In A Vase On Monday – Flowering Purple
Each Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden invites us to share a vase of materials gathered from our gardens.
It was a banner year for irises and peonies, but now with the garden in a transitional stage, filling a vase today was challenging. Eventually I settled on pansies which will soon be pulled up and the very last of the irises.
In A Vase On Monday – Flowering Purple
In A Vase On Monday – Flowering Purple
Iris ‘Fabian’ was the last iris to bloom. I’ve had this iris since the late 1970s. The flowers are dusky purple and rather small.
In A Vase On Monday – Flowering Purple
In A Vase On Monday – Flowering Purple
In A Vase On Monday – Flowering Purple
In A Vase On Monday – Flowering Purple
Materials
Flowers
Iris ‘Fabian’
Pansy ‘Delta™ Premium Pure Light Blue’ (Viola × wittrockiana)
Pansy ‘Panola® Purple’ (Viola × wittrockiana)
Verbena bonariensis
Foliage
Lavandula x intermedia ‘Dutch’ (Dutch Lavender)
Container
Textured, incised ceramic pedestal vase, rice or bone color. 5×6-inches, with floral pin holder.
In A Vase On Monday – Flowering Purple
In A Vase On Monday – Flowering Purple
Thanks to our host Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for encouraging us to create and share our vases. Visit her to discover what garden surprises she and others are enjoying this week.
pbmGarden 
Your Vase On Monday is always a treat! Thanks, Jane
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Jane, always happy to hear from you. Makes me smile.
I was just wondering where you were! Lovely purples and the bitter end of the pansies. I like Fabian, don’t recall seeing him before.
Well thank you! Honestly almost didn’t think I’d have a vase today. My first attempt (snapdragon, oakleaf hydrangea and penstemon) on Sunday was so frustrating I didn’t want to show it. But after working in the garden all morning on Monday I noticed these irises might work, and I was much happier with them.
Finally, I have some blooms to match yours! I have some purple Iris and Pansies, but I definitely don’t have a container to match that one. Looking good as always.
Just checked out your irises–so lovely! And your bleeding heart! I feel lucky to have a long growing season. You really have to be strategic and pack in a lot in a short time.
A beautiful iris Susie. And I love the way you used Verbena bonariensis. It is not near to flowering here yet. The pansies have lasted well and look sweet and coy at the base of your arrangement – just like pansies should look. 😉
Pansies are such dear little flowers. Mine only have recently started looking good but the heat will catch up with them soon. V. bonariensis opened a few weeks ago here. I’ve already had to cut some back. Have a great week.
Lovely arrangement, Susie. The falls on ‘Fabian’ are wonderful! My bearded iris just started last week, but none are as pretty as this.
Thanks Eliza. Enjoy your time with your irises! This iris is a sentimental favorite in my pass-along garden. I’ve lost many of the original irises that my neighbor gave me years ago–only 2 left.
Fabian is wonderful – I’m so impressed you’ve had it for more than 40 years!
Many pass-alongs came with me when I moved to this garden in 2001. A former neighbor shared a dozen or so different irises about 1977. When I moved I brought about 5 different ones and now only three are left. trying to keep them going.
It’s a very pretty arrangement, Susie. It brings to mind a miniature spring border. The Iris reminds me of one that grows on my back slope. Coincidentally, I checked it for flowers this week only to find that it was already mostly spent.
Sorry you missed the iris at its best. This one is the late one in my garden, but you’re ahead of us. (although we’re getting very competitive with the heat and tiny amounts of rain). Last night we had the first good downpour in a while.
A lovely way to compliment and display your ‘Fabian’ iris, Susie. I love the striped tongue on that flower. I notice your arrangements often have a Japanese style to them – have you studied Ikebana?
Thank you Horticat! I haven’t the discipline to approach it seriously but I do admire Ikebana and have a few books. The vase is a recent acquisition and it has inspired me.
I agree with Jane: your vases are ALWAYS a treat. Although it is arranged it has a very natural feel to it. You can see how much thought has gone into it. That iris is a true show stopper.
Hi Annette, I’m so fond of that iris because it came from a special neighbor years ago. I appreciate your generous comments and am glad we can share our flowers each Monday. Have a great week.
It is really special when a plant stays with you for years. The house my parents bought in the late 50s came with yellow flag irises that are still growing today.
What a treasure those yellow flags are. Sweet memories I’m sure.
My family just sent me photos of them and they are doing well.
Aren’t the markings on the Iris mesmerising? I like the arrangement and also the piece of furniture you use to display the arrangement on.
Thanks Noelle. The patterns on iris are amazing, yes. I just love them.
Iris are not easy cut flowers. They wilt so fast. Dutch iris are popular cut flowers, so obviously last a good long time. The native iris wilt almost immeidately!
So true. With bearded iris you have to enjoy them quickly.
How strange – the presence of the irises is really subdued by the inclusion of the verbena and pansies, which complement their streaked purple falls and pull everything together into a cohesive whole…sorry, I don’t mean strange, because it is a skill that you have and something you do so well! Always… 👍😊
Oh, thanks so much. I almost didn’t get a vase in this week because the first one (with totally different flowers turned) out so disappointing. The iris is subtle but captivating.
Oh a most attractive display as always Suzie! I’m entranced by the intricate markings on iris ‘Fabian’ and I’m sure that if it was in my garden I could sit and gaze upon the flowers for an absolute age 😂
Thanks Anna. Found one more this morning. Sigh. That’s iris season here for another year.
My favourite colours! 🙂 Fabian is definitely a beauty, but I am fascinated that that small sprig of lavender seems to pull the whole thing together so well.
Thank you. Lavender is handy to use in arrangements and of course, smells nice too.
Such a delicate display of elegance!
Thank you!