In A Vase On Monday – Foliage Variations
Each Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden invites us to share an arrangement using materials collected from our gardens.
Usually at this time of winter Hellebores and Daphne have begun offering up their flowers, but there are no flowers outdoors this week. A single white cyclamen from an indoor plant stands in to represent the winter garden flora.
There was more choice for foliage. I settled on broad, patterned leaves of aucuba, a stem tip cut from sarcococca (with flower buds), a dried piece of eucalyptus and a pine branch scavenged from a holiday evergreen gift from treasured friends. The pine seemed to call for an Ikebana vase and I chose a blue rectangular one that I have used many times before.
In A Vase On Monday – Foliage Variations
The design transitioned multiple times and is still in a state of flux. This one has many paths and I am still searching.
In A Vase On Monday – Foliage Variations
This is is current state, simplified, and featuring sarcococca.
In A Vase On Monday – Foliage Variations
Cyclamen With Pine and Sarcococca ruscifolia
Materials
Flowers
Cyclamen persicum (Persian cyclamen)
Foliage
Pine branch
Sarcococca ruscifolia (Fragrant Sweet Box)
Aucuba japonica ‘Variegata’ (Gold Dust Aucuba)
Eucalyptus
Vase
Porcelain Ikebana vase, Georgetown Pottery, Maine. Rectangle Blue Zen (6.75L x 3.75W x 2H inches)
Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting and giving us an opportunity to share flower designs across the world. Visit her to discover what she and others found to place In A Vase On Monday.
pbmGarden 
Love it!
Thanks, I appreciate that. This one has been a struggle.
Love it, too. The pine makes it work.
Thanks. I agree the pine’s texture and form seemed to carry this one.
The movement!!
I envy your strength of character is pulling your arrangements to bits until you know they are just right; I usually only notice all the faults when I am looking at the photographs on the PC! I also ‘need some Ikebana vases to encourage me to create more minimalist arrangements.
That’s exactly what happened Christina–I looked at the first photos and was so unhappy with them I started again on the design. Arrangements are much more forging in person, don’t you think. But the photos will not let imperfections escape–they’re instructive that way but frustrating too.
A very elegant arrangement and I love your Ikebana vase!
Thanks, the vase is one of three I have from that company. All are fun and interesting to work with.
Yes, I too admire how you arrange and rearrange, Susie. I tweak a little to my satisfaction but the imperfections are shown up when I come to write the post and crop the photos which I tend to do later in the day (Sunday) when taking more photos would not be satisfactory. I must try harder to find ikebana vases – on eBay they are invariably in the USA and carry hefty p&p . They are ideal for keeping away from just-plonked vases! Thanks as always for your unique contributions to IAVOM
Thanks Cathy. Yes, it’s easier to analyze the flower design when looking at the pictures, I think, and as you said, then it’s often too late to tweak the arrangement and retake photos. Hope you find some Ikebana vases nearby–you certainly do well finding a variety of other interesting vases.
They must be available in the UK but it’s not often that eBay fails me – I just need to search elsewhere!
Yes, the pine is perfect in this arrangenent. A symphony in green.
Thank you. Wish I’d though of that “symphony in green” as a title today! Much more interesting.
You are an artist, Susie! I love how you step back and re-imagine your floral and foliage materials. That takes patience and visualization skills, both of which I wish I had more of. Has your weather improved any? I heard that the storm that fueled mudslides on this side of the country was feeding a new arctic blast in the east.
Thanks Kris, I sort of had an idea of the design before I started and it never panned out, so I kept fiddling. These designs have grown on me a bit, but I seriously came close to not posting a vase this week. We had several days in the sixties last week but today is only in the thirties. May get snow again Wednesday. That’s officially enough winter for me. I’m longing for spring.
The first photo created a gasp from me Susie – I really love the tall sprig of Eucalyptus with its fragile appearance above the fresh greens below. I imagine everyone sees something different in your creations as they are always so artistic and expressive. Lovely inspiration! 🙂
Thanks for you sweet comment Cathy. I first had the Eucalyptus angling way to the left. In my concept it should have worked out but didn’t, so am glad I tried it in the center–made for a whole new look.
Your restraint is always in inspiration.
Ricki, why do I hold back? Thanks.
The pine, an important element of Japanese gardens sits so nicely in that lovely vase Susie.
Thank you Brian. Funny, I had planned to feature the aucuba but ended up with only a few leaves. Replaced one branch for another.
I like the pine, but the floppiness of the cyclamen really catches my eye as well.
You’ve always got something special!
Thank you. The cyclamen is in its last phase. Had been blooming a while.
Love the container and the mix of foliage types.
Thanks Jason. Had to think outside the box without my usual reliance on flowers. Good exercise but I’m much happier with lots of flowers to choose from.
Love this one, too. That vase lends itself to restraint and you’ve handled it well. That evergreen spray is perfect.
Thanks Linda. It’s lasted for many days.