In A Vase On Monday – Purple, Orange, Pod and Bark
I look forward each week to joining Cathy at Rambling In The Garden, along with other garden bloggers from around the globe, in sharing an arrangement every Monday using materials collected from our gardens.
After enjoying an exciting and special time with family during the weekend, I quickly pieced together a simple Ikebana design for today. A few Asclepias plants are still blooming despite very dry conditions in the garden, but pods are forming as well. One seedpod and one flowering stem were the starting point for today’s vase.
I paired the Asclepias with a section of bark from a crape myrtle from the front garden (another storm mishap for those of you who are familiar with the history of my poor trees–this one being a particularly galling incident considering how dry it is still).
Just before photographing the vase I tucked in two sprigs of angelonia to kick up the color impact. Angelonia is a great annual for summer color.
Angelonia (Summer Snapdragon)
Materials
Flowers and Seedpod
Angelonia (Summer snapdragon)
Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Plant)
Bark
Lagerstroemia (Crape Myrtle)
Vase
Porcelain Ikebana vase, Georgetown Pottery, Maine. Triangle Ikebana Blue Wave (6.5 W x 6.5 L x 2H inches)
Walking down the hall toward this vase after I had already finished this post, I noticed the the design is much more engaging from the side, than from head on the way it was designed. More rhythm, more interest. If it were not so late I would be tempted to experiment from this angle, but there is always next week.
In A Vase On Monday – Purple, Orange, Pod and Bark
I will finish with an homage to our little crape myrtle out front. Until I photographed the bark I had not really noticed the little heart. I think it loves me too.
Crape Myrtle Bark
Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting each week, allowing us to share our passion. Visit her to discover what she and others found to place In A Vase On Monday.
pbmGarden 
What a stunning idea to include bark, Susie, it looks great! My crape myrtles are still young and the bark isn’t as attractive yet but we’ll get there. Hope you’re well and happy. Best wishes x
Thanks Annette, nice to hear from you. I collected lots of bark after a storm and will have to ponder what to do with it. Crape myrtle has lovely bark I think.
you can wrap it around glasses to make nice lanterns and pop in a tea light
Thanks for that idea Annette. I’ll definitely try that.
The piece of bark is quite an attractive and interesting addition. It is one I wouldn’t have thought of, but that is why you are the designer and I’m the reader. 🙂
Ha, Judy, the trick is to use what’s in front of you. If a storm hadn’t bent our little crape myrtle down to the ground (again) I wouldn’t have thought of using the bark either!
What a wonderful piece of bark, Susie, which I hope you will keep to enhance future vases too. It is such an understated arrangement today but perfectly so – something you do so well. thank you so much for inspiring us week after week.
Thanks Cathy, you’re always kind and generous with your comments. I do have a stash saved of bark, so it probably will pop up again soon on a Monday near you.
Look forward to seeing its use! In fact, there are some pieces in the garden here that I could preserve for future use before they rot – I used some in a bug hotel recently
Love it! What an incredible colour the Angeliona is. I only came across it this year and bought a white one, thinking they only came in white, then I found a raspberry one. Now I’ve seen the purple I’m going to watch out for other colours.
Isn’t Angelonia great. I had the raspberry one several years ago and haven’t found it since. Glad you have it and are enjoying it.
Oh my, I thought it was lovely in the first shots but the next to last image just blew me away. My hat’s off to you for your ability with ikebana-style arranging. I’ve tried but mine always look awful. What a sweet piece of bark!
You’re very kind Peter. Thanks. Keep trying the Ikebana, but don’t stop what you’re doing with your own style. Always fun to see what you’ve created.
What a unique and interesting addition to your vase, Susie! You’ve become a master at Ikebana. The heart in the bark is incredible too.
Isn’t that a fun little find on the bark? I enjoyed discovering it. Thanks Kris.
I really like this ikebana style vase and the combination of flowers/bark ( – and the bark looks really interesting too. I’ve never tried ikebana vases (and I don’t think I’ve got the right vase either) but I find them very restful to look at. I’ve got pinks in a very summery little vase today. Love bec xx
Thanks Bec. I enjoy using Ikebana vases with built-in floral pins because the designing goes quickly and the arrangements don’t require many stems. Checked out your pinks–lovely.
I can see the pins would really help 🙂
That’s a lovely collection of material…I just love bark, and there is nothing which could be added or removed: perfect, and that vase is just gorgeous.
Thanks Noelle. It feels a bit strange to be turning to bark this time of year, instead of later toward fall/winter, but it was fun to use.
I haven’t seen Angelonia before – it is quite lovely!
Yes, I do recommend Angelonia if you come across it. Great-looking through drought or rain all summer.
That is a funny looking pod. I just planted my first ever asclepias, and do not know what to expect. I will post a picture of it on Saturday. It was not my idea. it was added to one of the small new landscapes.
Hope you’ll like it in the landscape.
You will so not believe this! That same plant is now making small pods! They look weird.