In A Vase On Monday – Blue And White
Each Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden invites us to share a vase of materials gathered from our gardens.
In A Vase On Monday – Blue And White
In A Vase On Monday – Blue And White
My father took my sisters and me to my first college basketball game at Duke when I was in about the fourth grade (on a school night. We were two hours away). Later when my older sister became a freshman at UNC, we inevitably switched loyalties and have been following the Tar Heels ever since. Today’s flowers are a tribute to Carolina basketball, marking the epic 81-77 win Saturday in the first NCAA Final Four meeting of Carolina and Duke.
In A Vase On Monday – Blue And White
There’s just something about playing Duke. In 1974 I was in Carmichael in the student section with fantastic seats, mid-court about the 4th row, for the great 17 points in 8 seconds comeback when Walter Davis made his famous shot that sent the game into overtime. If you know what I’m talking about, you know what I’m talking about. If not, back to regular garden programming next week.
In A Vase On Monday – Blue And White
Materials
Flowers
White Cyclamen
White Iberis Sempervirens (Candytuft)
White Leucojum aestivum (Summer snowflake)
Blue and White Muscari (Grape hyacinth)
Blue pansies
Foliage
Container
Porcelain Ikebana vase, Georgetown Pottery, Maine. Rectangle Blue Zen (6.75L x 3.75W x 2H inches)
Thanks to our host Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for encouraging us to share our vases. Visit her to discover what garden surprises she and others are enjoying this week.
pbmGarden 
All the American Team talk was totally over my head, but even if it was about English Teams, that too would also have passed me, as I follow no sport! However your arrangement and flowers have delighted me. Have a good week.
Your delight is appreciated. We’re both enjoying muscari this week I see. Mine had mostly disappeared through the years. Must remember to keep adding more.
I don’t know what you are talking about, but your vase is fabulous!
Thanks! Mixing Carolina basketball and Monday flowers surprises even me, Judy!
I know nothing about basketball either Susie but am wondering whether blue and white are Duke’s colours? A most beautiful and effective arrangement in such a fine choice of vase. Here this weekend it was was the annual college Boat Race on the river Thames between Oxford and Cambridge Universities. Sadly my team Cambridge ( I was born not far away from the city) dressed in their traditional pale blue colours lost to Oxford who wear dark blue.
Thanks Anna! UNC Chapel Hill (Carolina) is light blue (sky blue) and Duke is dark blue. From my mix of grape hyacinth bulbs quite a few are white but not many light blue ones. Despite the disappointing outcome for you, I imagine the Cambridge-Oxford race was exciting.
Oh many thanks for the explanation Suzie. I thought that the blue and white must be related to the team colours. I think that the boat race was exciting but I had a senior moment and forgot to watch it live 🥲
WHOA! COOL! I could really get carried away with commenting on this one, but won’t. I have been bragging about my white grape hyacinth for weeks, and white is my favorite color, so it is getting annoyingly redundant. The blue is nice also, particularly since it shows off the white even better.
I share your enthusiasm for white flowers Tony. So elegant. I don’t think I’ve ever grown white grape hyacinth before this year but they’re a great addition to the garden.
When mine get growing, I will keep them separate from the blue sorts. I think they look neater that way. Actually, the white ones will likely be confined to a white garden for now, and the blue ones will just stay confined wherever they go, since they can migrate.
It was clearly a memorable match, Susie, and one that went down in history – but why Tar Heels…?! What a glorious vase has accompanied your story – the contrast between the white and blue is so clean and distinct and the overall effect is a very icy one that makes your senses tingle…love it!
Thank you Cathy. Yes, it is a bit “icy” with all the blue and white. It was just luck to have some blue and white flowers in bloom to coincide with the game!
Wikipedia lists a few different tales related to the nickname Tar Heels. Originally derogatory, it now refers to the state of North Carolina and also to the University. “The origins of the Tar Heel nickname trace back to North Carolina’s prominence in the mid 18th and 19th centuries as a producer of turpentine, tar, pitch, and other materials from the state’s plentiful pine trees.[1] “Tar Heel” (and a related version, “Rosin Heel”) was often applied to the poor white laborers who worked to produce tar, pitch, and turpentine. The nickname was embraced by North Carolina soldiers during the Civil War and grew in popularity as a nickname for the state and its citizens following the war.[2]”
That’s really interesting – thanks Susie
That is gorgeous. I am not a basketball fan but I understand your delight. I was at UGA when they won the National Football Championship last time. I love the ‘vase’ with the flowers. I do not recall white muscari at all and have enjoyed seeing it this year.
Thanks Amy! Well, I won’t be joining the 30,000 people downtown on Franklin Street if Carolina wins tonight, but it’s hard not to get caught up in the excitement. White Muscari is new to me too and I’m liking it.
College in the South! Nothing like it, I am rooting for Carolina! Hope your Blue Iris blooms next and more Spirea!!!
Thanks Amy! Spirea is done for this year. There is a Carolina blue-colored iris a friend passed along but it didn’t make it here. Should try again!
Bah.. I’m sure there’s more blue and white there!! somewhere..
You did a great job making a big impact with relatively small blooms, Susie. The blue container plays them up too. Although I don’t intentionally track the March Madness series, I’m happy that Carolina’s win makes you happy 😉
Thanks Kris!
Lovely, delicate flowers and pleasing color combination, very pretty!
Thank you Eliza. LIttle spring flowers are such a joy to work with (or “with which to work,” I hear my English teacher say).
Love the shades of blue, and good luck tonight!
Thank you Frank. Carolina had a great run.
I don’t know anything about basketball, but I think it’s great you dedicated this to your favourite team. 😃 Love the Muscari, and the colours are so cool!😉
The basketball diversion is done for another year. UNC had a great run but sadly fell short in a close game Monday night. So back to gardening–the muscari has been so fun to watch in the little vase. Must remember to plant more next year.
I get what you are talking about with the ACC basket ball story line. But, as an NC State alumni I have a different loyalty. GO WOLFPACK! Yes, now back to gardening!😃😃
Lovely arrangement no matter the back story.
Yes, also a good school. We have ties to State also (and love the arboretum). Thanks!
Your vase made my heart sing with spring today…still slow here with little blooming.
Glad to share these Donna. Hope you’ll able able to enjoy your own spring delights very soon
I always enjoy checking our your flowers and your skills at arranging them in beautiful containers. This one, however, for whatever reason just quickens my pulse. It is truly beautiful. Thank you for sharing it with us.