In A Vase On Monday – View From Above
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.
This week we had a very minor ice storm, lots of rain and even a day of sunshine. There are very few choices for winter blooms in my January garden, making it difficult to come up with anything new for a Monday vase.
Although Hellebores have been used in my first two vases this month I clipped four more (all that were open) to use again this week.
Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten rose)
For further inspiration I looked indoors where a few pots of cyclamen have been blooming for several weeks and a Begonia ‘Erythrophylla’ has recently begun to flower as well. I chose two bright red cyclamens, but left the begonia blossom intact, collecting the leaves instead.
‘Erythrophylla’ leaves are bright, shiny green in front, but flipped over they reveal a beautiful red underside. Their contrasting white veins are also flecked with red, reminiscent of red speckles inside the hellebores.
Red and green Begonia ‘Erythrophylla’ leaves add contrast and texture.
For a vase I used the shallow, ceramic leaf-shaped dish. The three holes in the top were just right size to hold the various stems snugly in place.
In A Vase On Monday
I positioned the three leaves first, with the back one directly opposite the ceramic leaf of the vase itself. Next beginning in back I established a line of pink hellebores curving right to left. The pair of cyclamen flowers complete the arrangement for today.
A pair of cyclamen blossoms add a final jolt of color to the arrangement.
In A Vase On Monday
Materials List
Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten rose)
Cyclamen
Begonia ‘Erythrophylla’ (Beefsteak Begonia)
In A Vase On Monday – Winter Vase
In A Vase On Monday – Winter Vase
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.
Susie, this is very inventive; I particularly liked how you placed the Hellebore flowers in a line, creating movement through the design. The back of the leaf is a fabulous colour and works perfectly with the vase itself and the flowers.
Thanks, thought the hellebores would make more impact that way. I’ve always admired the red coloring on those Begonia ‘Erythrophylla’ leaves.
The flowers are always beautiful and a welcome sight BUT the leaves win hand down this week. Gorgeous.
Thanks Judy. I had a Begonia ‘Erythrophylla’ just after college for many years until it died for some unknown recently. Only found another one a couple of years ago. both times they were started from a little piece of the stem, rooted in water. I love those leaves.
I love your ceramic dish and the inventive way you used so many different plants to bring the textures and colors together perfectly…a stunning arrangement.
Thanks Donna. My sister gave me that dish last fall to hold camellia blossoms. Works well for a lot of short stemmed things.
Very creative use of your limited stock of materials at this time of year.
Thanks John. It’s stretching my imagination to tackle a vase each week.
You hare using that lovely ‘vase’ again – and it’s brilliant for showing your inspired slim pickings. As John says, it’s really creative so thanks for sharing it with us.
‘You are’, that should say!!!
The leaf vase is an important element in a design like this.
You are a true artist Susie!
What a kind friend you are Kris! Thanks.
Those leaves are amazing, and I love the way you have made a curved line with the hellebores. You are such an artist Susie. Lovely!
Lovely Susie and really clever, I like how the leaf of the vase is incorporated into the design so beautifully. We do not have ice storms over here, they sound grim.
Love the Erythrophyllum leaves – never heard of those before. And they go so well with the red cyclamen.
The beefsteak begonia is a great houseplant. I’ve never seen it for sale. Both times I’ve grown it, it was passed to me from friends.
What sweet arrangement! The colours are so warming for this time of year. I seem to remember seeing that very nice ‘leaf dish’ before as well? The hellebore on your banner is lovely too!
How inspired to use the backside of the leaf! It’s stunning. I like the line of hellebores as well, and what a lovely dish!
How creative you are! I love those red backed Begonia leaves. I would never have thought of using them. A lovely effect, and the dish is the perfect container for the arrangement.
Thanks Chloris, I really love those begonia leaves too. That is one of the few houseplants I’m willing to take care of.
You have made these ‘very few choices’ look so lovely especially when you play with the contrast of Begonia leaves.
Thanks Pris. I am very fond of that Begonia so working with the leaves was really fun.