Monday again! Time to join Cathy’s weekly challenge In A Vase On Monday to create a floral arrangement from materials gathered in one’s own garden.
Although photographed together this morning, my two Monday vases were prepared early and used separately as casual arrangements during a visit from my two younger sisters yesterday.
During the photo session Mr. Th. Jefferson waited patiently to be returned to his usual and customary place in the niche in the front foyer.
White Dutch Irises began blooming last week and I rescued a few on Friday ahead of the heavy rain that had been accurately forecast for Friday night and Saturday. They actually survived the rains fine outside, but these cut ones have lasted quite well indoors. I like their delicate lavender highlights and rich yellow throats.
There were not many types of flowers to choose from in my garden yesterday when it was time to set the table for our Easter dinner. Fortunately candytuft and johnny jump ups (Viola) were plentiful.
I collected and presented sprigs of them in tiny glasses to adorn the dinner table and used additional blooms to fill this small ceramic vase. This vase also holds the first cutting of Meadow Sage ‘May Night’ which started blooming late last week.
Candytuft, Viola and Meadow Sage
I placed the Dutch Irises into a special triangular glass vase, a gift from my daughter. The vase was made by a local artist using a stained glass technique. The smaller greenish-blue ceramic vase is nicely proportioned with a small neck, very useful in arranging delicate stemmed flowers. I bought it from a North Carolina potter at the Eno River Festival years ago.
Materials List
Dutch Iris
Iberis sempervirens (Candytuft)
Viola (Johnny jump ups)
Salvia nemorosa ‘May Night’ (Hardy Sage), synonym Salvia × sylvestris ‘May Night’ (Meadow sage)
Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting. Visit her to enjoy what she and others are placing In A Vase On Monday.
pbmGarden 
I’m sure Mr. Jefferson didn’t mind stepping aside for a moment as long as he could view those beautiful flowers. 🙂 Not even a daffodil here yet. 🙂
Judy, your spring will come soon and if it’s like ours, once it starts everything starts blooming and turning green very quickly.
Snap! We both used Dutch iris. I thought I like the dark blue I have the best of all the colours until I saw your beautiful pure white ones. The triangular vase is very elegant and perfect for the irs, my vase is a bit too rounded for them I think.
That’s funny Christina–I love your blue ones. I planted both at the same time about 12 years ago but only the white ones survived.
The white Dutch Iris look especially elegant with the backdrop of the white niche, Susie. I love the smaller ceramic vase too.
Thanks Kris. When we were buying the house our realtor kept mentioning the niche would be perfect for flowers, but in the end the bust of Thomas Jefferson has always been there. So it was fun to use it to photograph the flowers today. susie
Beautiful arrangement as always. I keep scrolling back to the iris though, they are really lovely.
I appreciate that. My grandmother grew Dutch Irises and when I was little I preferred them to the bearded ones. Now I would find it hard to choose.
Both lovely, but especially the irises! And I really love that triangular vase.
Thanks Cathy. I have a little box of Dutch Iris bulbs to plant this spring so hope to get more colors again. For some reason the white ones have lasted.
I love the iris too, there’s nothing casual about that arrangement, it’s very elegant…. can something be both? I guess so, and you have me convinced to add a few this fall!
Casual elegance? I’ll be pleased to accept that description. Thanks! The Dutch Iris are easy to grow and can be planted now.
Beautiful arrangements. I love Irises of every kind but the Dutch ones are wonderful for arrangements. What a lovely white one.
Thank you Chloris. This is my first time using these Dutch Iris in an arrangement and I love how long they have lasted.
What beautiful iris – I have not grown the dutch variety but need to add them to my list for next year. I love the way you have displayed them with the smaller darker vase contrasting so perfectly.
My grandmother used to grow the Dutch iris so they remind me of her. Fortunately they’re easy to grow too.
The triangular vase is perfect, Susie – and that delicate hint of lilac is only noticeable close up, isn’t it? I love hearing the different ‘common’ names for flowers, so was interested to see your ‘ johnny jump ups’ in the little vase. Everything so elegant, as usual! Thanks for joining in 🙂
Thanks Cathy. Yes, that little brushstroke of lilac is a nice surprise when we take time to look closely.
White Dutch Iris, beautiful shapes and textures. Incredible flower and I did not notice the distinction between Dutch and bearded iris until now. Thanks.
You’re very welcome. The Dutch Iris is easy to grow and can planted now, at least here in NC. I haven’t added new ones in years but have a few I hope to get planted this weekend.