In A Vase On Monday – Iris Three-Tuple
Each Monday brings the chance to join Cathy’s In A Vase On Monday to share an arrangement using materials gathered from the garden. But no ordinary Monday, this is IAVOM’s third anniversary and last week Cathy proposed the theme “Three” as a way to mark the day.
The theme was on my mind all week without inspiration, but Sunday morning during brunch a friend mentioned the term “tuple.” A tuple is a finite ordered list of elements and a 3‑tuple is a triple or triplet. Keeping to a loose interpretation of tuple, I cut three stems of iris to serve as the focus of my design this week.
Reblooming Tall Bearded Iris
The height of the first iris, the white one, is roughly twice the diameter of the black dish, that of the second and third are 1.5 and 1 times, respectively.
In A Vase On Monday – Iris Three-Tuple
Iris germanica ‘Immortality’
Joining the triplet of irises are a several sets of arching zinnias and a cluster of the pass-along chrysanthemums I have enjoyed for years.
Button Chrysanthemums and foliage of Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Ruby Slippers’
A branch of dark oak leaf hydrangea foliage adds weight for balance while echoing the dancing posture of the iris flowers.
In A Vase On Monday – Iris Three-Tuple
Materials
Chrysanthemum
Reblooming Tall Bearded Iris
Zinnia
Foliage: Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Ruby Slippers’ (Lil’ Ruby dwarf Oakleaf Hydrangea)
Oasis Lomey 11″ Designer Dish, black, round
Three-inch floral pin (frog)
Black Stones
On this third anniversary congratulations and extra thanks to Cathy for hosting this weekly chance to express our flower arranging passion. Visit her at Rambling In The Garden to discover what she and others are placing In A Vase On Monday. Feel free to join in.
pbmGarden 
Another very beautifully elegant arrangement Susie. The Hydrangea leaf really adds balance to your design. The Irises are lovely.
Thanks. It seems so odd to have irises this time of year. The leaves have a lot of color variation that doesn’t come through in the photographs.
So pretty and fresh for November.
Such an odd autumn Marian. Still dry as a bone here, yet irises bloom in November.
Oof! those dark leaves really set the arrangement off. Striking!
Thanks. The dark leaves help add a reality check that it is autumn after all. There’re supposed to turn brilliant shades of red but haven’t been inclined to do so.
Lovely arrangement in a stunning vase, but the thing that boggles my mind is thinking that you have Iris blooming now. Wow! By the way, we have rented a condo in January a little south of Myrtle Beach to do all our bucket list things in your area. If you have an suggestions, please let me know.
Weather has been so mild but we’re warned it will cool this week. Have never been to Myrtle Beach during January. Hope you have fun. Big attraction for me is always actual beach itself (N. Myrtle Beach) but I can recommend Brookgreen Gardens. http://www.brookgreen.org
My first thought ‘what a cool fall arrangement with spring flowers’ ???
Agreed, even if irises are blooming now, it doesn’t quite seem right.
Yes, how do you feel about Encore Azaleas?
Even more shocking although I confess to wishing I had a few.
Oh, just say no, it’s not right to have Azaleas in the fall and mark my words, one day there will be a terrible freeze and there will be no Encore. Think I have Encore issues, yes!
What can I say to express such floral perfection, Susie? Words are not enough! Seeing iris blooming in November is a great treat. 🙂
You’re too kind Eliza. It’s slightly unsettling to see irises this time of year and for such a long bloom time, (but these are unsettling times).
Indeed they are. Flowers make it much more bearable!
Lovely vase and a I learned a new word as well!
Thanks Linda. Tuple is from my computing days.
Gosh – ‘tuple’! That’s a new one on me and an intriguing snippet of information – thanks for that! And thank you especially for those lovely blotchless irises, whether or not they should be flowering in November! The oak leaf hydrangea leaf and black dish and stones were a spot-on contrast, whilst the other blooms subtly supported the main contendors. Well thought out Susie, and thanks for sharing
Thank you Cathy. I’m always learning new things from you so glad I could pass on a tidbit today.
Those irises are sumptuous, Susie. I also love the way the oak-leaved hydrangea echoes the black of the vase.
Thanks Joanna. The hydrangea leaves have quite a lot more color than shows up in these photos, but do read as rather a dark shape. I rather like them too.
I knew you’d come up with an inventive twist on the “three” theme! Those bearded Iris are magnificent and you’ve done a wonderful job (as usual) accenting them. The dark color of the hydrangea leaves is a beautiful counterpoint to the brightness of the Iris.
Thanks Kris. Just lucky that tuple came up in conversation Sunday a.m. Had no other ideas.
I agree, I love the contrast in colour and texture between the hippo hide of the hydrangea and the soft silk of the iris. So unusual, but so effective Susie.
Thanks so much. Love your descriptive hippo hide phrase. The leaves indeed are leathery.
I always enjoy seeing what you have created for a Monday vase and you never disappoint Susie! Love those irises, and the whole effect is full of life and beautifully balanced.
So much appreciate you kind comment Cathy. Feeling is mutual. Glad we can share our gardens from afar. The irises may get a shock by weekend so glad I could feature them today.
How wonderful to have re-blooming Irises! Nice job with the arrangement–I like your interpretation of the theme.
Beth, with the mild autumn the rebloomers were amazing. Mine were all pass-alongs and had never really planned that they would add so much to the garden in two seasons.
Your arrangements are always an inspiration, Susie. So beautiful and well balanced. Great idea to include the hydrangea leaves as they tie all together to the black vase. Stunning 🙂
Thanks for your kind comment Annette. I don’t always use foliage in my Monday vases but the hydrangea stole the spotlight this week.
Pretty colours ♥
Thanks, not necessarily seasonal but the yellow iris deserved to be included today.
Oh what a thoughtful interpretation of the three theme Susie! Gorgeous flowers and foliage to gaze upon and with ‘tuple’ a new to me word too 🙂
Thanks Anna, the Monday vases are always so much fun.
Very stylish. I love how the dark hydrangea leaves have changed the shape and sheen of the vase too.
The hydrangea foliage gave unexpected drama to this week’s vase. I can’t use it often because I don’t want to lose the flowers for spring, but it was fun to experiment with it.
I think that is a very striking arrangement, very Ikebana.
Thanks Brian. Someday I’d like to study Ikebana in a formal way. I find it fascinating.
Love the yellow Iris!
Someone gave me this iris without remembering what color it would be, nor did he mention it was reblooming. Going strong for over a month now due to our mild fall.