Author Archives: pbmgarden

About pbmgarden

Contemplating plants. Reforming my garden. Savoring peaceful moments. pbmgarden.blog

In A Vase On Monday – Lightly Scented Yellow

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In A Vase On Monday – Lightly Scented Yellow

Every Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden encourages us to share a vase with materials gathered from our gardens.

In A Vase On Monday – Lightly Scented Yellow

‘King Alfred’ daffodils continue to open around the garden. I grabbed a few minutes this afternoon to pluck a couple handfuls and place them in an earth-toned ceramic container. I bought the vase one spring day many years ago at an Apple Chill Festival on downtown Chapel Hill’s Franklin Street. I scanned back through pictures and I believe the last time I used it for a Monday vase was 2015.

In A Vase On Monday – Lightly Scented Yellow

Narcissus ‘King Alfred’

One non-Alfred with pale yellow petals made its way into the vase as well, it’s name long forgotten.

In A Vase On Monday – Lightly Scented Yellow

In A Vase On Monday – Lightly Scented Yellow

In A Vase On Monday – Lightly Scented Yellow

Materials
Flowers
Narcissus ‘King Alfred’
Narcissus sp.
Foliage
Gardenia jasminoides
Camellia sasanqua ‘Yuletide’
Lavandula (Lavender)
Container
Glazed ceramic pot

The daffodils are nicely scented and it’s hard to overstate how cheerful they are. Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting each week. Visit her blog to see her hellebores and check out others’ vases from many parts of the world.

Wordless Wednesday – Early Risers

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Leucojum aestivum (summer snowflake)

Leucojum aestivum (summer snowflake)

Helleborus x hybridus

Helleborus x hybridus

Helleborus x hybridus

Helleborus x hybridus

Helleborus x hybridus

Helleborus x hybridus

American robins arrived with flock of Red-winged Blackbirds over the weekend. Blackbirds can be heard in background in the video.

Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)

Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)

Hyacinth Orientalis ‘Shades of Blue’

Hyacinth Orientalis ‘Shades of Blue’

Iberis sempervirens (Candytuft)

Iris Reticulata ‘Harmony’

Muscari (Grape Hyacinth)

Viola

In A Vase On Monday – First Daffodils

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In A Vase On Monday – First Daffodils

Every Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden encourages us to share a vase with materials gathered from our gardens.

Late in the day I plucked a handful of flowers, a joyful signaling of the awakening garden.

In A Vase On Monday – First Daffodils

Daffodils began opening last Thursday followed by a few more each day. First were Narcissus ‘King Alfred,’ tall trumpets and quite fragrant.

Narcissus ‘King Alfred’

Suddenly today a little patch of N. ‘Tete-a-Tete’ were in full bloom along with a medium size one whose name I’ve lost.

Narcissus ‘Tete-a-Tete’

In A Vase On Monday – First Daffodils (no name)

Materials
Flowers
Narcissus ‘King Alfred’
Narcissus ‘Tete-a-Tete’ (Tete-a-Tete Daffodil)
Foliage
None
Container
Glazed ceramic and small glass cylinder vases

Hope you all have a great week.  Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting each week.

In A Vase On Monday – Colors of February

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In A Vase On Monday – Colors of February

Every Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden encourages us to share a vase with materials gathered from our gardens.

In A Vase On Monday – Colors of February

Our new year has continued to bring medical challenges with two recent hospital stays. It was nice to get my husband home last week and nice to find two Hippeastrums in bloom to greet us. What a welcome sight. A holiday gift from my sister Cindy, Hippeastrum ‘Cherry Blossom’ is just gorgeous. It has a second stalk beginning to open so it was an easy choice to cut this one for today’s vase.

Hippeastrum ‘Cherry Blossom’

My sister-in-law Melanie, visiting this week from out-of-state, arrived at our doorstep with a colorful bouquet of roses in pink, coral and lavender.  With the addition of the special roses today’s arrangement feels suitable for an early Valentine’s Day celebration.

In A Vase On Monday – Colors of February

In A Vase On Monday – Colors of February

Materials
Flowers
Hippeastrum ‘Cherry Blossom’ (Amaryllis)
Roses (gift from Sister-in-law)
Foliage
Hippeastrum
Container
Textured, incised ceramic pedestal vase, rice or bone color. 5×6-inches, with floral pin holder.

Hope you all have a great week.  Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting each week.

 

In A Vase On Monday – January Boost

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In A Vase On Monday – January Boost

Every Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden encourages us to share a vase with materials gathered from our gardens. January has been a dreary, gray month, so watching four large flowers on this velvety red Amaryllis ‘Miracle’ open and bloom across the past couple weeks has been a big mood booster.

Hippeastrum ‘Miracle’

Just as the first flower to open was beginning to fade, the last one on the stalk opened fully. I hesitated to cut the amaryllis in case it might not last well, but the bulb has one more tall stalk with a promising bud.

Hippeastrum ‘Miracle’

Hellebores previously have appeared in the garden before Christmas on occasion. This year they feel late but a couple finally put in an appearance yesterday and I tucked them into the base of this arrangement.

Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten rose)

Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten rose)

Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten rose)

I began with a variety of foliage but ended up removing all but a couple stems of gardenia leaves. I made a quick half-hearted search for an interesting branch to use, but it proved to be oversized and only a fragment was useful in the end. Proportions seem all out of whack. The amaryllis stem could be shortened several inches to help it relate better to the vase, but for today I’m content to let it be.

In A Vase On Monday – January Boost

Materials
Flowers
Hippeastrum ‘Miracle’ (Amaryllis)
Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten rose)
Foliage
Cercis canadensis (Eastern Redbud)
Gardenia
Container
Textured, incised ceramic pedestal vase, rice or bone color. 5×6-inches, with floral pin holder.

The garden cleanup will start this week, forced by the loss of the last remaining ‘Carolina Sapphire’ (Arizona Cypress). A big wind storm two weeks ago brought it down and if one needs to look for a silver lining, the tree is resting gently, having avoided the fence! We have had five or so of these cypresses at a time at the corners of the back fence, having replanted them at least one other time. They have been short-lived.

Storm damage ‘Carolina Sapphire’ (Arizona Cypress)

It has been such a long time since the garden has had a nice mix of trees and shrubs enough to create interesting long views. I’m sure in July 2013 I was complaining about the bare patch in the right foreground where I had been digging out asters that had taken over some irises, but I long for this view now.  The right corner, where the tree that recently fell had stood, was empty that year as well, but on the left corner two of the tree’s ancestors were thriving.

Garden View – July 2, 2013

 

I haven’t yet bought seeds or bulbs or dahlias this year but I have started dreaming. Hope you all have a great week.  Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting each week.

 

In A Vase On Monday – Miracle

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In A Vase On Monday – Miracle

Every Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden encourages us to share a vase with materials gathered from our gardens. Today is Tuesday and although I passed by this lovely Amaryllis ‘Miracle’ many times on Monday I had scarcely a moment except to glance at it appreciatively and send a mental thank you to our thoughtful niece for the selection.

In A Vase On Monday – Miracle

Described as a resplendent Symphony variety, deep cardinal-red with a velvety sheen, and one of the best, large, solid red varieties for holiday display, this sturdy-stemmed amaryllis began opening last week and arrived to this stage over the weekend.

In A Vase On Monday – Miracle

Happy to be home again, we have been away dealing with health-related woes the past few days, so the miracle used in the title (besides the flower’s name) is that I am finding time to post. Taking time, I should say, to let flowers, photography and reconnecting with gardening friends, perform the miracle of nourishment and rejuvenation.

In A Vase On Monday – Miracle

Materials
Flowers
Hippeastrum ‘Miracle’ (Amaryllis)
Foliage
Various houseplants (Philodendron, orchid, anthurium, Dracaena deremensis warneckii ‘Lemon Lime’)
Container
Handwoven basket

Hope you all have a great week.  We look forward to an uneventful one. Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting each week.

 

In A Vase On Monday – Accents Of Silvery-Green

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Every Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden encourages us to share a vase with materials gathered from our gardens.

This Monday after Christmas Saint Nicholas sits atop the mantel. A gift from a neighbor, the silvery green epiphyte-bearing Christmas spirit joins a similarly-colored, small hydrangea cluster left in place since summer.

Materials
Flowers
Hydrangea macrophylla
Foliage
Tillandsia spp. (Air plant)
Container
Ceramics

We had a delightful Christmas weekend spent with family. Good wishes to everyone this holiday season. Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting each week.

In A Vase On Monday – Accents Of Silvery-Green

 

Merry Christmas!

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Hemerocallis (Daylily)

We’re planning a Merry Christmas at our home this weekend with two of my sisters not only joining us, but bringing Christmas Dinner with all the trimmings. The garden will be at the mercy of 11°F or 9°F, depending who you ask.

Sending you Season’s Greetings and Best Wishes for Courage, Resilience and Peace!

In A Vase On Monday – December Amaryllis

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Every Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden encourages us to share a vase with materials gathered from our gardens.

In A Vase On Monday – December Amaryllis


In A Vase On Monday – December Amaryllis

I haven’t had a chance to participate the past few weeks, but I’m back today sharing a just-emerging amaryllis. The bulb was a gift several weeks ago from a friend. It’s been so fun to watch it spring into action. This one opened just in time for joining in today. 

In A Vase On Monday – December Amaryllis


In A Vase On Monday – December Amaryllis


In A Vase On Monday – December Amaryllis

Materials
Flowers
Amaryllis
Foliage
Mixed greenery
Container
Chalice Vase

Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting each week.

In A Vase On Monday – A Posy For Nine

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In A Vase On Monday – A Posy For Nine

In A Vase On Monday turns nine today! Every Monday for the past nine years Cathy at Rambling In The Garden has shared a vase highlighting blooms and foliage from her garden and she has encouraged other garden bloggers to join her. I’ve joined with her 452 weeks.

In A Vase On Monday – A Posy For Nine

Yesterday Cathy hosted contributors from around the world to meet each other on Zoom. I was excited to meet with this dedicated group of gardeners. By now we are like old friends really and it was very special to be able to connect gardens and names with faces and voices.

Last week Cathy posed an anniversary challenge to create a hand-held posy. We shared our posies with each other yesterday during our get-together.

In A Vase On Monday – A Posy For Nine

My posy was created during a hurried wandering through the garden. Consisting of zinnias, cerinthe for foliage, angelonia for filler, two white semi-cactus dahlias and fragrant ginger lily added in back at the last moment, the bouquet is a colorful achievement for so late in the year.

In A Vase On Monday – A Posy For Nine

In A Vase On Monday – A Posy For Nine

In A Vase On Monday – A Posy For Nine

Materials
Flowers
Angelonia ’Serena Blue’
Button Chrysanthemum
Dahlia ‘Tsuki Yori No Shisha’ (Semi-cactus)
Leucanthemum x superbum (Shasta Daisy)
Hydrangea macrophylla
Verbena bonariensis (Tall Verbena)
Zinnia ‘Cactus Flowered Mix’
Zinnia ‘Cut & Come Again’
Foliage
‘Pride of Gibraltar’ Hummingbird Cerinthe
Gaura lindheimeri ‘Passionate Blush’ (Butterfly Gaura)
Hedychium coronarium (Ginger lily)
Hippeastrum (Amaryllis)
Container
Glazed ceramic vase

In A Vase On Monday – A Posy For Nine

Happy Anniversary to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden and thanks to all Monday vase aficionados, arrangers and readers.

In A Vase On Monday – Savory And Tang

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In A Vase On Monday – Savory And Tang

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 – Savory And Tang

In A Vase On Monday – Savory And Tang

Temperatures Saturday and Sunday were around 80 F°, a lovely weekend. White, semi-cactus type Dahlia ‘Tsuki Yori No Shisha’ produced several nice blooms this week and I found one pinkish D. ‘Great Silence.’ There are still a few buds on the plants. Skippers and bees are finding their way to the few zinnias scattered through the beds. I was excited to notice a couple of hydrangeas that still have some nice color. Most flower heads turned brown long ago.

In A Vase On Monday – Savory And Tang

In A Vase On Monday – Savory And Tang

In A Vase On Monday – Savory And Tang

Materials
Flowers
Button Chrysanthemum
Dahlia ‘Great Silence’
Dahlia ‘Tsuki Yori No Shisha’ (Semi-cactus)
Echinacea ‘Sombrero Flamenco Orange’
Hydrangea macrophylla
Zinnia ‘Cactus Flowered Mix’
Zinnia ‘Cut & Come Again’
Zinnia ‘Senora’
Foliage
Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’ (Wormwood)
Gaura lindheimeri ‘Passionate Blush’ (Butterfly Gaura)
Lavandula angustifolia ‘Ellagance’ (Ellagance Lavender)
Salvia uliginosa ‘Blue Sky’ (Bog sage)
Thuja occidentalis ‘Emerald’ (Arborvitae)
Container
Textured, incised ceramic pedestal vase, rice or bone color. 5×6-inches.

In A Vase On Monday – Savory And Tang

In A Vase On Monday – Savory And Tang

As always thanks to our host Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for providing this opportunity to to share our vases. Visit her to discover what garden surprises she and others are offering this week.

Charms Of Early November

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Except for a few quick vases I haven’t posted much the past several months. Suddenly it is November. Autumn has been dry and mild. Camellias are on center stage with Camellia sasanqua ‘Hana-Jiman’ providing the finest display of its 20 years or so.

Camellia sasanqua ‘Hana-Jiman’

Camellia sasanqua ‘Hana-Jiman’

Camellia sasanqua ‘Hana-Jiman’

Camellia sasanqua ‘Hana-Jiman’

The camellia faces the street and sits between the corner of our house and the neighbor’s driveway. Further down the row is red C. ‘Yuletide’ just starting to flower, and a row of gardenias. Usually by now cold would have damaged the open flowers, although the buds would continue to open. This year with no frost yet most of the flowers that have opened are still looking pristine.

Camellia sasanqua ‘Hana-Jiman’

Camellia sasanqua ‘Hana-Jiman’

Camellia sasanqua ‘Hana-Jiman’

Camellia sasanqua ‘Hana-Jiman’

Camellia sasanqua ‘Hana-Jiman’

Camellia sasanqua ‘Yuletide’

Two very different passalong chrysanthemums are blooming well also this year.

Chrysanthemum ‘Sheffield Pink’

Chrysanthemum ‘Sheffield Pink’

Chrysanthemum ‘Sheffield Pink’

Button Chrysanthemum (passalong)

I’m always delighted to see flowers but irises in fall feel rather out of place. This yellow one has flowered for over a week. A purple one opened even earlier and there are a few more stalks with buds.

Iris (passalong rebloomer)

Hedychium coronarium (Ginger lily)

Hedychium coronarium (Ginger lily)

Hedychium coronarium (Ginger lily)

Perhaps I will get around to writing a review of butterflies in the garden this summer.  There were not many compared to last year but a highlight for the past month were daily sightings of Cloudless Sulphurs.

Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae)

Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae)

Sunday we’ll be returning to Eastern Time here in North Carolina. Have a happy weekend!

In A Vase On Monday – Autumn Dahlias

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In A Vase On Monday – Autumn Dahlias

Each Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden invites us to share a vase of materials gathered from our gardens.

Several late-season dahlia surprises guided the direction of today’s vase. Last week I had written off ever seeing Dahlia ‘Fairway Spur,’ but it turned out to be a true “late bloomer.” Over the weekend a single flower, one large peachy specimen emerged on an elegantly long stem which I stubbornly refused to cut, making the vase a little top-heavy I realize in retrospect.

Dahlia ‘Fairway Spur’ (Dinnerplate)

Dahlia ‘Fairway Spur’ (Dinnerplate)

Another dinnerplate, Dahlia ‘Cafe Au Lait’, had bloomed earlier but I thought it had died back completely in the drought of summer. Then yesterday I discovered one stem in its best iconic coffee-colored form.

Dahlia ‘Cafe Au Lait’

Semi-cactus type Dahlia ‘Tsuki Yori No Shisha’ seems to take all summer to get going. Its autumn blooms are usually larger, better formed (and with fewer pests) and this year is continuing that trend.

Dahlia ‘Tsuki Yori No Shisha’ (Semi-cactus)

Dahlia ‘Tsuki Yori No Shisha’ (Semi-cactus)

There was a good variety of foliage to explore this week including gaura with a slight tinge of red and itea leaves with their unmistakeable redness.

In A Vase On Monday – Autumn Dahlias

In A Vase On Monday – Autumn Dahlias

Materials
Flowers
Button Chrysanthemum
Dahlia ‘Cafe Au Lait’ (Dinnerplate)
Dahlia ‘David Howard’ (Decorative)
Dahlia ‘Fairway Spur’ (Dinnerplate)
Dahlia ‘Noordwijks Glorie’ (Decorative)
Dahlia ‘Petra’s Wedding’ (Ball dahlia)
Dahlia ‘Tsuki Yori No Shisha’ (Semi-cactus)
Zinnia ‘Cactus Flowered Mix’
Zinnia ‘Cut & Come Again’
Zinnia ‘Senora’
Foliage
Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’ (Wormwood)
‘Pride of Gibraltar’ Hummingbird Cerinthe
Gardenia jasminoides
Gaura lindheimeri ‘Passionate Blush’ (Butterfly Gaura)
Itea virginica ‘Sprich’ LITTLE HENRY (Virginia sweetspire)
Spirea
Container
Black metal suiban. 4 x 9.5 x 6.5 inches. Japan.

Thank you for your continued good wishes for my husband’s health. It’s not a straight path but he is doing better. The garden has carried on since mid-August on its own, literally no rain since Hurricane Ian brought a small amount here at the end of September.

A college friend brought a wonderful gift on Friday—dark and light purple, white and apricot pansies which I actually got planted the same day and watered. The earth in the meditation circle was so dry I couldn’t plant them along the paths as I’d planned. Instead I placed them around the dahlias which will soon be dying back.

In A Vase On Monday – Autumn Dahlias

As always thanks to our host Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for providing this opportunity to to share our vases. Visit her to discover what garden surprises she and others are offering this week.

In A Vase On Monday – A Mixed Floral

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In A Vase On Monday – A Mixed Floral

Each Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden invites us to share a vase of materials gathered from our gardens.

Last week portions of the garden squeaked by without cold damage as temperatures danced around freezing for a few days. Late into October some dahlias are finally starting to produce reasonably-sized flowers and there are a good number of buds. How nice it would be to see them thrive a few more weeks.

After a poor season some zinnias too have rallied recently. Today’s vase began as all zinnias. Somehow it ended up a mixed floral.

In A Vase On Monday – A Mixed Floral

In A Vase On Monday – A Mixed Floral

The colors might be viewed as autumnal, but commenting a couple weeks ago Chris at Country Gardening described several of these dahlias as almost tropical. Since then I see these hues as mango, papaya and other exotic fruits rather than as fall tones.

In A Vase On Monday – A Mixed Floral

In A Vase On Monday – A Mixed Floral

In A Vase On Monday – A Mixed Floral

Materials
Flowers
Dahlia sp. (unknown)
Dahlia ‘Great Silence’ (Decorative dahlia)
Dahlia ‘HS Date’ (Single)
Dahlia ‘Noordwijks Glorie’ (Decorative dahlia)
Dahlia ‘Petra’s Wedding’ (Ball dahlia)
Echinacea ‘Sombrero Flamenco Orange’
Tagetes ‘Durango Red’ (Durango Red French Marigold)
Zinnia ‘Cut & Come Again’
Zinnia ‘Senora’
Foliage
Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’ (Wormwood)
Gardenia jasminoides
Container
Red/black raku vase, Charles Chrisco, Chrisco’s Pottery—Seagrove Potters
[version 2: Ceramic Urn Stamped “Vintage 4”]

The flowers are arranged into a small plastic dish which gave me a chance to try out several vases but I didn’t find a perfect container today, but this was less heavy and fit the shape of the design well.

In A Vase On Monday – A Mixed Floral

As always thanks to our host Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for providing this opportunity to to share our vases. Visit her to discover what garden surprises she and others are offering this week.

In A Vase On Monday – Moment Of Calm

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In A Vase On Monday – Moment Of Calm

Each Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden invites us to share a vase of materials gathered from our gardens.

Time is precious. Dahlias continue to delight.

In A Vase On Monday – Moment Of Calm

In A Vase On Monday – Moment Of Calm

In A Vase On Monday – Moment Of Calm

In A Vase On Monday – Moment Of Calm

In A Vase On Monday – Moment Of Calm

In A Vase On Monday – Moment Of Calm

Materials
Flowers
Dahlia ‘Great Silence’ (Decorative dahlia)
Dahlia ‘Petra’s Wedding’ (Ball dahlia)
Dahlia ‘Tsuki Yori No Shisha’ (Semi-cactus dahlia)
Zinnia ‘Cut & Come Again’
Foliage
Gladiolus
Container
Dark blue matte ceramic jar (by NC potter Julie A. Hunkins, c. 2000)

My husband is back home and bouncing back after another brief hospital stay. The garden carries on. Bracing weather is forecast this week but will hover just above freezing.

As always thanks to our host Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for providing this opportunity to to share our vases. Visit her to discover what garden surprises she and others are offering this week.

In A Vase On Monday – Vintage Floral

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In A Vase On Monday – Vintage Floral

Each Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden invites us to share a vase of materials gathered from our gardens.

Dahlias and zinnias sustain color in my October garden.

In A Vase On Monday – Vintage Floral

I planted a few new dahlias this year in search of varying shapes and  colors. Knowing their season is ending it was all I could do to resist stuffing today’s vase with more flowers, but with discipline I nearly managed a golden and apricot palette.

In A Vase On Monday – Vintage Floral

Behind the dahlias colorful dogwoods leaves are visible in the upper left with bits of dark red Sedum ‘Thunderhead’ to the right.

Dahlia ‘Art Deco’, ‘Noordwijks Glorie’ and Dahlia ‘HS Date’

Dahlia ‘Noordwijks Glorie’

Dahlia ‘Noordwijks Glorie’

Dahlia ‘HS Date’

Echinacea ‘Sombrero Flamenco Orange’ got off to a slow start, nibbled by rabbits, and has had only a few blooms. If it makes it to next year I’m expecting a grander show.

Echinacea ‘Sombrero Flamenco Orange’

Materials
Flowers
Dahlia ‘Art Deco’
Dahlia ‘HS Date’
Dahlia ‘Noordwijks Glorie’
Dahlia ‘Tsuki Yori No Shisha’
Gardenia jasminoides
Sedum ‘Thunderhead’
Zinnia ‘Cactus Flowered Mix’
Foliage
Button Chrysanthemum
Cornus florida (flowering dogwood)
Gardenia jasminoides
Container
Ceramic Urn Stamped “Vintage 4”

In A Vase On Monday – Vintage Floral

In A Vase On Monday – Vintage Floral

The blooms are arranged into eco-friendly floral foam that has been inserted in a flat plastic Lomey dish. They sit atop a glazed pedestal vase enigmatically stamped “Vintage 4.” The traditional design style and the nostalgic flowers reflect a vintage quality.

In A Vase On Monday – Vintage Floral

Thanks to our host Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for providing this opportunity to to share our vases. Visit her to discover what garden delights she and others are offering this week.

In A Vase On Monday – Dahlia Blend

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In A Vase On Monday – Dahlia Blend

Each Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden invites us to share a vase of materials gathered from our gardens.

We had some wind gusts from Hurricane Ian, but mostly steady rain fell which the garden absorbed readily. Today’s vase is a blending of all the dahlias I cut ahead of the storm.

In A Vase On Monday – Dahlia Blend

In A Vase On Monday – Dahlia Blend

In A Vase On Monday – Dahlia Blend

In A Vase On Monday – Dahlia Blend

Materials
Flowers
Dahlia sp. (No ID)
Dahlia ‘Art Deco’
Dahlia ‘Great Silence’
Dahlia ‘HS Date’
Dahlia ‘Noordwijks Glorie’
Dahlia ‘Tsuki Yori No Shisha’
Zinnia ‘Cut & Come Again’
Foliage
Gardenia jasminoides
Container
Black metal suiban. 4 x 9.5 x 6.5 inches. Japan.

In the first iteration the vase held all flowers because I just hadn’t collected any greenery. Stems of gardenia foliage completed the design by adding more dimensionality and contrast.

In A Vase On Monday – Dahlia Blend

In A Vase On Monday – Dahlia Blend

As always thanks to our host Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for providing this opportunity to to share our vases. Visit her to discover what garden delights she and others are offering this week.

In A Vase On Monday – Great Silence

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In A Vase On Monday – Great Silence

Each Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden invites us to share a vase of materials gathered from our gardens.

I managed a quick assemblage for today from among the very few flowers not beaten down by the dry weather. The featured dahlia is my favorite this year, D. ‘Great Silence.’

In A Vase On Monday – Great Silence

In A Vase On Monday – Great Silence

In A Vase On Monday – Great Silence

The color of this zinnia makes me smile. It’s from a second sowing that proved to be a good idea. My neighbor Eileen gave me some ferns from her garden last week, so I’ve included some for textural accent along with glossy gardenia foliage and feathery, silvery artemisia.

In A Vase On Monday – Great Silence

In A Vase On Monday – Great Silence

Materials
Flowers
Dahlia ‘Great Silence’ (Decorative dahlia)
Zinnia ‘Cut & Come Again’
Foliage
Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’ (Wormwood)
Fern (noID)
Gardenia jasminoides
Container
Textured, incised ceramic pedestal vase, rice or bone color. 5×6-inches.

As my husband continues to recuperate at home, we’re grateful for caregivers coming in to work with him to get stronger. I appreciate your many kind wishes and look forward to catching up with your garden posts again eventually.

As always thanks to our host Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for providing this opportunity to to share our vases. Visit her to discover what garden surprises she and others are offering this week.

In A Vase On Monday – Ikebana With Spider Lily

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In A Vase On Monday – Ikebana With Spider Lily

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 – Ikebana With Spider Lily

We’re still in the throes of health issues but finally back home. A quick skip around the garden today yielded some nice flowers but I had only a few minutes to arrange them. I knew I wanted a tower of spider lilies and the other flowers fell in line.

Lycoris (Spider Lily)

In A Vase On Monday – Ikebana With Spider Lily

Materials
Flowers
Angelonia ’Serena Blue’
Angelonia ’Serena Purple’
Dahlia Decorative ‘Great Silence’
Lycoris (Spider Lily)
Zinnia
Foliage
Container
Black metal suiban. 4 x 9.5 x 6.5 inches. Japan.

Dahlia ‘Great Silence’ (Decorative dahlia)

Dahlia ‘Great Silence’ (Decorative dahlia)

As always thanks to our host Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for providing this opportunity to to share our vases. Visit her to discover what garden surprises she and others are offering this week.

A Week Into September

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Spider Lily (Lycoris)

Out of the hospital, my husband is in a rehab facility to restore his mobility and strength. I’m happy to see improvement and am so very touched by your many kind well wishes for us. Our daughter’s recent visit was good medicine.

September is moving along at a fast clip. I have taken only a brief few minutes most days to pass through the garden. There are several standouts I wanted to share.

More Spider lilies opened and I can’t get enough. I’m fascinated by these flowers steeped in my childhood.

Spider Lily (Lycoris)

Spider Lily (Lycoris)

Planted last year this Sedum ‘Thunderhead’ slept through its first season, but this year it has done well. It began waking up in July and finally is in bloom.

Sedum ‘Thunderhead’ July 25, 2022

Sedum ‘Thunderhead’ August 28, 2022

Sedum ‘Thunderhead’ Sept 5, 2022

Sedum ‘Thunderhead’ Sept 7, 2022

Sedum ‘Thunderhead’ Sept 7, 2022

Finally, the dahlias are holding on. Two new ones this year are particularly fetching and have managed to charm me into dreaming about ordering more dahlias next year.

Dahlia ‘HS Date’ (Single)

Dahlia ‘HS Date’ (Single)

Dahlia ‘Great Silence’ (Decorative dahlia)

Dahlia ‘Great Silence’ (Decorative dahlia) with Sedum ‘Thunderhead’ in background

Dahlia ‘Great Silence’ (Decorative dahlia)

Dahlia ‘Great Silence’ (Decorative dahlia)

In A Vase On Monday – Respite

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Each Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden invites us to share a vase of materials gathered from our gardens.

I’ve been away from the garden dealing with family health care issues so when I had a chance to wander through one day recently I collected flowers for a vase, of course.

The gatherings of dahlias and zinnias spilled over into several vases—a few minutes of floral meditation and respite. Taking time. Sometimes it’s the hardest thing to do.

Thanks to our host Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for providing this opportunity to to share our vases. Visit her to discover what garden surprises she and others are offering this week.

Garden Journal August 6 – 11, 2022

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I recorded 23 butterflies this week. As of yesterday I have noted 272 casual observances this year spread among 26 species. No lifers to report this week but I did see one species for the first time this year, Red Admiral, back after a 7-year absence.

Saturday, August 6, 2022

Eastern Tiger Swallowtails are more frequent visitors recently, including this female. Females have this blush of bright blue near the base of the tail.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)

I love seeing the swallowtails. This one stayed only for a moment before sailing out of the garden.

Spicebush Swallowtail Papilio troilus

Spicebush Swallowtail Papilio troilus

Monday, August 8, 2022

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)

Here are three views of the same Zabulon Skipper. This is the second one seen this year.

Zabulon skipper (Lon zabulon)

Zabulon skipper (Lon zabulon)

Zabulon skipper (Lon zabulon)

Dark morph Eastern Tiger Swallowtails are always female.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)

Homesteading above an Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’ this spider designed an interesting web.

Lined Orbweaver (Mangora gibberosa)

Last year I saw three species of Hairstreak. So far I have spotted only the Gray. They are small butterflies.

Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus)

Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Ocolas are common visitors.

Ocola Skipper (Panoquina ocola)

I have not tried to ID all the little grass skippers this year, but this one looked pretty nectaring on thyme in the meditation circle.

Sachem (Atalopedes campestris)

I chased a few more around and caught up with some settling onto the zinnias, their open wings revealing more detail.

Sachem (Atalopedes campestris)

There are usually one or two Silver-spotted Skippers around the garden on any given day.

Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)

Three is the most ET Swallowtails I have seen at any one time this summer. A few years back there would easily be six to ten. Their presence is no longer taken for granted.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)

There has been a significant decrease in the number of small bees and other insects in the past several weeks, but these large Eastern Carpenter Bees are still finding sustenance.

Eastern Carpenter Bee, Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’

They are partial it seems to salvia and don’t mind taking a deep dive.

Eastern Carpenter Bee, Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’

Thursday, August 11, 2022

On Thursday I saw the first Red Admiral in the garden since 2015. I’m told they are not usually seen on flowers, instead they are found on the ground on dirt or mud, rotting fruit, scat, etc., so this is a good “find” in a yard/garden.

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)

The much larger swallowtail is what had initially caught my eye before I had my attention diverted by the Admiral. A Black Swallowtail, it darted off quickly so I couldn’t get a closer view, but it seems quite fresh and in good condition.

Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)

Dragonflies dart around constantly but often let me get close enough to photograph. This Great Blue Skimmer posed for several shots but most ended up out of focus. One of the larger skimmers, it is 2-2.5 inches (50-63 mm). Immature ones are brownish, blue ones are mature.

Great Blue Skimmer (Libellula vibrans)

Like so many gardeners this year we’re watching anxiously for rain. Temperatures are expected to cool so that will bring relief. Hope your gardens are active and vibrant and bringing you joy this summer.

The Borders In Early Morning Light

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Lycoris radiata (Spider Lily)

Our house faces due east and the garden sits in back. Early sunlight slips in through the side yards, the narrow openings between our house and the those of our neighbors. It soon pours in along the back fence that marks the western border of the garden. From there it slowly tracks eastward up toward the house until by noon the entire garden is flooded in harsh summer light.

Being in the garden as the early light enters is my favorite way to experience it. Admittedly a bit unruly in appearance, this summer the southern border (north-facing) has filled out with a myriad of blooms. Two days ago I discovered the first spider lily had popped up among an ambitious patch of black-eyed Susans. I have loved these flowers since childhood and although these particular ones are more pinkish than red, I’m delighted to see them again.

Lycoris radiata (Spider Lily)

Looking behind this shrubby Salvia greggii ‘Furman’s Red’ the spider lily is visible emerging out of the yellow black-eyed Susans.

Salvia greggii ‘Furman’s Red’ (Autumn Sage)

Zinnias, once easy for me to grow, have struggled in past years but a few finally are making their presence know. Pollinators flock to them, including lately the swallowtail butterflies.

Zinnia

Zinnia

Zinnia

Zinnia

Zinnia

Zinnia

Zinnia

Cactus Zinnia

Zinnia

Airy drifts of sky blue salvia serve as generous way stations for bees, butterflies and other insects.

Salvia uliginosa ‘Blue Sky’ (Bog sage)

Salvia uliginosa ‘Blue Sky’ (Bog sage)

Bees are fond of this darker Black and Blue saliva and hummingbirds have a regular daily route through this border. The smaller honey bees have been absent the past few weeks and mostly I see the large carpenter bees.

Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’

Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’

The tiny flowers of orange coneflowers have just begun to open. These came from the local North Carolina Botanical Garden years ago. They are fairly insignificant but do return faithfully.

Rudbeckia fulgida (Orange Coneflower)

A small patch of coral bells are in flower. The leaves always look shabby by this time of year. This is Heuchera villosa ‘Big Top Bronze’.

Heuchera villosa ‘Big Top Bronze’ (Coral Bells)

Moving around to the southwestern edge of the garden, the Peacock Orchids are beginning to flower. After one day the dark maroon center has turned brown. I don’t think they will last long. Beside it the oakleaf hydrangea ‘Lil Ruby’ has been disappointing this year.

Peacock Orchid (Gladiolus acidanthera)

I usually plant gladiolas in a grouping, but this year I interspersed corms throughout the borders, where they have added some interesting color and textural contrast. In the western border facing the back of the house, this one is Gladiolus ‘Performer’.

Gladiolus ‘Performer’ (Large Flowering)

Gladiolus ‘Performer’ (Large Flowering)

Gladiolus ‘Performer’ (Large Flowering)

More dahlias didn’t make it than did but I am happy with all the buds and blooms on Dahlia ‘Noordwijks Glorie’.

Dahlia ‘Noordwijks Glorie’

After trimming back some of the echinacea some new flowers have formed.

Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower)

Lastly a foxglove opened this week. Only the second of five to flower I had not expected to see any more. It’s a tiny little thing but gardens do have a way of offering up sweet surprises.

Foxglove ‘Dalmatian Peach’