In A Vase On Monday – December Etude
Each Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden invites us to share a vase of cuttings from our gardens.
At mid-December the temperatures are mild again, nearly 70 degrees. In my garden a fall-blooming iris strangely has developed fat buds again, but only camellia sasanquas are flowering.
Camellia sasanqua ‘Yuletide’
Camellia sasanqua ‘Yuletide’ and Daphne odora
Having relied heavily on camellias for vase material for the past many years I am finding them decidedly uninspiring this year. Nevertheless I collected a few Yuletide flowers Sunday morning, but then changing directions I challenged myself to focus on foliage for a vase study this week.
Colorful oak leaves and dogwood buds were the main focus supported by fresh green Winter Daphne form the basis of the design.
In A Vase On Monday – December Etude
In A Vase On Monday – December Etude
With the addition of the red flowers the arrangement took on an offbeat holiday look.
In A Vase On Monday – December Etude
In A Vase On Monday – December Etude
Buds of Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood)
Materials
Flowers
Camellia sasanqua ‘Yuletide’
Foliage
Aquilegia canadensis (Eastern red columbine)
Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood)
Daphne odora (Winter daphne)
Lavandula x intermedia ‘Dutch’ (Dutch Lavender)
Lathyrus latifolius (Everlasting sweet pea)
Quercus (oak)
Verbena bonariensis (Tall Verbena)
Container
Solimene Vietri ceramic bowl
In A Vase On Monday – December Etude
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 surprises she and others found to place in a vase this week.
pbmGarden 
I really like the festive look. The cornus buds and oak are beautiful alone, but the splash of the extra red of the Camellias makes it more a Christmassy arrangement. 😃
Glad you like it Cathy. I will keep replenishing the camellias and use the arrangement for a few weeks.
Love this! The oak leaves are perfect.
My Yuletide has flatly refused to bloom over several years now. I have moved it this autumn. One last chance..
Thanks Jessica. Oh, I do hope your Yuletide perks up. Maybe it heard your warning and will reward you with sweet blooms.
Your Yuletide Camellias are just lovely. 🙂
Thank you Joanne. I’m grateful to have them blooming at this time of year.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful Camellias. 🙂
My pleasure, Judy. Wish I could have success with some other varieties of camellias but this Yuletide is one that has been happy here.
Absolutely beautiful and camellias are one of my favorites. I had no success with Yuletide, but I have other reds that will bloom later.
I’ve tried and tried to get some other camellias to live in my garden but without luck. Be sure to share yours later!
Most elegant and festive, I like the red splash of the oak leaves too, it adds a quirky note. Will the Daphne flowers open in the vase? I’d love to see your camellias in situ – did you show them in a post by any chance and if so can you share the link? Have a good week, Susie x
Hi Annette, I’ll try to get a decent photo of the camellias outside. They’re both used to screen some utilities against the house and very close to the neighbor’s driveway, so they have to be trimmed back and are not allowed to grow into their natural forms. I don’t think the Daphne will open from this stage. There are lots of buds so I’m looking forward to it in another month or so.
Looking forward to that, thank you 🙂
Beautiful as always. Thanks
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Appreciate it Jane! Thanks.
Inspired choices, Susie, very pleasing to the eye. I wonder if the dogwood buds will force into bloom?
I wondered about that too Eliza. I hope so–would be a shame to miss those dogwood flowers and would be so exciting to have them open inside.
Even the foliage on its own looked good, Susie, especially with the distinctive colouring on the oak leaves, but of course the camellias do add the finishing touch – these Yuletide ones have such an attractive flower and certainly tempt me to try again with growing it myself. Thanks for sharing and hope things are still improving for you both
Thanks Cathy. I think a squirrel planted that oak. It is trying to grow up against the side of the house, so I cut it down. Need to take time to dig it out, when I get a minute. We’re doing much better here. Thanks for checking. Still have home health providing PT which is very helpful.
That’s good to hear, Susie – and hope it’s not too arduous to get that oak out, given its position
I love your ‘Yuletide’ Camellia, which I find much more inspiring the my mid-range pink blooms. The oak leaves are a nice touch, as are the dogwood buds. As always, your construction is masterful.
I’ve decided I much prefer the doubles and semi-doubles, especially white or pale pink. I think a squirrel must have planted that oak. It is tiny and I need to get it out right away, meanwhile I just cut the top off. Did have pretty colored leaves but we definitely do not have room for an oak.
What a beautiful arrangement. Yuletide really completes it, it’s a gorgeous camellia. A perfect Christmas vase.
Thank so much. That camellia does live up to its holiday name. It lasted well into January last year so you may see it again!
Is Daphne odora without variegation common? I saw it for the first time only a few years ago, and it remains rare.
My first Daphne was variegated, but since that initial purchase I’ve only been able to find it without variegation at my local garden center. Not sure why.
I’m not sure why they are not available here without variegation.
Love the arrangement with and without the Yuletide. Those dogwood buds are so effective and delightful. Having said that, I don’t think that I could ever grow tired of seeing that camellia!
Thank you! Yuletide seems to be a popular one. Even though I’ve grown tired of it I do appreciate its reliable appearance each year.
That’s a very striking display, especially with the buds and oak leaves. Original!
Thank you Sel.
The tracery of the foliage is just wonderful! Thinking outside the box! I love it and the Yuletide, of course.
Thanks, we’re all looking outside the box this time of year.
I feel like I’m inside the box!