In A Vase On Monday – Oakleaf And Verbena
Each Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden invites us to share an arrangement using materials collected from our gardens.
As the garden transitions toward summer Verbena bonariensis orchestrates the views, diverting the gaze away from peonies past their prime, directing attention to newly unfolding scenes in the borders.
Verbena bonariensis (Tall Verbena)
In today’s vase the verbena appears to leap above everything else, demanding attention. The intended focus of today’s arrangement, Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Ruby Slippers,’ needs more time to develop before it can fully command the vase.
Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Ruby Slippers’ (Lil’ Ruby dwarf Oakleaf Hydrangea)
Husker Red penstemon is in the early stages of bloom in many spots around the garden.
Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’ (Beardtongue)
Pink achillea, gaura and a sprig of lavender foliage fill out the design.
Materials
Achillea filipendulina (Fern-leaf Yarrow)
Gaura lindheimeri ‘Passionate Blush’ (Butterfly Gaura)
Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Ruby Slippers’ (Lil’ Ruby dwarf Oakleaf Hydrangea)
Lavandula x intermedia ‘Dutch’ (Dutch Lavender)
Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’ (Beardtongue)
Verbena bonariensis (Tall Verbena)
Vase
Hand painted Fenton Glass Vase – USA
In A Vase On Monday – Oakleaf And Verbena
Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting and giving us a chance to express our flower arranging passion. Visit her to discover what she and others found this week in their gardens to place In A Vase On Monday.
pbmGarden 
The perfect vase for this arrangement Susie. 🙂 Love the Verbena. We seem way behind you this year, but maybe it’s always this late. I shall go and hunt out sone stems to see how they are doing!
Thanks Cathy, I was looking for size when first I chose the vase, but was pleased how the painted decoration was enhanced by the flowers. This verbena has been so lovely in the garden this year. It doesn’t last long indoors but that’s ok. Hope yours is well on its way to a good showing.
Your vase looks like s small section of garden, I like how you’ve left the Verbena taller than the other flowers just as it would be in the garden. It’s lovely
I’ve been inspired lately by some floral demonstrations of more natural, looser arrangements, and less formal. This material all seemed to lend itself to that style.
Why is Hustler Red white?! 😉 The verbena makes such a statement, taking charge of the whole vase – and such pretty vase, with an almost pearlescent appearance
The stems and leaves are rich red in Huskers Red. Not all of my my plants exhibit this color so well at first but eventually they catch up. I like the white flowers. The vase was a gift from a sister.
It’s so true that sometimes a flower cannot “command the vase” even when you want it too! I enjoy the list of what is in your vase at the end of your post. And that vase, oh my goodness, it just right!
Thanks for your comments. My sister gave me the vase years ago and it’s nice how it plays a big part in today’s arrangement.
It’s a lovely, delicate and airy arrangement. The detail on the hydrangea is gorgeous but I’ve not seed that penstemon before. It looks very pretty.
I planted a few Husker Reds in my meditation circle and loved the effect with the white flowers. The plant is evergreen in 7b zone and it reseeds eagerly.
I used Verbena bonariensis this week too, Susie, although not to such elegant effect. I love the pretty hydrangea but I’ve given up on growing any of them here. That iridescent vase is lovely and sets off the entire arrangement splendidly.
Flowers on several of my hydrangeas that bloom on old wood were damaged due to fluctuating spring and cold weather we had beginning in Feb. This oakleaf is about 3 years old and finally is coming into its own.
That is really different for you. I love it!
Keeping it wild and unpredictable!
Such a nice, airy quality to this arrangement. I’m glad to see you giving V. bonariensis its due. I’ve been hearing lots of complaints about its profligate ways lately.
V. bonariensis has spread itself liberally. At least it’s easy to pull out if it get into a space for which I have other plans. Am. goldfinches love it and look so pretty, yellow against purple.