-starring roles. The result is far afield from my original vision. The daffodils I believe tied the dogwood and irises together. There are always lessons to learn but in the end, fresh spring flowers are glorious and fill our house with joy.
Materials
Flowers
Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood)
Iris × hollandica (Dutch Iris)
Narcissus ‘Delnashaugh’ (Double Daffodil)
Narcissus (no ID)
Foliage
Iris leaves
Container
Black metal suiban. 4 x 9.5 x 6.5 inches. Japan.
Black stones
Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting each week. Visit her blog to see her vase and check out those of other gardeners from around the world.
Silent Sunday – Late March 2023
In A Vase On Monday – Tulips and Daffodils
Every Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden encourages us to share a vase with materials gathered from our gardens.
On the last day of February a friend stopped by with a pot of tulips in bud. They’ve been a marvel. I resisted cutting them until recently, spurred on by wishing for a little something else to add to this set of pink-centered daffodils.
I had tried some pink daffodils a few times but last year finally established a grouping in the garden. This one came in a mixed bag so I’m not sure of its name.
This lovely double one is a perfect accompaniment for the single.
So I selected a few tulips to include in the vase. I like the pleasing way the colors blend.
Materials
Flowers
Narcissus ‘Delnashaugh’ (Double Daffodil)
Narcissus (no ID)
Tulip
Foliage
None
Container
Dark blue matte ceramic jar
Last week I had prepared a fresh vase of white daffodils, Narcissus ‘Thalia’, but didn’t manage to get them photographed in time to join other Monday vases, so I am sneaking them in today. Thalia are a particular favorite and I’m pleased to see their numbers increasing again after a few years of poor showing.
Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting each week. Visit her blog to see her vase and check out those of other gardeners from around the world.