Winter daphne and cranberries
I have been enjoying Cathy’s In A Vase On Monday features and decided to join in today with a simple display using Winter daphne.
Recent cold weather has browned some of the leaves, but overall the Daphne odora ‘Aureomarginata’ has withstood the winter chill pretty well. I so look forward to its lemony fragrance when the flowers open. Having never used them indoors I am not sure if they will bloom this way.
I used a clear glass dish into which I inserted my maternal grandmother’s glass frog.
Cranberries complete the arrangement. Last week in search of a quick centerpiece, I had floated three tea candles among a pint of fresh cranberries in this same glass dish. About half of the cranberries were still firm and usable today for this arrangement.
From this simple experiment I learned a few things. I did not really want to trim much of the daphne so the result feels a bit sparse. It’s easy to forget how much plant material it can take when making an arrangement. I really wanted to use the heirloom frog but may not have needed it as the cranberries would anchor the stems pretty well. The delicate hues in the daphne are overwhelmed by the bold, red color of the berries. Already I have imagined improvements on this theme, but the best lesson to remember is that it is fun to work with fresh plant materials and the results can be enjoyed for days.
Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for growing this idea.
pbmGarden 
That’s exactly it, Susie – ‘growing the idea’. Like you I have been learning as I went along as it is not something I have done on a regular basis. When I used to pick a little posy to take into work it really was just that – a little bunch of something from home to stuff in a jar – so I am enjoying this challenge hugely. And I think yours DOES work – it looks really warm and is set off by the colour of your (mahogany?) table. I didn’t know that glass ‘thing’ was called a ‘frog’! Thank you for joining our growing (!) group of Monday vase bloggers!
Thank you Cathy. I have not found a good answer as to why this type of floral holder would be called a frog. Some say it is because it sits in water–not a very exciting answer but plausible perhaps.
It is lovely. I know what you mean about being reluctant to trim your Daphne, I don’t think I could bear to. But it looks beautiful. and it will smell wonderful.
Chloris
Thanks Chloris. I took cuttings from the back, low to the ground and near the foundation, so its not at all noticeable, but do hope it doesn’t stress the plant at this time of year. I read once Daphne doesn’t like/need much pruning.
What a lovely arrangement and it should smell delicious when the daphne opens up. I love the idea of using cranberries in the vase and it is so nice to have something of your grandmothers to use. I have nothing that belonged to either of my grandmothers and often wish something had been kept for me. I bought my first daphne last winter as a very small specimen. It is still in a pot and has 2 buds so I am excited to see what the flowers will look and smell like.
Julie, thanks for your comment. I hope you enjoy your daphne blooms. I love the way one smells. My hometown nursery has a nice collection of them right now for sale and I may have to indulge in another. Susie
I think the cranberries are a great idea and like the overall effect very much. I do envy your creativity Susie! 😀
A nice compliment indeed coming from you Cathy. Thanks. I found the cranberry idea several years ago in a magazine and adapted it over the years. I like to line up 5 -7 clear wine goblets filled with cranberries, to which water is added. Put a tea candle in each one for a quick centerpiece.
What a creative vase! I love the bold red of the cranberries. Very special indeed 🙂
Thank you Sarah. Next time I might include some stronger red flowers in the arrangement to offset the dark red at the base. Glad you stopped by.
Very stylish – I like the idea with the cranberries. They make it very special 🙂
Thanks Annette. The cranberries add instant impact and I love red. Have a happy day. Susie
Really lovely – and even I could do it!
You could indeed do this (but I still can’t sew!)
I like the frog in the container. It makes a pretty effect, almost like bubbles.
Thanks Marian. Yes, it does play with the light like bubbles (and it was fun to use it since it was my grandmother’s.)
I love the scent of daphnes in the winter. We grow Daphne bhuloa Jacqueline Postill and the scent is pervading our garden now – a delight as we go outdoors every time.
Malc, glad you are already enjoying your Daphne. Jacqueline Postill must be a special one–I’ve seen another blogger mentioning it.
What a simple and beautiful vase…I hope to experiment more with floral arrangements this year.
Thanks. We can experiment together Donna.
I’ve never seen cranberries used that way. Very creative.
It’s surprising how long they will last.