In A Vase On Monday—Pink Glass and Orchid

Pink Phalaenopsis And Bottle

Monday brings the chance to practice flower arranging by joining in Cathy’s weekly challenge In A Vase On Monday, where the goal is simply to fill a vase using materials gathered in one’s own garden.

Today’s offering comes from my indoors garden. I received a beautiful Phalaenopsis orchid as a house gift several weeks ago. Already in full bloom, the flowers are pink with chocolatey overtones on the lip.

Pink Phalaenopsis Displays Cocoa Overtones

Yesterday I clipped one of the three stems to use in today’s vase, my first time experimenting with the luxury of orchids as cut flowers.

I had in mind a specific and complex Ikebana arrangement, but once I started working with the design I realized it would take more time to execute my plan than I could possibly spend.

Instead a pink perfume bottle purchased from a glass artist at the annual Carolina Designer Craftsmen Festival years ago made a harmonious container for a simplified arrangement. The actual color is less coppery and more pink than the photographs depict.

Pink Perfume Bottle

The depth of design, pattern and color integral to the bottle are strong enough to reinforce the orchid’s beauty.

Pink Perfume Bottle Detail

The graceful curves in the glass and the overall shape of the vase complement the gentle arch of the blossoms.

Pink Phalaenopsis And Bottle

As always a big thank you to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for organizing and hosting. It is always fun to discover what she and others are placing In A Vase On Monday.

37 thoughts on “In A Vase On Monday—Pink Glass and Orchid”

Judy @ NewEnglandGardenAndThread August 31, 2015 at 6:26 am

The orchid or the container? They are both gorgeous and look lovely together. 🙂

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1. pbmgarden Post authorAugust 31, 2015 at 7:50 am
  
  Thank you! I can’t decide either which is the focal point Judy.
  
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Anca Tîrcă August 31, 2015 at 6:51 am

A very elegant vase and a perfect match! Happy Monday!

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1. pbmgarden Post authorAugust 31, 2015 at 7:52 am
  
  Thanks Anca, hope you have a wonderful week!
  
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Chloris August 31, 2015 at 7:00 am

Perfect combination of vase and flower, what an eye you have. I love the bottle, what a gorgeous colour. I always have lots of Phalaenopsis around the house, they are as cheap as chips since micropropagation and they bloom for weeks. They only have a short rest and off they go again. I have never tried cutting them, I wonder if they are long lived in water. Do let us know how long it lasts.

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1. pbmgarden Post authorAugust 31, 2015 at 7:56 am
  
  Thanks! Chips are still cheaper here, but orchids are much more readily available than ever. I’ve heard orchids last well as a cut flower, but after I made this arrangement I looked it up. Some orchids are much more long-lasting than Phalaenopsis, but it should keep 1-2 weeks.
  
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Donna@Gardens Eye View August 31, 2015 at 7:00 am

Susie this is perfection…simple colors that complement, simple curves that work together and both bloom and glass works of art that fit….I am just stunned at the look of this vase…and I love the art glass!

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1. pbmgarden Post authorAugust 31, 2015 at 9:15 am
  
  You’re so kind Donna. It was great to have a chance to work with orchids.
  
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Lisa at Greenbow August 31, 2015 at 7:16 am

This orchid perfectly compliments the vase…or is it the other way around?

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1. pbmgarden Post authorAugust 31, 2015 at 8:01 am
  
  Thanks Lisa. I tried a good number of containers before remembering this bottle and it just seemed to fit.
  
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Christina August 31, 2015 at 8:58 am

The perfect flower for the most gorgeous vase.

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1. pbmgarden Post authorAugust 31, 2015 at 9:19 am
  
  Thank you Christina. I love the artistry of the glass bottle. It was a gift for my mother-in-law during one of her visits and after she died, it was returned to us. Wonderful keepsake of a vibrant woman.
  
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  1. Christina August 31, 2015 at 11:13 am
    
    I have read a little about your MIL in David’s book, I can imagine her being an engaging house guest.
Cathy August 31, 2015 at 9:24 am

That is a gorgeous glass bottle – so tactile and with such a depth of design and colour. The orchid is the perfect partner for this delightful combination Susie.

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1. pbmgarden Post authorAugust 31, 2015 at 9:34 am
  
  Thanks Cathy. Wish I knew the name of the glass artist who made the bottle, but it is lost to me. Hope the person is still creating such beautiful objects.
  
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Wild Daffodil August 31, 2015 at 10:26 am

Utterly beautiful. So lovely to see a close up of the swirly patterns and colours in that wonderful glass bottle. I’m smitten with orchids and have rather a lot in the house so that there are always at least 2 flowering all year round. I’ve never had one with 3 stems though – orchid envy!

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1. pbmgarden Post authorAugust 31, 2015 at 6:22 pm
  
  Thank you. I may have to pick up your orchid habit. They’re so compelling and fairly undemanding for such a long reward.
  
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Gillian August 31, 2015 at 1:26 pm

This a perfect combination. I think you get the prize for both simplicity and style today. Beautiful.

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1. pbmgarden Post authorAugust 31, 2015 at 1:49 pm
  
  Thank you so much Gillian.
  
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Kris P August 31, 2015 at 1:50 pm

You couldn’t have paired that Phalaenopsis with a better container, Susie. I brought 2 of these plants home when we cleared my mother-in-law’s home for sale and all but abandoned them to their own devices in a neglected area of my garden but they still surprise me by throwing out bloom spikes now and then. They’re remarkable plants.

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1. pbmgarden Post authorAugust 31, 2015 at 6:07 pm
  
  Thanks Kris. It would be wonderful to be able leave orchids outdoors and have them bloom. My sister has quite a collection of them and gave me my first one (in honor of my retirement). I love to linger by them at the store.
  
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Eliza Waters August 31, 2015 at 1:54 pm

Simply beautiful – the perfume bottle is a lovely art piece. Art glass these days is quite amazing. There are quite a few glass artists in our area, the most famous being Josh Simpson. I see a lot at our local fairs, always beautiful!

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1. pbmgarden Post authorAugust 31, 2015 at 6:00 pm
  
  Thanks for mentioning Simpson, Eliza. I looked him up and his work is interesting and lovely.
  
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homeslip August 31, 2015 at 2:35 pm

We are having fun with this meme aren’t we? I would guess that you would not have cut your orchid to pair with your beautiful art glass bottle without the impetus of In a vase on Monday. Simple, but stunningly beautiful.

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1. pbmgarden Post authorAugust 31, 2015 at 6:01 pm
  
  Thank you and yes, you’re absolutely right. It is fun and I would not have ventured to cut the orchid were it not for In A Vase On Monday.
  
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a spirit of simplicity August 31, 2015 at 5:14 pm

This is just beautiful.

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1. pbmgarden Post authorAugust 31, 2015 at 6:02 pm
  
  Thanks so much!
  
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rickii August 31, 2015 at 5:32 pm

The mark of a true artist is knowing when to stop. Your artistic credentials are showing.

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1. pbmgarden Post authorAugust 31, 2015 at 6:25 pm
  
  Thanks so much Rickii. I want to be an artist when I grow up.
  
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Beth @ PlantPostings September 1, 2015 at 12:13 am

Oh, I love it! One of these days, I need to get a Phalaenopsis again. Very pretty! Ir’s a great meme and you picked the perfect vase!

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1. pbmgarden Post authorSeptember 1, 2015 at 8:16 am
  
  Thanks Beth. OH yes, do get yourself one. I’m much more likely to buy a plant for outdoors than in, but Phalaenopsis are so long-lasting they’re a good value.
  
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Charlie@Seattle Trekker September 1, 2015 at 1:45 am

Such gorgeous shots, I love the beautiful colors and interesting details.

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1. pbmgarden Post authorSeptember 1, 2015 at 8:21 am
  
  Thanks Charlie.
  
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Hannah September 1, 2015 at 3:46 am

Now you piqued my interest in your Ikebana, but the fantastic art glass vase and the orchid complement each other so beautifully, the curves flow together perfectly. The colorful details of the vase are amazing.

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1. pbmgarden Post authorSeptember 1, 2015 at 8:34 am
  
  Thanks Hannah. I admire Ikebana but don’t actually have any experience with it. From what I understand it is a lifetime of study.
  
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beverlydyer September 1, 2015 at 9:02 am

You make me want to take a course on Ikebana!

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1. pbmgarden Post authorSeptember 1, 2015 at 4:48 pm
  
  I’d like to also. It’s a life-long study as are so many explorations that are worthwhile.
  
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