In A Vase On Monday – Once Upon A Time
Monday brings an opportunity to practice flower arranging by joining in Cathy’s weekly challenge In A Vase On Monday to fill a vase using materials gathered in one’s own garden.
It was cold the past week—9 degrees F. (-12.7 C.) one morning—and naturally the garden took it pretty hard to learn it really is winter. Helleborus had begun blooming in time to incorporate into my Monday vase last week, but I was unable to collect fresh ones this time. They looked limp and it seemed best not to disturb them. Fortunately I was able to reuse a couple from last week’s vase for today.
I looked in vain for anything else blooming. Instead I cut some Daphne odora branches filled with tightly closed, yet colorful, dark pink buds. Its variegated foliage looked surprisingly fresh and bright.
Daphne odora ‘Aureomarginata’ (Winter daphne)
For color, charm and sheer nostalgia I selected my daughter’s small Peter Rabbit cup to hold today’s arrangement. Once upon a time she used this little Wedgwood mug at every meal.
Peter Rabbit Cup, England
The teacup design on the napkin underneath was chosen for the way it echoes the colors of the fresh materials and the Beatrix Potter characters. A few sprigs of dark green cypress foliage were included for extra texture.
Peter Rabbit Cup, England
Materials List
Daphne odora ‘Aureomarginata’ (Winter daphne)
Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten rose)
Cypress, species unknown
Now run along and don’t get into any mischief
Daphne odora ‘Aureomarginata’ (Winter daphne)
Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting. Please visit her to see what she and others are placing In A Vase On Monday.
pbmGarden 
I envy you the Daphne odora ‘Aureomarginata’, it will smell wonderful as the flowers open. your Hellebores have lasted really well from last week, which I wouldn’t have expected. Your charming posy is enhanced by the pretty Peter Rabbit cup, your daughter must have been a very careful child for you to still have it.
Christina, I was surprised also that the hellebores lasted so well. It would be nice for the Daphne to open. Happily the Peter Rabbit cup survived, but the little plate fell victim right away. There also was a bowl that lasted through many a morning of oatmeal but it must have eventually broken too.
How lovely. I love Daphne odora ‘ Aureomarginata. Mine has plump pink buds too but I don’ think I can bring myself to pick it. It is quite slow growing.
Your arrangement is so pretty and perfect in the Peter Rabbit cup.
Thanks Chloris. I can understand your reluctance to cut your Daphne. We have three growing together in front of our house that needed a little shaping. I find them hard to use in an arrangement though at this unopened stage because of the way they branch.
Perfection! Adorable cup and buds. I’m lamenting the state of the garden, I hope the rain does something to perk it up after the recent cold.
Thanks Marian, I hope the rain helps your garden. The rain is pounding the ground here this morning–such a wet winter.
What a truly lovely little arrangement. We have a cottontail here that we love and enjoy. 🙂
Thanks Judy. Lucky cottontail! They’re so cute, but some years I know why Mr. McGregor was so grumpy.
Very sweet, indeed! Now I’m wondering what’s become of our little Peter Rabbit set. I was not nearly so brave as you, and never let the kids actually use it. I should have.
Thanks Kimberly. Hope you come across your Peter Rabbit set one day. If your house is anything like mine, the dishes are probably in a very safe place, if you can just remember where that is!
An enchanting arrangement, Susie. I just wish you hadn’t let Peter Rabbit loose in my garden.
Thanks John. Like Santa, I believe Peter Rabbit has many helpers.
Your hellebores still look lovely – I meant to say last week how pretty your header is too. I love Daphne, but none seem to be hardy enough in my garden. Yours has just the right shade of pink to go with the baby rabbits’ cloaks!
Thanks for noticing the header Cathy–thought it was about time to give it an update. I first learned about Daphne from a newspaper gardening column years ago. The author warned they were very persnickety but so far so good, they’ve done well here.
Absolutely perfect…charming, sweet and oh so pretty. Those buds will open and then you will have more blooms…I am waiting on a few indoor bulbs to open here. Love Beatrix Potter so this was a favorite vase!
Thanks Donna, glad you like the vase. Hope your bulbs speed things up and open soon for you. I haven’t had much luck with daphne opening indoors but will keep fingers crossed.
Ah, Peter Rabbit – how lovely! Now that she has daughter of her own, Elder Daughter is vetting the Beatrix Potter stories as she now tells me that there were some she just didn’t like as a child, Like Mrs Tiggywinkle for example. All those times I read it to her – heaven knows the effect it was having! Your cup is charming, of course, but how have you got some hellebores to see out the week? Did you condition them? I was just going to say exactly the same as the other Cathy about the shade of F, M & C’s capes, a perfect match with the hellebores and daphne! These winter vases are a joy, are they not? 🙂 Thanks for sharing
Cathy, what a funny reaction your daughter had to Mrs. Tiggywinkle. I didn’t remember the story so just now looked it up in Wikipedia. Who knows what details are the ones kids will remember. I’m sure it has worried many a mother, but we can just do our best. Her children might very well love the story! It was pleasing to see the Daphne and other plants picking up the colors of the little cup. I’d wanted to use that cup for a long time but this is the first time the materials worked out.
My heart melted when I saw your arrangement. So perfect!
Thanks Kris. I appreciate your reaction. The little cup brings back many fond memories so it’s nice to have it out to look at again.
I feel the same as Kris, I love this arrangement and the cup, my youngest daughter had this set as a child, cup, plate and bowl all intact amazingly. Its so creative too Susie, I would not of thought of using the cup but its just perfect with the flowers and napkin too.
Julie, thanks so much. It’s fun to know your daughter’s set survived. This week it was a challenge trying to find enough to fill a vase, so I decided to focus more on the container itself. I’d had my eye on this cup for a long time but this is the first time the flowers seemed to match.
My daughter had the same cup Susie and we have just had it out for my 4 year old nephew to use when he visited at Christmas. I love your new header and how did you get your hellebores to last for a week inside? I am amazed! A lovely arrangement and I am very jealous of your daphne.
So fun to think of your little nephew continuing a tradition with the little cup. The hellebores were just a fluke. Last week one died almost immediately and through all last week another died here and there. Those last two were just unusually hardy ones I guess. They had dropped their stamens and tonight are already fading now. Wish I could share daphne with you. Last year it was damaged quite a bit by cold weather–hoping it will be tougher this year. Have a good week Julie.
So simple and so sweet. All of the elements work together to tickle our nostalgia bones. Bravo!
Thanks Rickii. I adore the little cup and it seems everyone else has fond memories of Peter Rabbit too, so I didn’t need many flowers this cold week.
Wonderful. I love that picture with the Hellebore peaking out of the Peter Rabbit mug.
A sweet arrangement with your wonderful daughter in mind who encourages your arranging talents. A perfect container. This is one of my favorites.
Hi Stepheny. Glad you like this. It was fun to do and especially meaningful with my daughter in mind. Had a workshop today that was fun too, Crescent Design.
What a sweet bouquet! Both the cup and the flowers and buds.
Thanks, it was lucky to find anything in bloom at all but I was glad to find something cheerful to offset our gloomy winter weather.
Such a sweet little arrangement in a teacup. Of course, I would love anything with a rabbit on it. I should start my week picking flowers for a vase. I so love seeing these, especially the tiny ones.
Thank you. You’re most welcome to join in and share your Monday vases. Cathy at Rambling in the Garden is the host. Just link to her post by leaving a comment. It’s a great way to begin the week.