Gladiolus—In A Vase On Monday
Another week is beginning and once again I am joining Cathy’s challenge In A Vase On Monday. The goal is to fill a vase using materials gathered in one’s own garden.
A dark magenta-red gladiolus began opening several days ago and another began showing similar color on Sunday morning. I cut both stems and planned to use them in a large mixed arrangement along with Echinacea, Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage) and dark Canna leaves.
The colors all looked great together, but in the end I found the elegant gladioli spires worked best as a solo act this time. A gladiolus leaf turned back on itself and pulled through a slit was used to add a third element to the design.
Gladioli In A Vase On Monday
Today’s vessel is a tall pale green bud vase with an opening just barely wide enough to allow both stems to fit. It makes a fairly neutral container, allowing the velvety texture and deep rich color of the flowers to be the main focus.
Gladioli – In A Vase On Monday
Gladiolus – In A Vase On Monday
I photographed the arrangement outdoors on the screened porch in the early evening on Sunday. Thought the wall made a stark background, there was soft and ample light, making it easier than usual to capture the essence of the flowers.
Gladiolus – In A Vase On Monday
Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting. Discover what she and others are placing In A Vase On Monday.
pbmGarden 
Very elegant again Susie, I like the idea with the leaf. You always have such good ideas. I have already cut my similar coloured gladioli, some have already partially flowered so I haved yet decided how to arrange them.
Thank you Christina. I learned about manipulating the leaf in a class several years ago. We even rolled and glued (or pinned) some into interesting shapes. Have fun arranging your gladioli. Susie
Gorgeous! And as Christina says so elegant.
You have forced me to reassess two of my floral prejudices recently Susie. First of all with your sumptuous dark daylily and now with this fabulous Gladiolus. I am going to find it really hard now to say I don’ t like daylilies and gladdies when they are as gorgeous as these two. It is really good to take a flower you have always thought you don’ t like and really look at it afresh.
Didn’t set out to change your mind Chloris but I’m glad you’ve given these two flowers a second chance. I’m nostalgic about certain flowers and have some nice memories associated with them, gladiolus especially, but they are so commonly used I understand how you feel.
Susie–I’m enjoying each of your arrangements but have to admit it makes me nervous to think about cutting so many flowers! I’ve found, now that I have a shady garden, that I enjoy having orchids and/or cut flowers in the house each week, so thank goodness for inexpensive blooms from the grocery store. Your glads are fabulous. Fingers crossed I find some on offer at the market.
Thank you Marian. There are some advantages to a shady garden, but many flowers just need that sunshine. It is nice to have some fresh flowers indoors though, so good luck at the market. Fortunately it is farmer’s market season.
Gorgeous color!!
Thanks Kevin. It’s a powerful red.
Susie your wonderfully simple and elegant arrangement is a stunner….I love the images of it here and the simple foliage really gave it that finishing touch….
Thank you Donna! Photographing outdoors helped me get some better images than usual. I must remember that.
Wow, this is spectacular. The color is something to behold. I had forgotten learning from Betsy N. in the design class the effect with your leaf. Your arrangements are always lovely.
Thanks Stepheny. I signed up for Betsy’s class in the fall so am looking forward to more of her guidance.
Beautiful as usual, Susie. Sometimes the simplest arrangements are the best, especially with flowers that dramatic. Like the others, I’m impressed by the leaf trick too.
That’s nice of you to say Kris. I can see I need to come up with some more leaf manipulations for next time.
The vase is perfect for these two stems, and yes, the leaf trick looks great! I am glad that we are seeing past the act of picking flowers and realising how much pleasure they give us, both in the creation of a vase and enjoying them inside – perhaps Marian (above) will soon be brave enough to cut just two stems like you have, or even one. Thanks for joining in and giving us such inspiration every week 🙂
Thanks Cathy. Actually I’ve always enjoyed bringing in flowers from the garden, but this year especially it’s true. Our weather is so hot and dry it’s an easy decision for me to cut flowers. I feel I’m saving them from burning up outside.
That gladiolus has a very rich color, I like it.
I agree. I placed it in the living room and it really stands out.
Like Chloris, I’ve never been much of a gladdi lady but having seen both yours and Christina’s vases today I’m beginning to wonder. The colour of that one is just superb. And the leaf is a very clever idea!
I understand. There are certain flowers that just don’t excite us as much as others, but it’s nice you found a redeeming quality in this color. Thanks for commenting. Susie
That’s just lovely Susie! I really love the elegant touch with the leaf folded over… what a great idea!
Cathy, I learned that leaf technique in a class last year. Finally had a chance to put it to good use.
Hello there, your gladioli are beautiful – the deep red colour is stunning – and really do look well in the bud vase.
Thank you so much Elizabeth. I am enjoying them in the house today.
Beautiful arrangement Susie – I love gladioli, particularly the dark ones.
Thanks Julie. There’s something about those deep, rich velvety colors…
A true Susie masterpiece – well done. Zen.
Annette, thank you so much. I am honored at your use of the word “Zen”. The word struck a chord this morning for some reason, so I googled it and found some of the most calming images. sigh.