Roses and Lavender
It is the first Monday of May and I am joining Cathy’s weekly challenge In A Vase On Monday to create a floral arrangement from materials gathered in one’s own garden.
This weekend when I saw my old-fashioned rose had begun blooming I immediately decided to feature it in my Monday vase. It is a sentimental favorite.
A pass-along rose
I brought this rose from my previous garden when we moved here thirteen years ago. It was a pass-along from my mother’s cousin, a sweet woman whom I consider my gardening mentor. She was the source of many other pass-along plants as well. My mother had also grown this same rose, as did my maternal grandmother, so each spring when I see these deep pink buds, they bring tender memories.
Lavender branches seemed a perfect choice for greenery and for contrast included Salvia Dorada ‘Aurea’ (Golden Sage). I selected a few salmony-pink Dianthus as filler flowers.
When doing formal arrangements I always underestimate how much material is required. With a bare spot still needing to be filled I remembered a piece of Allium Nigrum had broken off in the garden the other day before it even had opened, so I had brought it inside. It worked fine to finish this week’s vase.
White flower of Allium Nigrum was a last minute addition to the arrangement.
Materials List
Old-fashioned Rose
Lavender
Dianthus ‘Ideal Select Salmon’
Salvia Dorada ‘Aurea’ (Golden Sage)
Allium Nigrum
This design is my loose interpretation of a traditional round design. The rose stems were not strong enough to work with easily, but the arrangement went together without too much fretting. I used floral foam set into a 4-inch diameter, shallow dish to hold the flowers, envisioning that the arrangement would sit atop a crystal vase. Because I had not been careful to conceal the sides of the plastic dish, the effect was imperfect though. I tested the arrangement on a round, straight-sided black ceramic pot and also without an extra vase. In the morning perhaps I will gather a few concealer leaves or flowers to resolve that issue.
The roses and lavender are wonderfully fragrant. My husband remarked how nice the house smells tonight.
Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting. Visit her to see what she and others are placing In A Vase On Monday.
pbmGarden 
Susie, this arrangement is so elegant. I love it.
I’m glad you like it Judy! Thanks.
What a beautiful arrangement. Aside from marveling at the wonderful combination, I can’t help but notice how far ahead you are. My daffodils are just now finally in full bloom.
Thanks Stephi. Yes, my daffodils finished several weeks ago. I felt our spring was way behind but is starting to catch up. Temps may hit 89F by Thursday–that will speed up blooming time. Enjoy your garden Stephi!
This is so lovely – a really classic mix and the sage leaves add a lovely golden tinge. You are so talented Susie! 😀
I appreciate your kind words Cathy! It’s fun to do these vases and I’ll enjoy having the roses in the house for a few days. I’m enjoying seeing your lovely vases too. susie
Beautiful Susie, I like the almost mono-tone effect but with the surprise of the Allium, it works perfectly.
Thanks Christina. I wasn’t sure how allium would work in an arrangement but I like it. A bit more white would have been pleasing. I liked your white arrangement this week. Susie
Love those rose buds and the colorful foliage. Bet it has a nice perfume too.
Marian, the fragrance of the roses and lavender has been a nice bonus of making this arrangement.
I love this combo…it is just gorgeous
Thanks so much Donna. The roses and lavender smell great too!
Beauty and fragrance! Your composition is wonderful. I usually find myself heading back out to the garden to find something to fill in blank spots too.
Thank you Kris! Glad I had that allium to use at the last minute.
Love the roses with the dianthus.
Thanks. I think they paired nicely too. It was a surprising spur-of-the-minute choice.
This is such a fresh pretty combination, I love the look of that rose, and can almost smell your beautiful vase just looking at the screen.
That would be a powerful fragrance–wish I could share it with you. Thanks.
I love it Susie. The Dianthus is a perfect match for the rose and the lovely fresh foliage.
Thanks Chloris. The Dianthus overwintered and looked so perky the other day–glad I decided to use it.
This is a real honor to your gardening mentor. Enjoyable choosing and arranging flowers as an expression of gratitude. Allium is like a brooch, clasping it all together. Salvia like a splash of sunlight. Our Allium are just opening. And, in the Healing Garden buds, but no roses, yet.
I enjoyed your characterization of the Allium as a brooch clasping the arrangement together. It did feel that way. Look forward to seeing your Allium and roses.
Oh Susie, the colours blended so beautifully together, and isn’t it strange how they looked different in different photos? It’s lovely having plants that are passed on, particularly knowing they have been grown by previous generations – I am subtly trying to encourage my girls (31, 28) to take an interest, and at least the elder ones has enjoyed going to Wisley with me. You are an inspiration to the rest of us with your arrangements, so thanks for your enthusiasm!
Thanks Cathy. Everyone who is participating in the Monday vases is inspiring me too. Learning so much. My daughter had this rose for a time but is in a big city without a garden currently. Your daughters may be soaking up your gardening enthusiasm without even knowing it and later will pick it up when the time is right. That’s what happened to me.
Yes I hope so. I was teasing Younger Daughter the other day as she has just got engaged, saying I hope she was going to be her mother’s daughter (ie very practical), but at the moment she would much rather be a kept woman!!
A lovely, thoughtful arrangement. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks John. Glad you enjoyed it.
Oh I can imagine the beautiful scent wafting through the room. I love old fashioned roses – they remind me of my grandma’s rose beds.
Yes, Hellen, these flowers filled the house with a nice fragrance. It’s wonderful how flowers can carry us back to memories of people who grew them. susie