In A Vase On Monday – View From Above
Monday brings the chance to share cut flowers from the garden by joining in Cathy’s weekly challenge In A Vase On Monday.
In A Vase On Monday
There was a light rain yesterday when I gathered a few flowers for today’s vase. For the past week I have been keeping tabs on a favorite pass-along Chrysanthemum. I have grown this plant for at least two decades and am always pleased when its soft buttery yellow flowers return.
Passalong Chrysanthemum
I decided to make these small button-shaped chrysanthemum the focus of the arrangement, but then some other flowers caught my attention.
Nearby were a couple of pink Achillea filipendulina (Fern-leaf Yarrow). They bloomed off and on during the summer and have just begun another round. I found a single red zinnia to include today also.
In A Vase On Monday – View From Above
The outdoor display from this year’s Camellia sasanquas is outstanding and I could not resist cutting a few. Despite the rain they were in good condition. I envisioned the yellow centers and pinky-white petals of Hana-Jiman camellia coordinating with the pink yarrow and yellow chrysanthemums.
Camellia sasanqua ‘Hana-Jiman’ and Chrysanthemum
Camellia sasanqua ‘Hana-Jiman’
With only a few gardenias blooming this week I wanted to include them again while I could.
Gardenia
I used florist’s foam in a small plastic dish to hold the arrangement. I started by placing the chrysanthemums as outlines for the overall shape. This type of formal design always takes more material than I think it will.
It quickly became obvious more flowers were needed, so I headed back into the rain for a few more camellias and gardenia foliage to fill out the spherical design.
All along I had planned to display the flowers atop an urn-shaped container. While working I thought I was being careful to conceal the plastic dish with foliage, but once I set the flowers in place it was obvious the lower edges needed additional concealer material.
In A Vase On Monday
Outdoors it was still raining, so I decided to change course and try out several shallow containers. This blue and brown pottery bowl worked well.
Camellia sasanqua ‘Hana-Jiman’ and Chrysanthemum
Finally I settled on a delicate blue and white porcelain dish for the final display.
In A Vase On Monday
Camellia sasanqua ‘Hana-Jiman’ and Chrysanthemum
Materials
Flowers
Achillea filipendulina (Fern-leaf Yarrow)
Camellia sasanqua ‘Hana-Jiman’
Chrysanthemum
Gardenia jasminoides
Zinnia
Foliage
Gardenia jasminoides
Mechanics
Floral foam
6-inch plastic Lomey dish
Various containers
Thanks to Cathy for hosting this weekly flower addiction. Visit her at Rambling In The Garden to discover what she and others are placing In A Vase On Monday and feel free to join in.
pbmGarden 
Hana-Jiman is one of my favorite sasanquas. Does yours have a bit of fragrance?
Yes, Hana-Jiman is highly fragrant. The ones I brought in the house last week were almost overpowering, but the ones this week seem less so–perhaps the rain dampens the scent.
Susie this is just one of the loveliest arrangements I have seen. I love that Chrysanthemum and I rarely grow them but I may have to change that….and the Camellia is fabulous. Perfect bowl to display it all.
Thanks for your generous comment. That particular chrysanthemum is a sprawler with rather woody stems, but it adds reliable color and charm to the border each year and came to me from a very special person.
Your arrangement is so bright and cheerful compared to the darker autumn colours we have over in the UK at this time of year.
Hi Brian, you’re right the colors do seem more characteristic of spring than autumn. We’re having a rainy gray day here so I’m glad to have them brighten up the house.
The Camellia is gorgeous and I can see why you love the yellow Chrysanthemum, lovely colour tones. It is interesting how different the arrangement looks in the different vases. I think I liked it best in the blue and brown pottery bowl.
The vase choice does make a huge difference doesn’t it. Too bad I didn’t give it enough thought ahead of time in this case. Actually I had a crystal urn in mind to use and it looked worse than any of them. I should have been testing it out as I worked to ensure the proper height and proportions.
Oh my goodness that is just beautiful
Thank you so much.
A sight for sore eyes…peaches and cream come to mind, with some lovely soft colours highlighted by the chrysanthemum. I am feeling a little too tired to try so hard with my arrangement this week.
I think these colors are unexpectedly soft and pastel for November.
Susie, yours is a beautiful arrangement this week. So lovely on the eyes.
John, I appreciate your nice comment. Nice explosion of camellias this week. The weather’s been crazy but the camellias seem to like it.
Oh how adorable – it reminds me of a buxom country wench, if you can envisage what I mean. I know it’s an odd analogy but it looks so wholesome and healthy and happy – just lovely!
Cathy, that’s a hilarious comparison at first reading, but I know what you mean and thank you very much. Wholesome, healthy and happy–what we all all hope for. Thanks for hosting.
Glad you knew what I meant! 🙂
You have inspired me to look for a Hana-Jiman Camellia, Susie, that is so beautiful and your arrangement so delicate and beautiful too. Have you thought about doing this professionally as you are very talented.
Well thanks Julie! It must be a lot of pressure to be a professional flower arranger but it would be fun. Good luck sourcing the Hana-Jiman. The camellia world is so complex with many beautiful choices.
Beautiful. 🙂 In the first two photos I immediately zoomed in on the Chrysanthemums. I am not a fan of Mums, but these are so delicate and pretty. The Camellias and Gardenia add that classy touch again. The shape of your arrangement is also lovely and I like your final choice of vase best.
Thank you Cathy. Chrysanthemums seem to be one of those flowers people either like or dislike. Can’t say I’m a huge fan either, but this one is special to me because of the person who shared it with me. It almost looks like a rose growing in the border.
A beautiful arrangement. That camellia is just heaven.
Thanks Joanna. The camellia has been a star in the garden this fall.
Once again I have to say that I LOVE that Camellia. I also like how you used the soft colors of the chrysanthemum and the warm white of the gardenias to highlight its beauty.
Thanks Kris. I initially planned to just have a vase of Chrysanthemums but the camellias seemed glorious and I had to change plans. Glad they worked together well.
As someone already mentioned, this looks very professional, without the stiffness characteristic of many florists’ creations. I liked seeing the testing of containers…fully agree with your final choice.
Ricki, thanks for your comment. I agree sometimes professional floral designs can seem stiff. In this one the camellia adds softness. Glad you liked seeing the various containers. I tried a few others that were not shown–was afraid the post was getting too long.
This is so pretty and feminine. I adore the Camellia and the soft lemon of the Chrysanthemum compliments it beautifully.
Thank you! I think you’re right about this looking feminine. Especially looking at the top view I can imagine it as a bridal bouquet.
Elegant as usual, Susie! My sasanqua has started to flower too and I’m looking forward to see the shrub grow into something more substantial…billowing pink cloud 😉 but I believe Camellias are slow growers.
Thanks Annette. Certain flowers themselves are inherently elegant. Enjoy your sasanqua, may not take too long to reach that billowing size.
Camellias fill a lovely spot in the garden this time of year. I have Apple Blossom which is the same color but not as full. I saw some Hana-jimans at the nursery and they did smell wonderful. The yellow centers do pull out the yellow in the mums. And you are so fortunate to be able to grow Gardenias, I love their scent, and they add such a stylized white presence, Susie.
Thanks Hannah. Is your Apple Blossom fragrant? The two camellias do seem quite similar. Now I wonder if I’ve identified mine correctly.
A most attractive vase Susie. The colours are reminiscent of spring and the camellias bring apple blossom to mind. I also found it interesting to read how you put the vase together.
Thank you Anna. Maybe spring will roll back around quickly–until then these flowers can remind us.
This is so lovely, it could be a wedding arrangement. 🙂
Yes, it has a bit of romance.
such delicate pastel shades – lovely! Who would know it was raining outside …. ?
Thanks Ann. I agree there is a delicacy about those colors and also the flowers themselves.
A nice cheerful medley. I especially like the camellias.
I used to take camellias for granted because everyone in my small town grew them. But now I appreciate why they were favored.
Beautiful, really nice. I think this is one of my favorites!
In your last photo I think the zinnia and achillea came out too bright, but every single other picture is just so pretty. I wish I had just a little bit of your talent!
Glad you like this one Frank. I appreciate your kind words.
Such a beautiful Camellia ‘Hana-Jiman’ and they are so perfectly arranged.