Another week has passed and it is time again to join in Cathy’s weekly challenge In A Vase On Monday. The goal is to fill a vase using materials gathered in one’s own garden.
After going many weeks without precipitation, rain arrived overnight. Today we are having a series of steady downpours alternating with light misty showers. The entire garden seemed especially bright and colorful when I dashed outside around lunchtime to gather some flowers.
Lantana camara (Common lantana) has been blooming profusely this summer and I had been planning to feature it by itself in this week’s vase. Plans changed when I found some compatible companions.
Multicolored Lantana camara (Common lantana) in foreground
After collecting the lantana, I remembered seeing one flower on the (either misnamed or mislabeled) Dahlia ‘Blue Bell’ that was planted this spring. The purplish-burgundy blossom was still in fine condition even after the rain. I felt the strong, bold color of this flower could work well against that of the lantana.
As the dahlia stem was quite short it dictated using a small, narrow neck vase today.
Dahlia ‘Blue Bell’
Nearby the dahlia is planted a hybrid Big Sky Sundown Echinacea that has produced blooms sparsely this summer. Luckily there were two available for my vase day. The sunset coloring of this echinacea’s petals coordinates easily with that of the multi-hued lantana florets. The dark center echoes the deep vibrancy of the dahlia.
With the dahlia in mind I also chose purple succulent leaves of Setcreasea pallida (Purple Heart) for accent foliage.
Echinacea ‘Big Sky Sundown’ (Hybrid Coneflower)
I love the rich, bold colors in today’s vase.
Rich, vibrant colors dominate today’s vase.
In A Vase On Monday
Materials
Dahlia ‘Blue Bell’
Echinacea ‘Big Sky Sundown’ (Hybrid Coneflower)
Lantana camara (Common lantana)
Setcreasea pallida (Purple Heart)
In A Vase On Monday
Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting. Discover what delightful things she and others are placing In A Vase On Monday.
pbmGarden 
Striking colors. Beautiful combination. 🙂
Thanks Judy. The strong colors just appealed to me today.
I really love the colors and how they especially coordinate…love lantana and Sundown echinacea…wish mine was still blooming. A really stunning colorful vase!!
Thanks Donna. The lantana should keep going here until first frost about last week of October. I’ll be grateful for the color in the garden.
glad you got some rain.
Don’t know how you did it, but thanks!
Do you owe me one?
A perfect arrangement for the soon to arrive autumn.
Thanks. Yes, there are signals of autumn’s impending arrival but I’m not ready.
The color of the vase sets off the flowers beautifully, Susie. You have the most wonderful collection of vases (as well as baskets).
Thanks Kris. We have excellent potters in this area. I used to pick up little, inexpensive ceramic vases at local street festivals and they seem like old friends when I reach for them to fill with flowers.
I love the rich colours you’ve chosen to go with the Lantana – especially the long purple leaves. Another inspiring idea, as I had never considered using that shape leaf before!
Thanks Cathy. The color of that purple heart ground cover drew me to it yesterday–seemed like it would work with the dahlia, but the shape of the leaf became an important element.
Congratulations on the rain, I know just how you feel when rain finally arrives after a long period of drought. A wonderful contrast of colour in this weeks vase Susie and the vase sets them off to great advantage. I will plant more Dahlias next year but I have no idea what to choose from the vast array available.
The garden and I breathed a collective sigh of relief for the rain. I, too, would like to grow more dahlias next year. I’m overwhelmed when I peruse the garden catalogs that have been arriving lately. There are so many options in every type of plant it is hard to make a decision.
Glad to hear you finally got some rain. We had a good bit here too, along with cooler temperatures.. Love the bold colors of your arrangement; the blue vase sets them off nicely.
Thanks Marian. I think this vase will hold up well so we can enjoy a punch of color all week. Wasn’t the rain wonderful? The lower temps are a relief too. Now perhaps I will feel like being in the garden a little more.
Love the color contrasts you created. This is not my strength, I am really learning a lot about color and how to use it more effectively.
I usually work with more subtle colors but working with flowers frees me up a bit to experiment. Why not join in next week–you’ll be surprised how rewarding it is.
A great colour mix.Love it. D.
Thanks Dorris, I’m enjoying those rich colors in this arrangement. Susie
Lots of you in the US seem to have had welcome rain this week. Your vase is indeed bold – those dark leaves were perfect for offsetting the flowers, and the variable shades of lantana are such an asset. It seems the UK equivalent of lantana is verbena but I have not seen it in these bright colours. Thanks for another great contribution, Susie.
Yes Cathy, the rain was most welcome here! I too noticed others were happy to see rain also. It was raining when I collected flowers so I didn’t have much time to consider all the options. These bold colors were the result. I found an article comparing lantana and verbena in case you’re interested: http://homeguides.sfgate.com/difference-between-lantana-verbena-41077.html
Ooh thanks – I shall definitely check that out
Bold indeed! Orange and purple – I like it!
Thanks!
Lovely colour combination.
Thanks Chloris.
Stunningly beautiful colour combination. That would cheer anyone up on a Monday.
Thanks Malc. I’ve enjoyed this arrangement this week. The colors provide a boost.
I love the color of the dahlia — it’s gorgeous.
Thanks, I like it too, even if the color was a surprise.