In A Vase On Monday – Expressly Espresso
Each Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden invites us to share a vase of cuttings from our gardens.
Planted in 2018 Gladiolus ‘Espresso’ is tucked away at the edge of my garden in what I thought would be a much sunnier spot than it turned out to be.
Grown specifically for cutting these flowers have exceeded my expectations. My photographs scarcely convey the color complexity of the flowers. Espresso, chocolate, wine in bud, the open blooms remind me of the translucence of alizarin crimson oil paint. Petals are silken.
In A Vase On Monday – Expressly Espresso
Gladioli spikes can be arranged (trimmed, cut apart, and cajoled), but these are, to use our host Cathy’s phrase, plopped into a drinking glass within the cavernous interior of the container.
Materials
Flowers
Gladiolus ‘Espresso’
Foliage
Vase
Ceramic pot, unknown N.C. artist
The vase itself is richly glazed. Usually its red accent is the darkest red around, but today the gladiolas predominate.
In A Vase On Monday – Expressly Espresso
Here are a couple of images filtered through the Waterlogue app.
In A Vase On Monday – Expressly Espresso
In A Vase On Monday – Expressly Espresso
Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting and giving us an opportunity to share flower-filled vases across the world. Visit her to discover what she and others found to place in a vase this week. Peace to you.
pbmGarden 
I know the purpose is the flowers – but I can’t take my eyes off the wonderful vase!
Thanks Lucy, I believe the container is just as important as the flowers and I don’t often have materials that can fit this pot.
What deep, rich, expressive loveliness. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a flower with that depth of color. Very impressive indeed and a lovely vase to match!
Thank you Cindy! So glad I came across this one. It’s been amazing.
That colour is a real show stopper – I looked up your description and found: alizarin crimson oil paint is “…a poignant bluish red color carefully made from a single earth pigment ground in linseed oil.” Are you a painter? I’m regretting not planting glads this year…
I have one more set of glads opening this week, all white. I used to paint and always think I’ll get back to it, but…
What a superb colour on your gladioli, and the green of the stem and buds a beautiful counter balance. Nice vase too. Love the effect of the Waterlogue app.
Thanks Noelle. I had some other colors of glads I’d planned to use as well but these dark ones just didn’t need any help.
I often think I’d love to paint your arrangements. The Waterloque effect is lushes!!
I love that little Waterlogue app. Playing with it is like a meditation practically. I was looking at your watercolors tray recently on your blog and was thinking i should be painting. You’re welcome to paint one Bev; would appreciate photo credit.
What a gorgeous colour! The app has created an interesting effect too.
Thank you!
How nice they are in an exclusive group, without competing with other flowers. Mixed bouquets are nice, but so many flowers are nice on their own.
Thanks Tony.
What gloriously dark gladioli these are, Susie, and what a perfect vase for them – the Waterlogue app just emphasises this. Lovely all round so thanks for sharing
Thanks Cathy. And thank you for hosting.
It is a pleasure, Susie, thank you
Yes, yes, yes. I grew glads for many years. Maybe I should try again because they are among the best cut flowers. Just lovely!
Thanks. Yes, give them another chance. Very low maintenance.
I always think I will get back to painting, too. You brought the color to life through the descriptions – I want to see these in person now! Beautiful and simple and the vase is perfect. The waterlogue thing is cool. I tried glads last year, the bulbs molded I think.
Sorry, I just realized I hadn’t responded. Thanks for your comment. I hope one day we will both return to painting.
Slashy tropical flower paintings is what I am thinking. Acrylics, though.
Get to it!
You too
Striking color on both the flowers and the vase. Perfect match.
Thanks Judy. The espresso glads are a real match for that vase, color and height. Not many flowers can fit it.
You are a master at growing and displaying glads, Susie. Influenced by you, I planted two varieties of glads this year, one promising lime green and the other purple flowers, I purchased the bulbs late and planted late but they’re on their way. My fingers are crossed.
Thank you 🙏. I tried a green variety one year but they didn’t produce. Too hot and drought didn’t help. I do hope yours do great. Look forward to seeing them.
A very elegant gladioli and the striking vase goes perfectly! 😃
Thanks Cathy. I had some other colors of glads but Espresso seemed to want to go it alone.
I’m a huge fan of the Waterlogue app. Your images are super lovely. And thank you for swinging by the “Ranch.” We 💙 visitors.
Thanks. That app is a lot of fun.
I agree. Fun and creative.
Those gladioli are so striking – even more so in this color.
Gladioli have done great this year. Sometimes it’s so hot by now they just dry up. We’ve sure had rain.
Oh lovely! Dark and sophisticated and a fabulous vase.
Thanks. Enjoying dark colors this year.