In A Vase On Monday – A Basket Of Pink
Each Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden invites us to share a vase of materials gathered from our gardens.
The hydrangeas are more beautiful than in past years, despite some late cold snaps in early spring. I planned a simple vase, but this one went off on its own. Finding a container was a major challenge. After testing out a number of vases I settled on a basket I made some years ago. A few fresh lilies along with recycled ones from last week’s vase.
In A Vase On Monday – A Basket Of Pink
In A Vase On Monday – A Basket Of Pink
In A Vase On Monday – A Basket Of Pink
Materials
Flowers
Centaurea cyanus ‘Blue Diadem’ (Bachelor’s Buttons)
Cleome hassleriana (Spider Flower)
Gaura lindheimeri ‘Passionate Blush’ (Butterfly Gaura)
Hydrangea macrophylla
Lilium ‘Black Out’ (Asiatic lily)
Verbena bonariensis (Tall Verbena)
Foliage
Container
Handmade potato basket.
In A Vase On Monday – A Basket Of Pink
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 
While I wouldn’t have imagined combining the red lilies with the pink hydrangea, the subtle addition of the Gaura stems bridges the gap for me and turns your arrangement into something special. The lilies look like a ribbon on a beautiful package.
I was particularly uninspired this week for a vase even though there are plenty of flowers at the moment. The pink cloths were added last minute to hide the plastic container holding the stems! A bit of hodge-podge.
Using a basket like this is a great way of getting round the absence of the ‘perfect’ vase – I ought to remind myself about this as I have all sorts of containers that could double up as a vase, with a suitable insert. The hydrangea is a pretty shade of pink and makes a good focal point – and I love the pink gaura! ps what is a ‘potato basket’?
Here’s a link to making a potato basket Cathy. Look at the last two photos. It is supposed to be strong and functional, the handles make it easy to carry the basket when loaded up. I like the hydrangea but honestly this didn’t go as planned. I need to get back to simplicity!
No link…? So it is for carrying potatoes, cooked or uncooked? I wondered if it might to to do with the shape…
oops! Here you go! How to Make an Appalachian Potato Basket – Wolf Camp
Uncooked!
The lilies are looking good and I like that pop of blue.
Thanks. Those little blue flowers have been so much fun this year.
Wow, gorgeous confection, Susie. It looks good enough to eat! 🙂
Thank you Eliza. The hydrangeas have been so pretty this year
That just looks like the most luscious strawberry dessert. It almost make me hungry!
Nice work, as always!
Best, Bev
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Thanks Bev, nice to hear from you. Now I’m imagining strawberry desserts!
I agree that your arrangement this week looks like a delicious extravagant dessert, Susie! It’s a beauty 🙂
Whenever I’ve picked hydrangeas early in the season, they always wilt, even if picked early in the day. It’s only once they have aged a bit that they hold up for me in an arrangement. Have you any tips?
Thanks Horticat. I was surprised myself the hydrangeas held up so well (they’re still doing great). Often my experience with them has been similar to yours. I cut the flowers a day early and let them condition overnight in cool water.
Another beautiful and dramatic lily surrounded by pink, and it works beautifully. I especially love gaura and how it springs up int he vase. Beautiful pink fabric to compliment the whole thing. I learn so much from you. I wished I lived closer so I could maybe coax you to teach me some basics about flower arranging.
Thanks Donna. Wow, wouldn’t that be fun to practice our flower arranging together!
I love this vase Susie. 😃 Combining the hydrangea flowers with the lilies was very daring, but the Gaura ties them in with each other and the cornflower is spot on! Well done again! 👍
I’m so glad you like it Cathy. It’s a bit fussier than what I usually do (at least, I think so) but it worked ok. Gaura always flops in my garden so I was trying to salvage some that had drooped.
Is the single blue bachelor button a theme for this week? The Shrub Queen had a single sprig of rosemary among green flowers and dark foliage.
Coincidence but a good one.
That is a gorgeous display. Love how the deep color of the lilies sets off the Hydrangeas.
Thank you Linda! I tried the lily-hydrangea combo on a whim and it worked out ok. Always fun to try.