In A Vase On Monday- Lemon Yellow
It is interesting each week to join Cathy’s floral challenge called In A Vase On Monday. Her goal is to nudge us to fill a vase using materials gathered in one’s own garden.
Today’s vase features a single iris stalk with two open flowers and three buds. This iris is one of several selected at our community’s plant swap last October which had the good manners to be a reblooming variety and a nice color. Since the first of September these passalong irises have enlivened a small southwestern-corner bed with numerous richly hued and fragrant flowers.
Reblooming Iris germanica
I used strongly patterned, boldly colored Canna leaves to add balance and drama to the arrangement. This orange-flowered canna has not bloomed for the last two years and perhaps needs to be divided; nevertheless, its foliage is attractive and adds nice height to the southern side garden.
On a whim I cut a few stalks of wispy Pink Muhly Grass to add a softer element to the design. I liked the one curving shape introduced by a grass stem, but overall I do not think this material was particularly effective or necessary.
In A Vase On Monday- Lemon Yellow
The hand painted Fenton Glass vase, a gift from a sister, proved to be the perfect height for today’s flowers, approximately 1:3. The diameter of its opening was just snug enough to hold the elements upright and stable. The yellowish-green coloring toward the base subtly echoed the bright lemony yellow of the iris.
In A Vase On Monday- Lemon Yellow
Materials
1 stem reblooming Iris germanica
1 small stalk Canna
6 stems Muhlenbergia capillaris (Pink Muhly Grass)
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 
Love this iris and the beautiful arrangement you have made with it.
Thanks Stepheny. Someone brought a white reblooming iris for the friendship bouquet this morning!
I was so excited to see the iris still going and now in this lovely arrangement…but then I saw the vase and oh I am not sure which is best…flowers or vase…they work well together and are perfect for each other.
The irises have been so nice this fall, I must plan for more. The arrangement is a bit contemporary for that vase but I like that vase and its size was just what I needed.
I would love some of your reblooming Iris Susie, they look gorgeous. Whenever you show one I am a little envious.
Julie, would a reblooming iris work where you live? I’ve had a white one for several years and it had bloomed OK, but this new yellow one has captured my imagination this year.
Mmmm, it really does look lemony – can almost taste it just looking at the lovely photos! I like the grass added in Susie, and the vase is really pretty too.
Thanks Cathy! Glad you liked the grass. I noticed grasses had found their way into many Monday vases so thought I’d give it a try too.
I think the grass works well too – and a reblooming iris sounds a great idea, not something I have come across before. Is it a long-standing tradition for your sister to buy you vases?! She has given you some real beauties – well done to her for finding them and well done to you for using them to set your plant material off so elegantly. You always show us how the ‘right’ container makes such a difference – thank you 🙂
Thanks Cathy. Actually I have 3 wonderful sisters, so together they keep me well stocked with vases and other niceties I might not get for myself. The reblooming iris has been a nice treat this year.
I love the way you do these really sophisticated arrangements that are almost minimalist and Japanese. You are so clever at choosing just the right foliage to set off your blooms. The grass doesn’t sound as if it would be right with such a strong display but it adds just enough airiness but does’t detract from the strength of the design. As the others said too you have a lovely collection of vases.
Christina, thanks so much for your comments. The vase is special, but it is certainly a traditional one. For the flowers themselves I was going after a minimalist, contemporary look this week and was lucky to have some fresh canna leaves–they’re so bold. I’m not sold on the grass but do like the idea of a contrasting airy form. My garden club started up again today and I signed up for some floral workshops, so will have some extra chances to practice more formal designs.
Beautiful yellow Iris. 🙂
Thanks Judy. The iris has a strong, pure color.
I love your arrangement, the Iris is so beautiful, how could you bear to pick it? I seem to remember you showing us lovely vases that your sister gave you before. What a lucky girl you are to have a sister who gives you such lovely presents.
Oh, yes, my sisters are wonderful with their special gifts. Some of these vases I have never used much as containers, only display items. It’s nice to put them to work. It turned much cooler and we’ve had sporadic rain today, so the iris is probably faring just as well, if not better, indoors. Anyway, it was worth the sacrifice–nothing else looked as fresh.
Such a lovely iris – reblooming as well – I have not come across iris that flower twice so it is a real treat to see one at this time of year. It works so well with the grasses and in the lovely vase.
Thanks Julie. A reblooming iris is not something I’ve actively sought out, but now I’ve received two different ones as passalongs. I think the weather was particularly conducive to this yellow one’s fine display this year. The white one didn’t last.
What a nice mix of bold shapes. I’m glad you mentioned your doubts about what good the grass was doing. I looked again and kind of agree. I think the vase would be just as effective without the grass!
Very interesting.