Anemone De Caen ‘Mr Fokker’
For a second year Cathy of Words and Herbs is hosting a Week of Flowers and on this penultimate day of the challenge I have three favorites to share.
Anemones in late March and salvias throughout summer helped nourish my enthusiasm for blues and greens in the garden.
Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’
Salvia uliginosa ‘Blue Sky’ (Bog sage)
For an uplifting color boost this week visit Cathy in Bavaria at Words and Herbs to see florals from around the globe.
It has been a busy week of weeding and mulching the garden but there is more to do, always more. Several hours before dawn we awoke to a powerful lightning storm but it carried little rain so far. I ventured outside around eight o’clock to secure the tarp covering my mulch and to catch a few quick pictures.
In the past couple days the spirea has opened even more fully.
Spiraea prunifolia (bridal wreath spiraea)
Spiraea prunifolia (bridal wreath spiraea)
Muscari is finally visible above the greenery of this bulbs planted in 2018.
Muscari ‘Armeniacum’
Anemones are awesome flowers. I have planted many over the years but few actually have made it to this stage. These were planted several years ago.
Anemone De Caen ‘Mr Fokker’
More of the cerinthe flowers have opened. Hope they seed all around.
‘Pride of Gibraltar’ Hummingbird Cerinthe
‘Pride of Gibraltar’ Hummingbird Cerinthe
Candytuft is one of my favorite groundcovers. This is a small patch planted 20 years ago in a front sidewalk border. Try as I might I cannot seem to get it to thrive in other areas of the garden for very long.
Iberis sempervirens (Candytuft)
Iberis sempervirens (Candytuft)
Have a safe and happy weekend.
Vernal Equinox: March 20, 2021 5:37 am.
Spring officially arrived this morning in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Narcissus ‘Tete-a-Tete’ (Tete-a-Tete Daffodil)
After a week of severe weather warnings here on Thursday we saw only light rain showers on a day that sadly brought damaging tornados nearby and across the region.
I managed only a couple hours of cleanup this week but it was satisfying to measure a bit of progress. A delivery of mulch scheduled for mid-week is a huge incentive to get busy weeding today.
Narcissus ‘King Alfred’
In fall of 2018 I layered tulip and muscari bulbs in a big blue pot. Last year a few tulips surprised me with blooms but muscari foliage was the bigger surprise. It never died back last summer, nor over the winter. So there is a tangle of leaves with little flowers now beginning to open.
Muscari ‘Armeniacum’
Muscari ‘Armeniacum’
After the winter a crinum lily is lifted way above ground. I read it should be planted with soil up to the neck of the bulb, which it was, but like my daughter who couldn’t tolerate turtlenecks as a child, the crinum didn’t like being restricted either apparently. Is the solution to dump more soil around it? It is already growing new leaves. I also read these bulbs could grow to 20 pounds so getting the planting right early on is important.
Crinum × powellii (Crinum lily)
I have tentatively identified a mystery plant in another pot as Matthiola incana (Stock). I think I pulled it up last fall by mistake and temporarily potted it until I could get back to it.
Matthiola incana (Stock -Giant Imperial Blend)
There is a very small clump of anemones starting to flower. Even one of these richly colored flowers is impactful when added to little bouquets of summer snowflakes and daffodils which I have been happily sharing with neighbors.
Anemone De Caen ‘Mr Fokker’
Some of the Liatris spicata ‘Blazing Star’ planted last year but enjoyed only by the rabbits have begun to emerge. The Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Ruby Slippers’ is waking up. Spiraea seems very late this year but a few flowers have begun to show.
Liatris spicata ‘Blazing Star’
Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Ruby Slippers’ (Lil’ Ruby dwarf Oakleaf Hydrangea)
Spiraea prunifolia (bridal wreath spiraea)
The hellebores continue to open and now the garden is looking more colorful when viewed more than six inches away.
Helleborus x hybridus
Helleborus x hybridus
Helleborus x hybridus
Before I finish I must mention I am haunted by the recent tragedy in Atlanta. Please keep in your thoughts the Asian women who were targeted and murdered this week. Amidst such suffering in the world we must find a way to bring compassion into our hearts.
Helleborus x hybridus
Thanks for stopping by. Wishing you a productive and exciting spring!
Narcissus ‘Tete-a-Tete’ (Tete-a-Tete Daffodil)
Narcissus ‘Tete-a-Tete’ (Tete-a-Tete Daffodil)
Narcissus ‘Tete-a-Tete’ (Tete-a-Tete Daffodil)
Leucojum aestivum (summer snowflake) hanging above Columbine
Anemone coronaria ‘Mr. Fokker’
Helleborus x hybridus ‘Frostkiss™ Penny’s Pink’
Helleborus Honeymoon ® ‘Vegas Nights’
Helleborus Honeymoon ® ‘Vegas Nights’
Helleborus Honeymoon ® ‘Vegas Nights’
Helleborus Honeymoon ® ‘Vegas Nights’
In A Vase On Monday – Glimpse Of Spring
Cathy at Rambling In The Garden invites us to share each Monday a vase of materials gathered from our gardens.
In A Vase On Monday – Glimpse Of Spring
Cold and rain are due back Monday but Sunday brought respite—sunshine and temperatures reaching 77 degrees. Mostly weeds are blooming here, but also I spotted the first yellow of daffodil, not quite open but the sighting is reassuring.
Around the garden hellebores at last are filling out and I included a creamy double in today’s vase. It proved to be floppy-headed but I could not be deterred.
Helleborus x hybridus
Helleborus x hybridus
The rich color of Anemone coronaria ‘Mr. Fokker’ is thrilling to see. I find it very difficult to grow and after many years of introducing new corms again only a couple of plants have shown up.
I grew ‘Pride of Gibraltar’ Hummingbird Cerinthe from seed last year. It got off to a late start and suffered through last summer’s heat. But a few plants have overwintered. I am not sure if the mottled appearance of the leaves is normal but all the plants turned out this way. I have seen cerinthe in other’s Monday vases that is more dark purplish and green and had expected this to look similar.
‘Pride of Gibraltar’ Hummingbird Cerinthe and Anemone coronaria ‘Mr. Fokker’
Daphne odora appeared ready to bloom a few weeks ago. I found one stem with flowers that have opened but most are still holding back. The lemony fragrance is delectable.
Daphne odora (Winter daphne)
Materials
Flowers
Anemone coronaria ‘Mr. Fokker’
Daphne odora (Winter daphne)
Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten rose)
Foliage
‘Pride of Gibraltar’ Hummingbird Cerinthe
Container
Porcelain Ikebana vase, Georgetown Pottery, Maine. Triangle Black Wave (6.5 W x 6.5 L x 2H)
In A Vase On Monday – Glimpse Of Spring
Many 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 garden surprises she and others are offering this week.
Recently Bavarian gardener Cathy of Words and Herbs suggested posting a week of flowers, one or more photos a day of our flowers and gardens to brighten and cheer us all.
This afternoon I noticed a promising patch of anemone greenery in the northern bed and so for this first day I’m sharing an anemone from February 27, 2020.
Anemone De Caen ‘Mr Fokker’
In A Vase On Monday – Tender Greens And Purple
Each Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden invites us to share a vase highlighting what is growing in our gardens.
I gathered a variety of vase materials yesterday evening, including Thalia daffodils, camellias and luxurious stems of spiraea, but ended up with a simple display using two types of flowers.
In A Vase On Monday – Tender Greens And Purple
[Our daughter designed and built the cherry cabinet for the foyer. She named it Trillium.]
Restricting the choices to Anemone De Caen ‘Mr Fokker’ and a maturing double hellebore hybrid created a spare but powerful color palette.
In A Vase On Monday – Tender Greens And Purple
This fancy hellebore began a lovely, pure white and has gracefully aged toward apple green.
In A Vase On Monday – Tender Greens And Purple
I added a strawberry-flecked hellebore for its height and just because it is a pretty one I have not shown this year. It has a red outline at the bottom edge.
In A Vase On Monday – Tender Greens And Purple
In A Vase On Monday – Tender Greens And Purple
Materials
Flowers
Anemone De Caen ‘Mr Fokker’
Helleborus x hybridus
Container
Porcelain Ikebana vase, Georgetown Pottery, Maine. Triangle Blue Wave (6.5 W x 6.5 L x 2H)
In A Vase On Monday – Tender Greens And Purple
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 she and others found to place in a vase this week. Good health and peace to you.
Middle March Blooms
This should be a good week for cleaning up the garden beds, planting those hellebores bought a month ago, and for planting a dahlia shipment received this week. In a spirit of optimism, Wednesday I planted some sweet pea seeds (Lathyrus odoratus ‘Beaujolais’). Wish me luck.
The redbud is in bloom but I have yet to get a good photo. Birdsong lifts the air.
Anemone De Caen ‘Mr Fokker’
Narcissus ‘Thalia’ (Thalia Daffodil)
Iberis sempervirens (Candytuft)
Aquilegia canadensis (Eastern red columbine)
I missed seeing my Gentle Yoga students this morning. Classes are suspended for several weeks. Wishing everyone wellness and calm.
Singing Bowls
Om Peace Peace Peace!
In A Vase On Monday – Spring Temperament
Each Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden invites us to share a vase highlighting what is growing in our gardens.
In A Vase On Monday – Spring Temperament
I gathered blooms early on this frosty morning. Since then the thermometer has risen to 69°.
The temperament of spring is fresh, cheerful and light-hearted and the flowers featured today are convincing ambassadors of the season. I photographed them in several locations—none of the spots was a clear winner but the cup of springtime treasures seemed to smile in each one. Hope they bring a smile to you today.
In A Vase On Monday – Spring Temperament
In A Vase On Monday – Spring Temperament
Visible in the background are the phalaenopsis orchids that graciously rebloomed recently.
In A Vase On Monday – Spring Temperament
Camellia x ‘Coral Delight’ is elegant in form and color. This is my only spring-blooming camellia.
Camellia x ‘Coral Delight’
Camellia x ‘Coral Delight’
After a few years Leucojum has formed a nice clump and perhaps can be divided. I grouped the stems together in the vase for more impact against the showier anemone.
Anemone De Caen ‘Mr Fokker’ With Leucojum
Thalia daffodils are just beginning to open. They may well be the favorites among my garden’s narcissus. I massed them as well to one side.
In A Vase On Monday – Spring Temperament
In A Vase On Monday – Spring Temperament
Materials
Flowers
Anemone De Caen ‘Mr Fokker’
Camellia x ‘Coral Delight’
Leucojum aestivum (summer snowflake)
Narcissus ‘Thalia’
Container
Fiesta soup mug fitted with Ikebana floral pin
In A Vase On Monday – Spring Temperament
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 she and others found to place in a vase this week.
In A Vase On Monday – Purple-Blue With Light
Each Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden invites us to share a vase highlighting what is growing in our gardens.
Last week’s vase included a single anemone. A few more anemones bloomed midweek and finding them precious, I brought them indoors to enjoy. They lasted well tucked loosely into a small Caithness bud vase.
In A Vase On Monday – Purple-Blue With Light
Outdoors in the garden yesterday I clipped one more ‘Mr Fokker’ not quite open, along with several tiny sprigs of candytuft and grape hyacinths, and a handful of leucojum.
In A Vase On Monday – Purple-Blue With Light
The vase barely had room to hold the additional stems but its colored glass seemed perfect so I kept stuffing them in.
Photographed in late afternoon light the vase eventually ended up in front of our daughter’s carved box of mahogany and tigerwood.
In A Vase On Monday – Purple-Blue With Light
Materials
Flowers
Anemone De Caen ‘Mr Fokker’
Leucojum aestivum (summer snowflake)
Iberis sempervirens (Candytuft)
Muscari (Grape Hyacinth)
Container
Caithness glass bud vase
An earlier idea for presentation had awkward proportions but I like the rabbit.
In A Vase On Monday – Purple-Blue With Light
In A Vase On Monday – Purple-Blue With Light
In A Vase On Monday – Purple-Blue With Light
In A Vase On Monday – Purple-Blue With Light
In A Vase On Monday – Purple-Blue With Light
In A Vase On Monday – Purple-Blue With Light
In A Vase On Monday – Purple-Blue With Light
In A Vase On Monday – Purple-Blue With Light
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 she and others found to place in a vase this week.
In A Vase On Monday – Color Burst
Each Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden invites us to share a vase highlighting what is growing in our gardens.
A snow storm passed through Thursday, flattening most of the daffodils. I picked a few for a vase today but actually I had a different flower in mind to feature. I planted 100 Anemone De Caen ‘Mr Fokker’ last year and disappointingly only 5 or 6 survived. The first bloom emerged from the snow unscathed. It opened Sunday and I designated it star of today’s vase, pairing it with hellebores.
Anemone De Caen ‘Mr Fokker’
In A Vase On Monday – Color Burst
Modest in size the anemone was nearly overwhelmed by its taller and bulkier companions but I liked the rich color palette the hellebores added.
In A Vase On Monday – Color Burst
The shorter hellebore in front is Helleborus x ericsmithii ‘Pirouette’ and the taller one at back right is Helleborus x hybridus ‘Frostkiss™ Penny’s Pink’.
Helleborus x ericsmithii ‘Pirouette’ PPAF
Helleborus x ericsmithii ‘Pirouette’ PPAF
Helleborus x ericsmithii ‘Pirouette’ PPAF
Helleborus x hybridus ‘Frostkiss™ Penny’s Pink’
Helleborus x hybridus ‘Frostkiss™ Penny’s Pink’
Helleborus x hybridus ‘Frostkiss™ Penny’s Pink’
The white/green with pink touches is an unnamed hybrid.
Helleborus x hybridus With Helleborus x hybridus ‘Frostkiss™ Penny’s Pink’
Materials
Flowers and Foliage
Anemone De Caen ‘Mr Fokker’
Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten rose)
Helleborus x hybridus ‘Frostkiss™ Penny’s Pink’
Helleborus x ericsmithii ‘Pirouette’ PPAF
Container
Porcelain Ikebana vase, Georgetown Pottery, Maine. Triangle Black Wave (6.5 W x 6.5 L x 2H)
In A Vase On Monday – Color Burst
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 she and others found to place in a vase this week.
In A Vase On Monday – April’s Allure
Each Monday Cathy from Rambling In The Garden invites us to share a vase assembled from materials collected in our gardens.
After another busy week of non-gardening duties, I stole a few minutes here and there and now at day’s end, Monday’s vase(s) finally are ready.
The colors of the late April garden are rich and deep; the flowers offer plenty of fragrance. My irises are not blooming as well as they should, but I love each new one that opens.
In A Vase On Monday – April’s Allure
The purple anemones that survived the fall planting and winter rains are seriously beautiful, but there should be many more. None of the white ‘Bride’ seem to have taken hold.
In A Vase On Monday – April’s Allure
This is anemone is an oddity.
This Anemone De Caen ‘Mr Fokker’ has a crown of stamens on both sides.
Here are a few close-ups.
The yellow Iris germanica (Tall bearded iris) is a passalong from 1977
Iris tectorum (Japanese Roof Iris)
Dianthus Ideal Select Mix
Anemone De Caen ‘Mr Fokker’ and Clematis ‘Jackmanii’
Anemone De Caen ‘Mr Fokker’
Materials
Flowers
Anemone De Caen ‘Mr Fokker’ – planted fall 2018
Clematis ‘Jackmanii’ – one of first purchases for this garden, 2001
Dianthus Ideal Select Mix – planted this time last year, overwintered well
Iris germanica (Tall bearded iris) – yellow pass-along from neighbor Henrietta in 1977
Iris germanica ‘Immortality’) – white rebloomer
Iris germanica ‘Orinoco Flow’) – passalong from down-the-street neighbor Gary
Iris tectorum (Japanese Roof Iris) – passalong from a historic old Chapel Hill neighborhood
Foliage
Clematis ‘Jackmanii’
Container
Porcelain Ikebana vase, Georgetown Pottery, Maine. Triangle Blue Wave (6.5 W x 6.5 L x 2H)
Portmerion Botanic vase, made in England.
As we continue to deal with medical issues there is very little time for the garden or keeping up with blogging friends, but I sneak a peek at your posts when I can. We are finally back at home which makes us happy.
In A Vase On Monday – April’s Allure
Many thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting and giving us an opportunity to share flower designs across the world. Visit her to discover what she and others found to place In A Vase On Monday.
In A Vase On Monday—Vintage PurpleEach Monday Cathy from Rambling In The Garden invites us to share a vase assembled from materials collected in our gardens.
Iris germanica ‘Orinoco Flow’ was the starting point for today’s vase. With inky coloring outlining a stitching pattern around the edges of the falls, this iris, which just began opening this week, commands attention.
I. ‘Orinoco Flow’Clematis ‘Jackmanii’ opened abruptly after sporting fat buds promisingly for days. It deserves attention as well, and made a nice focal flower for the design near the base.
In A Vase On Monday—Vintage Purple
In A Vase On Monday—Vintage Purple
In A Vase On Monday—Vintage Purple
Sweetly scented late-blooming narcissus are used as secondary flowers adding contrast in color, value and form. Several stems of the first iris to open this spring, a solid purple iris hybrid pass-along, made it into my Monday vase again this week.
In A Vase On Monday—Vintage Purple
Through the years I have admired on others’ blogs the graceful way tulips age. Finally I am able to enjoy up-close the late-stage beauty of Tulip Triumph ‘Negrita.’ Fresh Anemones always delight.
In A Vase On Monday—Vintage Purple
Materials
Flowers
Anemone De Caen ‘Mr Fokker’
Clematis ‘Jackmanii’
Iris germanica (Tall bearded iris)
Iris germanica ‘Orinoco Flow’
Muscari ‘Armeniacum’
Narcissus
Tulip Triumph ‘Negrita’
Foliage
Buxus microphylla var koreana ‘Wintergreen’ (Winter boxwood)
Stachys Byzantine (Lamb’s Ear)
Container
Ceramic Urn Stamped “Vintage 4”
6-inch clear Lomey dish
eco-friendly Oasis floral foam
In A Vase On Monday—Vintage Purple
Many thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting and giving us an opportunity to share flower designs across the world. Visit her to discover what she and others found to place In A Vase On Monday.
In A Vase On Monday – April Trio 1
Each Monday Cathy from Rambling In The Garden invites us to share a vase assembled from materials collected in our gardens.
Flowers blooming in the garden this week make my heart sing! I put together three quick assemblages. The first is a simple highlight of tulips, muscari and anemone.
In A Vase On Monday – April Trio 1
The other two vases mix and match the first iris and dogwood blooms with more muscari, tulips and anemones.
A fading bloom from a phalaenopisis orchid worked its way into this tall blue vase with white Dutch Iris and an early-blooming purple Iris germanica.
In A Vase On Monday – April Trio 2
Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchid) with Tulip Triumph ‘Negrita’
Iris × hollandica (Dutch Iris)
Iris × hollandica (Dutch Iris)
This Ikebana design was actually created first and began with fresh stems of flowering dogwood. It did not need anything else but I could not stop adding bits of color.
In A Vase On Monday – April Trio 3
Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood)
Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood)
Anemone De Caen ‘Mr Fokker’
Candytuft and Muscari
Iris germanica (Tall bearded iris)
Iris germanica (Tall bearded iris)
Iris germanica (Tall bearded iris)
Tulip Triumph ‘Negrita’
Materials
Flowers
Anemone De Caen ‘Mr Fokker’
Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood)
Iberis (candytuft)
Iris germanica (Tall bearded iris)
Iris × hollandica (Dutch Iris)
Muscari ‘Armeniacum’
Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchid)
Tulip Triumph ‘Negrita’
Foliage
Containers
One – Hand-thrown Seagrove Pottery (olive-artichoke glaze)
Two – Handmade blue ceramic lidded jar
Three – Porcelain Ikebana vase, Georgetown Pottery, Maine. Rectangle Blue Zen (6.75L x 3.75W x 2H inches)
Hope signs of spring are close to your hearts this week.
Many thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting and giving us an opportunity to share flower designs across the world. Visit her to discover what she and others found to place In A Vase On Monday.
Each Monday Cathy from Rambling In The Garden invites us to share a vase assembled from materials collected in our gardens.
Spring is in full swing in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Pure white Thalia daffodils and graceful stems of Leucojum brighten the outside borders and form the basis of today’s arrangement.
I hadn’t grown tulips in years but last fall decided to try give them a try again. Perhaps they would have fared better with pre-chilling in the refrigerator; their growth is stunted with the flowers opening at ground level. A few in pots did a little better. Despite short stems these Negrita tulips have a beautiful rich color and I am happy to have a few to include in a vase.
Mr. Fokker anemone is just starting to flower and the rich bluish purple is strong against the red tulips.
A hellebore from last week’s vase complements the tulip color.
Several sprigs of Candytuft and a dozen stems of muscari provide more texture.
Materials
Flowers
Anemone De Caen ‘Mr Fokker’
Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten rose)
Iberis (candytuft)
Leucojum aestivum (summer snowflake)
Muscari ‘Armeniacum’
Narcissus ‘Thalia’
Tulip Triumph ‘Negrita’
Foliage
Iris
Container
Hand thrown ceramic bowl, periwinkle blue glaze
Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting and giving us an opportunity to share flower designs across the world. Visit her to discover what she and others found to place In A Vase On Monday.
In A Vase On Monday – Anemones In Blue Vase
Each Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden invites us to share an arrangement using materials collected from our gardens.
Seeing anemones in my spring garden is a treat. These is a high attrition rate, few of those planted in the past few years ever made it to bloom. One particular batch overcame the odds though and even managed to return for several years, but now only three plants remain. Happily the ones left are prolific in their blooms. Cutting seems to encourage more flowers, so I am happy to oblige.
The arrangement began with a favorite matte-finished, blue-gray jar. I primed the container with clumps of green leaves gathered from an abundant bed of Leucanthemum. This shasta daisy foliage provided a framework to hold the flowering stems of anemone without using mechanics.
In A Vase On Monday – Anemones In Blue Vase
Accents of Erysimum, Salvia ‘May Night’ and Iberis were tucked in and around for color, texture and contrast.
In A Vase On Monday – Anemones In Blue Vase
Erysimum ‘Sugar Rush Purple’ (Wallflower)
Some weeks the vases take a lot of thought and time, but this one floated together in a few short minutes, unwanting of adjustment or second-guessing.
In A Vase On Monday – Anemones In Blue Vase
Materials
Flowers
Anemone coronaria ‘Mr. Fokker’
Erysimum ‘Sugar Rush Purple’ (Wallflower)
Iberis sempervirens (Candytuft)
Salvia nemorosa ‘May Night’ (Hardy Sage)
Foliage
Leucanthemum x superbum (Shasta Daisy)
Vase
Handmade ceramic lidded jar
In A Vase On Monday – Anemones In Blue Vase
Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting and giving us an opportunity to share flower designs across the world. Visit her to discover what she and others found to place In A Vase On Monday.
Anemone coronaria ‘Mr. Fokker’,’ Phlox subulata ‘Emerald Cushion Blue’
Anemone coronaria ‘Mr. Fokker’
Phlox stolonifera ‘Sherwood Purple’
In A Vase On Monday – Easter White
Each Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden invites us to share an arrangement using materials collected from our gardens.
Several stems of Anemone coronaria ‘Mr. Fokker’ join nearly 3 dozen Narcissus ‘Thalia’ for a simple presentation prepared for Easter weekend. The Thalia were meant to be today’s star, but once I tucked the purplish blue flowers at the neck of the jar, the character of the arrangement shifted.
In A Vase On Monday – Easter White
Just a hint of Phlox subulata ‘Emerald Cushion Blue’ softens the vase’s edge, uniting container and flowers.
In A Vase On Monday – Easter White
Materials
Flowers
Anemone coronaria ‘Mr. Fokker’
Narcissus ‘Thalia’ (Thalia Daffodil)
Phlox subulata ‘Emerald Cushion Blue’
Foliage
None
Vase
Handmade ceramic lidded jar
Three stages of Anemone coronaria ‘Mr. Fokker’. Lower left one is from last week’s vase.
I like the simplicity of this combination.
In A Vase On Monday – Easter White
With another nod to Easter celebration, I pulled out my daughter’s childhood cup to hold leftover tufts of phlox along with the year’s first blooms of Aquilegia canadensis (Eastern red columbine).
Aquilegia canadensis (Eastern red columbine)
Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting and giving us an opportunity to share flower designs across the world. Visit her to discover what she and others found to place In A Vase On Monday.
In A Vase On Monday – Anemones With Lenten Roses
Each Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden invites us to share an arrangement using materials collected from our gardens.
The starting point for today’s vase is a small glass bowl I found in the NCMA gift shop while visiting Art In Bloom this week. The glass is translucent white and has a pleasing low profile, rounded form.
Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten Rose)
I have been enjoying the striking blooms of Anemone coronaria ‘Mr. Fokker.’
Anemone coronaria ‘Mr. Fokker’
My plan was to showcase anemones alone, but the result was so stark, I revisited the garden to collect a few hellebores to fill out the arrangement.
Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten Rose)
Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten Rose)
Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten Rose)
Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten Rose)
A stem of Leucojum is tucked among the hellebores.
Leucojum, Hellebore and Anemone
Materials
Flowers
Anemone coronaria ‘Mr. Fokker’
Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten Rose)
Leucojum (Snowflake)
Foliage
Lavender
Vase
Rounded white glass bowl
It was worth refashioning the design. In the end the colors of the hellebores brought out the purple hue of the anemones, resulting in a richer, more satisfying Monday vase.
In A Vase On Monday – Anemones With Lenten Roses
Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting and giving us an opportunity to share flower designs across the world. Visit her to discover what she and others found to place In A Vase On Monday.
Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten Rose)
Spring arrived reluctantly this week. It has been wet and even snowed yesterday, with perhaps more wintry mix this weekend. Today the sun broke through to raise spirits, but it still feels too chilly to enjoy working in the garden.
I checked on a a few things this afternoon and in my wanderings was struck by how wonderful the hellebores are this year. Their buds were showing color during the first week of February and by mid-month were blooming.
One that I have had my eye on the past month is at last in its glory. So pleased this one made. It came from Pine Knot Farm two years ago and is flowering for the first time. The three buds remained tightly closed on this hellebore long after its nearby companions had ventured to open, but today I see they are open.
Helleborus ’Black Diamond’ (Winter Jewels® Black Diamond)
Helleborus ’Black Diamond’ (Winter Jewels® Black Diamond)
Helleborus ’Black Diamond’ (Winter Jewels® Black Diamond)
Here are a few more of the hellebores from Pine Knot Farm. Some show their faces easily.
Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten Rose)
Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten Rose)
Others are shy, but can be coaxed.
Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten Rose)
Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten Rose)
Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten Rose)
Nope…this one still wants to hide. Red markings outline each petal.
Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten Rose)
Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten Rose)
The first ever hellebores in the garden were Helleborus niger, ordered through a neighbor. She was a horticulturist and placed a large order from Monrovia for those of us in our fledgling neighborhood garden club around 2002. The club lasted only about a year, the neighbor moved away after several more, but the hellebores have returned each year.
Helleborus niger (Christmas Rose)
These are pass-alongs from a Chapel Hill Garden Club friend.
Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten Rose)
Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten Rose)
Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten Rose)
Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten Rose)
Besides hellebores several other sights made me smile as I enjoyed seeing the garden in the sunlight.
Phlox subulata ‘Emerald Cushion Blue’
Anemone coronaria ‘Mr. Fokker’
Narcissus ‘Thalia’ (Thalia Daffodil)
Hope your spring is taking shape. Tomorrow I am headed out for the day to see over 50 floral designs inspired by art works in the collection at the North Carolina Museum of Art. Have a wonderful weekend!
In A Vase On Monday – March Subtlety
Each Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden invites us to share an arrangement using materials collected from our gardens.
In contrast to last week’s frilly arrangement, today’s vase features a limited color palette, one that I enjoy: a restful combination of blue/violet, green and white.
In A Vase On Monday – March Subtlety
The starting point was Anemone coronaria ‘Mr. Fokker.’ Only a couple plants came back this year, so I must be sure to plan for more. They are very difficult to grow in my garden and now I do not want to live without them.
Anemone coronaria ‘Mr. Fokker’
White flowers work well in arrangements and I love them in my garden. Iberis sempervirens (candytuft) is dotted around the borders. Sometimes it survives for years, other times only one season. I have been unable to figure out a perfect formula, but a sweet yoga friend, Suzanne, increased my candytuft holdings with a generous gift from her yard last summer.
In A Vase On Monday – March Subtlety
I was not planning to repeat yet another pale yellow hyacinth, but it was needed to help balance the design. As violet’s complementary color I knew it would fit in well, but the color is so soft it nearly comes off as white.
In A Vase On Monday – March Subtlety
Other white blooms today include my favorite pure white Thalia Daffodils, which have just begun to open, and several stems of Leucojum, which I was pleased to see are continuing to bloom.
Narcissus ‘Thalia’
Muscari (Grape Hyacinth) sprang into action this week. I came across them only at the last minute, when searching for a few more stems to complete today’s design.
Muscari (Grape Hyacinth)
Materials
Flowers
Anemone coronaria ‘Mr. Fokker’
Hyacinthus orientalis (Hyacinth Sunrise Mix)
Iberis sempervirens (Candytuft)
Leucojum (Snowflake)
Muscari (Grape Hyacinth)
Narcissus ‘Thalia’ (Thalia Daffodil)
Foliage
Narcissus leaf
Phalaenopsis (moth orchid) leaves
Vase
Footed ceramic dish, charcoal gray matte finish
Two broad, dark green leaves of Phalaenopsis orchids create a backdrop for the flowers.
In A Vase On Monday – March Subtlety
Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting and giving us an opportunity to share flower designs across the world. Visit her to discover what she and others found to place In A Vase On Monday.
In A Vase On Monday – Colors Of Spring Trio
Each Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden invites us to share an arrangement using materials collected from our gardens.
Today’s trio of vases features pastel hyacinths and golden daffodils, punctuated by jolts of deep purple anemones. I removed one pink hyacinth that clashed with the daffodils to a separate vase off-camera.
Between the smaller vases, hyacinths and anemones trade spaces in and out of the water.
Anemone coronaria ‘Mr. Fokker’ With Hyacinthus orientalis (Dutch hyacinth)
Anemone coronaria ‘Mr. Fokker’ With Hyacinthus orientalis (Dutch hyacinth)
Materials
Flowers
Anemone coronaria ‘Mr. Fokker’
Hyacinthus orientalis (Dutch hyacinth)
Narcissus ‘King Alfred’
Foliage
Dracaena deremensis warneckii ‘Lemon Lime’
Iberis sempervirens (Candytuft)
Vase
2-inch round holder with integrated florist’s frog
Clear glass vodka shot glasses
In A Vase On Monday – Colors Of Spring Trio
Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting and giving us an opportunity to share flower designs across the world. Visit her to discover what she and others found to place In A Vase On Monday.
In A Vase On Monday – Harbinger Of Spring
Each Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden invites us to share an arrangement using materials collected from our gardens.
Narcissus ‘Tete-a-Tete’ and ‘King Alfred’ signal spring in this southern garden.
Narcissus ‘King Alfred’, Narcissus ‘Tete-a-Tete’ and Hyacinthus orientalis
A few hyacinths are blooming also and this pale, pale yellow one is actually the starting point of today’s vase.
Hyacinthus orientalis (Dutch hyacinth)
Stems were inserted into a florist’s frog and placed on a white ceramic square dish for a quick arrangement, as in the first image.
I tried two different vase options—I like both. Here is a shallow blue ceramic dish with purple overtones.
In A Vase On Monday – Harbinger Of Spring
Materials
Flowers
Hyacinthus orientalis (Dutch hyacinth)
Narcissus ‘King Alfred’
Narcissus ‘Tete-a-Tete’
Foliage
Daffodil leaf
Vase
Florist’s frog
White ceramic square dish / Blue ceramic vase
A generous mixed bouquet in a large porcelain vase graced the refreshment table this past Saturday as I participated in an all-day silent yoga retreat. The retreat was a lovely experience, a great mix of yoga, sitting and walking meditation, journaling, mediation and more yoga. At the end of the day I was offered the chance to select some flowers to bring home. Not wanting to break up the arrangement, I chose just this one, richly colored perfect Gerbera daisy.
Gerbera From Silent Yoga Retreat
I paired the gerbera with a branch from the native eastern redbud, added the first anemones of the year and tucked in a sprig of soon to bloom candytuft.
In A Vase On Monday – Harbinger Of Spring
Materials
Flowers
Anemone coronaria ‘Mr Fokker’
Cercis canadensis (eastern redbud)
Gerbera
Foliage
Iberis sempervirens (Candytuft)
Vase
White ceramic square dish. Florist’s frog in black plastic cup
Have a great week everyone. I am behind reading blogs but trying to catch up soon. Love seeing what you are up to in your own gardens.
Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting and giving us an opportunity to share flower designs across the world. Visit her to discover what she and others found to place In A Vase On Monday.
In A Vase On Monday – March Parallel
Each Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden invites us to share an arrangement using materials collected from the garden. This week she is celebrating her fifth blogging anniversary and her Monday In A Vase sensation is in its fourth year. Congratulation Cathy!
In A Vase On Monday – March Parallel
Spring is finally official and the temperatures are moderating after a brutal cold snap last week. My garden club is sponsoring a flower show this spring that includes three classes (groups): Functional Table For Two, Small Design and Parallel Design.
Unfortunately my schedule has been such that I have been unable to attend the preparatory floral design workshops this year. I decided to try a parallel design on my own this week.
The inspiration comes from the verticality of a now-fading white Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchid) that has been blooming since before Christmas,
Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchid)
Staging three or more groupings of plant materials placed in strongly parallel arrangement is the basis behind this creative design. Guidelines emphasize it is important to retain negative space between each group while creating a unified overall arrangement.
Accompanied by long green leaves of iris and narcissus the orchid was given central placement.
In A Vase On Monday – March Parallel
The second grouping, on the right side, features several iris buds that survived this week’s cold, another cluster of narcissus leaves, and a single Anemone coronaria ‘Mr. Fokker’ flower.
Anemone coronaria ‘Mr. Fokker’
Branches of Eastern redbud form the third segment of this arrangement. They are joined by a folded-over narcissus leaf and another purple-blue anemone.
Each grouping of materials is inserted into its own florist’s frog or pin holder. Large round leaves of Begonia ‘Erythrophylla’ are used to hide the mechanics.
In A Vase On Monday – March Parallel
Clusters of white Iberis sempervirens and more redbud flowers are used across the base of the arrangement to unify the design.
In A Vase On Monday – March Parallel
Iberis sempervirens (Candytuft)
Materials
Flowers
Anemone coronaria ‘Mr. Fokker’
Cercis canadensis L. (Eastern Redbud)
Iberis sempervirens (Candytuft)
Iris germanica ‘Orinoco Flow’
Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchid)
Foliage
Begonia ‘Erythrophylla’ (Beefsteak Begonia)
Iris germanica leaves
Narcissus leaves
Container and Mechanics
Shallow, round, black dish
3 small black plastic Solo bowl
3 florist’s frogs (floral pin holders), 2.5 inch and 3 inch
Black polished stones
In A Vase On Monday – March Parallel
Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting and giving us a chance to express our flower arranging passion. Visit her to discover what she and others found this week in their winter gardens to place In A Vase On Monday.
pbmGarden 